28/08/2026
Well-Dressed, Smooth-Talking and After Your Bank Balance: Mi7 Helps Uncover Alleged Rewards Scam
Date: 28 August 2026
Mi7 is warning residents to be wary of people offering free fuel, discounted groceries or rewards vouchers after an investigation into four suspects uncovered what appears to be an elaborate scam targeting unsuspecting members of the public.
The investigation began on Wednesday when CPF members from the Hayfields and Bisley areas, assisted by other private security companies, stopped a vehicle matching the description of one suspected of being used in criminal activity in the area.
Three men and a woman were inside the vehicle.
Mi7 was subsequently called in to assist and its Strategic Threat Response Unit (STRU) began working alongside detectives from Alexandra Police Station. The four suspects were taken to the police station, where Mi7 STRU members and Alexandra detectives spent several hours working through the information available, with the investigation continuing into the early hours of Thursday morning.
Among the items discovered in the vehicle were several dozen BP Rewards and Pick n Pay Smart Shopper cards.
As detectives began piecing together information from reported cases, a picture emerged of how the alleged scam operates.
Victims are reportedly approached by people who are well dressed, professional in appearance and convincing in their manner. They allegedly present themselves as representatives of major retailers or fuel companies running promotions and offer victims incentives such as free fuel, discounted groceries or shopping vouchers.
The offer is then used to persuade the victim to hand over their cellphone, supposedly so that the individual can register them for the promotion or rewards programme.
This is where the alleged scam becomes particularly concerning.
While handling the phone and waiting for a One-Time PIN (OTP), the suspects allegedly access the victim's SMS messages. It is believed they specifically look for banking notifications that reveal the available balance in the victim's bank account.
Once they have an indication of how much money the person has available, the amount allegedly demanded from the victim can be adjusted accordingly. Various explanations may then be given for the payment, including claims that a fee or commission is required to access the supposed reward or promotion.
At least three police case numbers have so far been linked to the investigation, with information indicating that further alleged victims may still come forward.
The investigation is continuing, and Mi7 is aware of reports suggesting that other groups may be using similar methods.
Members of the public should be extremely cautious when approached with unsolicited offers of fuel, grocery discounts, vouchers or rewards, regardless of how professional or convincing the person may appear. Do not hand an unlocked cellphone to a stranger, do not disclose an OTP, and do not allow anyone offering a promotion to access your banking messages or other personal information.
Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to a similar scheme is encouraged to report the incident to the police.
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