Newcastle businesses are being targeted by a coordinated SAPS impersonation scam that exploits active police cases and solicits money under the guise of official police initiatives. The operation, which has already affected multiple local companies, relies on staged phone calls, “convincing” SAPS-branded letters, and email addresses designed to appear authentic, allowing perpetrators to make their approach seem legitimate.
Among those targeted were local business owners Lionel and Michelle Fenton, whose experience highlights how Newcastle businesses can become vulnerable during periods of stress.
Michelle explained that their business was burgled in January 2026 and that they were reporting the crime and managing the aftermath when the first suspicious call arrived.
Recounting the initial contact, she explained:
“We received a call on our landline from an African man, who claimed to be from the local police, and that he wanted to speak to the owner of the business. This, he said, was because a Captain Moodley had to talk to the owner urgently, and I explained that my husband, Lionel, was the owner.”
With urgency firmly established, the caller provided Michelle with contact details for the alleged ‘Captain Moodley’, while assuring her that neither she nor her husband was in any form of trouble.
That reassurance, delivered alongside the insistence that the matter was urgent, played a critical role in sustaining the deception.
When Lionel returned the call, the narrative shifted. He explained that he was told that the Newcastle SAPS were running a feeding scheme for children and were seeking financial donations to support the initiative.
“I initially thought he was calling about the case for our business, which he assured me that the police were investigating, while adding that he was calling for donations for the project. I agreed to the donation, as he preyed on us when we were down, and needed assistance, which he promised we would get.”
According to Michelle, the credibility of the request was reinforced through presentation.
The letterhead appeared legitimate, and the individual posing as Captain Moodley communicated via WhatsApp, with an email address on the account, which at face value, closely resembled an official SAPS account.
The scammer then went further, embedding himself into the burglary narrative. Michelle explained that while discussing the logistics of the donation, he claimed he was taking over their case and was heading to a neighbouring business to obtain CCTV footage. It was only after inconsistencies became apparent that the Fentons realised they had been misled. Following which, they attempted to contact the Newcastle SAPS.
Within days of being scammed out of R2,000, the perpetrators attempted to re-engage. Michelle described the follow-up call:
“The same African male called again, giving me exactly the same story, word for word; as if he were reading from a script. I listened carefully to see if I could hear any distinguishing noises, and it sounded like a call centre. When he said Captain Moodley was looking for the owner urgently, I said it is because you want money, which he denied. He then gave me another phone number for Captain Moodley, and I sent him a message, saying that I understood he was looking for us. While he tried calling, I did not answer,” she added.
In the aftermath, Lionel and Michelle Fenton are urging other Newcastle business owners to independently verify any communication claiming to originate from the SAPS, particularly when money is requested.
Furthermore, Newcastillian News has established that at least three other prominent local companies were also targeted using the same method, confirming a coordinated scam operation in the region.
Confirming awareness of the scheme, Newcastle SAPS spokesperson Lizzy Arumuagm said local police had identified multiple warning signs. “The letterhead is fake, as there are errors in the way it is laid out, the language use is not according to SAPS standards, and the SAPS are not allowed to ask for money. Furthermore, there is no Captain Moodley employed by the SAPS in the Newcastle region, and the Newcastle SAPS is not running any feeding scheme of this kind,” stressed Arumugam.
She added that the matter is being treated seriously and that police are actively following up on reported incidents.
“Invesigations into the matter are underway, and we are asking people to be cautious when contacted by anyone over the telephone, claiming to be a police official and who is seeking any form of financial donations. The SAPS would never send out a letterhead like this, and if anyone has information on the matter, they are encouraged to come forward,” concluded Arumurgam.
The Fentons’ case illustrates the tactics of SAPS impersonation scams in Newcastle and the broader risks facing local businesses.
The operation combines detailed planning with psychological pressure, targeting business owners. It demonstrates that even cautious and experienced individuals can be deceived when scammers appear to be legitimate authorities.
For Newcastle businesses, the lesson is clear: always verify any contact claiming to be from the SAPS, particularly when financial contributions are requested. Reporting suspicious calls immediately and maintaining awareness of these ongoing scams remain the most effective ways to protect local enterprises.
By sharing their experience, the Fentons have provided a critical warning to the community, reinforcing the importance of vigilance and responsible verification in preventing further financial losses.
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Do not forget to read, SA Warned As Microsoft Phishing Scam Swaps ‘m’ For ‘rn’ In Convincing Attacks, if you missed.
FAQs:
According to Newcastle SAPS spokesperson Lizzy Arumugam, there is no Captain Moodley stationed at SAPS in the Newcastle region. The name is being used by scammers to create false authority and legitimacy when contacting local businesses.
No. SAPS officials are not permitted to request money, donations, or financial contributions from businesses or members of the public for any initiative. Any request for money claiming to come from SAPS should be treated as fraudulent.
If someone claims to be a SAPS officer:
Do not rely on the phone number they provide.
Contact South African Police Service directly using publicly listed numbers.
Ask for the officer’s rank, station, and force number, and verify this through the station switchboard.
Never continue communication via WhatsApp or personal email addresses.
Newcastle SAPS have confirmed that the scam letters contain:
Layout errors
Poor language inconsistent with official SAPS communication
Incorrect formatting and branding
Email addresses that resemble, but are not, official SAPS domains
Any SAPS letter requesting money is a clear red flag.
End the call immediately.
Do not send money or personal details.
Report the incident to your nearest SAPS station.
Warn other local businesses, as this scam is targeting companies during vulnerable periods, especially after burglaries.
Scammers monitor communities and target businesses that have recently reported crimes. They exploit the stress and urgency surrounding active police cases to make their approach appear legitimate and time-sensitive.
