Police warn the public about a disturbing trend of online job scams in Lusikisiki, where four women were tragically raped and robbed after being lured by fake job offers on Facebook.
Image: File
Police have issued an urgent warning to the public to be wary of online job scams following a horrifying series of attacks in the Eastern Cape, where four women were lured to Lusikisiki through a fake Facebook scheme, raped, and robbed.
According to law enforcement authorities, the victims traveling from Addo, Pietermaritzburg, and Lesotho, fell prey to the syndicate between April and May 2026 after believing they were securing employment.
Police revealed that the suspects used a calculated, multi-layered trap to target vulnerable women aged between 26 and 43.
Detailing the syndicate's methods, police stated that the scam begins with a phone call from a female accomplice.
"The scam begins with a phone call from a woman offering her a job opportunity as a domestic worker," a police statement revealed. To ensure the victims arrived under the cover of darkness, the fraudsters deliberately manipulated the travel timing.
"The unsuspecting victim would be told to arrive late, as the prospective employer was allegedly not available during the day," authorities said. "The caller would further inform them that she would send a man to fetch them from the bus stop."
However, instead of being taken to a place of employment, the victims were led straight into an ambush. Police confirmed that "after arriving at the Mangolwane bus stop in Lusikisiki on separate days, they were led into a nearby forest in Nyuswa locality by a male suspect, raped, and robbed of their personal belongings."
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the Lusikisiki Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is handling the case.
"Investigations are ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) to immediately contact the Lusikisiki FCS Unit," the statement read.
Members of the public who can assist the ongoing investigation are urged to contact the Acting Head of the unit, Detective Captain Flathela, directly on 063 502 5449. Alternatively, tip-offs can be phoned in via the anonymous #CrimeStop number on 08600 10111.
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