‘I’m so angry at myself’: Zelda La Grange opens up about scam ordeal
· The South African
Zelda La Grange, the former private secretary to Nelson Mandela, has opened up about her scam ordeal on Facebook.
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She is also the author of the international bestseller Good Morning, Mr. Mandela, and What Nelson Mandela Taught Me. These books recount almost 20 years of personal experiences with the late political stalwart.
ZELDA LA GRANGE SCAMMED OUT OF R6.000
Zelda couldn’t believe that she got scammed despite being “street smart.” As a result, she wants to warn others about shady call centre agents who lure unsuspecting people with giveaways or promotions.
She detailed the conversation with a “call centre agent” who claimed to be from Vodacom, during which she was scammed out of R6,000.
“None of us like admitting that we did something stupid. Well, this week I did, and it cost me R6000. So, I want to share that expensive mistake so YOU don’t fall for it,” she began.
Presented as “Vodacom’s 32nd celebration,” the call claimed to reward the network’s long-time customers, and having used Vodacom since her first cellphone, Zelda easily fell for it.
As the chat unfolded, Zelda was told that she had won a brand-new iPhone 17, a R5,000 grocery voucher, and R30.000 in cash. But her excitement faded when she realised the “agent” was not who they claimed to be, and she had been scammed.
ZELDA: ‘I’M SO ANGRY AT MYSELF’
Soon after, Zelda drove to the nearest Checkers to redeem the “vouchers,” only to find they had already been cashed in.
“I drop the phone, get into my car, and drive to the mall. 10 minutes later, I am standing at Checkers trying to cash out the vouchers, but they have been redeemed already!!!!! All of them!!!
“Throughout the conversation, it sounded like someone calling from a call centre. They said ALL the right things. I stupidly, and out of pure greed, wanted the money. I am SOOOO angry at myself.”
‘I WANT THEM CAUGHT’
FNB contacted Zelda after picking up some dodgy activity in her account. She was warned that scammers have become increasingly sophisticated, even operating from call centres, and was then advised to open a case at the police station.
“The next day, FNB called me about suspicious activity on my account. I told their fraud department what had happened, and they blocked my banking facilities.”
“The lady from the fraud department said that the scammers actually now DO have call centres from which they operate.”
“They have become extremely sophisticated, say all the right things, and you don’t suspect fraud because they appear legitimate.”
“I want them caught, and I want to go testify in court so I can see them and tell them how many people suffer because of what they do and what they do to trust and social cohesion in South Africa.”
LESSONS LEARNT
“From now on, I am not answering ANY calls from numbers not stored on my phone. If you are looking for me, text me to tell me when to expect your call.”
“I am definitely resorting to old-school verification of EVERYTHING. Please tell everyone you know about this scam so they don’t fall for it in the future.”
“When I told a friend who works for the bank earlier this afternoon [15 August] about this, I was hesitant to post about it, but she encouraged me because then people will be more aware.”