South African singer Nkosazana Daughter has become the latest victim of online scammers targeting artists during the busy holiday season.
The popular Keneilwe singer issued a public warning this week after discovering that someone had been fraudulently booking performances in her name, defrauding promoters and event organisers.
The scammer, operating under the bank account name of Mpho Mapeta, has been posing as Nkosazana Daughter's manager and booking agent. They have been soliciting payments from promoters by sending invoices, leading to several unsuspecting individuals falling victim to the scam.
In a statement released to the public, Nkosazana Daughter expressed her regret at the situation and urged fans and promoters to exercise extreme caution.
"The booking number has changed due to it being hacked and the person is soliciting payments by sending invoices to promoters. Please avoid making payments of invoices," she warned.
The singer highlighted the importance of using official channels for bookings to avoid similar incidents. "We strongly urge promoters to use the correct channels and make payments only to the official company's account to ensure a smooth securing of talent and to avoid similar incidents in the future," she stressed. She also apologised to those who had already fallen victim to the scam.
The holiday season, with its increased demand for entertainment and events, often sees a rise in fraudulent activity targeting those in the entertainment industry. The ease with which scammers can impersonate artists online, using readily available information and social media profiles, makes it crucial for promoters and event organisers to be extra vigilant.
The use of official company accounts for payment is also crucial. Promoters should only make payments to accounts explicitly confirmed by the artist's management or representatives. Any deviation from this procedure should raise immediate red flags. The reliance on unofficial communication channels, such as personal email addresses or unverified social media accounts, increases the risk of encountering fraudulent activity.
