Mandela’s Foundation Warns Against Impostors

November 9, 2008

A group calling itself the Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Organising Committee has used the freedom fighter’s name fraudulently telling unsuspecting people that they had won the Mandela Birthday Promotion held on July 18 2008, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF) said on Saturday.

NMCF spokesperson Oupa Ngwenya said the alleged fraudsters claim to be from Mandela’s office in Sandton, acting on directions from chief executive Sibongile Mkhabela.

The fraudsters appeared to be targeting UK citizens in their scheme, Ngwenya said.

“Winners” were advised to call 073 934 7801 or to e-mail mandelaclaims@live.co.za to claim their winnings. The address given by the alleged fraudsters was the correct address for the fund.

However, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and its United Kingdom branch said that the fund neither ran a lottery nor was Mkhabela the co-ordinator of such a lottery.

Rosebank police have been alerted and they have advised that anyone called by the fraudsters should report the matter.

Source African Press Agency

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