South African shoppers are being urged to remain vigilant after reports emerged of a grocery scam that appears to be resurfacing outside major supermarkets, where fraudsters allegedly exploit the generosity of customers by asking them to buy food instead of giving cash.
The scam, which has previously been reported in several parts of the country, has once again drawn attention following an incident in Strand in the Western Cape.
According to an interview with CapeTalk, a woman and her partner were approached by a man working as a car guard outside a supermarket along Beach Road.
Rather than asking for money, the man requested a bag of rice and two cans of fish, saying he only wanted food.
Believing the request was genuine, the couple agreed to help. When the woman entered the supermarket, she found the man already waiting inside with the selected groceries.
Assuming the purchase would only cost a modest amount, she proceeded to pay without carefully checking the total displayed on the payment terminal.
It was only after completing the transaction that the couple realised the groceries had cost approximately R300.
Suspicious about the unusually high price, they immediately returned to the store.
According to the shopper, her partner allegedly witnessed the man returning the groceries at the customer service counter and receiving a cash refund.
Within minutes, she claimed, the same individual was back outside approaching another couple with the same request.
The incident led the couple to believe the request for food had been part of a calculated scam rather than a genuine appeal for assistance.
Fraudsters exploit shoppers’ goodwill
Consumer scams involving requests for groceries have been reported periodically in South Africa, particularly in busy urban areas such as Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Instead of directly asking for cash, fraudsters appeal to shoppers’ compassion by requesting basic food items, making the request appear more credible.
Victims often focus on helping someone they believe is in need and may pay without checking the amount displayed on the card machine or reviewing the shopping basket carefully.
Some shoppers have also reported feeling distracted during the payment process, making it easier to overlook inflated grocery totals or other suspicious behaviour.
While not every request for food is fraudulent, consumer safety experts advise shoppers to exercise caution before agreeing to purchase groceries for strangers.
Police encourage donations through recognised charities
After confronting the store owner, the couple requested a refund but were told there was no evidence proving that a scam had taken place.
They later reported the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS), but officers reportedly advised that returning legally purchased goods to a retailer is not, in itself, a criminal offence.
Police therefore had limited grounds to intervene unless evidence of fraud or another offence could be established.
SAPS continues to encourage members of the public who wish to assist vulnerable people to donate through registered welfare organisations rather than giving money or purchasing goods directly for individuals on the street.
Authorities say recognised charities are better placed to ensure donations reach those who genuinely need assistance while reducing opportunities for fraudsters to exploit public generosity.
Shoppers are also advised to carefully review their purchases, verify the amount displayed on payment terminals and remain alert whenever approached outside supermarkets.
Source: CapeTalk; South African Police Service (SAPS)