A disturbing and calculated extortion scam has emerged in the Vhembe region, where a woman posing as a “prophet” is allegedly targeting young female students, manipulating them into sharing explicit images, and then blackmailing them for money.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that they are investigating a case in which a suspect allegedly pretends to possess spiritual powers to remove evil spirits in order to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.
According to Ledwaba, the suspect contacts students by phone, convincing them that they are spiritually afflicted and require urgent cleansing rituals.
“In one of the latest incidents reported in Thohoyandou on Sunday, 15 March, a 20-year-old student from the University of Venda allegedly received a phone call from an unknown woman who introduced herself as a ‘woman of God’ capable of exorcising demons. The suspect allegedly manipulated the student during a video call and instructed her to perform explicit acts under the pretext of a spiritual cleansing ritual,” he said.
Ledwaba further indicated that the woman is believed to have secretly taken screenshots during the call before later demanding money from the student, threatening to publish the images if payment was not made. He added that they believe the victim may not be the only target and fear that several other students in the area could have fallen prey to the same scheme.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a cruel and calculated form of extortion that exploits fear, faith, and the vulnerability of young people.
University of Venda spokesperson Dr Takalani Dzaga confirmed that the institution is aware of the incident. He said the university’s protection services are conducting their own investigations and that a full statement will be issued once all the facts surrounding the matter have been established.
Meanwhile, police have urged anyone who may have fallen victim to the scheme, or who may have information about the suspect, to report the matter to the nearest police station, contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, or make use of the MySAPS mobile application.