The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have issued a warning to the public against a bogus Web site (www.sapscsir.tk) which seeks to obtain people's e-mail addresses and passwords.
The CSIR and the SAPS say they have become aware of a Web site published in their names, inviting users to input e-mail addresses and passwords.
The site states that participants will receive additional security protection. This site is not an initiative by either organisation and represents fraudulent use of the SAPS and CSIR identities, the organisations say.
This fake Web site was set up after the CSIR and SAPS announced that they have signed a memorandum of agreement which will see the CSIR offering SAPS scientific, engineering and technology support.
The organisations say steps have been taken to address the situation and the Web site has since been closed but there could be others.
In a statement, they say members of the public are reminded to be vigilant about sharing their personal information - in particular passwords and PIN codes, adding that legitimate entities will not ask for such information over a public platform such as an e-mail or Web site.
This incident emphasises the scourge and prevalence of cyber crime and its risks which is an area that will receive priority attention in the collaboration by the CSIR and the SAPS in future, they say.
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