OCJ warns WhatsApp account using 079-139-2620 impersonates Acting Justice Ngcukaitobi
South Africa's Office of the Chief Justice warns that a WhatsApp account using 079-139-2620 is impersonating Acting Justice Tembeka Ngcukaitobi; the messages are not from him.
- First reported
- Reports
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Source: timeslive.co.za · published
What happened
TimesLIVE reported on October 14, 2026 that South Africa's Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) warned the public about an individual impersonating Acting Constitutional Court Justice Tembeka Ngcukaitobi. The messages are not from the judge; he was impersonated.
The impostor registered a WhatsApp account under the name "Justice T Ngcukaitobi" using the number 079-139-2620, with a profile picture in his likeness, and sent WhatsApp messages posing as him. The OCJ said the matter will be reported to the relevant authorities.
How the scam works
Impersonating a senior judge or official on WhatsApp uses their authority to make requests seem legitimate and urgent. A copied name and profile photo are all it takes to set up such an account.
The OCJ warned that misrepresenting facts to the prejudice of another constitutes fraud. The source does not say what the impostor asked for; impersonation messages like this generally seek money, favours or personal information.
Source
TimesLIVE, "OCJ warns of scammer impersonating acting justice Tembeka Ngcukaitobi" (October 14, 2026).
Red flags
- A WhatsApp message claiming to be from a judge or senior official.
- A profile using an official's name and photo on an unknown number.
- Urgent requests or instructions sent by chat.
If you were targeted
- 1Don't respond to the account or act on its requests.
- 2Contact the Office of the Chief Justice directly to verify any suspicious communication.
- 3Block and report the number on WhatsApp, and report any loss to the police.