South Africans are being urged to remain vigilant after reports emerged of a scam targeting shoppers outside major supermarkets, where fraudsters ask for food instead of money before allegedly turning the purchases into cash.

Cases involving this tactic have become increasingly common across the country, particularly in large cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. The scam typically relies on the kindness of shoppers, with individuals requesting that essential groceries be bought for them rather than asking for cash directly.

A recent incident in Strand has brought the scheme back into the spotlight after a couple said they were approached by a man working as a car guard along Beach Road.

According to the shopper, the man did not ask for money but instead requested a bag of rice and two tins of fish from a nearby supermarket. Believing the request to be genuine, the couple agreed to help.

When she entered the store, she found the man already waiting with the selected groceries. Assuming the items would cost very little, she paid for them without paying close attention to the total.

Only afterwards did the couple realise the purchase had cost about R300.

Suspicious of the unusually high amount, they returned to the supermarket, where the shopper's partner allegedly witnessed the man returning the groceries in exchange for cash. Shortly afterwards, he was reportedly back outside approaching another couple with the same request.

The shopper said that was when they concluded the appeal for food had allegedly been part of a scam rather than a genuine request for assistance.

She added that many people are unlikely to scrutinise the payment amount because they are focused on helping someone they believe is in need. She also alleged that scammers may use distractions or position the card machine in a way that makes it harder for shoppers to notice the total before authorising payment.

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The couple said they asked the supermarket owner for a refund after confronting them about the incident, but the request was declined because there was no proof that a scam had taken place.

They also confronted the man, who reportedly denied returning the groceries and claimed he had already taken the food home to feed his four sons.

After reporting the matter to police, the couple said they were informed that there was little authorities could do, as returning legally purchased goods to a store is not, on its own, a criminal offence.

The incident serves as a warning to shoppers at retailers including Pick n Pay, Checkers, Woolworths, Spar and other supermarkets to carefully verify the amount displayed on the card payment terminal before completing any transaction, even when buying food for someone requesting help.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has previously encouraged members of the public who want to assist those in need to donate through recognised welfare organisations, saying these are better placed to ensure assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries. Police also advise against giving money directly to people begging on the streets.

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