The Stagwell TV South Africa scam continues to persist, with new developments revealing a desperate attempt by the scammers to re-engage victims through a backup domain, stagwell-tv.cc.
At the same time, the legitimate Stagwell Global company has issued a clearer and more direct fraud alert, explicitly referencing South Africa and distancing itself from the fraudulent operation.
Despite the collapse of the original website, stagwelltv88.com, which was detailed in our earlier article, “The Stagwell TV South Africa Scam: A Final Curtain Call for a Scheme Built on Lies”, the scammers refuse to give up.
By activating a backup domain and reactivating WhatsApp groups, they are trying to extract even more money from victims who have already suffered financial losses.
Stagwell Global’s Updated Warning
In response to the continued misuse of its name and brand, the legitimate Stagwell Global company has issued an updated fraud alert on its official website, specifically naming South Africa. You can view their official warning here.
The alert makes it clear:
- Stagwell Global has no connection to Stagwell TV South Africa or any platforms using similar names.
- The company categorically denies any involvement in task-based income schemes or domains such as stagwelltv88.com and stagwell-tv.cc.
- Victims are urged to report the scam to South African authorities, with the company reaffirming its commitment to protecting its name and assisting in exposing fraudulent activities.
This notice is vital in informing South Africans and helping to prevent further exploitation.
The Persistence of the Scam: A Backup Domain Emerges
Following the collapse of the original domain stagwelltv88.com, the backup domain stagwell-tv.cc was activated.
Registered seven months after the original, this domain shares the same Singapore-based registrar, Gname, and similar registration details, confirming its ties to the same scammers.
The timing of this development is telling. While backup domains are often used in parallel with the primary site to ensure continuity, activating stagwell-tv.cc only after the collapse of stagwelltv88.com suggests a desperate last-ditch effort to salvage the scam.
Cloudflare Errors and Signs of a Failing Backup
As of 21 January 2025, the stagwell-tv.cc domain is facing connectivity issues via Cloudflare. Error messages point to hosting problems, suggesting that the site may not remain accessible for long. This technical issue is yet another sign that the scam is faltering.
The use of a backup domain so late in the operation underscores the scammers’ desperation. They are reaching out to previous victims, urging them to re-engage and migrate their accounts, revealing their attempts to prolong the scam as much as possible.
Desperate Tactics to Re-engage Victims
Messages and screenshots from victims reveal the scammers’ continued efforts to deceive:
- Victims are being told they must link their Telegram accounts or pay additional fees to access their funds.
- Reactivated WhatsApp groups are being used to lure victims back into the scam.
- False promises of issue resolution and account reactivation are being made, preying on victims’ hopes of recovering their losses.
As one victim lamented:
“First people had to pay tax to be active. Now that people have done this, they need to pay again to reactivate their accounts. Innocent people are losing more and more money.”
Also read:
A Reminder for Victims: Take Action and Preserve Evidence
If you have been affected by this scam, disengage immediately and report the fraud to South African authorities such as the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). Importantly, preserve all evidence, including:
- Messages and emails: Save any communications from the scammers or their representatives.
- Payment proof: Keep copies of all transaction receipts and bank details used for deposits.
- URLs and website details: Document the domains and registration details for future reference.
This evidence will be essential for investigations, even if immediate recovery of funds is unlikely.
The Final Verdict
Despite its documented collapse, the Stagwell TV South Africa scam refuses to go away quietly. The emergence of the stagwell-tv.cc backup domain and the continued targeting of victims demonstrate the persistence of these fraudsters.
This scam has caused significant harm in the country, and its ongoing attempts to extort more money from victims highlight the need for vigilance.
Let this serve as a stark warning: scams like these thrive on hope, trust, and desperation. Stay informed, report fraudulent activity, and warn others to prevent further harm.
While the collapse of this operation is inevitable, the lessons it leaves behind must resonate with all South Africans to protect themselves against such schemes in the future.