Police have sent a stern warning to potential students and job-seekers not to fall prey to money-making scams, as these incidents are rife during this time of the year. Sly criminals are using all the tricks in the book to rob unsuspecting people of their hard-earned cash. These types of malicious scams are specifically directed at potential students and job-seekers.

According to information at police disposal, these criminals present themselves as representatives of tertiary institutions. They entice their victims through the fake promise of registration - or jobs - to deposit cash at clothing stores. After depositing the money, the victims never hear from these bogus representatives again. The police advise the public to first do proper research into schools and places of employment.

The community is cautioned not to pay any money to individuals who promise them employment, as jobs are never up “for sale”. Potential employers will never request up-front payments in order to secure positions. Legitimate vacant posts are only advertised through the media (print and electronic), as well as on the relevant websites.

The police strongly condemn the callous actions of these criminals, as they rob families of their cash resources to secure proper employment or register at legitimate higher-learning institutions. Students who register for the first time at institutions of higher learning should also be extremely cautious of bogus institutions bent on robbing them of their future.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Subeditor: Lynette Brink
Submitted by: Brig Leonard Hlathi