Scammers prey on dreams of the jobless

MBOMBELA – The attempt to acquire jobs has proved to be a challenge to such an extent that unemployed people fall victim to con men who take advantage and steal people’s money.

Several locals were cheated out of R1 500 in exchange for vacancies that were never filled. According to a 24-year-old, even though she had doubts after receiving a call from the bogus employer, she fell into the trap since she had applied for an advertised learnership.

“The man told me to send him the money via Shoprite Money Market in order to secure an interview. We were communicating via SMS and after I told him that I had sent the money, I never heard a word from him. I tried calling him and he told me to relax because I would be contacted for the interview.”

When Mpumalanga News dialled the number which the victim had provided, not knowing that he was speaking to the newspaper, the man said the posts were still available and that the money should be sent to him first.

When the journalist called him again to ask if she could give him the money personally, he said there were no more posts and since then his phone was on voicemail.

Mpumalanga News contacted the Department of Correctional Services and spokesperson, Mesiah Hlungwaini stated that it was recruiting citizens who wanted to participate in the one-year programme. The area commissioner for Barberton Management Area, Solly Netshivhazwaulu warned the public about the scam that was devastating the desperate applicants in the province.

The fraudsters are taking advantage of this recruitment processes to practise their criminal activity and rob people of their hard-earned money.

These scammers are using social networks such as Facebook to lure applicants. They are told to deposit money to the tune of R1 500 to Money Market (Shoprite) to secure their space for the interviews. After the applicant makes the deposit, the scam artists disappear with the money.