Criminals prey on students and job-seekers
"These are just criminals who take advantage of people who are desperate and might lack information."
SAPS Newcastle’s Corporate Communications unit warns of criminals who prey on students and job-seekers. In response to money-making scams which are said to be rife in the early part of the year, SAPS is cautioning residents about criminals and their many schemes.
“Criminals [use] all the tricks to get cash from people that are vulnerable,” said Lizzy Arumugam from Corporate Communications. “These kinds of scams are malicious in nature and are usually intended to extort money from victims.”
Arumugam explained that with parents putting in the effort and resources to ensure their children are registered at higher learning institutions, criminals find opportunities to lure in victims.
One of the methods used by criminals is posing as representatives of tertiary institutions and providing details for cash deposits, in exchange for registration. Victims who fall for this then never hear from the ‘representatives’ again.
SAPS has also warned about the dangers of paying money to any person with the promise of employment. There are no jobs for sale at any workplace – legitimate posts are advertised through the media (print and electronic) and on authentic websites.
“These are just criminals who take advantage of people who are desperate and might lack information. The police therefore cautions the public about this trend and advises people to enquire thoroughly about schools and employment.”
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