LISTEN: East police warn students against falling prey to scams
“After spending too much money over the festive season, people have a tough time financially in January and they are desperate. Fraudsters take advantage of this.”
Sunnyside police have cautioned students to be on the lookout for possible scams as the new academic year kicks off.
“Students looking for accommodation this year were are especially targeted this time of year,” said police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela.
“Parents and students must make sure that all the paperwork check out and is in order before paying any deposits for accommodation.”
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Matriculants looking to study further in 2019 must also be careful of bogus colleges.
“Students registering for colleges or training institutes should check whether their schools were accredited,” he said.
“Each year in January and February, we are snowed under by reports of people whose monies have been stolen by such colleges.”
He said such bogus educational institutions have become increasingly sophisticated in their methodology.
“Fraudsters are taking advantage as students are desperate for learning.”
Mavimbela also warned against cellphone scams in which people have “won” some kind of lottery.
“After spending too much money over the festive season, people have a tough time financially in January and they are desperate. Fraudsters take advantage of this.”
“If you haven’t registered or played any lottery, then simply don’t respond to any SMS messages telling you have won.”
“Delete it and do not act upon it,” Mavimbela urged.
Mavimbela also warned members of the public to watch out for so-called “prophets” offering their blessings for the New Year.
“These prophets scam people out of their money or goods.”
Lastly, Mavimbela warned against making any false declarations at police stations.
“Unfaithful partners would often open a case at the police station claiming to have been hijacked or kidnapped so as not be caught out by their partners,” he said.
“If caught lying to police, such a person will be charged with perjury and could be sentenced to three years in jail.”
Mavimbela said in a recent, Sunnyside police had charged a woman with perjury because she falsely reported that she had been kidnapped.
“It was found that she had met a man through Facebook and been unfaithful to her boyfriend, which led to her opening a false case to mislead her partner.”
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