POLOKWANE- Several residents who recently fell victim to a scam artist promising them jobs, say they have lost a lot but that it is not an option for them to report the matter to the police.
These victims are currently exploring other legal avenues in tracing the true identity of a man who called their ward councillor, Jacob Seshoka late last month asking that he recommends some residents who would be interested in cleaning jobs at a local manufacturing company.
Eight people each subsequently paid between R200 and R1 000 after several interactions with a man who introduced himself as “Isaac” to some and “Sello” to others, using two different cellphone numbers and promising them that they would start work “soon”.
After Seshoka, however, found out about the requested fee, he warned them that this could be a possible job scam.
It was, however, not soon after that the victims could not reach the scam artist.
Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa communications head, Motshidisi Mokwena, says they have over the years issued many warnings against fake recruiters, yet citizens still fall victim to these scammers regardless.
“The company would never ask for money in exchange for work. We use credible publications and trusted career portals to recruit staff, and we urge residents to be weary of everything suspicious. Instead, call or visit our stores to confirm,” she told BONUS.
Mokwena says their risk department works tirelessly at tailing those involved in such activities, and who bring the company’s name into to disrepute.
In the meantime, the victims say they have very little trust in the public justice system and will therefore not report the cases.
“The community has many pending big cases that are not making any progress. With our small cases, the police will just laugh at us”.
All calls to the numbers the victims provided and which supposedly belong to the scam artist, rang unanswered, while some went straight to voicemail.
