TWO elderly women were apprehended by the Hawks, Richards Bay branch on Wednesday after they sought to scam people looking for employment.
The victims, more than 65 former employees allege they were promised they would be given first preference if other job opportunities arise, after their contracts expired end of March at REM/ CEW, sub contractors to Transnet,.
‘After the jobs were advertised, we applied as usual, but unfortunately we were never called for interviews,’ the seven victims chorused.
They further allege that soon thereafter, one by one they began receiving anonymous calls, the callers telling them to pay R5 000 and R7 000 each, for re-employment with REM/ CEW.
‘We then decided to set a trap, first reporting what to us sounded like a scam with the local Richards Bay Hawks.
‘We arranged with the suspects to meet with us at Empangeni, for them to collect the money.
‘When they arrived, we gave them the money, and while still excited about hitting the jackpot, the Hawks officials pounced on them, arrested them and took them to custody.
‘The Hawks then promised they will inform us about the outcome of their investigation, and the trial date,’ said one of the victims, requesting for his name to be withheld.
According to the victims, one of the accused admitted to be in cahoots with someone working in human resources at REM.
