The City’s Corporate Services Directorate warns residents and jobseekers about fraudsters and scammers that pry on unsuspecting and desperate people about fake opportunities at the City.
According to a media statement released on Tuesday (1 February), there is a syndicate posing as City officials trying to scam people into paying them money in exchange for “jobs” at the City of Cape Town. The alleged scammers send SMSes to the unsuspecting people telling them to meet them at the civic centre and bring money with them to secure the job. The victims are then redirected to an internet café to create Gmail accounts, to which they will be sent “medical certificates”.
This is very a sad and serious crime targeting the jobless at a time when unemployment is high and people are desperate to provide for their families. Locals are urged to be extra vigilant and to note that the City would never ask community members to pay for job opportunities or internships, or any other opportunity within its departments.
“I urge new graduates and jobseekers to be extra vigilant while searching for job opportunities,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.
“The City will never ask for money from those applying for vacancies, internships and temporary work opportunities. I want to encourage job seekers to keep safe the reference number and the title of the job that they have applied for. Should someone phone or contact you, ask the caller for these specific details. If they cannot give you these details, then you should know that it is a bogus call.”
