File
Police management is calling for vigilance against a scam where a person pretending to be a police officer is demanding money from the unsuspecting public for jobs as police trainees.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, said the scammers always target those who have applied for entry-level employment posts in the police and those still looking for jobs within the SAPS.
She said according to the information received, members of the public in and around East London and eQonce, (KWT), have received calls from a “bogus police officer” who promised them jobs for entry level as trainees.
“The bogus police officer demanded a sum of R3000 or R5000 from unemployed prospective police trainees in exchange for employment in the police.
“However, SAPS employment offers do not require any payment. It is believed that some of the victims of this scam have already paid this money through transfers in the local shopping places,” Mawisa said.
She said some of the complainants had travelled from KZN to the Eastern Cape on the “promise” of commencing their training at SAPS Bhisho Academy.
Explaining further, Mawisa said in terms of procedure, vacancies are advertised through credible and recognised official communication platforms, which include advertisements in the newspapers and SAPS official social media, respectively.
“Furthermore, the SAPS would like to remind the public that we DO NOT advertise any posts via SMS.
“Applicants and parents must refuse to be subjected to this kind of scam and report the matter immediately to the nearest police station. Application forms and SAPS employment are available for free at all police stations,” she added.
