Empangeni police on the hunt for con man who offers fake jobs

EMPANGENI police are on the hunt for a scammer who has defrauded at least 12 locals of more than R34 000.

Victims were scammed through fake teachers’ posts offered on social media at one of the schools in the Dondotha area.

Candidates were required to pay a deposit of R2 850 into a money market account.

After applicants deposited the money they discovered they had been scammed.

‘We appeal to the public not to pay any money for job opportunities in government departments, as this is not a requirement,’ said Empangeni SAPS Station Commander, Brigadier Jeros Thango.

‘Applicants must also do research and satisfy themselves that the job opportunities advertised are real and not fake.

‘We also request anyone else who had been defrauded to come forward and submit statements to the investigating officer,’

The investigation into the case follows a report by the Zululand Observer last week in which King Cetshwayo District Director of Education, David Chonco, had opened a fraud case against a scammer who cons people out of their money using his name.

Chonco said he was ‘fed up’ with the con man’s dirty tricks which tarnished his public image and that of the education fraternity.

‘I regard his actions as character assassination.

‘I have been inundated with calls from people who have been promised jobs and paid money to this criminal who claims to be me.

‘He targets unemployed teachers by phoning them to say vacant teaching posts are available.

‘He promises to get them appointment letters without them being subjected to an interview.

‘Because of desperation, some people fall for this scam.

‘For his ‘services’ he demands fees ranging from R2 900 up to R10 000.

‘To my knowledge this scam has been going on for the past three years.

‘At first he called himself Mr Shabalala, then Skhumbuzo Dlamini, Zibisi, SP Chonco and now SD Chonco.

‘All these are the names of senior officials of this department.

‘I appeal to teachers to be cautious and stop entertaining this con artist.

‘I’m now pinning my hopes on our law enforcement agencies.’

Chonco said he was convinced that the con man has close connections with his office as he appears to have information on what is going on.

‘From what we are told by the victims, he has been to my office.

‘He would take them with him to the office and let them wait outside.

‘He then uses the exit door to disappear.

‘We have encountered problems in the past where our reception area became congested with people who claim to be waiting for their promised appointment letters, which we, of course, know nothing about.

Members of the public who have been victims of such fraudulent activity are urged to contact Brigadier Thando directly on 035 9015805/6.

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