The Mpumalanga police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has cautioned members of the public against fraudsters who may target eager students to further their education at higher institutions.

“The academic year has started and prospective students and their parents are running around trying to secure admission and accommodation from various tertiary institutions. Fraudsters often take advantage of this period and target the needy by promising them to make their dreams come true. Desperate students and parents are vulnerable and accept offers from these conniving fraudsters.

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“Some of the fraudsters may convince their victims that they are well connected with higher authorities in the learning institutions, while others impersonate employees of these tertiary institutions, making their stories sound more real. After gaining trust from their targets, the fraudsters then solicit bribes from these desperate individuals in exchange for fake admission and bogus accommodation,” she said.

She warned parents and guardians not to deposit cash into the personal accounts of such scammers or send money via money markets.

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“Parents are urged to make background checks of tertiary learning institutions, as some of them are non-existent. Before one make payments to any institution, the authentic admission letter must be verified. People should avoid taking shortcuts,” Manamela said.