As exam season begins at the University of Pretoria, the Hatfield City Improvement District (CID) is warning students to be cautious of a rise in scams involving so-called pastors and prophets.

These criminals are allegedly targeting stressed and anxious students, using religious language and false promises of academic success to steal valuables.

Deon van Rensburg, Head of Security at the Hatfield CID, explained that the suspects approach students with claims that they can help them achieve better grades through ‘spiritual cleansing’.

“They convince their victims that their electronic devices, such as laptops and phones, are cursed and must be purified with holy water or salt to remove evil spirits.”

He explained that in one common scam, the student is told to buy salt while the suspects stay behind to bless the devices.

Van Rensburg said when the student returns, the thieves and all the belongings are gone.

“In other cases, scammers offer to trade valuable stones for phones, claiming the stones are worth large sums of money.

Once the student hands over their phone, the con artists disappear, leaving behind a worthless rock.”

According to Van Rensburg, at least two students have fallen victim to these scams in recent weeks.

He said in one recent case, a young woman was convinced to bring four laptops, her own and three belonging to her friends, so they could all be cleansed.

“She never saw the laptops or the so-called pastors again.”

Van Rensburg said the crimes are difficult to stop because the fraudsters use cloned vehicle registration plates and vanish before security can intervene.

“We can only act once a crime has been committed,” he said.

“It’s not illegal to talk to someone, and by the time they strike, it’s often too late.”

He urged students to stay vigilant and look out for one another.

“If you see strangers talking to a student on the street, ask if everything is okay,” he said.

“Be your brother’s keeper. It could prevent someone from being scammed.”

Security patrols in Hatfield have been increased during the exam period, and the CID continues to monitor suspicious activity closely.

Van Rensburg reminded students there are no spiritual shortcuts to success.

“You can only get a good grade if you study for it,” he said.

“Anyone who says otherwise is trying to deceive you.”

UP spokesperson Sashlin Girraj previously confirmed that false prophets have been an issue for the past decade.

“Several students have reported being targeted, and cases have been filed with the university, the Brooklyn SAPS, and the Hatfield CID,” he said.

“In response, the university has provided trauma counselling to affected students and helped them report the incidents to law enforcement when necessary.”

To help students avoid falling victim to this scam, UP has made efforts to raise awareness.

Girraj explained that the university communicates warnings about the bogus prophets and other scams during first-year orientation and residence security briefings.

“The university has used the PDBY (Perdeby) student newspaper and marketing videos to inform students about the risks of these scams,” he said.

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