The police are cautioning learners about bogus higher learning institutions and accommodation. The warning comes as the rush to enroll at various institutions commences.

“As the police in the Free State, we urge parents to be vigilant of bogus accommodation only available over the phone and online. There are also institutions of higher learning that only exist by name and have no campuses or classes.”

Police plead with parents or guardians not to deposit any money into any account before they physically visit the school or accommodation.

“This is to avoid being scammed as cases of parents who were defrauded were registered in previous years at police stations in and around the province.”

To confirm if the institution is registered and legitimate, contact the Department of Higher Education and Training before you deposit any funds into any account provided by any institution.

“These fly-by-night institutions and people who defraud guardians or parents of their savings with non-existing student accommodations must be reported. If you suspect something dodgy, it probably is fraud, so stay away from it,” said Free State Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Baile Motswenyane.