VANDERBIJLPARK – Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has been hit by a job scam.

Desperate jobseekers are lured to paying R2000 for securing an interview for available posts at the municipality.

According to the municipality spokesman, the scammers use existing employee names in the SMSs they send to their targeted gullible job seekers.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, spokesman Makhosonke Sangweni said the municipality is aware that people are being contacted with fake offers of employment from exploitative individuals.

“Prospective job seekers are offered fake job opportunities and invited to an interview for a fee of R 2000 or more. ELM cautions that no municipal employee or politician is allowed to demand or request money for any job vacancy or interview,” he said.

Sangweni said no money is need for processing of any recruitment purposes, including the administration and processing of forms.

“To try and convey legitimacy, scammers use existent ELM employee names such as “Makhosonke” or “Betty” to demand money from job seekers. The municipality distances itself from dubious operations and views any person paying money for an employment opportunity as an accomplice to fraud and corruption,” he said.