EMFULENI.- The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has warned the public about a job scam where prospective job seekers are offered fake job opportunities and invited to an interview for a particular fee.

In a statement on Monday, the municipality issued a brief warning which read:

“It has come to our attention that job seekers are being contacted with fake offers of employment from unscrupulous individuals claiming to represent Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM). The scammers have increased their operation pursuant to job advertisements published by the municipality recently. The ELM name is being used on SMS texts and social media platforms without authority.

Prospective job seekers are offered fake job opportunities and invited to an interview for a particular fee. ELM cautions that NO MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE OR POLITICIAN IS ALLOWED TO DEMAND OR REQUEST MONEY FOR ANY JOB VACANCY OR INTERVIEW.

The municipality does not demand or request money whatsoever for any recruitment purposes including the administration and processing of forms. Anyone who requests money for jobs must be reported to the nearest police station, a case must be opened and the particulars of such a person must be given to the police. Prospective job seekers are further requested to report such incidents to the Human Resources Department manager located at the ELM Trust Bank Building, corner Eric Louw St. and President Kruger St., Vanderbijlpark.

To try and convey legitimacy, scammers use existent ELM employee names such as “MAKHOSONKE” or “BETTY” to demand money from unsuspecting 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.”