With the back to school rush kicking off for parents and their children, the police in the Free State urge parents to be vigilant of bogus accommodation only available over the phone and online.
According to police spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli, there’s also institutions of higher learning that only exist by name and have no campuses or classes.
“Police in the Free State are pleading with parents or guardians not to deposit any cash into any account before they physically visit the school or personally pay a visit to such institution 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,” said Kareli.
He added that to confirm if the Institution of Higher Learning is registered and legitimate, parents should contact the Department of Higher Education and Training before depositing any funds into any account as provided by an institution.
“These fly-by-night institutions and people who defraud guardians or parents off their savings with non-existing student accommodations, must be reported. If you suspect something dodgy, it probably is fraud, and stay away from it,” said Free State Provincial Commissioner Lt.-Gen. Baile Motswenyane.
Compiled by Justine Fortuin
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