The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) is urging the public to be vigilant following the emergence of a job scam that has targeted Facebook users.
The warning comes after numerous cases were reported at SANRAL's Eastern Region offices in Pietermaritzburg.
The scam involves perpetrators posing as job recruitment agents for construction positions. They solicit payments from unsuspecting victims, claiming the money is needed to produce "access cards" for entry to construction sites.
The amounts solicited range from R250 to R1,000, which victims are instructed to deposit into a Capitec account.
Once the payment is made, the scammers provide the address of SANRAL’s Eastern Region office as the supposed employment office, where victims are told they will receive work instructions, start dates, and access cards.
However, shortly after receiving the payment, the scammers block the victims' phone numbers and Facebook profiles, leaving them unable to contact the perpetrators.
SANRAL spokesperson, Lwando Mahlasela, emphasised the importance of verifying job offers through official channels.
"We want to reiterate that all credible information relating to SANRAL job vacancies will always be posted on SANRAL-owned platforms, including our digital platforms. We do not solicit payments for job placements," Mahlasela said.
SANRAL said it understood the desperation many face in the current job market, but urged caution when engaging with potential employers on social media.
"We appeal to the public to remain vigilant and to verify the authenticity of job offers through trusted sources," Mahlasela said.
The agency is working with law enforcement to address the scam and prevent further incidents. They urge anyone who encounters such scams to report them to the relevant authorities immediately.
IOL