Scam Alert: KZN teachers targeted with fake job offers on WhatsApp
KZN - beware of this new scam promising teaching jobs! These are the red flags.
If a job offer sounds too good to be true, has questionable grammar, and wants your money before your first day on the job; congratulations - you’ve just met a scammer.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) has raised the alarm after an aspiring teacher in KwaZulu-Natal nearly fell victim to a slick employment scam that tried to sell her a fake job...for the low, low price of R2,870.
How the scam went down
On Monday, 13 October, at around 12:30 PM, a teacher received a WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be a school principal from Durban North.
The message said there was an “urgent vacancy” and that she’d soon hear from the “Circuit Manager.”
Minutes later, a man called claiming to be the very Circuit Manager himself.
What made it extra convincing is that he had her personal and professional information.
Creepy, right? It’s like he skipped LinkedIn and went straight to Level 5 Stalker Mode.
The scammer then:
- Told her she could start the next day.
- Asked her to “secure” the position by paying R2,870 for an appointment letter.
- Promised the job was guaranteed after payment (big red flag).
- The educator (wisely suspicious) contacted the real school and confirmed: nope, no such vacancy existed.
- The scammer even deleted messages to cover their tracks. Classic criminal magic trick.
Red flags to look out for
1. The English isn’t Englishing: “I recommend you to Circuit Manager” and “Did he called you?” Enough said.
2. WhatsApp recruitment: No legitimate government job operates through random DMs. If they want you that badly, you’ll hear from an official channel.
3. Upfront payments = scams: No real school or department will ever ask you to pay for a job. That’s not a job; that’s a bribe with extra steps.
4. Deleted messages: If someone tries to vanish like a Marvel villain after you ask questions, it’s probably not HR.
These scammers clearly know that many aspiring teachers are stuck at home, desperately seeking employment.
With that, they’re preying on their vulnerability and desperation.
So make sure you protect yourself with these easy tips:
- Verify with the actual school or department using official contact numbers.
- Never share personal details or make payments to “secure” jobs.
- Check grammar, language, and tone. Real recruiters rarely sound like your Grade 5 cousin texting during break.
- Report any suspicious activity to RUSA or SAPS immediately.
If someone’s promising you a job over WhatsApp and asking for money, it’s probably a scam and not a miracle.
Reaction Unit South Africa is urging educators and job seekers to stay alert and always verify before taking action.
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