KZN Education Department warns pupils of fake matric certificates

Lotus FM radio announced on Twitter on Wednesday 4 November 2019 that the KZN Department of Education warned all pupils against the purchase of fake matric certificates and if not adhered to, criminal action will be taken.

Pupils purchasing fake certificates on social media 

According to The Mercury, the scam could be found on social media, where artists pretend to work for the department “privately” saying they can provide matric certificates for R1 500.

The posts also called upon pupils who dropped out of school stating that they could write tests for them. 

Scammer poses as database capturer 

A person calling themselves a “database capturer” and claiming to follow the department’s registration system said they could help pupils get a barcoded and serial numbered certificate like everyone else. 

The scam read: “We register you to the Department of Education system and you get an SMS confirming you have been registered. After 14 days you receive an SMS to collect your matric certificate [at] your closest Department of Education office.”

It was advised that R1 500 should only be paid after the applicant received the SMS.

Payment for fake certificates to be made at Pep 

The scammer also said payments should be made at a Pep store.

“Use Pep stores. They only want your ID, then send the PIN and the slip [through] WhatsApp. We use Pep to protect myself as I am under my superior’s nose. If caught I could lose my career + jail time so I share no personal information,” said the trickster. 

KZN Education Department condemns fake certificates 

Education MEC, Kwazi Mshengu said they have instructed senior department officials to work with police to arrest culprits behind fake matric certificate scams.

“Our official position as a department is that we do not sell matric certificates and we have not commissioned anyone to solicit money from the public in exchange for a matric certificate,” Mshengu said.

He advised that necessary arrangements through accredited institutions were available across all high schools in KwaZulu-Natal for those who might wish to participate in a legitimate and authentic process in obtaining a matric certificate.

Provincial Education spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi said that there is only one body responsible for the production and issuing of matric certificates and that is the Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training.

“Anyone posing and claiming to do that is committing a crime. We are working with police to track those claims,” said Mahlambi.