The main man behind an alleged recruitment racket was arrested. Photo: Pixabay.
Fake ‘department of health recruiter’ arrested for scamming unemployed youth out of R600k
The 40-year-old ‘recruiter’ reportedly tricked more than 75 unemployed youth into paying for a job opportunity that never materialised.
The main man behind an alleged recruitment racket was arrested. Photo: Pixabay.
A 40-year-old man accused of posing as a Department of Health recruiter conducting an employment drive appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Wednesday, 23 February, on charges of theft and corruption.
MAIN FAKE RECRUITER BUSTED
The suspect allegedly went to gatherings at churches and other places where he could find a high number of unemployed youth and preyed on them, according to Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi.
“He also hired two females who could go around recruiting and promising people enrolment at the Nursing Training College which would guarantee employment at the Department of Health.
“The two females were arrested on 10 May 2021 and appeared in the Bushbuckridge Magistrates’ Court. They were released on bail and the case was postponed to 31 March 2022,” said the Hawks spokesperson.
The fake recruiters allegedly demanded money for enrolment from all their victims – more than 75 unemployed youth paid up and the money deposited into the suspects’ accounts in 2016 and 2017 amounted to R610 000.
The victims were never employed and the recruiters were reported to the Hawks in 2018. The investigation revealed that none of the accused was employed by the Department of Health.
Mpumalanga Hawks boss Major General Zodwa Mokoena warned the public against falling victim to anyone who demands money for employment opportunities.
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