Newspapers told to ban fake job adverts

ORDINARY citizens are calling on main stream newspapers to stop taking fake adverts that are flooding their vacancies section as conmen continue to swindle desperate job seekers.

newspapers 250With a record of over 80% unemployment rate conmen are taking advantage of long suffering and distressed job seekers, promising them lucrative jobs even in foreign countries.

Recently, Members of Parliament had to travel to Kuwait to rescue several women who were lured there after being promised heaven on earth only to end up as slaves.

After the arrest of some agents who were luring people to Arabic countries, job seekers are now being promised jobs in places such as Victoria Falls and Hwange.

“Local mine seeks Procurement Officer, Transport and Logistics Supervisor, Mine Surveyor, Blaster and Class 4 driver call 0734 432 909 0734 567 94,” reads a typical advert in a local newspaper.

Upon calling the number, prospective job seekers are told to transfer cash via the mobile money transfer system for bus fare which is not less than $40. After one has followed that first instruction that will normally be the last one hears from the employment agent.

“I was told to transfer $40 via ecocash and given a date to wait for a bus at Mukwati government offices that was going to take me to Victoria Falls; the bus did not come and when I tried the number it was now going on voicemail,” said a disgruntled job seeker.

One newspaper’s advertising section showed that same numbers were used in six different adverts.

Posting on social media, Chakanyuka Bosha said media houses should ask for proof of residence from advertisers.

“They should also retain the national identification details of anyone advertising with them, that way potential fraudsters will be discouraged,” he added.

But most newspapers have a disclaimer for published adverts.

“This disclaimer nonsense should be done away with and businesses must take both legal and moral obligations for what goes through their systems otherwise it’s a case of killing the hen that lays the eggs,” says Harry Chinake.

Others said that it will be very difficult to track the fraudster as they use stolen ID particulars to buy cell phone lines and dump them once they have swindled job seekers.

 

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