Students urged to verify before paying university registration fees amid scam alerts

Prospective university students are being urged to exercise caution after a concerning Facebook post highlighted a potential scam involving registration fees.

Karabo Mokoena took to Facebook to raise awareness about an individual offering assistance for registration at Durban University of Technology at a fee, prompting widespread concern. “Guys my sister asked someone to apply for her, someone who she met here on Facebook,” Mokoena wrote. “Now he asked her to check her email, and there is this message, so I want to know if this is not a scam or what?” The email Mokoena referred to allegedly confirmed her sister's admission to a Bachelor of Journalism programme, requesting a R500 payment to accept the offer.

The email sent to Karabo Mokoena's sister by a person she engaged with Facebook regarding university application. Picture: Screengrab

The post quickly garnered attention, with many users questioning the credibility of the offer. Karabo Kristen Phadu responded, “As far as I know, nobody pays any type of fee to accept an offer,” adding that the only fees associated are the application fee and registration fees, which are typically paid only after acceptance at the institution. “In my opinion, your sister was definitely scammed,” they concluded.

Marcus T Simon cautioned Mokoena against any further payments, advising her to log into the university portal to verify the legitimacy of the admission. “Do not pay anything before confirming it’s real,” he warned. Unathi Silanda shared their own experience, mentioning a R1,800 fee required to secure their spot at Rhodes University back in 2017, but cautioned that legitimacy is key, suggesting verification of the email’s origin and the banking details before proceeding with any payments.

Highlighting the darkness lurking behind scam schemes, Cthe Mthembu shared a personal experience of being scammed while trying to help his daughter. "We paid, but we never heard from him or her. Nothing we know of, and it's sad because we did send documents to start the process.” Nicole Mkhwanazi pointed out a red flag in the email, noting the informal salutation "dear miss" which is atypical of official university correspondence.

Anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee emphasised the need for vigilance among the public, particularly during the back-to-school season, when scammers are especially active. He commented on the rising trend of “creative criminals” utilising social media channels, stating, “You have everything like fake matric certificates being advertised… Some arrests were made, but these criminals are still trying to make a quick buck.”

With the prevalence of scams, including fake universities and job opportunities, Abramjee urged potential students to ensure they verify anything that raises suspicion. “In doubt? Go to the institution to clarify if it’s genuine or not,” he stated. As students prepare for the upcoming academic year, the message is clear: check and double-check before committing financially to any educational promises made online.

The Department of Higher Education and Training was asked clarify the official application procedures at universities. This story will be update once response has been received.

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