Illegal Matric Finishing School Scam Uncovered in Northdale
A shocking case of fraud, forgery, uttering, and theft by false pretenses has been uncovered in Northdale, where a man was arrested for operating a bogus finishing school that targeted adult students seeking matric qualifications. More than 100 completed matric examination papers were found in the suspect’s possession, exposing the extent of the fraudulent operation.
The unsuspecting students who fell victim to the scam were under the impression that the school was legitimate, unaware of its illegal status. The arrest of the suspect on Friday, 13 June, was the result of a collaborative effort between Pietermaritzburg Police, Mi7 Crime Intelligence & Investigations, uMgungundlovu District Crime Intelligence unit, Mountain Rise Visible Policing, and the KZN Department of Education.
Discovery of a Makeshift Classroom
Upon arrival at the Innes Avenue address, investigators were shocked to find what appeared to be a fully functioning educational setup. A residential room had been transformed into a classroom, complete with desks and a whiteboard where matric examination papers were being written by a group of adult students.
Colin David, the director of Mi7 National group, revealed that the suspect, believed to be a former educator, had been charging admission and examination fees to approximately three dozen students. The students, aged between 23 and 50, were writing fraudulent exam papers under the false pretense of receiving legitimate matric education services.
Evidence of Matric Fraud Seized
During the search of the premises, investigators uncovered a plethora of evidence related to the fraudulent operation. More than 100 completed matric exam papers, fraudulent letters of admission, falsified documents, and a receipt book for payments were among the items seized from the suspect’s possession.
The students who had been scammed by the illegal finishing school were left in limbo, with their last exam paper for Business Studies halted by the police. The students had been provided with Department of Education examination numbers, textbooks, past exam papers, and study materials, leading them to believe in the legitimacy of the operation.
The 45-year-old suspect is set to appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court soon, as confirmed by KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Constable Theniswa Ngcobo. The coordinated effort that led to the arrest of the suspect has been commended by Colin David, highlighting the importance of cracking down on fraudulent educational practices.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of fraudulent education schemes and the importance of verifying the legitimacy of educational institutions before enrolling in any programs.
