INFORMATION and Publicity secretary Nick Mangwana has exposed as fake the invitation to scholarship applications currently doing the rounds, describing it as the work of conman.
Mangwana was responding to questions posed to him by this publication concerning the authenticity of such.
The fake invitations, requesting applicants to send “a processing fee” purportedly target able but disadvantaged students from the country’s 10 provinces.
“The scholarships target able but disadvantaged students of the country’s 10 provinces, with the intent on pursuing undergraduate and masters’ studies at foreign and local universities abroad in any disciplines (sic),” read the statement.
The fake invitation was for those undergraduate applicants with a minimum of eight points at ‘A’ Level in subjects that are relevant to the chosen degree programme.
These, according to tabled conditions, should also be individuals above 30 years and below by November 30, 2020.
The fake programme guide says those in for masters and Doctrate in Philosophy courses should hold first or upper second degree classification in the relevant field of study.
Age markers of 40 years and 45 years and below by November 30 is strictly applicable for a masters and PhD programme, respectively.
“PhD and masters applicants should have either First Class or Upper Second Class degree classification in the relevant field of study.
“Masters applicants should be below 40 years of age, and PhD applicants should be below 45 years old by November 30,” the statement added.
Conditions for acceptance into the programme, among others, include a motivation letter, copies of birth certificate, including ‘A’ and ‘O’ level certificates.
A “successful” applicant is then asked to download a C3 form, fill in the blank spaces before scanning the form and have it in soft copy.
The next part is where all the chicanery is:
“Send RTGS400 processing fee to … (EcoCash number and name provided). Once done, email the the EcoCash confirmation code together with the C3 form…,” the fake response alludes.
Once all the stages are completed, claims the letter, then the deal would be sealed and the university place assured.