AgriSETA has raised a red flag over a surge in scams falsely claiming to be linked to the agricultural skills authority, warning farmers, job seekers, and the public not to fall victim to these fraudulent operations.
In a strongly worded statement, AgriSETA distanced itself from schemes by CreativeMindz, JobsRecruitment, and Youth of Tsomo. The organisation said it does not endorse, partner with, or participate in any of the activities linked to these groups.
“These fraudulent operations often involve misrepresentation of our brand, services, or personnel to deceive individuals,” the authority said. “We urge the public to exercise extreme caution and vigilance when encountering any suspicious communication, offers, or requests for personal information that purport to be from AgriSETA or its employees.”
According to AgriSETA, many of these scams target vulnerable people by promising jobs, learnerships, or training opportunities in exchange for money or personal details. The authority stressed that it will not be held responsible for any personal or financial losses suffered as a result of these scams.
Instead, the public is urged to confirm all information through AgriSETA’s official channels: www.agriseta.co.za or 012 301 5600. “We are committed to protecting our stakeholders and the public from deceptive practices and are exploring all available avenues to address such issues,” the organisation added.
AgriSETA is an entity of the Department of Higher Education and Training and plays a key role in strengthening skills development across South Africa’s agricultural sector. Its vision is to enable a skilled, transformed, and prosperous industry, while its mission focuses on increasing access to impact-driven skills through strategic partnerships and credible research.
How to protect yourself from scams
Food For Mzansi also shared practical advice for farmers, job seekers, and students to avoid falling victim to fraudsters:
- Never pay money to apply for a job, bursary, or learnership. AgriSETA does not charge fees for applications or training opportunities.
- Check the source carefully. All official communication will come from AgriSETA’s website or official email addresses ending in @agriseta.co.za.
- Verify before you act. If an offer sounds suspicious, contact AgriSETA directly on 012 301 5600 to confirm its legitimacy.
- Be cautious of social media promises. Fraudsters often use fake Facebook pages, WhatsApp groups, or SMSes to spread misinformation.
- Report scams immediately. Sharing details of suspicious activity with AgriSETA can help protect others.
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