
Nelson Mandela University Phishing – Fake Login Page Stealing University Credentials
This phishing campaign impersonates Nelson Mandela University (NMU) , a major public university in South Africa. The page is designed to steal the login credentials (Username and Password) used by students, faculty, and staff to access the university’s online portals (such as email, learning management systems, and administrative services).
How it works:
The victim receives a phishing email, SMS, or other message claiming a security alert, account expiration, or the need to verify their university account. The message includes a link to this fake NMU login page. When the victim enters their Username and Password and clicks “Login,” the credentials are captured and sent to the attacker.
The goal:
The attacker aims to steal NMU account credentials. With these, they can:
- Access the victim’s university email account (often used for official communications and password resets)
- Gain entry to the university’s learning management system (Moodle, etc.)
- Access personal information stored in university systems
- Use the compromised account to send further phishing messages to other students and staff
- Potentially use the email address and password combination to attempt access to other accounts if the victim reused the same credentials
Red flags to watch for:
- Suspicious URL: The page is hosted on a domain (
menuiserieanile.fr) that is notmandela.ac.zaor any official NMU domain. Legitimate NMU login pages are accessed throughmandela.ac.zaor related subdomains. Always check the address bar. - Extremely minimal design: The page lacks the official NMU branding, logos, navigation menus, and security notices that appear on the legitimate university login portal.
- Unsolicited login request: NMU does not send emails or messages with links requiring users to log in to resolve account issues. Students and staff should always access university portals by typing the official URL directly.
- Generic form: The page only asks for Username and Password with no additional context (such as student number, ID, or two-factor authentication) that would be present on the real login page.
- No account recovery options: Legitimate university login pages typically offer links for forgotten passwords or account help. This page lacks those.
What to do if you encounter this:
- Do not enter your Username, Password, or any other personal information on this page.
- If you are a student or staff member at Nelson Mandela University, always access the university’s online services by typing
mandela.ac.zadirectly into your browser or by using official university apps. - If you have already entered your credentials, change your NMU password immediately and contact the university’s IT support or help desk to report the incident.
- Report the phishing page to NMU’s IT security team so they can warn other users.
Why this scam is effective:
Nelson Mandela University has thousands of students and staff who rely on online portals for email, course materials, and administrative tasks. A phishing email claiming an account issue or security alert can cause recipients to click the link without carefully checking the URL. The simple, clean design of the page mimics a generic university login screen, which may be familiar to users who log in through various portals.
Protective measures:
- Bookmark the official NMU login page and use that bookmark to access university services—never click links in emails or messages.
- Use a password manager: It will autofill only on legitimate
mandela.ac.zadomains, not on phishing sites. - Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your university account if available, to add an extra layer of protection.
- Be suspicious of any unsolicited message that creates urgency and asks you to log in to your university account.
- Check the URL carefully: Legitimate NMU domains end with
mandela.ac.za. Look for misspellings, extra words, or unusual top-level domains. - If in doubt, contact the university’s IT help desk using a phone number or email from the official university website—never use contact information provided in a suspicious message.

















