Business warned to be careful of illegal government order scams
Although the government has done more than enough to alert people about illegal government order scams, it seems more and more South Africans are falling victim to the scams. A lot of businesses have been scammed and some have been left bankrupt with debt that they are unable to pay. To understand the magnitude of the scams, this year alone the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has received no fewer than 15 complaints by victims of the scams who have lost several millions to syndicates.
There are many types of online scams used by criminals and the following are just examples of how these criminal syndicates operate. As police make more arrests criminals are also getting smarter and it is up to businesses and citizens to be vigilant.
The syndicates are well organised and in some cases with the assistance of unscrupulous officials are able to infiltrate supply chain information and get suppliers details. Once the criminals have information like fax, email addresses and phone numbers, they will then start contacting their targeted victims. The emails are used to ask for quotation for goods to be supplied. The criminals normally ask ladies to do the calling.
The most recent scam is the one whereby the criminals request óne to google search a part number for the item to be supplied. The Google searched item number will match with only one company which is their other company. The Google search will direct one to their other company which requests you to deposit money. Once the money is deposited there’s no further contact from the scammers. The company cannot then be traced.
The bottom line is for every business or person to verify the authenticity of the request.
Do not be fooled by the email, as it may come from a free email server such as Gmail, webmail and outlook. The callers always sound polite and professional however this should not fool one. The scammers answer their phones as if they are in supply chain, call the number after hours or call it from two or more phones simultaneously and the mobile network voicemail will be activated. Always be on the lookout for a scam.
Keep in mind that criminals want your money and it is for you to keep it safe.
Also remember that government has set procurement rules. Anything below R30 000-00, needs 3 quotations. Goods, above R30 000-00 go out to tender. The process of tendering is not just a few phone calls and then your company wins the tender. There are site meetings, paperwork involved and verification. Anything quick is a scam. It also happens that sometimes criminals will claim to be from a department that your company is not even registered with.
Do not be excited about the prospect of making money. Criminals feed on that greed. Do not focus on the prospect of making money from government but always verify the authenticity of the entire process.
It is wise to drive to that government department and ask to meet that particular person personally before you even think of buying the goods to be supplied.
If you decide to go to the department, do not allow for street meetings, do not meet in office parking lots; go to the reception and ask security to call that individual you are to meet, do not give them the description of your car, do not let someone stop you at reception claiming to be the person you are there to meet.
Let the meeting happen inside the department offices beyond the reception where one would be signed into the building as a visitor. The meeting should take place in the supply chain boardroom or office not in an isolated office space. Familiarise yourself with all the staff members present. It is your responsibility to ask the person for official proof of the awarded contract as well as their identification.
Anything less is a scam and you are on your own if you fail to take precautionary measures. Remember it’s your hard earned money.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2942
