The South African Police Service in KwaZulu-Natal has warned the public against falling prey to the prevalent tender fraud scams.
The provincial spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, stated that fraudsters have been contacting small company owners and leading them to believe that they have been awarded contracts by government agencies.
“Fraudulent letterheads and email addresses are utilized to request that these businesses provide a particular or uncommon product,” she explained.
She stated that the small business owners would conduct an internet search to discover a certain supplier who is also a part of the con.
“After paying cash to the purported supplier to order the goods, the victims realized they had been duped. The fraud has existed since 2015 and will have slowed by 2020 due to earlier police warnings.
Approximately 68 examples have been observed where perpetrators have reverted to the same mode of operation.” In a 2016 case reported in Richards Bay, the complainant said that he obtained a price quote from one of the government offices in September.
In a letter, they demanded 100 cylinders of dyroc gas. After the funds were transferred to the provider, he realized it was a fraud.
She stated that the con artists targeted needy small business owners who were still establishing themselves in their respective businesses.
“We are urging people of the community to be alert of these ongoing scams and to verify with the appropriate government department if they receive such inquiries,” she said.