Police warn of fake tender scams

POLICE in KwaZulu-Natal have warned people to be aware as an increasing number of scamsters are pretending to represent government departments.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said provincial police were investigating cases of fraudsters with the same modus operandi, who are milking contactors through fake tenders.

“Police are warning tender applicants to be careful when applying for tenders as many people are pretending to represent government departments,” Gwala said.

“Note that with government tenders an applicant must be in the database of the department in order to be granted a tender. No person can be awarded a tender without applying for it. People are advised to familiarise themselves with persons who deal with tender applications within the department and make enquiries.

“Criminals are utilising what appears to be letterheads belonging to government departments to defraud unsuspecting business owners. Business owners are informed that they have been awarded tenders by government institutions/ departments.

“Correspondence is submitted electronically to the complainant on what appears to be an official document. The product/s which the business owner has to provide are usually items not commonly found.

“The complainant is directed to order the product/s from a specific fictitious manufacturer/supplier outside of the province in relation to where the complainant operates his business.

“The arrangement is that the supplier will then deliver the product to a specific government department in another province. The complainant makes purchases from the ‘supplier’ and deposits huge sums of money into a banking account.

“The initial amount for purchases is usually between R100 000 and R400 000.”

Gwala said the complainant was then influenced to make further purchases/ deposits in a short space of time.

“After making three or for payments/ purchases the complainant becomes suspicious and makes a follow-up with the respective department.

“He/she then discovers the whole tender process was a scam and by this time he/she has already suffered huge financial losses.”

Anyone defrauded in a similar manner should contact their nearest police station or call Crime Stop 08600 10111.

MANY PEOPLE ARE PRETENDING TO REPRESENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS