MALALANE – Every month fraudsters are finding new ways to steal money from people. A recent scam has caused the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to send out a warning regarding people posing as officials.
According to the enquiries and complaints it received, it seems like a syndicate used the department’s logo to defraud potential service providers.
The matter was reported to the Vetting and Special Investigations Directorate within the department.
The syndicate reportedly initiates bogus business transactions by using the department’s logo to requests quotes for goods. The item descriptions of these goods are manipulated, which makes it difficult for victims to source them.
When the customers enquire about the goods, the fraudulent officials direct them to their preferred suppliers, which prove to be fake companies.
The companies require a deposit before delivery of goods and after payment don’t deliver on their promises.
Documentation used by the syndicate has the logo on it and in most cases even the names of officials who work for the department is used. However, contact details prove to be false.
Service providers and the public should take note that the department has its own supply chain process, which requires potential service providers be listed on its database.
All government departments, as well as the Nkomazi Local Municipality, have certain processes that the potential service providers have to follow.
Companies are urged to verify contact details and names on all requests for quotations received from government institutions.
Verify contact details by comparing them to numbers on the official websites or in the telephone directory and enquire about tender or quotation processes at the institution itself.
All service providers and members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activity or persons they come across to 012-312-9160 or Dumile.Msindo@drdlr.gov.za or to the government institution involved.
