Be Warned: Another Eskom scam is doing the rounds

ESKOM has issued a warning about a procurement scam which targets companies across the country.

The approach scammers use is to send a bogus Request for Quote (RFQ) either by email or by fax, bearing the Eskom logo.

The contact person pretends to be a buyer for the parastatal and the Eskom contact details provided are incorrect.

The following scenarios are normally used:

• Core Business

If the bogus RFQ is reflecting the core items supplied by the approached company:

• They would require items in bulk (or high volume of stock) with a total price not less than R1m.
• The RFQ would reflect as coming from Eskom’s Finance Director or CEO.
• They would fax forged order forms to the target and ask them to deliver goods to a specified address.

• Rare Equipment

If the bogus RFQ is sent to a company that does not deal with equipment, the method is usually as follows:

• They create a bogus website reflecting a company (bogus OEM) that would be able to provide the specific unique item required.
• The referred bogus company is part of the same syndicate, although the numbers reflected will differ from those of the ‘buyer so that it seem as if one is dealing with different people / entities.
• After submitting the RFQ back to Eskom, a fraudulent order number is issued with a  delivery date within a short period of time.
• Upon engaging this bogus company,  an upfront deposit of approximately 50% of the total value is requested.
• The deposit would have to be paid into the bank account belonging to an individual, not a business account.
• In some instances the scammers will try to pressurise the target to provide the entire order before delivery is to be made.
• The bogus company offers to deliver the goods to Eskom on behalf of the targetted company, and a request is made to meet the representative of the targetted company at the delivery address.
• No delivery is made to Eskom and sometimes a fake delivery note is provided to the victim company as if the goods were delivered to Eskom. The outstanding balance is then demanded.  This would serve as a delaying tactic to allow the scammers to clear their bank account before the victim registers a criminal case and the bank account is frozen.
• If the targetted company demands more information, indicating it is suspicious,  the scammers will avoid taking calls from the victim or they would discontinue using their contact numbers and close the website to open another one.

The delivery address reflected on purchase orders is either an address that does not belong to Eskom or a correct Eskom address.  Where delivery is made to correct Eskom premises, receipt of goods will be done outside the security check point by scammers purporting to be Eskom employees.

To verify the authenticity of Eskom orders, suppliers are advised to contact  Manase Mathabathe at 011 800 2202 or Dolly Tsitsi at 011 800 6041.

It should be noted that Eskom does not use email addresses that end with:

… @eskomholdingssupplychain.co.za

….@eskomfinance.co.za

….@eskomprocurement.co.za

….@eskomgroup.co.za

….@eskomsa.co.za

….@eskomenterprise.co.za

….@eskomdistribution.co.za

….@eskomrotek.co.za

Please note that these domain addresses change frequently.

Because it is also possible that the fraudsters can spoof a correct Eskom e-mail address, suppliers must be vigilant and, where necessary, verify the RFQ using Eskom numbers other than any contact details that appear on the RFQ / order.

If a supplier has to make a deposit into a bank account of a provider with no previous business relations, it is advisable for the supplier to verify ownership with the bank before making the deposit.

Victims should immediately register criminal case of fraud with the South African Police Service as soon as they become aware that they have been scammed and alert the bank that was used to deposit the funds.

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