Police issue warning over tender scam spike
Business owners are contacted by fraudsters claiming they have been awarded government tenders
Police have issued a warning about an elaborate tender scam in KZN targeting business owners.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said business owners are contacted by fraudsters claiming they have been awarded government tenders.
‘Fraudulent letterheads and email addresses are used, requesting businesses to supply a specific or unusual product,’ Mbhele said.
‘To source the products, business owners are cleverly guided to a specific supplier that is part of the scam. After paying an amount to secure the products, the scammers disappear with the money.’
Mbhele said the scam has been playing out since 2015, but they have noted a resurgence, with 65 cases reported recently.
‘These scammers target desperate small business owners who are still finding their feet.
‘We appeal to business owners to be aware of such scams and first verify such offers with the relevant government departments,’ Mbhele said.
