Avoid being defrauded through fake tenders, warns SAPS

THE community has been warned to be careful when applying for tenders as many people are pretending to represent government departments.

Police are investigating cases of fraud, committed by fraudsters with the same modus operandi, who are milking contractors through fake tenders.

KZN police spokesperson, Capt Nqobile Gwala said one must always take note that with government tenders an applicant must be in the database of the department in order to be granted a tender.

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“No one 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.”

She said 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 which the business owner has to provide is/are usually items not commonly found. The complainant is directed to order the product/s from a specific fictitious manufacturer/supplier that is situated 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 specific a government department in another province.

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“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 R 100 000 and R 400 000,” said Gwala.

The complainant is then influenced to make further purchases/deposits within a short space of time. After making three to four payments/purchases the complainant becomes suspicious and makes a follow-up with the respective department. He/she then discover that the whole tender process was a scam and by this time he/she has already suffered huge financial losses.

Gwala urged people who have been defrauded in a similar manner to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop number 086 0010 111.