PHALABORWA: MM’s signature used in tender scam

Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality is warning the business community and the community at large to be vigilant of fraudsters using its name to scam residents.

The Municipality has issued an authentic appeal to residents to be in the lookout for fraudsters operating within the municipal area claiming to represent it.

Municipal Spokesperson, Jonas Mahesu, said the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality has noted with great concern a fraudulent scam to the business community using a Municipal letterhead and the Municipal Manager’s signature.

“This comes after companies approached the Municipal Manager’s office to make follow-ups on the quotations submitted at “Social Development tender box at UNIGAZ” as cited on the requisition. The criminals are targeting businesses dealing in stationery,” according to Mahesu.

Mahesu further said they wish to warn business community against fraudsters who have been using the municipality’s letterhead and Municipal Manager’s signature to buy goods in a form of quotations.

“This is pure fraud. We also wish to advise the business sector to be careful of this scam and ensure that all transactions done with the municipality are validated before purchases are approved. All business transactions must be verified via the municipality’s land line number 015 780 6300 during office hours and not via any cell phones,” he added.