POLICE are investigating various cases of fraud, committed by suspects with the same modus operandi, who are milking contractors through fake tenders. Fraudsters are allegedly pretending to represent government officials.
“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 usually items not commonly found,” the SAPS said in a statement.
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According to the police an unsuspecting contractor is directed to order products from a specific fictitious supplier that is situated outside of the province in relation to where the complainant operates his/her business.
“The arrangement is that the supplier will then deliver the product to a specific government department in another province. 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 R100 000 and R400 000.
The complainant is then influenced to make further purchases or deposits within a short space of time.
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According to the police it is only after making three to four payments that the complainant becomes suspicious at which time it is too late and the whole tender process is unearthed as a scam. Contact your nearest police station or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 if you have or know anyone who has fallen victim this scam.
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