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⚠️ Tender Scam Warning: Suspicious Emails from Koena.Nong@dcs.gov.za

In recent months, there has been a disturbing increase in fake procurement schemes targeting South African service providers, especially those registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD). One of the latest scams involves a suspicious email from Koena.Nong@dcs.gov.za, with the subject line often labeled “Tender Notice” or “Request for Quotation.”

Although the email appears to originate from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), and often includes legitimate-sounding names, addresses, and contact numbers, it is most likely part of a fraudulent scheme aimed at extracting money or goods from unsuspecting businesses.

How the Scam Works

The email from Koena.Nong@dcs.gov.za follows a familiar format seen in similar scams:

1. Official-Looking Email
   The scammer poses as a procurement official from the DCS, using what looks like a government email address.

2. Tender or RFQ Notice
   The email contains either a formal-looking "tender notice" or "RFQ request" claiming the department is urgently looking for a product or service. It might be accompanied by an attachment with logos, contact details, and fake tender numbers.

3. Encouragement to Outsource
   Even if the request is for a product outside your usual scope, the message urges you to find and quote anyway. This is a red flag—real departments only work with suppliers approved for specific categories.

4. Fake Purchase Order
   After you quote, the scammer sends a fake purchase order (PO) with forged DCS branding, giving the impression that the order is legitimate and ready to be fulfilled.

5. Fraudulent Supplier Referral or Delivery Request
   You are asked to purchase the items from a specific "recommended supplier" or deliver the goods to a location that does not belong to the DCS. Payment never follows, and the scammer disappears once the goods are shipped.

Red Flags to Watch For

The communication from Koena.Nong@dcs.gov.za may seem authentic at first glance, but several warning signs should raise your suspicion:

• Unusual Urgency: Government tenders are almost never processed under extreme urgency via email without also appearing on official platforms.

• Open Category Requests: The email may state that “you don’t have to be in scope” to quote. This directly contradicts standard government procurement protocols.

• Outsourcing Encouraged: Real departments do not allow vendors to outsource freely unless formally disclosed through subcontracting channels.

• No Listing on Official Portals: The supposed RFQ or tender is not published on the eTenders portal or the CSD.

• Unverifiable Contact Details: Attempts to verify the contact person (e.g., Koena Nong) through official DCS channels yield no results or contradictory information.

Real Impact on South African Businesses

Victims of these scams often suffer significant consequences:

• Financial Losses: Companies end up paying fraudulent “suppliers” or shipping real goods to false addresses with no payment ever received.

• Reputation Damage: Being associated with fraudulent transactions—whether knowingly or not—can hurt your business’s standing with real government entities.

• Legal Risks: Falling for these scams can draw your business into lengthy disputes or investigations with law enforcement or tax authorities.

How to Protect Your Business

Here are practical steps you can take to avoid falling victim:

1. Verify the Sender

Do not rely solely on the sender’s email. Look up their name on the official DCS directory or call a known number from the official DCS website.

2. Check Tender Portals

All legitimate RFQs and tenders are listed on:

• National Treasury eTenders

• CSD Portal

3. Avoid Upfront Payments

Never pay an unknown third-party supplier on behalf of a government department. This is never required for official tenders or contracts.

4. Cross-Reference Company Details

If you're referred to a supplier, check their business registration on CIPC or request verifiable references.

5. Report Suspicious Activity

If you suspect you’ve been targeted:

• Call the DCS Ethics Line or National Treasury Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701

• Report to SAPS Commercial Crimes Unit

Final Word

The email from Koena.Nong@dcs.gov.za may be part of a growing number of procurement scams pretending to originate from the Department of Correctional Services. While the language, branding, and documentation may appear legitimate, the aim is to deceive suppliers into parting with money or goods.

Always verify before you quote, and remember: if it feels rushed, vague, or “too easy,” it likely isn’t genuine. Spread the word and ensure your colleagues, employees, and finance teams are aware of this threat.

Stay alert. Stay safe. Don’t fall for the RFQ scam.