DSP-790 SOLAR STREET LIGHTS

🚨 Tender Scam Alert: Fake RFQ from “Nyahlane.Mashilo@dcs.gov.za” Exploits DCS Name

South African businesses are being targeted once again by an increasingly sophisticated procurement scam posing as an official tender request from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). The latest scam uses the name Nyahlane Mashilo and claims to originate from the Drakenstein Management Area, complete with a seemingly legitimate RFQ number: DCS 11-04/2025.

If you've received an email from Nyahlane.Mashilo@dcs.gov.za, read this carefully before responding—it’s likely a scam designed to defraud your business.

🕵️‍♂️ What the Scam Looks Like

The email typically includes:

RFQ NUMBER: DCS 11-04/2025

Kind Regards,
Nyahlane Mashilo
Supply Chain Management
Drakenstein Management Area
Tel: 021 516 0539
Email: Nyahlane.Mashilo@dcs.gov.za

You may be asked to quote for supplying goods or services urgently—often accompanied by an attachment containing vague specifications. The communication sounds official, with references to the Department of Correctional Services and a real-sounding RFQ code, but it is part of a fraudulent operation.

🚩 Why This Is a Red Flag

1. Unsolicited Tender Request
   If you did not register interest on www.etenders.gov.za or submit a request to be contacted, receiving an RFQ from DCS is unusual.

2. Unknown Contact Person
   “Nyahlane Mashilo” is not listed in any official DCS staff directories, and the associated phone number (021 516 0539) does not match known DCS contact information.

3. Email Domain Spoofing
   Although the email domain appears to be @dcs.gov.za, this can be spoofed. Scammers use tactics to create fake domains or mimic real ones with slight alterations that are hard to detect.

4. Urgent or Emergency Tone
   The scam often pushes urgency—"quote ASAP", "project is urgent", or "respond within 3 days"—to rush your decision-making and bypass verification.

5. Third-party Supplier Involvement
   You may be told it’s acceptable to outsource products you don’t typically supply, and the scammers will conveniently refer you to a "preferred supplier", who is part of the scam and will demand upfront payment.

🎯 The Real Goal of the Scam

This scam isn’t about collecting quotes—it’s about tricking you into making a payment.

Here’s how it usually unfolds:

• You submit a quote for the requested goods.

• The scammer accepts and places an order.

• You’re advised to purchase the goods from a specific supplier who is “already approved” or “recommended.”

• You pay the supplier upfront.

• The supplier disappears. The goods never arrive. So do the scammers.

You’re left out of pocket and have no legal recourse because the whole setup was fake from the start.

✅ How to Verify a Legitimate Government Tender

To protect your business:

1. Check the Tender on eTenders
   South African government tenders are published on www.etenders.gov.za. If the RFQ isn't listed there, it is almost certainly fraudulent.

2. Call the Department of Correctional Services Directly
   Use contact details found on the official DCS website, not the ones listed in the suspicious email.

3. Research the Contact Person
   Use LinkedIn or search engines to verify that the named individual is a real employee of DCS.

4. Avoid Upfront Payments
   No government agency will ever instruct you to pay upfront to a third-party supplier who isn’t vetted through an official tender process.

🔐 Tips to Stay Protected

• Train your team to recognize procurement scams.

• Don’t engage with unknown or suspicious tender invitations, especially those that encourage outsourcing.

• Watch out for urgency, vague product descriptions, and unverifiable contacts.

• Use official procurement portals and verify reference numbers like RFQ codes independently.

• Never process payments to suppliers unless verified through your own procurement protocols.

📣 Reporting the Scam

If you've been contacted by Nyahlane.Mashilo@dcs.gov.za or submitted a quote based on this or a similar request:

• Report to the National Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701

• Alert the Department of Correctional Services Fraud Unit: fraudprevention@dcs.gov.za

• Contact your bank immediately if any payments have been made

• Report to the South African Police Service (SAPS) to open a fraud case

🛡️ Final Thoughts

Scams like the one involving RFQ NUMBER: DCS 11-04/2025 and “Nyahlane Mashilo” are part of a widespread procurement fraud wave exploiting trust in government institutions. Even though the email may seem official and reference known departments, it is a scam.

By staying vigilant, verifying all procurement requests, and spreading awareness in your business network, you can help stop these criminals from succeeding.