DUOSTELLAR-820T SOLAR STREET LIGHTS

⚠️ Scam Alert: Fake RFQ from Erick.Donson@dcs.gov.za – Do Not Fall for It

South African businesses, especially suppliers and service providers registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD), continue to be targeted by a growing procurement scam involving fake Requests for Quotations (RFQs). The latest variant involves a suspicious email from Erick.Donson@dcs.gov.za, claiming to represent Drakenstein Correctional Centre and requesting quotes for unspecified goods or services.

These emails appear highly official, including realistic departmental branding, procurement language, and even legitimate-looking contact details. However, they are part of an organized scam operation designed to trick you into supplying goods or making payments based on fake documentation.

Anatomy of the Scam

The scam generally follows a structured and deceptive process:

1. Initial Email Contact
   You receive a formal-sounding email with a subject like “Request to Quote” from someone claiming to work at a government department, in this case Donson Erick from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

2. Official-Sounding Details
   The sender provides what looks like a real government email (e.g., Erick.Donson@dcs.gov.za) and gives an address such as “Drakenstein Correctional Centre, Cnr Jan Van Riebeek Drive & Wemmershoek Road, Paarl, 7646.” They also list a landline number to appear more authentic.

3. Attachment or Product Request
   The email includes an RFQ attachment or mentions an urgent need for a specific item. You may be encouraged to outsource the product if it’s not within your usual scope—removing barriers and prompting you to act quickly.

4. Purchase Order Follows
   After you respond with pricing, they send a fake “purchase order” with forged departmental letterhead, logos, and signatures—convincing enough to trick even experienced business owners.

5. Goods Delivery or Upfront Payment
   You may be asked to deliver goods to a third-party address (not a DCS site), or to pay a “supplier” to secure the stock—only to discover later that no such order ever existed.

Why This Is Suspicious

The email from Erick.Donson@dcs.gov.za raises multiple red flags:

• Generic and Urgent Language
  Legitimate government procurement rarely uses vague terms like “Request to Quote” without detailed specifications. The urgency is often a ploy to prevent thorough due diligence.

• Encouragement to Outsource
  Real government tenders are typically awarded to vendors based on registered capabilities. A request allowing you to find the product elsewhere is highly unusual.

• Spoofed Email Addresses
  While the email may seem legitimate (ending in @dcs.gov.za), scammers can spoof or fake domains to deceive recipients. Always cross-check with official government directories.

• Untraceable or Fake Suppliers

• If the scam proceeds to the next step, the “supplier” you are referred to will usually have no public trace, minimal online presence, or be connected to fake company registration numbers.

Real Risks for Your Business

Many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have fallen victim to such scams and suffered:

Financial Loss

Businesses pay thousands upfront for goods they never receive or deliver products without ever getting paid.

Damage to Credibility

A business caught up in a procurement scam—even unintentionally—may face reputational damage with real government departments or future clients.

Legal Troubles

Participating in fraudulent procurement, even unknowingly, can entangle your business in legal investigations or tax issues.

How to Protect Yourself

Always Verify

If you receive an email from someone like Erick Donson, do not rely on the contact details provided in the email. Instead, go to the official DCS website or contact the relevant regional office to verify the individual and the RFQ.

Use the eTenders Portal

Legitimate procurement requests will appear on www.etenders.gov.za or on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD).

Check for Inconsistencies

Look for unusual formatting, generic salutations, spelling errors, and non-standard procurement terms. These are often present in scam communications.

Do Not Prepay Unverified Suppliers

Government orders do not require you to pay third-party suppliers to secure stock. If asked to do so, stop the process immediately and investigate.

Report the Incident

Report suspected fraud to:

National Treasury Fraud Hotline: 0800 701 701

DCS Ethics & Integrity Unit

SAPS Commercial Crimes Unit

Final Thoughts

Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated in targeting South African suppliers with fake RFQs and purchase orders. The email from Erick.Donson@dcs.gov.za claiming to be from Drakenstein Correctional Centre is likely part of a procurement scam designed to trick you into supplying goods under false pretenses.

Always pause and verify before quoting or fulfilling orders. It’s better to miss a fake opportunity than to fall victim to financial fraud. Stay safe, and inform your procurement and finance teams to remain vigilant against scams like these.