🚨 Fake Tender Alert: Scam Email Impersonating Pfarelo.Nefale@dcs.gov.za from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS)

Introduction

A new wave of fraudulent tender scams is making the rounds again, this time falsely using the identity of Pfarelo Nefale, an employee allegedly from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). This scam, like others in the same series, involves a fraudulent Request for Quotation (RFQ) and pressures the recipient with urgency to respond quickly with quotes and documents. The email subject line reads “IMMEDIATE SUPPLY Needed”, and it contains language designed to instill a sense of emergency and importance.

If you've received such an email—do not respond, do not send any documents, and do not transfer any money. This is a scam, and it is part of a growing trend targeting legitimate businesses, particularly those registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) of the South African government.

In this article, we will break down the elements of the scam, explain why it is fraudulent, and provide guidance on how to protect yourself and your business from similar scams in the future.

The Fake Email in Question

The email reads something like the following:

Subject: IMMEDIATE SUPPLY Needed

From: Pfarelo.Nefale@dcs.gov.za

Body:
Good day sir/madam,

We urgently request that you supply or outsource the below item/product as per attached request for quotation below. Please review and respond as soon as possible.

All queries, documentations and quotations should strictly be redirected to Mosa Tuge email address Mosa.Tuge@dcs.gov.za

Kind regards,
DCS Supply Chain Management
012 516 0052

Often, this message is accompanied by a fraudulent RFQ document (a fake PDF or Word attachment) that looks official, uses DCS logos, and provides specifications for an obscure or hard-to-find item (e.g., high-tech equipment, industrial tools, or security devices).

The scam artist instructs the recipient to contact someone else (e.g., Mosa Tuge) for quotations and document submissions. That email address may be similar to official DCS email addresses, but it is either a spoofed address or a free account such as Gmail, Outlook, or a fake domain name resembling a government site.

Why This is a Scam

Several red flags make it clear that this email is fraudulent:

1. Spoofed Government Email Address

While the email appears to come from a real DCS employee (Pfarelo.Nefale@dcs.gov.za), scammers often spoof addresses to make them look legitimate. In many cases, when you hit "reply," it may actually go to a completely different email account set up by the scammers.

2. Sense of Urgency

The subject line and body contain phrases like “IMMEDIATE SUPPLY” and “urgently request,” which are psychological tactics used by scammers to get victims to act quickly without verifying the legitimacy of the request.

3. Unusual Product Requests

Scammers typically include items in the RFQ that are expensive, hard to find, or not typically sold by the target company. This is because their intent is not to procure the item—but to trick you into purchasing it from a fake supplier (also controlled by them).

4. Redirected Communication

Legitimate government tenders always instruct you to send responses to official government email addresses. In this case, you're told to send the documents to Mosa.Tuge@dcs.gov.za, which may either be spoofed or completely fake. The redirection is designed to isolate you from real officials.

5. Lack of Procurement Portal Verification

Real RFQs from government departments are usually published on official portals like:

• eTenders Portal (www.etenders.gov.za)

• DCS official website (www.dcs.gov.za)

This scam does not appear on any official procurement portals and is distributed via direct unsolicited email.

How the Scam Works (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how this scam typically unfolds:

1. Initial Contact: You receive a seemingly official email from a DCS employee requesting a quote for an item.

2. Fake RFQ Document: The email contains an RFQ document with official-looking formatting and government logos.

3. Redirection: You're told to send all documents and communication to a secondary email address (the scammer’s).

4. Fake Supplier: Once you respond, they may introduce you to a supplier that they recommend (controlled by the scammer), and urge you to place an order quickly.

5. Payment Scam: If you place the order, the fake supplier will request upfront payment before delivery. Once the money is transferred, they disappear—no goods are delivered, and no one responds further.

Real Government Tender Practices vs. Scam Tactics

What You Should Do If You Receive This Email

If you've received an email like this:

1. Do NOT respond.

2. Do NOT send any company documents.

3. Do NOT make any payments.

4. Verify the tender by contacting the real DCS through the phone numbers on their official website: www.dcs.gov.za.

5. Report the scam to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and also to the National Anti-Corruption Hotline at 0800 701 701.

6. Notify your team or procurement officer to stay alert for similar scams.

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their approaches, targeting small businesses, especially those registered on South Africa’s Central Supplier Database (CSD). These scammers take advantage of the trust placed in government institutions and the eagerness of businesses to secure lucrative contracts.

It’s critical to remain cautious and vigilant. Always verify RFQs independently, especially if they come with urgent language, unusual product requests, and third-party contacts.

If you're ever in doubt, take the time to contact the department directly through their official phone numbers or via their website. A few minutes of verification can save your business from significant financial loss.

Summary Checklist

✅ Ignore urgent tenders from unknown senders
✅ Never send documents to unverified contacts
✅ Check all RFQs on the www.etenders.gov.za portal
✅ Verify contact details directly with the issuing department
✅ Report suspicious emails to authorities

Stay alert, stay safe, and always verify.