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## **Scam Alert – Fake Department of Correctional Services RFQ Using “quote-dcs.online” Domain**
This report highlights a fraudulent tender scheme impersonating the **Department of Correctional Services (DCS)**. The scam operates through unsolicited Requests for Quotation (RFQs) sent to businesses, urging them to urgently supply or outsource unspecified items. The email in this case uses **[londeka.ndumo@quote-dcs.online](mailto:londeka.ndumo@quote-dcs.online)** and claims to be from the DCS procurement team, specifically referencing a person named **Mbali Dladla**, with an additional contact **[Willem.Prens@dcs.gov.za](mailto:Willem.Prens@dcs.gov.za)**.
The fraudulent nature of this RFQ is evident in its use of a fake domain, urgency tactics, and solicitation without official tender listing.
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### **Nature of the Scam**
The email appears to be a standard procurement request from the DCS, but several elements reveal its suspicious nature:
* **Sender Address:** [londeka.ndumo@quote-dcs.online](mailto:londeka.ndumo@quote-dcs.online)
* **Claimed Department:** Department of Correctional Services
* **Names Used:** Mbali Dladla (Procurement Department) and Willem Prens
* **Telephone Number:** 012 516 0755
* **Physical Address Provided:** Poyntons Building (West Block), 124 WF Nkomo Street, Pretoria 0001
* **Request:** Urgent supply or outsourcing of items as per an “attached” quotation document.
The message pushes recipients to respond quickly, without sufficient time for due diligence or verification.
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### **How the Scam Operates**
1. **Mass Distribution of Emails**
The scammers send this RFQ to many companies, regardless of whether they are registered as official government suppliers.
2. **Domain Spoofing**
Instead of using an official **@dcs.gov.za** email, the scammers use **quote-dcs.online**, which is designed to look legitimate at first glance.
3. **Urgency Pressure**
The term “urgently request” encourages suppliers to act before verifying the authenticity of the tender.
4. **Attachment Trap**
The attached “RFQ” often contains either a fake purchase order or instructions that lead to advance payment scams or fraudulent deliveries.
5. **Potential Payment Request**
Similar scams often follow up with requests for “vendor registration fees,” “security clearance permits,” or other upfront payments that are not part of legitimate tender processes.
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### **Red Flags Identified**
* **Suspicious Email Domain** – All legitimate DCS communications use **@dcs.gov.za**. The use of **quote-dcs.online** is a strong indicator of fraud.
* **Unsolicited Request** – Government procurement generally requires suppliers to be pre-approved or to respond via official channels, not cold emails.
* **Generic Urgency** – No specific deadlines or tender reference numbers are provided, just vague urgency.
* **Encouragement to Outsource** – Genuine tenders require suppliers to deliver the goods themselves, not act as intermediaries.
* **Mismatch with Official Tender Portals** – This RFQ is not listed on the official **National Treasury eTender Portal** or DCS’s official procurement listings.
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### **Potential Risks to Businesses**
1. **Financial Loss** – Companies risk losing money if they purchase goods or pay upfront fees before confirming the tender’s legitimacy.
2. **Data Compromise** – Company documents, quotes, and certificates can be stolen and reused in other fraud schemes.
3. **Reputational Harm** – Being associated with a fraudulent procurement deal can damage a business’s standing in the industry.
4. **Operational Disruption** – Time and resources spent engaging with fake tenders detract from legitimate business opportunities.
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### **How to Protect Yourself**
If you receive a tender request from **quote-dcs.online** or similar suspicious domains:
1. **Verify the Domain** – Only trust emails from **@dcs.gov.za**.
2. **Check with the Department Directly** – Use official DCS contact numbers from their government website to confirm any procurement request.
3. **Search the Tender Portal** – Visit **[www.etenders.gov.za](http://www.etenders.gov.za)** to confirm whether the tender exists.
4. **Avoid Upfront Payments** – No legitimate tender will require suppliers to pay fees for registration, permits, or courier releases.
5. **Report the Scam** – Send the suspicious email to the DCS fraud prevention unit, the **SAPS Commercial Crimes Unit**, and the **National Anti-Corruption Hotline (0800 701 701)**.
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### **Recommended Action for DCS**
To prevent continued misuse of its name:
* **Public Warnings** – The DCS should issue alerts via press releases and its website to warn suppliers about fake domains like **quote-dcs.online**.
* **Domain Monitoring** – Authorities should work with cybersecurity teams to track and shut down fraudulent domains.
* **Supplier Education** – Regular workshops and online resources can help suppliers identify and avoid procurement scams.
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The email from **[londeka.ndumo@quote-dcs.online](mailto:londeka.ndumo@quote-dcs.online)** claiming to represent the **Department of Correctional Services** is a clear example of a fraudulent procurement scam. The use of a deceptive email domain, vague urgency, and solicitation to outsource goods are major warning signs.
Legitimate government procurement always operates through verifiable channels and never demands that suppliers bypass standard tender processes. Businesses should remain vigilant, verify all procurement communications, and report suspected scams promptly. By doing so, they not only protect themselves from financial loss but also help curb the spread of such fraudulent activities.
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