PRETORIA – A couple in the east of Pretoria is the latest victim of the highly-commercialised tender fraud that has bankrupted a lot of businesses. The now sophisticated tender scammers, imitate tender documents, schedule fake zoom meetings and even mimic department domain names to swindle their victims.
The couple Mr. and Mrs. Ntatile received an email from the Department of Defence from the email tender@dodgov.org to supply bricks and cement for renovation. The material was to be delivered at Armscor Building, Cnr Delmas Avenue & Nossob Street. Private Bag X 910, Pretoria, 0001.
The invoice and receipt of the purchase were submitted by the couple alongside the delivery that was handed over to Mr. Anias Mbobha. The cost of the material was R1,989,999.00 and the total payment expected from the department was 2,800,000.00.
After 30 days of waiting, the couple mailed for when the payment would be received and after several emails decided to contact the department. It was only then, the couples realised they had been swindled and lost R2 million to tender fraudsters.
Mr. Elias of Eller Security in centurion believes that the domain registry and registrars should be held accountable for not flagging suspicious names during the domain registrations. He says “in an environment where crime is so rampant, such should be part of the security process of domain registrars to curb the purchase of government domain names”.
The Directorate in the past few weeks warns the public to be careful when trading in large amounts.
The public is warned to be vigilant with their money and if anyone falls into such scams, they should know that they will lose their hard-earned money.
If any person suspects such criminality, should immediately report to the nearest police station.
Write us, If you or someone you know has been a victim of tender fraud at press@townpress.co.za
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