Immediate Quote Required for Supply and Delivery

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Fake Tender Alert: Department of Social Development RFQ Scam

Businesses and service providers in South Africa are once again being targeted by cybercriminals posing as government departments. The latest scam is disguised as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) from the Department of Social Development (DSD) — urging companies to respond quickly to a vague and suspicious email.

Let’s unpack this scam, highlight its warning signs, and provide tips to avoid being tricked by these fake tenders.

🧪 The Fake Email Example: DSD RFQ Scam

Subject: Immediate Quote Required for Supply and Delivery
From: Procurement Department
Email: zikhona.sodika@dsdtenderrfq.online

“Even if you are not in the scope of work, feel free to quote by finding a supplier... Deadline: 3 working days.”

At first glance, the message seems legitimate — it uses a familiar government department name, includes a physical delivery address, and mimics the formal tone of actual procurement requests.

But upon closer inspection, several red flags emerge.

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🚩 Top Red Flags in the DSD Scam Email

Here are clear signs this email is part of a phishing or procurement fraud scheme:

1. Suspicious Email Domain

zikhona.sodika@dsdtenderrfq.online

This domain (dsdtenderrfq.online) does not belong to the official Department of Social Development, which uses gov.za email addresses. Government departments in South Africa do not use .online domains for procurement.

✅ Always verify the domain against the official department website.

2. Encouragement to Outsource

“You can find a supplier and provide us with a quotation of your company pricing.”

No legitimate department would ask you to submit pricing on something outside your scope or expertise. Scammers do this to lower your guard and push for engagement.

3. Missing Product Details

There is no information about the item or service being requested in the body of the email. Real RFQs always include specific products, specifications, and bid reference numbers.

4. Urgency and Limited Time Frame

“Closing date is within 3 working days.”

Urgency is a classic scam technique to pressure you into responding before verifying the request.

5. Generic Signature and No Verifiable Contact

The email is signed off with a vague “Procurement Department” without any legitimate contact number, procurement officer name, or traceable LinkedIn or DSD directory listing.

🧠 Real vs. Fake RFQs: Comparison Table

CriteriaLegit Government RFQFake/Scam RFQ

Email domain	@gov.za	.online, .org.za, .bid, or unknown TLDs
Contact info	Named official, phone number on gov directory	Generic “Procurement Department,” unlisted email
Product details	Item codes, specifications, RFQ numbers	Vague or omitted entirely
Quoting requirements	Only for qualified, registered suppliers	“Anyone can quote,” even outside your expertise
Response time	Formal deadlines with supporting documents

🔐 How to Protect Your Business

Use these proactive steps to verify tenders and protect your organization from fake procurement scams:

✅ 1. Always Confirm the Email Domain

Search for the department’s official website and compare the sender's domain. If it’s not gov.za, treat it as suspicious.

✅ 2. Look Up the Contact Person

A legitimate procurement email will include a verifiable name and phone number. Search for the person on:

The official department website
LinkedIn
Government directories

✅ 3. Inspect Attached Documents

Fake tenders often come with Word or PDF files containing malware. Do not open attachments unless you’ve confirmed the source.

✅ 4. Contact the Department Directly

If unsure, call or email the department using publicly available contact details. Do not reply to the suspicious email.

✅ 5. Educate Your Team

Train your sales and procurement teams to recognize scams. Share red flags and establish protocols for verifying tenders.

🕳️ What Happens If You Fall for It?

You might provide business info or ID documents that are later used for identity theft.
You may get tricked into purchasing goods to send to the scammers — and never get paid.
If you open an infected attachment, you risk ransomware or spyware compromising your network.

🧾 Reporting Fake Tenders in South Africa

If you receive a suspicious tender email:

Report it to the government department directly
Forward the scam to Cybercrime Division at:
📧 cybercrime@cybersecurity.gov.za
Report to South African Police Service (SAPS) and FraudWatch International

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📌 Conclusion: Be Vigilant, Not a Victim

Scammers are getting better at mimicking government departments, using pressure tactics and vague emails to trick unsuspecting businesses. Don’t fall for emails like the fake DSD tender request.

✅ Verify everything.
✅ Protect your business.
✅ Spread awareness.

If something seems too vague, too urgent, or too open — it’s probably a scam.

Urgent, 2–3 days deadline

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