Maria.Sibande@dcs. gov.za

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Important Warning: Fake Tender Emails from "Department of Correctional Services" (Maria Sibande) Circulating

The rise of cybercrime targeting businesses through fake government tenders is alarming.
Scammers are now impersonating officials such as Maria Sibande, claiming to represent the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), and luring companies into providing sensitive business information.

This article explains how to recognize these scams, highlights warning signs, and gives tips to protect yourself and your business.

Example of the Scam Email

From: Maria Sibande
Title: Tender Administration Official
Organization: Department of Correctional Services
Phone: 012 516 0012
Email: Maria.Sibande@dcs.gov.za

Message:

Dear Service Provider,

The Department of Correctional Services invites your company to bid for the supply and delivery of requested products as indicated in the attached RFQ. Please respond urgently.

(Attachment requests tax clearance, company registration documents, CSD registration report, BEE certificate, ID copies, and bank confirmation letter.)

Key Red Flags in This Fake Email

Red FlagWhy It's Suspicious

Sender email spacing error	"Maria.Sibande@dcs. gov.za" — there is an intentional space before "gov.za", which breaks the email domain authentication.
Urgent response demanded	Real tenders allow adequate preparation time; scammers rush you to act impulsively.
Request for sensitive documents	Government departments never casually ask for ID copies and banking details through unsolicited emails.
No official tender publication	Genuine tenders are listed on www.etenders.gov.za.
Suspicious phone numbers	Scammers often spoof Pretoria landlines; always verify numbers through official DCS contact pages.

Why This is Dangerous

If you respond to a fake tender:

Your company's sensitive documents (CIPC registration, tax clearance, banking info) could be stolen.
Criminals might impersonate your business for fraudulent activities.
You risk financial loss, identity theft, or reputational damage.

How to Protect Your Company

✅ Check sender emails carefully.
Look out for subtle mistakes like extra spaces, misspellings, or unofficial domains.

✅ Always verify tenders independently.
Visit etenders.gov.za or call the official DCS switchboard to confirm.

✅ Never send sensitive documents without proper validation.
Genuine tenders use a secure, traceable bidding process.

✅ Beware of urgency and vague language.
Fake tenders push you into quick action without giving proper tender numbers, specifications, or context.

✅ Report suspicious emails immediately.
You can forward suspected scam emails to the South African Police Service Cybercrime Division or to the DCS official fraud hotline.