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## **Scam Alert – Fake Tender for PT610H B5 Ankle Tracking Bracelets**
This report details a suspected tender scam in which fraudsters impersonate the **Department of Correctional Services (DCS)** to solicit quotations for high-value electronic monitoring equipment. The specific case involves a fraudulent request for **185 x PT610H B5 Ankle Tracking Bracelets**, falsely presented as an official government procurement opportunity.
The email in question originates from what appears to be **[Themba.Dlepu@dcs.gov.za](mailto:Themba.Dlepu@dcs.gov.za)**, and it includes an additional contact **[Mxolisi.Vayeke@dcs.gov.za](mailto:Mxolisi.Vayeke@dcs.gov.za)** — both of which may be spoofed or misused to create a sense of authenticity.
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### **Nature of the Scam**
The fraudulent message mimics a legitimate Request for Quotation (RFQ) from the DCS. Its main features include:
* **Product Requested:** PT610H B5 Ankle Tracking Bracelets
* **Quantity:** 185 units
* **Sender Name:** Themba Dlepu (or impersonation thereof)
* **Secondary Contact:** Mxolisi Vayeke
* **Telephone Number Provided:** +27 012 516 0022
* **Physical Address Listed:** Poyntons Building (West Block), 124 WF Nkomo Street, Pretoria, 0001
* **Request for Urgent Quotation:** The email asks for immediate confirmation of availability, detailed pricing (including delivery and taxes), and an estimated delivery schedule.
The tone of the email is designed to pressure the recipient into responding quickly, without conducting the necessary verification checks.
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### **How the Scam Works**
1. **Initial Contact**
The scammer sends an unsolicited RFQ to businesses, especially those dealing in electronics, surveillance, or tracking equipment.
2. **Creation of Urgency**
The request appears urgent, encouraging suppliers to respond without taking time to confirm the tender’s legitimacy.
3. **Promise of Large Orders**
The quantity — 185 high-value ankle tracking bracelets — implies a lucrative deal, enticing suppliers to prioritise the request.
4. **Collection of Quotations**
Once the supplier responds, scammers may use their details to generate fake purchase orders or to manipulate them into supplying goods without secure payment arrangements.
5. **Advance Payment Requests**
In many similar scams, victims are eventually asked to pay for “special courier permits,” “security clearance,” or “vendor registration” fees.
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### **Red Flags in This Tender Request**
* **Unsolicited Email** – Legitimate government tenders are posted publicly and usually require supplier pre-registration.
* **Potential Email Spoofing** – While the email address may appear authentic, scammers can spoof official domains.
* **Unusual Procurement Scope** – High-value items like ankle tracking bracelets would typically be acquired through formal, competitive tender processes, not via direct email requests.
* **Pressure for Urgent Response** – Scammers use short timelines to reduce the chance of verification.
* **Mismatch with Official Records** – This tender does not appear on the official **National Treasury eTender Portal** or DCS procurement bulletins.
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### **Impact of the Scam**
1. **Financial Loss** – Businesses may lose significant funds if they ship goods or pay upfront fees before confirming legitimacy.
2. **Data Theft** – Scammers can harvest company documents and quotations for other fraudulent activities.
3. **Reputation Damage** – Engaging with fraudulent tenders can tarnish a company’s credibility.
4. **Misuse of Government Identity** – This type of scam damages public trust in the DCS and legitimate government procurement processes.
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### **How to Verify and Respond Safely**
If you receive such an RFQ:
1. **Verify via Official Channels** – Contact the Department of Correctional Services through its official switchboard or listed procurement contacts — not the numbers or emails provided in the suspicious message.
2. **Check the Tender Portal** – Search [www.etenders.gov.za](http://www.etenders.gov.za) to confirm whether the tender exists.
3. **Inspect Email Headers** – Look for inconsistencies in the sender’s email metadata to detect spoofing.
4. **Refuse Upfront Payments** – Government departments never require suppliers to pay for contract processing, courier clearance, or vendor registration.
5. **Report Immediately** – Forward the suspicious email to the DCS fraud prevention unit, SAPS Commercial Crimes Unit, and the **National Anti-Corruption Hotline (0800 701 701)**.
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### **Call for Action**
To prevent further incidents:
* **DCS should issue public alerts** warning about the misuse of its officials’ names and email addresses.
* **Cybercrime units should investigate** the origins of the fraudulent messages and shut down associated email accounts.
* **Suppliers should undergo regular fraud awareness training** to detect procurement scams early.
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The fraudulent tender request for **185 x PT610H B5 Ankle Tracking Bracelets** is a calculated attempt to exploit businesses through impersonation of the Department of Correctional Services. By using official-sounding names, a real government address, and plausible product specifications, scammers create an illusion of legitimacy designed to bypass a supplier’s usual caution.
This case underscores the importance of verifying all tender communications through official channels and refusing to act on unsolicited procurement requests without proper validation. Businesses must stay alert to protect themselves from financial loss and to help stop the spread of such scams.
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