.jpg)
## **Scam Alert – Fake Tender Request from “Busisiwe Ndabeni” at DSD**
### **Introduction**
This report exposes a suspected tender scam in which fraudsters impersonate the **Department of Social Development (DSD)** and a supposed official named **Busisiwe Ndabeni**. The scam involves sending unsolicited Requests for Quotation (RFQs) to various businesses, urging them to submit urgent pricing for unspecified products. The email address used — **[busisiwe.ndabeni@dsdprocurementsa.online](mailto:busisiwe.ndabeni@dsdprocurementsa.online)** — is not an official government domain, yet it is designed to mislead recipients into believing they are dealing with a legitimate government procurement process.
---
### **Nature of the Scam**
The email in question presents itself as an urgent procurement request from the DSD. Key features of the scam email include:
* **Sender Name:** Busisiwe Ndabeni
* **Email Address:** [busisiwe.ndabeni@dsdprocurementsa.online](mailto:busisiwe.ndabeni@dsdprocurementsa.online)
* **Claimed Position:** Procurement Department, Department of Social Development
* **Telephone Number:** +27 12 516 0018
* **Delivery Address Provided:** HSRC Building, 134 Pretorius Street, North Wing, Pretoria, 0001
* **Urgency:** A closing date “within 3 working days”
* **Scope Flexibility:** States that even if your company does not specialise in the requested goods, you can source from another supplier and submit your own marked-up quotation.
The message claims to be an “open request for quotation” that does not require industry expertise, suggesting that recipients can act as middlemen between the “DSD” and another supplier.
---
### **How the Scam Operates**
1. **Mass Emailing**
The scammers send this RFQ to a wide range of businesses, regardless of their industry.
2. **False Legitimacy through Government Branding**
The format, name, and delivery address resemble official government tender communications.
3. **Urgency Tactic**
The short deadline of three working days pushes businesses to respond quickly without proper verification.
4. **Potential Payment Trap**
Once the supplier “wins” the order, the scammer may request upfront payment for “special permits,” “vendor registration,” or “logistics clearance” before releasing a fake purchase order.
5. **Non-Existent Tender**
This “tender” is not listed on the official **National Treasury eTender Portal** or the real **DSD procurement site**, confirming its fraudulent nature.
---
### **Red Flags Identified**
* **Suspicious Domain Name** – The domain “dsdprocurementsa.online” is not an official South African government domain. Real DSD emails end with **@dsd.gov.za**.
* **Unsolicited Request** – Legitimate tenders are posted on official portals and usually require pre-registration as a vendor.
* **Encouragement to Outsource Supply** – Government procurement rules require suppliers to be directly capable of delivering goods; encouraging reselling is atypical and suspicious.
* **Automated Email Claim** – The “automated email” disclaimer is often used by scammers to excuse odd sending times and avoid real-time questioning.
* **Urgency Pressure** – Scammers often give very short timeframes to prevent recipients from confirming the tender’s authenticity.
---
### **Risks to Businesses**
1. **Financial Loss** – Victims could lose money by paying upfront fees or purchasing goods for delivery to the scammers.
2. **Reputational Damage** – Associating with fraudulent procurement activities can harm a company’s credibility.
3. **Identity Theft** – Businesses may unknowingly share sensitive company documents that scammers can later use in other schemes.
---
### **Verification Steps for Suspected Fake Tenders**
If you receive such an email:
1. **Check the Domain** – Confirm the sender’s email domain matches the official government site (**@dsd.gov.za**).
2. **Verify Directly** – Call the Department of Social Development using the **official switchboard** listed on their government website, not the number in the email.
3. **Search the eTender Portal** – Visit [www.etenders.gov.za](http://www.etenders.gov.za) to confirm if the tender exists.
4. **Avoid Unofficial Payments** – No legitimate government tender requires upfront payment to participate.
5. **Report the Scam** – Forward the suspicious email to **[fraud@dsd.gov.za](mailto:fraud@dsd.gov.za)**, SAPS Commercial Crimes Unit, and the **National Anti-Corruption Hotline (0800 701 701)**.
---
### **Call for Action**
Government departments, particularly the DSD, should:
* **Increase Public Warnings** – Issue alerts through official channels to educate suppliers about domain spoofing and impersonation.
* **Work with Cybercrime Units** – Track and shut down fraudulent domains like “dsdprocurementsa.online.”
* **Strengthen Vendor Education** – Encourage suppliers to adopt strict verification procedures before quoting or delivering goods.
---
The email from **[busisiwe.ndabeni@dsdprocurementsa.online](mailto:busisiwe.ndabeni@dsdprocurementsa.online)** is a fraudulent tender request that uses impersonation, urgency, and domain spoofing to deceive businesses. The scam relies on the false authority of a government department and an official-sounding name to encourage suppliers to bypass verification.
By recognising the warning signs — suspicious email domains, unsolicited RFQs, unrealistic timeframes, and unusual procurement terms — businesses can protect themselves from becoming victims of these sophisticated tender scams.
Vigilance, verification, and prompt reporting remain the most effective defences against such fraud. Every suspicious tender should be verified directly with the issuing department before any financial or contractual commitments are made.
.jpeg)
