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## **Scam Warning – Fake RFQNUMBER: DCS 11-06/2025 Using Department of Correctional Services Name**
This report details a suspected fraudulent Request for Quotation (RFQ) distributed under the reference **DCS 11-06/2025** and allegedly issued by **Shaun Vermeulen** from the **Drakenstein Correctional Centre**.
While the email address used is **[Shaun.Vermeulen@dcs.gov.za](mailto:Shaun.Vermeulen@dcs.gov.za)**, multiple elements of this tender request match known patterns of fake procurement scams exploiting the name of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
The purpose of this article is to record the details, highlight the warning signs, and provide guidance for verification to prevent suppliers from becoming victims of fraud.
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### **Summary of the RFQ**
The fraudulent communication contains the following key details:
* **RFQ Reference:** DCS 11-06/2025
* **Claimed Sender:** Vermeulen Shaun
* **Claimed Position:** Supply Chain Management, Drakenstein Correctional Centre
* **Address:** Cnr Jan Van Riebeek Drive & Wemmershoek Road, Paarl, 7646
* **Contact Number:** +27 (021) 516 0012
* **Email:** [Shaun.Vermeulen@dcs.gov.za](mailto:Shaun.Vermeulen@dcs.gov.za)
* **Request:** Supply of unspecified items as per “attached RFQ” document.
The message requests suppliers to urgently submit quotations and includes a formal-sounding signature block to create the appearance of legitimacy.
---
### **How This Scam Pattern Works**
Although the address and phone number listed belong to a legitimate DCS facility, scammers can spoof or hijack email accounts — or use look-alike email addresses — to make their request appear authentic.
Once the target business responds with interest, the scammers usually:
1. **Send a Fake Purchase Order (PO):**
This PO will contain forged DCS branding and a demand for specific goods in large quantities.
2. **Arrange Delivery to a Fraudulent Location:**
Instead of an official DCS warehouse, the delivery is diverted to a private address or storage facility controlled by the scammer.
3. **Disappear After Delivery:**
The goods are collected and resold, leaving the supplier unpaid.
In some cases, the scammers request “vendor registration fees” or “security clearance permits” before awarding the order — a clear red flag.
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### **Warning Signs in This Case**
Several aspects of the RFQ raise concern:
* **Unsolicited Tender Request:**
The email arrives without prior supplier registration or advertisement on the **National Treasury eTender Portal**.
* **Urgency Without Specific Details:**
The communication is vague on technical specifications in the email body, pushing suppliers to open the attachment without verification.
* **Potential Email Spoofing:**
Even though the address appears to be **@dcs.gov.za**, this can be forged. Email header analysis is required to confirm its origin.
* **Mismatch Between Legitimate Processes and Email Behaviour:**
The DCS typically uses official channels and formal procurement stages, not cold emailing random businesses.
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### **Risks to Suppliers**
1. **Loss of Goods:**
If goods are shipped to an unofficial location, the supplier will not be paid.
2. **Financial Loss Through Upfront Payments:**
Scammers may request payment for “administrative” or “clearance” fees before any order is processed.
3. **Exposure of Sensitive Information:**
Business documents, pricing lists, and banking details provided to scammers can be misused in further fraud.
4. **Reputational Damage:**
Involvement in a fraudulent transaction can harm a company’s standing with legitimate government entities.
---
### **How to Verify Any RFQ from DCS**
* **Check the Tender Portal:**
Search **[www.etenders.gov.za](http://www.etenders.gov.za)** for the RFQ number (DCS 11-06/2025). If it is not listed, treat it as suspicious.
* **Contact DCS Directly:**
Use the official DCS switchboard or known departmental contacts — not the number in the email — to confirm the request.
* **Examine the Email Headers:**
Confirm that the email genuinely originates from a DCS government server.
* **Avoid Sending Quotations to Unknown Addresses:**
Always ensure the email destination matches a confirmed government procurement contact.
* **Never Pay Fees to Receive a Tender:**
All legitimate government tenders are free to access and submit.
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### **Recommendations**
If you receive the RFQ described above:
1. **Do Not Respond Directly to the Email** until you have confirmed its authenticity.
2. **Forward the Message to DCS Fraud Prevention** and the **SAPS Commercial Crimes Unit** for investigation.
3. **Warn Other Businesses** in your network, especially suppliers in the relevant product categories.
4. **Maintain Records** — Keep copies of the email, attachments, and any correspondence for law enforcement.
---
The RFQ claiming to be from **Shaun Vermeulen**, reference **DCS 11-06/2025**, contains several red flags consistent with known procurement fraud tactics. While the details reference a real DCS location, suppliers should not assume legitimacy without official confirmation through secure channels.
The combination of urgent solicitation, vague product details, and the risk of email spoofing makes this case a high-risk scenario.
By staying alert and verifying every unsolicited procurement request, businesses can avoid becoming the next victims of these sophisticated scams.
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