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⚠️ FAKE DCS TENDER SCAM: VTF34 Shredder RFQ (Ref No. QUOTE 2025117)
Scammers are once again targeting South African businesses by impersonating the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in what appears to be a legitimate Request for Quotation (RFQ). This time, the fraudulent message involves the supply and delivery of 20 units of VTF34 Paper Shredder Machines.
The email is sent from Victoria.Nompumelele@dcs.gov.za, and requires responses to Damaries.Sasa@dcs.gov.za — a bogus and unverified email address with no link to any official DCS domain.
🚩 SCAM RED FLAGS
| Real-looking sender, fake reply address | The email may spoof a legitimate domain (like @dcs.gov.za) but asks for replies to Damaries.Sasa@dcs.gov.za, which is not an official DCS email. |
| “You don’t need to be in scope” | Real tenders don’t allow resellers with no experience in the requested goods. |
| Urgency (3-day deadline) | A common scam tactic to pressure quick responses and bypass due diligence. |
| Kimberley delivery location | A real location is used to seem official, but the DCS has no verified RFQ for this tender on public platforms. |
| Automated email excuse | “This is an automated email… system delay” is another scam marker. |
🎯 TYPICAL SCAM PATTERN
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You receive the fake DCS RFQ.
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You're told any company can submit, even outside the product scope.
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Once you respond, you’re “awarded” the tender.
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They refer you to a “preferred supplier” who will only deliver once you pay upfront.
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The supplier vanishes, and your payment is lost.
🚫 SUSPICIOUS DETAILS FROM THIS EMAIL
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Subject/Product: VTF34 Paper Shredder Machines
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Fake Contact Email: Damaries.Sasa@dcs.gov.za
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Spoofed Sender: Victoria.Nompumelele@dcs.gov.za
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Delivery Address: Schmidtsdrift Road, Kimberley
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Reference Number: QUOTE (2025117)
No such tender exists on https://etenders.treasury.gov.za
✅ HOW TO VERIFY A LEGITIMATE DCS TENDER
Only trust emails from verified DCS officials using the @dcs.gov.za domain (and cross-check contacts).
Visit the National Treasury eTender Portal or the DCS official website.
Call the DCS head office directly at 012 307 2000 to verify.
Report phishing emails to 📧 cybercrime@treasury.gov.za
🚨 DO NOT ENGAGE
If you've received this email or similar:
Do not send a quote
Do not engage with the “preferred supplier”
Do not pay anything upfront
Report the scam immediately
🏷 Tags & Keywords for Awareness
Keywords:
DCS tender scam, Damaries Sasa email scam, Victoria Nompumelele DCS fraud, VTF34 shredder RFQ scam, DCS paper shredder quote scam, fake government tender South AfricaTags:
Fake Tenders SA
Department of Correctional Services Scam
RFQ Fraud Alert
Procurement Scam Watch
Scam Awareness for Suppliers
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