⚠️ Scam Alert: Fake RFQ from “Erick Donson” at Drakenstein Correctional Centre (DCS)

🚨 Overview

Fraudsters are continuing to impersonate officials from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to circulate fake quotation requests (RFQs). In this case, the scammer uses the name Erick Donson with an email like Erick.Donson@dcs.gov.za, pretending to be from Drakenstein Correctional Centre in Paarl.

These scams follow the same deceptive pattern: they request suppliers to quote on products outside their scope and subtly encourage them to source from suggested "suppliers" — who are part of the scam.

📧 Example Scam Email Text

Subject: Request To Quote – Department of Correctional Services

Kind Regards,

Donson Erick
Drakenstein Correctional Centre
Cnr Jan Van Riebeek Drive & Wemmershoek Road, Paarl, 7646
Tel: 021 516 0159
Email: Erick.Donson@dcs.gov.za

Attached is usually a fake RFQ document requesting an item such as:

• Surveillance equipment

• Solar lights

• Ankle tracking bracelets

• Office supplies

The scammer may follow up with urgency and offer to "connect" you to a supplier.

🛑 Why This is a Scam

1. Fake or Spoofed Email Address

While the email may appear as @dcs.gov.za, scammers use techniques to spoof or slightly alter addresses (e.g., @dcs-gov-za.online, @gov-dcs.org). Always verify official government addresses.

2. Invented Name – “Donson Erick”

There is no known official named Erick Donson affiliated with Drakenstein Correctional Centre or DCS. The name is fabricated to lend credibility to the scam.

3. Product Outside Scope

You're encouraged to quote on items your company doesn't normally supply, with permission to “source” from a third party — which is where the scam unfolds.

4. Fraudulent Supplier Involvement

Once you submit a quote, the scammer refers you to a fake supplier (run by them), who provides a pro forma invoice. Once payment is made, the “supplier” disappears.

🧠 How This Scam Works

Step Description

1️⃣ You receive a fake RFQ from a spoofed DCS email

2️⃣ You’re asked to quote for unfamiliar goods

3️⃣ They refer you to their "preferred" supplier

4️⃣ You pay for the goods — but they never arrive

5️⃣ The fake supplier and fake official vanish

🔎 What You Should Look Out For

Red Flag Explanation

Fake names (e.g., “Erick Donson”) No record of real officials by that name

Unusual urgency Designed to prevent due diligence

Outsourcing encouragement Opens the door to fake “preferred” suppliers

RFQ not listed on eTenders Genuine public tenders are listed on etenders.gov.za

Requests for upfront payment Government never pays suppliers via third parties

✅ What You Should Do

If You Receive This Email:

Do NOT respond to the RFQ or communicate with the sender.

Do NOT pay any upfront fees to a referred supplier.

Report it to DCS via:

📧 enquiries@dcs.gov.za

☎️ 012 307 2000 (Head Office Switchboard)

Report to National Treasury:

📧 tenderfraud@treasury.gov.za

Warn your staff and log the incident internally to prevent future loss.

📌 Scam Details at a Glance

🔐 Final Reminder

Government departments do not:

• Use unsolicited RFQs through personal email accounts.

• Request suppliers to outsource or refer you to “preferred” third parties.

• Send urgent orders without formal tender listing.

If it seems suspicious, trust your instincts and verify independently.