Scam Alert – Fake Tender for “Urgent Supply of VCZ300 Urine Test Strips

## **Scam Alert – Fake Tender for “Urgent Supply of VCZ300 Urine Test Strips”**

This report concerns a suspected fraudulent tender request circulating under the guise of the **Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)** in South Africa. The scam involves the impersonation of a real government official, **Ms. Daphney Matshili**, with the intention of deceiving suppliers into responding to a fake “urgent supply” request for **VCZ300 Urine Test Strips**.

Such scams exploit the trust that businesses place in government procurement processes, using official-looking documents and legitimate employee names to defraud unsuspecting suppliers.

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### **Nature of the Scam**

The fraudulent tender request is presented in the form of an official-looking Request for Quotation (RFQ). It typically contains:

* **Tender Item:** VCZ300 Urine Test Strips (quantity not always specified, but often implied to be bulk for medical or institutional use).

* **Urgency:** The request is marked as “urgent,” creating a sense of time pressure for suppliers to respond quickly without verifying details.

* **Official Name Used:** Ms. **Daphney Matshili**.

* **Email Address Provided:** **[DMatshili@thedtic.gov.za](mailto:DMatshili@thedtic.gov.za)** (or a spoofed lookalike).

* **Government Branding:** The dtic logo, letterhead, and formatting designed to resemble authentic departmental procurement documents.

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### **How the Scam Typically Operates**

1. **Initial Contact**

   Scammers send the fake RFQ to targeted suppliers, particularly those dealing in medical or laboratory equipment.

2. **Urgency & Pressure Tactics**

   The “urgent” nature of the request pushes suppliers to respond immediately without cross-checking tender legitimacy.

3. **Quotation Submission**

   Once a supplier sends a quotation, the scammer may claim the bid has been “accepted” and proceed to issue a fake purchase order.

4. **Upfront Payment Trap**

   In many cases, victims are then told they must pay for “special delivery arrangements,” “vendor registration,” or “compliance certification” before the order can proceed.

5. **Loss of Funds or Goods**

   If the supplier delivers the goods or pays the requested fees, they discover too late that the tender was never legitimate, resulting in financial loss.

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### **Red Flags in This Tender**

* **Unsolicited Requests:** The RFQ often arrives without the supplier being a registered vendor for the dtic.

* **Unusual Product Type:** The dtic is not typically responsible for purchasing medical consumables like urine test strips, making this request suspicious.

* **Urgent Deadlines:** Legitimate tenders allow reasonable timeframes for response and bidding; scammers push for immediate action.

* **Possible Email Spoofing:** While the email appears to come from **[DMatshili@thedtic.gov.za](mailto:DMatshili@thedtic.gov.za)**, cybercriminals can spoof real addresses or create lookalike domains.

* **Mismatch with Official Records:** This “tender” does not appear on the official National Treasury eTender Portal or the dtic’s procurement page.

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### **Potential Impact**

1. **Financial Loss** – Victims may lose money through upfront “processing fees” or by supplying goods without receiving payment.

2. **Damaged Supplier Credibility** – If suppliers unknowingly deal with fraudulent entities, it may affect their reputation with legitimate clients.

3. **Government Reputation Risk** – These scams tarnish the name of the dtic and the officials whose identities are misused.

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### **What to Do If You Receive This Tender Request**

1. **Verify with the Department**

   Contact the dtic using the official switchboard number listed on their website, not the numbers provided in the suspicious RFQ.

2. **Check the Tender on Official Portals**

   Use the **National Treasury eTender Portal** ([www.etenders.gov.za](http://www.etenders.gov.za)) to confirm if the tender exists.

3. **Report the Scam**

   Forward the fake tender to the dtic’s fraud prevention office, SAPS Commercial Crime Unit, and the **National Anti-Corruption Hotline (0800 701 701)**.

4. **Do Not Pay Any Upfront Fees**

   South African government departments never require suppliers to pay to secure contracts or register as vendors.

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### **Call for Action**

The following steps are recommended to prevent further victimisation:

* **Public Awareness Campaigns** – The dtic should continue to issue public warnings regarding procurement scams.

* **Collaboration with Cybercrime Units** – Work with SAPS and cybersecurity experts to trace the source of the scam emails.

* **Supplier Education** – Encourage suppliers to adopt robust verification practices before committing to tenders.

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The fraudulent “Urgent Supply of VCZ300 Urine Test Strips” tender is a textbook example of tender-related identity theft and procurement fraud. The scammers’ use of **Ms. Daphney Matshili’s** name and a government-style email address is designed to deceive suppliers into lowering their guard.

This case reinforces the need for vigilance in all tender-related dealings. Businesses must verify all procurement requests through official government channels before responding, particularly when unusual products and urgent timeframes are involved. By working together — government departments, law enforcement, and suppliers — South Africa can reduce the success rate of these scams and protect both public and private sector interests.