VZT400M VACUUM CLEANER

SCAM ALERT: Fake Tender Emails Posing as Department of Employment and Labour Using Name Sibongile Mlangeni

Businesses across South Africa are being warned about an increasingly sophisticated tender scam that falsely claims to be issued by the Department of Employment and Labour. One of the emails currently circulating originates from sibongile.mlangeni@labourrfqs-za.online, purporting to be from the procurement department of the department. This is not a legitimate government email address, and the offer presented is part of an organized fraud campaign targeting unsuspecting suppliers.

The Anatomy of the Scam

This scam fits the mold of a "Request for Quotation" (RFQ) tender scam, which has become common in South Africa in recent years. Fraudsters impersonate government departments to deceive suppliers into quoting on or procuring goods that do not exist. Here’s how this specific scheme works:

1. Fake Invitation Email:
   You receive an email addressed vaguely to a "Service provider" from someone using the name Sibongile Mlangeni, claiming to represent the Department of Employment and Labour. The email includes an “urgent” or “open” request to submit a quotation for unspecified goods or services.

2. False Sense of Legitimacy:
   The message mentions an official-sounding address—Laboria House, 215 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria—which is indeed the real address of the Department of Employment and Labour. This inclusion is meant to disarm suspicion and give the appearance of authenticity.

3. No Specifics – Just Pressure:
   The email lacks detail about what is actually being requested, but it pressures the recipient with a tight deadline (3 working days) and claims the department is urgently seeking suppliers for pricing purposes.

4. Encouragement to Outsource:
   Like other tender scams, these emails often suggest that even if you don't supply the product yourself, you can source it from another vendor. In some cases, the scammers go further by recommending a “preferred supplier,” who is part of the scam ring.

5. Financial Trap:
   Once you engage, they may request upfront payment for stock from the “recommended supplier.” If you pay, the money vanishes, and you’re left out of pocket with no way to trace the perpetrators.

Warning Signs and Red Flags

This scam, like others of its kind, can be spotted if you’re vigilant. Here are the key red flags:

• Suspicious Email Domain: The email comes from labourrfqs-za.online — not the official domain of the Department of Employment and Labour, which ends in .gov.za.

• Generic Greetings: Legitimate government correspondence is usually addressed personally and includes reference numbers or procurement officer details.

• Lack of Details: No RFQ number, item description, or formal documents are typically attached in these scams.

• Urgency and Vague Instructions: The scammers want you to act fast before you verify the information.

• • Encouragement to Find a Supplier: Government RFQs are issued to vendors within the scope of supply and compliance, not to general businesses told to “go find” the goods.

  What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious RFQ

  If you have received a quotation request or tender email from sibongile.mlangeni@labourrfqs-za.online or a similar address, do not respond or engage. Instead:

  1. Verify the Email: Contact the Department of Employment and Labour directly via their website: www.labour.gov.za. Do not use contact details from the suspicious email.

  2. Report It: Forward the scam email to the National Anti-Fraud Hotline (0800 701 701) or report it to your nearest SAPS station.

  3. Alert Others: Notify your colleagues, business networks, and other suppliers so they don’t fall victim to the same scam.

  4. Never Prepay Unknown Suppliers: If you're directed to a supplier that requires upfront payment, especially without a contract or confirmed tender award, it’s almost certainly a scam.

  Why This Matters

  These scams do more than just steal money — they damage trust in public procurement systems and waste valuable time and resources. For small businesses, the consequences can be severe, including cash flow issues and even bankruptcy.

  Unfortunately, scammers are now targeting niche suppliers, local businesses, and smaller vendors who may not have dedicated procurement teams or compliance verification processes in place.

  Protecting Yourself and Your Business

  To stay safe, adopt the following best practices:

  • Register on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and monitor legitimate tender opportunities through the National Treasury’s eTender Portal: www.etenders.gov.za

  • Educate your staff about phishing and tender scams.

  • Verify every procurement request, no matter how official it looks.

  • Never rush into quoting or paying based on urgency alone.

  ---

  Conclusion

  The use of fake identities like Sibongile Mlangeni and deceptive domains such as labourrfqs-za.online is a growing tactic among scammers. These fraudsters mimic real departments like the Department of Employment and Labour to exploit your trust.

  By staying vigilant, verifying all requests, and reporting suspicious activity, you can protect your business and help stop these scams from spreading.