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Corporate and business identity theft is the unauthorised use of a company's identity or credentials to commit fraud.
This can include creating fake accounts, making illegal transactions, obtaining credit under the business's name,
or accessing sensitive information. It can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage,
and legal issues for the affected organisation.
Specialised Security Services receives multiple cases regarding corporate and business identity theft.
The following investigation has been ongoing for some time,
and the consequences of the theft and fraud are dire for our clients.
MODUS OPERANDI:
These scammers placed multiple orders for inverters, batteries, solar panels, and pumps from ABC Pumps in Bloemfontein - using different purchase orders.
They then arranged for a courier to pick up the goods and deliver them to "Shipler Express," a freight services company located in an office park in Roodepoort.
The SSS Specialist Investigator visited Shipler and confirmed that the goods had been delivered to their premises.
The scammers later collected the merchandise from Shipler using a bakkie and paid Shipler with a cash deposit made at an ATM in Cresta.
The scammers used the name of a legitimate company to place the orders, "Astral Operations," is a company based in Doringkloof, Centurion.
A credit check on Astral Operations appeared legitimate, but the scammers had created a fake profile under the name "Glen Davis" from Astral Operations to facilitate the fraudulent transactions.
They set up fake emails using this false identity to process the orders.
The CEO of Astral Operations confirmed that this was not the first time that their company details had been used fraudulently.
Previously, he had engaged private investigators to trace the scammers.
They followed leads to warehouses in Randburg and conducted an operation with the Hawks.
No arrests were made.
CRITICAL VETTING:
Confirm that the phone number and email address are registered to the company.
Use known, official company contact details (from a verified website or directory) to validate the person placing the order.
Check that the physical address provided matches the company's official location and verify it through online mapping services or a quick call to confirm their office presence at that address.
Conduct a detailed credit check of the company's registration and creditworthiness.
Official registries, like South Africa's Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), can be used to confirm the company's existence and standing.
Request financial references or credit history to confirm reliability.
Research the company's reputation, reading reviews, testimonials, or feedback from other suppliers.
Verify the identity of the contact person by cross-checking names and positions.
Verify the individual's identity by contacting the company's official number and confirming their employment and position.
Request multiple forms of ID by asking for additional verification, such as a company ID or an email confirmation from their official work email, not a personal or unfamiliar email.
Avoid cash payments; electronic transfers should be made directly from a company account rather than cash deposits.
Scammers may prefer cash payments to obscure their identity.
Verify payment terms and be cautious if a customer requests atypical payment terms, such as large upfront payments or delayed payments, especially without a clear credit history.
Conduct a background check on high-value orders by reviewing order patterns.
Check for signs of irregularity, such as bulk purchases of high-value items that deviate from typical orders. Legitimate businesses typically have predictable purchasing patterns.
Watch out for freight forwarding and be wary if the customer requests delivery to a freight service, storage unit, or warehouse. These are sometimes used to intercept goods and can make tracking difficult.
Request a detailed purchase order and signed agreement on the company's official letterhead, business registration number, and VAT number.
For high-value or bulk orders, use a sales contract that specifies terms and conditions, signed by an authorised company representative.
Email domain verification is critical.
Be cautious of free or non-standard email domain communications (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo).
Legitimate businesses typically use a custom domain.
Check for spoofed emails by verifying that emails received are from official company domains and carefully inspect for any subtle changes (such as extra letters, numbers, or punctuation).
Direct verification is necessary by initiating a phone or video call with the ordering individual and, if possible, a second representative from the company. Scammers may avoid these interactions for identity concealment.
Check with industry references and consult with other suppliers, industry associations, or business networks to verify the legitimacy of new customers, especially for high-value transactions.
Use fraud detection tools and software/risk management tools.
Employ fraud detection software or risk analysis services that can identify high-risk customers based on known patterns and databases.
Monitor new clients' transactions for unusual activity or changes in purchasing behaviour and verify each step if something appears out of the ordinary.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT PROJECTS:
IF YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF A SIMILAR SCAM OR HAVE ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION
REGARDING THIS INSTANCE, CONTACT THE SSS SPECIALIST INVESTIGATOR IMMEDIATELY:
MR. HENNIE VILJOEN
Contact number: +27 61 528 1370
Email address: henniev@mikebolhuis.co.za
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Group.
This group is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
HOW TO JOIN THE MIKE BOLHUIS DAILY PROJECTS WHATSAPP GROUP:
Follow the link to our WhatsApp group:
"JOIN" to ensure you never miss our daily updates.
You will receive automatic notifications as soon as a new project is posted.
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.
POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv
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Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services
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Pretoria, Gauteng 0039
South Africa
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