Deposit Slip Scams continue unabated in the Stationery industry. To prevent becoming a victim of this type of commercial crime, here are some of the modus operandi criminals are using when targeting businesses.
How the scam works
Scenario A
Supplier is approached via telephone or e-mail with an order
A deal is structured, usually involving a direct deposit into the supplier’s bank account
A copy of the stamped bank deposit slip for cash is faxed to the supplier
Goods are released to fraudsters
A fraudulent cheque is deposited instead of cash and the deposit slip is fraudulently amended
The cheque is unpaid due to it being fraudulent
The supplier’s bank account is debited
The supplier is unable contact the ‘client’ and suffers the loss
Scenario B
Supplier is approached via telephone or e-mail with an order
A copy of a stamped bank deposit slip for cash, for a higher amount than agreed to, is then faxed to the supplier
The ‘client’ then contacts the supplier and requests that the excess amount be electronically transferred to a specified account
On the strength of the faxed copy of the deposit slip, the supplier refunds the excess amount
A fraudulent cheque was deposited instead of cash was deposited and the deposit slip was fraudulently amended
The cheque is unpaid due to it being fraudulent
The supplier’s bank account is debited
The supplier is unable contact the ‘client’ and suffers the loss as the funds have already been withdrawn from the fraudsters account
Scenario C
A supplier is approached by telephone or e-mail with a request to place an urgent order
A deal is structured, usually involving a direct deposit to the bank account of the supplier
An internet transfer receipt is fraudulently manipulated to reflect a ‘transfer’ to the suppliers account. The transfer could be for the exact amount of the order as in Scenario A, or for an amount in excess of the agreed amount as in Scenario B
The fraudulent Internet Receipt is faxed to the supplier
The goods are released to the criminals OR the ‘excess’ refunded as previously described
The bank account of the supplier is debited with the ‘refund’, but the incoming transfer never materialises
The supplier is unable to contact his ‘client’ and suffers the loss
Scenario D
A cheque is deposited to an unsuspecting client’s account without their knowledge
A letter on a false letterhead purporting to be that of a well known entity or institution is faxed to the client in which it is said that an amount has been paid to the client’s account. The letter provides details of an account to which the ‘refund’ must be made
The client is sometimes contacted by someone who then confirms the content of the letter, stating that it is important to affect the refund very urgently
The client makes the payment
The cheque is unpaid, leaving the client to suffer a loss
Do’s
Contact the entity or institution on a number ascertained from the telephone directory and confirm the request
Be cautious of clients who want to ‘keep their distance’
Retain complete records
Confirm details of payments with your bank
Dont’s
Do not be pressurised due to urgency
Do not relax controls and procedures
Do not proceed if you have any doubts
Never use the number provided by a caller or provided on a faxed letter
Phone crime stop on 08600 10111 if you have information about any crime, or any suspicious activities, or if you think you have useful information that may help prevent a crime or help the police in the investigation of a crime which has already taken place. Callers can remain anonymous Calls are not traced, and your telephone number is not visible. The unique code you are given allows you to phone back at a later time if you remember something further, or want to enquire about the case. Alternatively you can email crimestopgauteng@saps.org.za
For further information about how the SAPS can assist you, visit
www.saps.gov.za.
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