Container Fraud Prevention

Verified Business Directory

Report Fraudulent Suppliers

Guide for victims of shipping container fraud in South Africa.

While Container Fraud Prevention (CFP) cannot directly assist with individual cases, we can list a fraudulent company on our platform if it isn't already listed. This helps raise awareness and prevent others from becoming victims.

Fraud in the shipping container industry is a growing problem in South Africa, with scammers exploiting unsuspecting buyers. If you have been a victim of fraud, follow these steps to increase your chances of recovering funds and preventing others from falling victim.

Steps to Take

  1. Gather Evidence

    Before taking action, collect all relevant evidence, including:

    • Proof of payment (EFT receipts, deposit slips, etc.)
    • Email and WhatsApp conversations with the fraudster
    • Invoices, contracts, or quotations (if available)
    • Bank account details of the scammer
    • Any advertisements or website links related to the scam

  2. Report the Crime to SAPS

    Fraud is a criminal offense in South Africa. To report the scam:

    • Visit your nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) station.
    • Provide all the gathered evidence.
    • Request to file an affidavit and a case number under fraud.
    • Follow up regularly to check the progress of the investigation.

  3. Report to Your Bank

    If you made a payment to the fraudster, immediately notify your bank. Banks have fraud departments that may assist in recovering funds. Steps to follow:

    • Contact your bank's fraud division and provide all transaction details.
    • Request a reversal of the transaction (only possible if the scammer's account has available funds and it's within a short timeframe after payment).
    • If the scammer used another bank, ask your bank to flag the recipient's account and file a fraud report with the receiving bank.
    • If applicable, report the fraud to the Ombudsman for Banking Services at www.obssa.co.za.

  4. Report to the National Consumer Commission (NCC)

    If the fraudster posed as a legitimate business, report the scam to the NCC:

  5. Alert the Public to Prevent Further Fraud

    Expose the fraudster to warn others:

    • Report the scam on ContainerFraud.co.za to help prevent future victims.
    • Post on consumer protection groups such as HelloPeter, Facebook scam alert groups, and consumer rights forums.
    • Leave negative reviews on the scammer's business page, if applicable.

  6. Consider Legal Action

    If a significant amount was lost, consider seeking legal advice:

    • Contact an attorney specialising in fraud cases.
    • Send a letter of demand to the scammer.
    • If the scammer is a registered company, pursue a civil claim through the Small Claims Court (for amounts up to R20,000) or the Magistrate's Court for larger claims.

  7. Prevent Future Fraud

    • Always verify container suppliers by checking reviews and company registration details.
    • Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
    • Request to view containers in person before making payments.
    • Use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection.
    • Check if the supplier is listed on ContainerFraud.co.za before doing business.

Report Fraudulent Web Pages at the Source

Let's face it — we all use Google to search for services. Fraudsters know this and create ads to entice you with cheap prices. If you come across a fraudulent site, you can report it directly to Google, or through your browser.

Chrome & Safari

  1. Visit safebrowsing.google.com
  2. Paste the URL of the phishing site
  3. Complete the "I am not a robot" check
  4. Submit the report

Firefox

  1. Select Help > Report Deceptive Site
  2. Paste the URL of the phishing site
  3. Complete the "I am not a robot" check
  4. Submit the report

Report to Container Fraud Prevention

To ensure process validation and source verification, please email info@containerfraud.co.za with as much detail as possible, including:

  • Police case number
  • Fraudulent documents / invoices
  • Proof of payments, etc.

Strike Back at Scams: Request a Domain Takedown

Lodge a Take-Down Notice with ISPA

The Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) is your fastest route if the site is hosted by a South African ISP. Go to the ISPA website, file a Take-Down Notice under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (Act 25 of 2002), and provide the URL and evidence (screenshots, transaction details, etc.). If you're unsure who hosts it, select "Unknown" and ISPA will track it down if it's one of their members. This can get the site offline quickly — often within days — since ISPA has direct leverage over local providers.