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 the fraudulent company on our platform if they are not already listed. This helps raise awareness and prevent others from becoming victims.

To act on your case, we recommend following the steps outlined in the guide below. Our goal at CFP is to create a free community-driven resource where users can share their experiences and report fraudulent companies, helping to protect others from similar scams.

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.

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

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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.

 

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 (this is only possible if the scammer’s account has available funds and is within a short timeframe after payment).
  • If the scammer used another bank, request 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.

 

Report to the National Consumer Commission (NCC)

If the fraudster posed as a legitimate business, report the scam to the National Consumer Commission (NCC):

 

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.

 

Consider Legal Action

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

  • Contact an attorney specializing 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.

 

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!

Lets 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 through this link:

Google

Report Fraudulent Web Pages through your browser. Heres how.

Chrome & Safari

  1. Visit https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/?hl=en
  2. Paste the URL of the phishing site
  3. Click I am not a robot
  4. Submit Report

Internet Explorer

  1. Select Settings
  2. Select Safety > Report unsafe Website
  3. Select “I think this is a phishing site”
  4. Enter the Captcha
  5. Submit

FireFox

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

Report to Container Fraud

To ensure process validation and source we request that you send a email to info@containerfraud.co.za with as much detail as possible. This may include:

  • Police Case Number
  • Fraudulent Documents / Invoices
  • Payments etc

Strike Back at Scams: Request a Domain Takedown & Protect Your Community!

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.

If the site ends in .za (e.g., co.za, org.za), contact the ZA Central Registry (ZACR) via their website or email (abuse@zacrsupport.co.za). They manage South Africa’s domain namespace and can investigate and suspend fraudulent .za domains. Pair this with the ISPA step if the hosting is local for a double hit.

Submit the URL to Google’s Safe Browsing report tool (search “Google Safe Browsing report phishing”). This flags the site globally, blocking it on Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers, which cuts off its reach fast. It’s not a takedown, but it’s a high-impact move that works alongside local efforts.

Report it to your nearest police station with an affidavit detailing the fraud (URL, evidence, dates). Ask for it to be referred to the Cybercrime Unit and get a case number. This is slower and less direct for takedowns but builds a legal trail and is critical if you’ve lost money or data.

Call 011 867 2234 or email safps@safps.org.za to report it. They focus on fraud prevention and can flag the site to banks and other institutions, especially if identity theft or financial scams are involved. This adds pressure and protects others.

Start with ISPA (for hosting) and Google Safe Browsing (for visibility) simultaneously—they hit hard and quick. Add ZACR if it’s a .za domain. Then follow up with SAPS and SAFPS for legal and preventive backup. Evidence is key—screenshots, emails, anything showing the scam—so gather that first. If you’re a victim, prioritize SAPS and SAFPS to cover your losses too.

CONTACT US

You can get in touch by sending us a email at info@containerfraud.co.za

VERIFIED SUPPLIER REGISTRATION

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INFORMATION

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Container Fraud Prevention