The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) categorically denied involvement in any physical government order documents or suspicious supply instructions issued outside the official e-Procurement System, the department said in a statement on July 31 and reiterated on August 1 [1, 2, 3, 4].
DVS said fraudulent actors have misused the names and positions of DVS officers to deceive suppliers into providing goods and services supposedly for departmental programmes. The department called these acts serious crimes intended to tarnish its image and that of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security [1, 2, 3, 4].
"DVS takes seriously complaints regarding attempts at fraud that misuse the names and positions of DVS officers as well as fake government order documents to deceive suppliers into providing supplies and services supposedly for the department's programmes," the department said [2].
Suppliers were advised to ensure official procurement is conducted only through the e-Procurement System and to be wary of offers or instructions received via phone calls, WhatsApp, unofficial emails, or unverified documents. "Suppliers are also advised to be cautious of instructions received via phone calls, WhatsApp, unofficial emails or unverified documents," the department added [1, 2, 3, 4].
DVS urged suppliers with doubts about procurement documents to contact its headquarters in Putrajaya directly at 03-8870 2000 or by email at [email protected] [1, 2, 3, 4].
The department welcomed cooperation from all parties to raise public awareness, protect suppliers’ interests, and prevent misuse of the department's name and identity [1, 2, 3, 4].
