A recent post on the social media platform LinkedIn was pertinent to most of us as we have to endure many similar emails that flood our inbox every day, besides all the fraud scams that are sent via the Internet or to our cell phone. It is a constant battle that we are all fighting and we have to be fully alert every time we use our computer or cell phone.
When a subject line is Action Required immediately or Incoming Mails have been put on hold on the mailbox or INVITATION TO BID or Project Funding, they immediately present a red flag. Or there are those from the South African Revenue Services with a notice of assessment attached, including a reference number.
We know that many are as a result of your address or number ending up on a list that is sold to the sender who is banking on just one response maybe. I have no clue what is expected for the ‘return’. After all the sender has paid money for the list and would be expecting some return on his ‘investment’. This is what Ilia Levchenko wrote.
But I don’t bank with Absa
Ilia Levchenko is CEO of Aeris Stream Copper Manufacturing LLC, a copper wire rod manufacturing company based in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost emirate in the UAE, famous for its dramatic Hajar Mountains, pristine beaches, and rich history. Located about a 45-minute drive from Dubai, it offers a laid-back alternative to its bustling neighbours, blending luxury resorts with world-class adventure tourism.
“I receive more than 200 messages offering copper scrap or copper cathodes. And honestly, it raises a question:
– When did having material become optional?
– Someone sends AI-generated photos.
– Someone offers scrap from a country where scrap exports are prohibited.
– Someone claims to have 5 000MT available, yet has never seen the material with their own eyes.”
“And then there are my favourites:
“Curious to know if you are…”
or
“We have a serious seller with large volumes…”
“Three messages later, it turns out they don’t know the seller, they don’t know the owner, they don’t know the location, and don’t know whether the material even exists.”
“The most interesting part? 95% of these messages look exactly the same, have the same structure, have the same promises and the same ChatGPT-generated introduction.”
“Colleagues, let’s make business a little more professional.”
I have never dealt with you or the Department of Labour
Before offering material, ask yourself:
✔️ Do I know exactly where the material is?
✔️ Can I verify the quantity?
✔️ Have I actually seen it?
✔️ Am I connected to the decision-maker?
✔️ Can I support a real transaction from start to finish?
“Because manufacturers don’t buy stories. They buy material.”
In this case it seems as though Levchenko was not even considering the scam and he was even brave enough to interact with the sender, something I would never do. Maybe he is not as suspicious about these types of interactions and does not have the constant bombardment of someone trying to commit fraud by getting your personal details or banking passwords, as we do in South Africa.
The ones I really ‘love’ are those that have researched your company and products and would like you to supply product that has nothing to do with your company. Just because the title of the magazine is Castings SA we are not going to pour castings or die cast brackets.
In the case of publishing, we get the PR companies that send press releases out on behalf of their client/s hoping to get blanket coverage but the content of the press release is not even remotely connected to the subject matter of the magazine.
Do they really think we are going to click the links in unsolicited emails or text messages, even if they appear urgent?
