AECI SCAM ALERT: Fraudulent Purchase Orders and Procurement Communications

AECI has become aware of fraudulent purchase orders and procurement-related communications being issued by persons falsely purporting to represent AECI or its businesses.

These communications may use employee names, positions, email addresses, telephone numbers, documents or branding that appear to be associated with AECI. Their purpose may be to induce suppliers or other parties to supply goods or services, incur costs, disclose confidential information or provide banking details.

Suppliers and business partners are urged to remain vigilant

Before acting on any purchase order or procurement instruction purporting to originate from AECI, please independently verify its authenticity, particularly where:

·  the communication is unexpected or received from an unfamiliar person;

·  the sender’s email address or domain differs from verified AECI contact details;

·  the telephone number or other contact details cannot be independently verified;

·  there is unusual urgency or pressure to supply goods or services;

·  delivery is requested to an unfamiliar or third-party address;

·  banking details, confidential information or company records are requested;

·  the purchase order or supporting documents contain inconsistencies; or

·  the person issuing the instruction cannot be contacted through independently verified AECI contact details.

What you should do

If you receive a suspicious purchase order or procurement communication:

1.     Do not supply goods, render services or incur any costs until the purchase order has been independently verified.

2.     Do not reply to the suspicious communication, click on any links or open unexpected attachments.

3.      Verify the purchase order using the dedicated AECI verification email address below.

4.      Report the suspected fraudulent activity using the approved fraud reporting number.

5.       Retain the original email, purchase order and related correspondence to support any investigation.

Verification and reporting details

Purchase order verification:  (dedicated email address to be confirmed)
Fraud reporting number: (to be confirmed)

Do not use the contact details contained in the suspicious communication to verify its authenticity. Contact details should be obtained independently from an official AECI website or an existing, verified AECI business contact.

AECI takes the fraudulent use of its name, identity and documentation seriously. Suppliers and business partners are encouraged to remain vigilant and to independently verify purchase orders and procurement instructions before supplying goods, rendering services or incurring costs.