The scammer who attempted to sell farmers a fake foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine in late August and early September has been silent for the past few weeks.
By Alani Janeke, Senior Journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
The fact that no one has reported hearing from the scammer who tried to sell farmers a fake foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine in weeks does not mean the person has gone for good, warns Jan Nel, biosecurity marshal for Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS).
Government has asked Nel to help investigate the case.
At first, the fraudster contacted farmers and farm workers using a woman’s name but later switched to using male aliases. The person claimed to have FMD vaccines available at R80 per dose and even offered to administer it.
In early September, the fraudster asked a farmer to pay a deposit to secure some of the so-called vaccine. When the farmer refused, all contact stopped.
Nel says the fraudster may resurface in the coming weeks, especially when the latest delivery of vaccine doses from the Botswana Vaccine Institute arrives in the country.
Also read: FMD: Vaccine scammer now asking for deposits
700 000 Vaccine Doses
The shipment of 700 000 vaccine doses is expected to arrive in South Africa by the end of September. It will be available for private sector purchase at R99 per dose. Of this amount, R49 covers the government’s import cost, and R50 goes to Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) for safe storage and refrigeration.
All vaccine doses must remain at OBP until needed, and only state veterinarians are allowed to administer them, says Dewald Olivier, the CEO of RMIS. Buying these vaccine doses is a form of insurance for feedlots and farms, he says, in the case of a new outbreak occurring in an area.
Farmers and feedlots interested in buying vaccine doses can contact RMIS, which will handle negotiations with OBP.
Also read: FMD: Farmers warned about vaccine scammer
Report Any Attempt at a Scam
Any farmer or farm worker approached with a suspicious FMD vaccine offer is asked to report it to the RMIS operational centre. Leave a message at 067 391 7530, or WhatsApp the centre on the same number.
