I would like to take this opportunity as a business owner who has just gone through a very serious criminal attack to warn the industrial community of a potential new criminal attack on business salespeople.
In short:
We received a phone call that a potential client wanted to buy our equipment which they use in installations for Vodacom. Apparently they have been doing it for more than 10 years and purchase lots of equipment. 30 minutes prior to our salesperson Gerrit Tromp leaving our offices, they phoned and said that their offices are in disarray due to moving to new premises: Would it be possible to meet at a restaurant close by?
At the restaurant they ordered a coffee for him prior to arriving and kept on advising him to drink it. Within the first 20 minutes he noticed they had no technical experience and cut the meeting short and promptly left for the next meeting.
On the R21 he phoned me and said he thought that he had been drugged. I advised him to pull over and sent two people immediately to assist him as I was scared he would end up in an accident.
Within a few minutes I received a phone call from him again that a VW golf pulled in behind him and two people jumped out running towards his car. Realising the danger he sped off towards the airport police. At the airport he collapsed and an ambulance was requested after he went into cardiac arrest.
Blood tests revealed that Gerrit was drugged with several chemicals at the coffee shop.
Let this serve as warning to technical sales people, who seem to be the ones targeted by this type of attack.
Read more...Semiconductor sales increase 17% YoY
News
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) recently announced global semiconductor sales were $54,9 billion during the month of February 2025, an increase of 17,1% compared to the February 2024 total.
Read more...Silicon Labs – Q1 results
News
Silicon Labs, a leading innovator in low-power wireless, recently reported financial results for the first quarter, which ended April 5, 2025.
Read more...Strengthening industry through strategic partnerships at KITE 2025 Specialised Exhibitions
News
The KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition is not just an exhibition, it is a powerhouse of industry collaboration where visitors and exhibitors gain access to authoritative insights, technical expertise, and high-impact networking opportunities.
Read more...Solar Youth Project calls on industry to step up
News
With the second cohort completed training and the first cohort returning for their final module, host companies are urgently needed to turn the training into a long-term opportunity.
Read more...Zuchongzhi-3 sets new benchmark
News
This latest superconducting quantum computing prototype features 105 qubits and 182 couplers to operate at a speed 10¹5 times faster than the most powerful supercomputer currently available.
Read more...Automatic device attestation certificate for Panasonic
News
DigiCert recently announced it has partnered with Panasonic Industry Europe to integrate DigiCert Device Trust Manager with Panasonic’s PAN-MaX intelligent manufacturing service for seamless Matter certification of interoperable smart home devices.
Read more...From the editor's desk: Are we really being ripped off? Technews Publishing
News
To the surprise of many customers, installing solar panels does not always eliminate their utility bill – and in some cases, the power utility may impose additional charges on solar-powered homes.
printer friendly version