Online shop Fraud - gadgetlogistics.co.za

dougbbsa

New Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2020
Messages
7
Yes I am stupid, yes if it's too good to be true it probably is. Placing this here so that if anyone googles the company names they will hopefully read this thread.

11 March 2020: Responded to a junkmail advert: 0833310144
12 March 2020: Received a whatsapp message from 0735631436 - “Kedibone” in reply to my message, confirming the items were for sale and that they were working for a company called gadget logistics and I should contact them.
Viewed their website and thought it was legitimate: www.gadgetlogistics.co.za
I placed an order, received an invoice and made payment to:

I made payment and was told that the item would be posted shortly. (R10250)

13 March 2020: I was told via whatsapp there was a problem with the ipad and a technician was assessing it

16 March: Was told the battery was faulty.
17 March: Was told they could not send the ipad due to fault, but I could pay extra for a new one (R3000), which I did. Was told it would be delivered to me the next day
18 March: Was told the item was on the way

I did further research into the website and company:
Previous websites they have run:
Electronicwizards.co.za
Switchelectronics.co.za
Electronicstore.co.za
These all had similar websites or online reviews from customers showing them to be scammers.

Contact numbers that they have used:
0738922420
0218139575

I have informed junkmail, nedbank and opened a case at my local police station.
 

Magnum

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2013
Messages
6,592
Why don't we force Escrow payments for these things. Will stop most fraud.
 

ChuckC

New Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2020
Messages
2
Hi Doug. Thanks for your info. Was looking for a drone from these guys as they had a bargain (!!) available. Fortunately did some research and saw your comment on Hello Peter. The ad has subsequently been pulled by Junkmail. Sorry to hear of your loss. Has anything happened subsequently? Shout if you want to chat further and I will give you my contact.
 

dougbbsa

New Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2020
Messages
7
They are still active, reported it to zadomains who forwarded to reseller (?smartweb). I didn't have concrete proof initially (Versus the initial site that was taken down) but looked at the company registration details and contacted the owner who said they were using the name fraudulently...Don't think much happening from the investigation side, got a call saying there was an investigation and attempt to ?freeze their bank account. Think most of their adverts have been removed, but I have a look every now and then to see what their latest scam is, will update it here.
 

ChuckC

New Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2020
Messages
2
I received a call from their agent who was following up on my enquiry. When I said there was a damming claim on Hello Peter she said that she was aware of this. She understood that I was not keen to pay up front and that when lock down was over I was welcome to come and see them in VDBL Park which I will do. I will update once done.
 

dougbbsa

New Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2020
Messages
7
They are very creative. Thought their website address said they were in George? Maybe they changed it...
 

Gerlo Bisschoff

New Member
Joined
May 9, 2020
Messages
1
They caught me this week.

Googled the number now and came across this page.

They operate as firstrobotics.co.za 'site still up at time of posting, and by posting on Junkmail.co.za
"Sold" me a DJI mavic 2 pro drone as a 2nd hand with 3 hours flying time for 17500 and 199 delivery fee.
Made payment Monday via EFT.
They ensured me they can deliver during stage 4 lockdown "no problem". 1st Red flag.
They sent the driver on Tuesday from Capetown to Hartbeespoort and sent me his number 0738922420. 2nd Red flag.
Needless to say the number only rang and nobody ever answered. 3rd red flag
Wednesday I would have received delivery. By 5pm I emailed them (monica@firstrobotics.co.za/sales@firstrobotics.co.za/finance@firstrobotics.co.za) to no reply. 4th red flag
Thursday morning I received an email stating the driver informed them he will be at my place by 2pm, so I waited. by 4 pm I would have called the driver 10 times and their office number 0218259953 marked as "thrifty cars" on true-caller. nobody answered. 5th, 6th and 7th red flags.

It was only on Friday morning that the penny dropped as i received this beautiful email. find below pasted as i received it.

TRADEGY NEAR THE RIVER

Good morning It has just been brought to our notice that the courier
services failed to deliver your order with invoice FR0007896. Patrick
was involved in a very fatal accident on his way travelling to your
destination yesterday. It was indeed a tragedy as we were told, the
driver was terribly injured and was been rushed to the hospital where he
was pronounced dead on arrival

It was also confirmed that some goods were damaged and some stolen at
the accident scene. Unfortunately your item was included as one of the
stolen items.
We can arrange for a return, which will take up to 14 (days) because we
have to restock from our supplier

We can also arrange for a full refund of the total amount paid.

Please advice if we should arrange for a return or process your full
refund of the total amount paid.

Kindly get back to us as soon as possible with your preferred decision.



Please accept our sincere apologies for this unfortunate occurrence

Best regards
Sales department
First Robotics
0218259953
www.firstrobotics.co.za

I have been in contact with FNB and Junkmail regarding the matter but I fear my school fees have been paid with no option of a refund.

hope the next guy comes here before they are parted with their cash.

cheers
 

dougbbsa

New Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2020
Messages
7
Ja man sorry about that. These guys just keep going because there are no consequences. But please report them and open a case. Send me the case number. The police do also contact the bank and (I'm not too sure what they actually do). Maybe one day I will convince the police that there are enough cases that they should do something.

Message junkmail: they will remove the ads and message zadomains to have the website taken down.

Sorry
 

Crowley

Executive Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
7,716
Damn these very fatal accidents. The lightly fatal ones are so much better.

****ing scum of the earth.
 

PsyWulf

Honorary Master
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
16,574

****
Site registered
2020/04/18 15:16:00

If they aren't scamming it's definitely suspiciously new

The IP Block is registered on Elitehost,looks like one of their shared hosting servers based on the other sites on that server

Abuse
abuse(a)elitehost.co.za

Non-clients wishing to make UBE/UCE/Spam reports or to report DMCA & other international violations of law.
 
Top