Incredible Gadgets

MikeHib · Joined: 14 Dec 2011 Posts: 2

Is Incredible Gadgets a scam company?
They claim they are based in 47 Kellner street, Bloemfontein, and offering 50% off new iPhone4S. They contacted me via email promotion, from a gmail account, under the name of Chris. I smell a rat here. They want 50% upfront. Anybody else seen the email subject line ...:"X-mas Sales 50% off Digital Cameras,Lenses,Tvs ,Laptops,Phones,iPad, Fridge & more."?

Richard Nash · Joined: 16 Dec 2011 Posts: 3

I have also received their e-mail. I am put off by their poor use of english in the verbage and the ridiculously low prices. e.g. I have not seen a Nikon D7000 body for less than R13,000.00 anywhere, but their advertised price is R6,800.00. They also do not appear to have a website.
I'm a believer in the saying if the price looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Rolling Eyes

jessgreen · Joined: 18 Dec 2011 Posts: 1

It's so clearly a scam.

1. Spamming people
2. Quoting impossible prices
3. Bad English
4. No website

A professional outfit would've covered all those points and have 1,000's of people tweeting about it already, if of course the prices were real. Smile

Stoker01 · Joined: 18 Dec 2011 Posts: 3

What a dummy I am !
I was caught by their e-mail too it seems.
I chose a Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ20 for R1600 (including Courier - 24 Hrs delivery, Joburg - selling elsewhere for R3500+) and I did an EFT to Chris yesterday. (and I so badly wanted it by Xmas)
I'll just have to wait and see - should be delivered by Wednesday at most!
In case it doesn't turn up....any suggestions?

Richard Nash · Joined: 16 Dec 2011 Posts: 3

Please let us know if it does arrive?
If it does not, report it to the cops as a scam/fraud and write it off to experience.

H-Bomb · Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 1073

I hope you haven't been scammed but I think this 'Chris' is going to have a good 'Chris'tmas Exclamation

Richard Nash · Joined: 16 Dec 2011 Posts: 3

Well I wasn't, but it looks like others were. If Chris has a good Christmas this year then let's hope he sees it through bars next year.

Gareth0508 · Joined: 19 Dec 2011 Posts: 1

Howsit guys,

I was in the same situation a few days ago.
I was stunned by the low prices and emailed for a quote.

Chris replied with a proforma invoice at half the retail price for a Canon 7D camera body (retails ± R14000) as well as a 580EX speedlite (retails ± R5000) and the total bill was R7499 including delivery to Durban.

The invoice looks like it was created by a teenager in word. It had a fake scanned barcode as well as a 30 day money back sticker.

Not sure if the above link will work, but thats what was sent to me. I have marked out my personal details though.

I also tried calling the number but got no response. I then checked via google maps 47 Kelner street and it appears to be a music shop of some sort.

This was all too suspect to me so I didnt transfer any money.

I hope this helps anyone looking for info.

Let me know if you guys hear anything else.

Cheers
Gareth[/img]

willie duggan · Joined: 10 May 2011 Posts: 1

I got same email and called chris ? sounds nigerian. Wants money up front. No way
Googled it and found this report from cape talk.
Good luck guys. Try and get bank to reverse eft. May not be too late.
Cheers Duggan.

Online scams report on cape talk 567

We received a number of e-mails claiming to be from "Incredible Gadget" in Bloemfontein and offering branded cameras and Apple gear for up to 50% less than other retailers. It is a scam and some people could very well be caught out by such people, but one can report it to the police without having been made a victim first.

Col. Vishnu Naidoo of the SAPS says that each cluster has a Crime Intelligence and Organised Crime unit to deal with such matters.

One can call up the CrimeStop number of 08600 10111 or the emergency 10111 number, and report it.

Without going into the details of how they have caught out such scam artists in the past, he said that they have had a number of successful operations.
Guest: Colonel Vishnu Naidoo
Organisation: South African Police Services
Position: Spokesperson

_Tongue · Joined: 21 Dec 2011 Posts: 1

It's a scam!

As you'll see from the email going around, there's no listed website for this company. There's no fixed landline telephone number. The physical address appears to be incorrect. The guy doesn't have a company email address (it's a gmail address). There are mistakes with spelling and grammar.
And all the prices listed are half of the actual retail value for all of these goods!

I called the cellphone number and spoke with "Chris". He's accent sounds Nigerian for sure.
I asked him why there's no website and he says they're currently building it (even though he says the company's been around for 3 years!).
Also, they only accept EFT or cash deposits as payment.....and these should be done before any goods are dispatched!
I asked if I can visit the store in person. He says I can but they'll be closing on Friday for a holiday and only opening in January. Come on......an electronics retail store closing over the christmas period when all others are making their biggest sales?!!!!!!

This just smacks of a scam!!!!

Anyway, I reported it to the Crime Stop line...and also emailed all the details to SAPS. Let's see if they can get these guys before more poor folk get ripped off!

H-Bomb · Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 1073

Another tip-off should be the fact that there is no invoice number and, if they are charging vat as the invoice indicates, then their vat number should be on the invoice.

Brett Jones · Joined: 22 Dec 2011 Posts: 1

I sent 'Chris' money this morning only to find out now that it's a scam...Thankfully, the bank managed to freeze the transfer! I have also reported him to FNB's fraud team...

Thanks for starting this discussion.

accounts@eternalonline.co · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 1

hi,
I have also spoken to the infamous Chris. he says he uses Fedex. I said i'll give fedex the monies/chq on delivery he refused. I called Fedex and they do not have an account which is strange for a company that has been in operation for three years using the same delivery method.
I sent someone to 47 kelner st (really a music shop). when i called Chris he says they have 2 shops and the other is 41 Kelner st. Being the festive season and still wanting to give the guy a chance, sent my mate back the next day, 41=loan agency. called Chris again and he says they operate from above 47 Kelner st and should call him when I'm outside.
from this i'm sure we can all see that this is a scam!!. I have not made any deposits to him and strongly believe that these imposters should be dealt with. As i see the emails still come through i can say the police have not dealt with the matter. I will however be going to 47 Kelner st and calling Chris for a meet!!

TolBos · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 3

And now the same guys send the same "50% OFF" email under a new name, "Pro Digital Centre" on the c/o Bok Street & Toronto Road, Welkom.

Has anyone dealt with them?
Sounds like they are "moving" regularly to stay ahead of the scam hunters (?)

Stoker01 · Joined: 18 Dec 2011 Posts: 3

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