Scam from Medan?
May 9, 2008 by Medan Indonesia
Filed under Medan People
I received a very disturbing email and comment today by a visitor from Deutschland about his bad experience on Medan! You can see his comments in our guestbook and I have also attached it below in italics.
What disturbed me was that some scammers have used “Medan” to scam people off online as described in the comments which damage the reputation of Medan.
I really hope these scammers are not from Medan as I assumed that if these people created a dummy company, then they may not be from Medan at all and I am sure even their names are fictitious.
There are many great honorable, honest people in Medan.
Scams happens everywhere and everyday, from internet scams, to sms (mobile messages/text messages scams, email scams and even mail scams. Some promises unclaimed prizes, lottery winnings or even inheritance. Some in business dealings. We have heard stories of many scams around the world. This is the first I heard from Medan.
We have to be wise enough to be able to check out everything and make sure everything is legitimate before parting with our money to these scams.
Here is the email / comments by a victim, I have added some tips on “How to Avoid being Scammed Online” at the bottom
Medan crooks badly damage the economy of Indonesia!
A lot of dealers from Europe and the United States get cheated of young criminals from Indonesia and mainly from the city Medan via InterNet. This modern kind of cybercrime This criminality does not only harm the businessmen from the foreign countries, it harms also the reputation of the Indonesian business in the world. Also the institutions of Indonesia. Likewise authorities and institutions of Indonesia appear weakly in relation to a small minority of criminals.
I believe, it exists a problem, which does not admit in the Indonesian public, but it must be known and solved. They use Alibaba.com a Community channel and a place that allows business people to exchange business ideas, communicate business issues and find business resources.
A lot of Criminals meanly from MEDAN – and in my case – Andre Kusmana and Erwin Candra and their company “Original Bike.Co.,Ltd” in Medan, Jl. Putri Hijau No. 25 create a dummy firm. They offer in the InterNet at Alibaba.com not existing goods.
They recruit with the following text and look for international dealers.
“We are the most professional manufacturer and exporter for high end bicycle and spare parts, based in Medan, Indonesia. Our products enjoy fast Sales in worldwide market at present, due to our superior products and professional service. We have some kinds of mountain bikes and many types for choosing.”
They describe their enterprise as Distributor/Wholesaler with 5 – 10 employees and a total annual purchase volume of US$5 Million – US$10 Million. (http://www.alibaba.com/member/id101342118.html)
But nothin exists! They cheat businessman from Europa and North Amerika in simulating buisiness dealings. They arrange dealings and operate in a big scale, promise to deliver and after the international buissinessman had correctly paid the amount to their account, they hide in the suppost obscure internet!
This kind of cybercrime damaged the credit and the reputation of all the fair Indonesian buissinessman in international trade and I think, traders, politicans and the authorities are confronted with the problem to find a solution of this criminal problem and to protect international customers and also Indonesian exporter against this kind of cybercrime!
Erwin Candra!
Andre Kusmana!
I dispatch this text to you, because I would like to get back my deposited 3000 $ I have payed this criminals … but also because I dislike the damage of the Indonesian economy and society.
If you need more Information:
Heinrich Hohage ( Heino.Hohage@gmx.de )
Hasenberger Weg 2a 42897 Remscheid Deutschland
Here Some tips on How to Avoid Falling into Scams Online:
- Check if the company have a website, many people sell stuff from eBay and Alibaba without a proper company website like the one mentioned below. From the website, check for addresses, phone numbers and organizational structures.
- With these information, google further to see if these companies actually exists and google to see their reputation online. You could add the word “scam” at the end of their names.
- Check if the company actually exists offline, by calling them up, or checking with the local authorities. You can usually find the website of local authorities in google.
- Try not to transfer money directly to the account of the recipients. Use a third party, it may cost more but its an insurance to you.
- If you are to put a huge purchase order, request for other references from other customers or clients. Or try with a smaller order first to minimize your loss.
- If you are buying anything online, most reputable sellers, use a merchant account, PayPal, ClickBank, PayDotCom or 2Checkout. These 3 rd party payment processors usually have a money back guarantee policy where, they are able to scrutinize and filter out reputable sellers.
- If anything looks or sound suspicious, do not continue with your transactions.
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News: 20 November 2008
The Police in Medan has arrested two cyber crime syndicate in Medan with the help of Bank Mandiri who suspected a bank account to have Rp900.000.000 transferred from overseas including USA, Sweden etc.
Police is currently contacting the victims to aid in the investigation.
As per requested, the official website of the Police in Indonesia is:
http://www.polri.go.id
and the email address is:
info@polri.go.id
I appreciate what this man had to say about the scam from Medan. I too was scammed when I tried to buy chainsaws from a company there. They even sent a copy of their trade certificate to me. I really thought it was okay. Never send money as a bank transfer. I was warned but didn’t listen. We have the tendency to trust people but you cannot trust these internet people from Indonesia. They are just now coming of age in most of the world’s way of thinking and they do not control these crimes so do not think you will get justice.
Indonesia knows these things happen but there is so much crime over there and they do not have the police force needed so most of it goes unchecked. I could not even get through to the Medan police – no answer from them.
There is actually a mind set for most of these third world countries that it is alright to steal from wealthy nations. I don’t know where they got that idea but they have no conscious. Do not be deceived. Do not do business with Indonesia.
Terry
Hi Terry,
thank you for sharing with us your comments, I understand your experience and frustrations about the scam that you have encountered.
However, please do not generalize the whole situation as internet scams do not only originate from Indonesia, there are many scams coming from all over the world. The Large Majority of businesses from Indonesia are responsible and honest that is why this post is here to warn people as we do not want this to happen to anyone.
You may try to request help from your consulate and local embassy in Medan which you can find at the bottom of our Medan City Guide
I to have been scammed by a company is Medan. He says I have to come and pick up the machine. I can’t do that. I am a housewife from USA. purchased a Janome 11000 memory craft sewing machine from the CV.ANDROMEDA textile company in Sumatra Utara. The owner agreed in the enclosed contract to take 750.00 US dollars as half payment, with 700.00 US to be paid upon delivery. I sent a bank wire to the company bank site for 750.00. After receiving the money the company has advised me that they started shipment but have frozen the shipment until the remainder of the agreed to price has been paid. We have contacted the company but they will not change their position. Either they are attempting fraud or are not honoring the contract contents for payment upon delivery. The company has stated that they will not refund the half payment that has already been made in good faith by us. This is a email I just received…..
This company unfortunately has a bad reputation and you should have done a simple search on this company, it is posted on several websites as defrauding countless people. I have investigated this company 3 times and managed to get their money back but it was difficult to say the least.
There are many great honorable, honest people in Medan
Yeah! Maybe but I have not met any and she definately is not one :-ferytunase@yahoo.com
I’m sure there are lots of nice people in Medan. Cv.Andromeda textile is still in business in your city. He scammed me. Nobody seems to care.
Why do people in your country think it is alright to scam people. I have contacted the police and the Kadin, and nobody responds to me. It has been a month since this has happened. Why does your country and city choose to be dishonest? People say I want to see the honesty in all people. That is what I thought, when I chose this person. We had good emails until he said I had to send him the rest of the money. How many of your countrymen get scammed? When I look on the internet, it seems you are the scammers, not the victims. I was brought up not tot lie, cheat, or steal. Why don’t you bring up your childern that way? If your people really cared for other people , they would do their best to get rid of this business. Maybe there is sill hope, that I will get some satisfaction. Thank you , Dianne This is his buisness , Mrs. Marina P
Mr. Alfin Tantowi Jl.Perniagaan No.15
Medan, 20111
Sumatera Utara
Indonesia
Ph. 62(061)69919744
Fax. 62(061)69919744
Email: admin@andromedatex.com
VAT/NPWP# 02.353.554.5-903.000
Why don’t you care ?
Dianne,
I too have been a victim of dealing with Indonesia-if you can find anybody willing to help could you let me know.
John
mertonjl@optusnet .com.au
Hi Diane,
I can understand your frustrations, the police has caught many scammers already, most of the times, addresses are not enough information since most of the addresses and phone numbers are fake.
The last arrest in Medan were not even residents in Medan, the scammers travel around the country or even the world (as among those caught were foreigners) to avoid leaving tracks behind.
We received a comment from Philip about his experience posted here:
http://www.medanku.com/medan-indonesia-police-complains/
The scammers gave him an address in Medan but the bank account is based in Jakarta. Hence they may not be in Medan.
The reason we posted this page up is to provide information to avoid more of this from happening.
Please read the tips on how to avoid scam posted above. Scams can happen everywhere around the world and we are sorry to hear that it happens in our city as well.
What I wan’t to know if this is a real address?
Mr. Alfin Tantowi Jl.Perniagaan No.15
Medan, 20111
Sumatera Utara
Indonesia
Ph. 62(061)69919744
Fax. 62(061)69919744
Email: admin@andromedatex.com
VAT/NPWP# 02.353.554.5-903.000
He scammed me.
Hi Dianne,
We checked the address and phone numbers for you with the local phone directory.
The address is real but the phone number is not and the phone number is not registered under the name nor the company you provided.
You may check phone numbers in Medan with the local directory which is “108″ if called locally or “+6261 108″ if called from overseas
dear all
after read all statement from you
especially you Dianne
let me help you
if you need all information regarding CV. Andromeda
i will let you to know
just send me an email to my private email at muhammadarisandi@gmail.com
so i will share with you who is CV. Andromeda
i know who is Mr. Alfin Tantowi
he have another website now
i will let you to know
im just his friend
so many long time i tell to him to stop to scam
but he never accept my statement
now it will be the end of his story as a fake business mas
you can trust me and i do this not for a commission
once again YOU CAN TRUST ME FOR ALL INFORMATION I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU
regards
M. Arisandi
I am also a victim of a scam from Medan Indonesia. The company name is
PT. Sumatera Kite Shop. I purchased two surfing kites for the amount of $1200 inclusive postage to Perth Australia. I then received an email stating that I must purchase at least two more kites to meet the minimum shipment weight, which did not make any sense. I asked them to refund my money as I did not wish to purchase so many kites. That was the end of the buisness. Never got my surfkites and they scammed me for $1200. Their phone numbers and addresses were also false.
Bank Details were as follows:
Acct. Name Adhy Jaya
Acct. No 073 1115 370
Bank Name: Bank of Central Asia
Swift Code: CENJAIDJA
Do not do busniss with Indonesia. It is full of people with guilty and fraudulant mind and conscious.
Dear readers,
We are sorry to hear that you have become a victim of cyber crimes, please be informed that the North Sumatra / Medan Police have arrested a candidate of cyber crime in Medan as reported
It is best to seek help from your local officials to get in touch with the local police here with all the information needed such as the case from the Republic of Senegal reported
I recently lost US$2500 to this scam website:
winbike88.com
Sales Manager: Tony Lung (probably a false name)
Jl Mandala By Pass 88
MEDAN – 20227
INDONESIA
Office Phone : +62 61 69687966
Contact Email : sales@winbike88.com
The banking details are:
Account Number : 0186592027
Account Name :Marada Silitonga
Bank Name : Bank Negara Indonesia
Bank Address : Jl. Supratman NO.62
If you feel that you have been scammed, try to contact your consulate in Medan to help you out
You can find a list of consulates here. If the consulate for your country is not listed here, please find out from your embassy or local officials and you can help by adding this information to our list of consulate directory page
Scam is not only from Medan, these kind of emails internet scams still exists till today. So becareful not to belief such emails and fall into these scams
PARTNERS WANTED.
Dear Sir,
It’s a pleasure to find out your contact details, Thank you very much for your nice web site as I wish you all the best wishes of the season.
However Sir,due to the prolification of scams and advance fee fraud, We still see the internet as the only reliable channel of communication we think best to solicit you and your company for this partnership business.
Futhermore, I am the General Manager of an Import House in Iraq, However due to the American lead war on terrorism in our Country,the terrorist war situation has make business dificult for us here, we import the following: GARMENTS,FABRICS,COMPUTER AND COMPUTER ACCESSORIES,MEDICAL EQUIPMENTS,AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENTS, HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENTS LIKE BULDOZERS,CATTERPILLERS,CRANES ETC,FOOTWEARs,CRAFTS AND OTHERS CONSUMABLE GOODS.
Sir, In view of the current situation we are delighted to go into partnership investments with your company but since the
war in our Country makes it very difficult to travel out of the Country on business for now and telephone communication is strictly prohibited and monitored by the secret security agents therefore making business difficult for us here in Iraq, so in view of this we have decided to transfer the sum total of 40 million US$ from our reserve in a bank in Abidjan,Cote d’Ivoire to your trustee bank account for onward partnership investment purposes with your company, so it’s because of this reason that we herein solicite for your humble assistance to enter into partnership business with you and request you help us contact the bank in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire for the transfer of this funds to your trusted account for safe keeping for the purpose of partnership investment and as soon as the transfer is through I will come over to your Country for the investment projects.
Please, We need your urgent responed by sending us your contact address,I.D Card and in return we will send you the contact details of the bank in Cote d’Ivoire so that you can contact them for the release of the money into your account.
Please get back to me quickly so that we can discuss on how best to proceed with this transaction.
Thanking for your understanding as we hope to hear from you as soon as you recieve this mail.
Yours faithfully.
Mr. Jubril Mohamed.
Hi
I have created this blog for all the people who want to trade online with indoneisans company.
i wanted to import a printing machine from medan,indonesia . i contacted the company and negotiated a deal. I received a detailed invoice and banking details and all of the companies contact details. I rang the company and was able to talk to a man who stated they had my order and that when they received my money by telegraphic transfer they would send my items by shipping. but i decided beore depositing money let me see it by visiting their palce, spent hundreds of dollars for air ticket to reach there and finally when i arrived i was shocked to see there is no company by that name nor that address exsits, its all fraud .
The phone numbers have been switched off and website is opened by other name.
so please be very carefull before doing any online tradeing ,specially with medan ,indonesia based companies.
Company name : CV Damai indotex(dealers in all types of printing and garment machines).
Cv.AYAHANDA .
Contact person : Alfin Tantowi .
mainly opertaed from city Medan.
Phone: +62 (061) 69616993
Fax: +62 (061) 69616993
Country: Indonesia .
If you still want to buy or trade any item online then please ask for landline number ,videos of the product ,verify market price and always insist to pay by paypal.
It’s just that I feel if we don’t try and stop this kind of fraud related dealings on the internet they will continue and people will continue loosing money.
I look forward to hearing from you .
Posted by sumanth at 3:53 AM