BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA -- Hundreds of consumers have rushed to voice their complaints against iPhoneNow.ca for non-delivery of Apple iPhones in Canada. This potential scam may have collected close to 7 million Canadian dollars, using a sophisticated advertising campaign via television, internet search tools and Facebook.
On the days of going live, more than 3000 people from as far a field as Canada and China had visited the Australian website. Over 150 people have emailed complaints about the non-delivery of iPhones, consumers have parted with their cash in good faith for the promised shipment within 24 hours of placing order. ScamNet.org has been telling all consumers raising complaints to make contact with law enforcement authorities to ensure this company is fully investigated.
Founder Steven Sinfield said "we're gobsmacked with the magnitude of consumers that have purchased from iPhoneNow.ca without receiving the goods they have paid for via both Credit Card and Direct Debit. Customers requesting refunds or asking for an update on their orders are often being labelled fraudulent, being intimidated by bullying and stalling tactics by company representatives. Our website is a way for consumers to read about this current potential scam, giving our readers a fair and balanced view based on information we have collected from personal experience or the public domain, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
The RCMP is currently investigating this company, after two arrests at the home of Josh Trousdale (previously known as Scott Frederick Byers, who was convicted in 2001 for the Playstation 2 scam), the police has released the two without charge. Sinfield said "It is disappointing that the Police in Vancouver was unable to charge, however, I have full faith in the legal system that justice will be served, and those that are victims will be compensated for their loss. If you feel you have been a victim of fraud relating to iPhoneNow.ca, call the Canadian anti-fraud call centre [Phonebusters] at 1.888.495.8501 or report online with www.recol.ca or contact Const. Linda Barrett of the Coquitlam RCMP fraud unit at 1.604.945.1488".
Today, iPhoneNow.ca has released a public statement-advising customers that they no longer will be selling iPhones in Canada and that no outstanding orders for iPhones will be shipped.
www.scamnet.org was conceived after Sinfield tried to purchase an Apple Bluetooth headset from iPhoneNow.ca that was the beginning of the end, after numerous promises for tracking number from the courier company, yet none was forthcoming. Sinfield started to express concerns with the company, and exercising rights as a consumer. It was only when he was at the total point of frustration that he spoke to one of the online chat customer service representatives who labelled him fraudulent and questioned his integrity for standing up for his consumer rights. Over the coming months scamnet.org will expand its operation to taking customers complaints from all consumers for any potential fraudulent websites currently trading online. Sinfield said "it is time for consumers to stand up and get heard, these shady operators have had it too good for too long".
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