I have been Cheated
By zralte
@zralte (4178)
India
November 18, 2011 2:33am CST
What can I say? I didn't follow my own advice (in doing proper research before handing money over to anyone) and fallen victim to the sick world of Fraudsters.
I have a problem finding household helper and I have been looking for sometime now. When I found one agency in Gurgaon on the internet, it sounds promising. I called the person, sent him email, then talked it out to some friends, then decided that I would go forward and deposit the amount that was asked for.
The agency told me that their charge is 4500 INR and that they will provide replacement three times in one year for free, if it does not work out. I would need to deposit 2000 INR, after confirming their receipt, they will provide after 10-12 days. The remaining 2,500 will be paid after the household helper has been provided.
On 19th October, I deposited 2000 INR (almost $50) to the account number provided. I received a confirmation email that they have received the amount. So the waiting begins. I gave them a bit more time as it was Diwali season. I contacted them again 10 days ago asking what is going on. No reply. I sent another email today and I don't expect a reply to that either.
I have searched on the internet to see if there are similar cases. Imagine my surprise when there was another person duped exactly like me, by the same person. http://www.consumercourt.info/topic/cheating-fraud-by-manish-kumar-patil-sarika-service-gurgaon
There were a bit of differences in the two cases. The name of the company changed and the contact person's name and phone number changed.
Now I am in a dilemma. I don't mind very much about the money stolen from me. I just don't want this person to continue stealing from someone. If I file a police report, may be they will catch this person, may be even put him in jail.
But, but, but,...will that really stop this person from doing it again? I don't think so. If he is not caught, he will continue doing it. If he is caught, he will start again after being released.
Is that really worth my time and effort? Should I file a police case against this person or is it not worth it?
3 people like this
15 responses
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
19 Nov 11
Hello zralte,
Sorry to hear your story but i would say that there are lot of people who have opened their offices in GURGAON and just ask money from people and go away.
I know this because i have lived in GURGAON for almost 2~3 years in the start of my career and i used to go to AAKA & APNA BAZAAR where there are lots of placement who only take money from unemployed people on the name of registartion fees and make people fool.And the interesting thing is people know that they are fraud but still they go to them and pay money in a hope that they will be sent somewhere to give an interview from these palcements.
In your case you should file a report i know you won't get your money back but i have confidence on INDIAN police at lesst they will catch them sooner or later and teach them the lesson.
I know this because i have lived in GURGAON for almost 2~3 years in the start of my career and i used to go to AAKA & APNA BAZAAR where there are lots of placement who only take money from unemployed people on the name of registartion fees and make people fool.And the interesting thing is people know that they are fraud but still they go to them and pay money in a hope that they will be sent somewhere to give an interview from these palcements.
In your case you should file a report i know you won't get your money back but i have confidence on INDIAN police at lesst they will catch them sooner or later and teach them the lesson.1 person likes this
@zralte (4178)
• India
19 Nov 11
Hi sjvg, that is an inspiration. I was not too sure about going to the police. It would have been different is I am in Gurgaon. I would file the report in a second. I am a little doubtful filing a case from Jaipur. If there is even a slightest chance that this person or persons may be caught, I would do it.
Getting my money back, I am not counting on it. It is not even a big amount. If it was 10 times or even 5 times, I'd consider it.
Saying that, I think that is how these people get away every time. The money involved per person is not big enough, so no one really wants to go after them. Collectively, I bet they are getting a lot. But just 2000 INR is not a big amount for anyone, especially for those looking for household help.
I am still debating.
1 person likes this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
19 Nov 11
Oh yes i know its not easy to lodge a report but you should search on net if there is any method to complain online.
I know 2000 INR is not much but they would have certainly made millions by their fraud.
I was talking in general about the consultancies in GURGAON most of them are fake and make money this way only.
I know 2000 INR is not much but they would have certainly made millions by their fraud.
I was talking in general about the consultancies in GURGAON most of them are fake and make money this way only.1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
18 Nov 11
hi zralte
Unfortunately you are in India and as such, there is no sense in getting involved with the Cops. You know better, they will be just a waste of time, money and energy. But again, as you think to get some one to be prevented, I would suggest filing the FIR and the consumer case. forget this once you have filed the documents, they would keep coming to remind you all about it.
For the change in the person's behavior... nowhere on the planet is that possible. Thugs, know how to make money using others' resources and once anyone gets a te of easy mony... nothing can be done...
Unfortunately you are in India and as such, there is no sense in getting involved with the Cops. You know better, they will be just a waste of time, money and energy. But again, as you think to get some one to be prevented, I would suggest filing the FIR and the consumer case. forget this once you have filed the documents, they would keep coming to remind you all about it.
For the change in the person's behavior... nowhere on the planet is that possible. Thugs, know how to make money using others' resources and once anyone gets a te of easy mony... nothing can be done...@zralte (4178)
• India
18 Nov 11
Hi thesids,
That's what I was afraid of. Once I file the case with police or consumer court, they will pester me to no end. I ask my husband about it, and he told me to forget it, that the best thing I can do is spread the words around. myLot is my first step in spreading it.
I guess I can post in consumer forum website or some other websites as well. I was thinking of free classified websites, but then would they really care? The person will just change the name of the company and continue as usual.
I feel so helpless about this. I guess I'll continue my online campaign in trying to get more and more people aware.
,
That's what I was afraid of. Once I file the case with police or consumer court, they will pester me to no end. I ask my husband about it, and he told me to forget it, that the best thing I can do is spread the words around. myLot is my first step in spreading it.
I guess I can post in consumer forum website or some other websites as well. I was thinking of free classified websites, but then would they really care? The person will just change the name of the company and continue as usual.
I feel so helpless about this. I guess I'll continue my online campaign in trying to get more and more people aware.@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
18 Nov 11
Quite true. but then, we should also play our role so that our conscience doesnt feel pained. For this, yes, mylot is a good start. the postings on the consumer welfare sites too is good. an you can also write up some articles on blogs. this way, i am sure, our morals would have some satisfaction.
Also, how about publishing this in the daily newspaper... may be the letters to the ed section
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
25 Nov 11
It is a hard call to make...I do understand. However, my conscience tells me to do the right thing and that is to do whatever is in my power to right the wrong.
I would go to the police and tell my story and let them decide if anything is to be done. That's the most I can do.
Please explain in detail to me how I am not good and sinned against Jehovah.
Looking for household help and being cheated is now sinning against God?
@allknowing (130066)
• India
20 Nov 11
Until 5 years ago I called the shots when it came to choosing my maids and that is history now.Maids are not easily available now. The agents are having a hay day merrily duping every one left, right and centre, yours truly included.
The best would be for government to step in and ban all these agents. Maids should contact those in need, directly and vice versa.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
20 Nov 11
Contacting the police is a waste of time as they all work hand in glove.
@zralte (4178)
• India
22 Nov 11
I don't want to get the police involved unless it is absolutely necessary. I don't really think that they will do anything anyway, especially a case lodged in a different city.
You are right about maid, though. Even people who are willing to work are getting duped by these so-called agents too.
@lovetoknow (47)
• India
19 Nov 11
The first thing you should do is to file a complaint against the fraud, and the second very simple thing you can do is to release a press note about this issue and warn public against that person.
As you will be doing a job of social welfare, your local newspapers or even national news papers will help you out. As per my view thats the right way to make people aware of such cheats.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
4 Feb 12
Unfortunately this is one of the reasons they say go with a Reputable company instead of looking for something online and meeting with the people before depositing any $$ as well. I am sure there are many others who have been taken from this company, or type of scam and many times it could be the same type of people just in a group and changing the name of the company, Email, etc. to keep from getting caught. Hope in time they are caught and justice can really be served.
@julianmac (396)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 11
Hi,
I would describe the internet as " wicked men ", whose houses are full of deception. As promising as it looks, the web is full of lies too. The scammers wait for that one move. Money switching. Once the money leaves your hand the rest will vanish just like what had happened to you.
I'm not sure how cyber crime is handled in your country but I'm sure it's a good move to file a police report. I support your decision to highlight this issue in Mylot to create some public awareness.
@zralte (4178)
• India
18 Nov 11
I am not sure about how cyber crime is treated here either. I have received a valuable advice from other mylotters like suny who gave me website address to file my complaints. I have done that, filed a complaint, that is. And the rest is just me trying to let as many people know about this type of scam.
I am sure my Indian friends (even the Non-Indian friends, for that matter) will help me in creating more awareness in the world of internet. I am also hoping to get more advice as to the best course of action from my mylot friends.
@nerein (283)
• United States
18 Nov 11
Something like that I would not call the cops about and file a
police report. The likely hood that the cops will look for and
catch this guy are slim to none. One thing that you can do though
is report it to the better business bureau and see what they can
do. As well if you report it to the BBB then let them know the old
website and the new one as well so that way they can track it.
@zralte (4178)
• India
19 Nov 11
That was the reason I hesitated. I don't think the cops will take it seriously, especially on a different state criminal.
Fortunately, suny has given me a website where I can register my complaint. The Government agency specially for fraud. I have filed my report on that site now and working on letter to the local newspaper as well as updating my blog. Hopefully, it will help in creating awareness about this kind of cheaters.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
18 Nov 11
I am so sorry you got scammed. At least they didn't take that much from you.. it could have been much worse. I think people need to stick to names they can trust.. agencies they know about and know the reputation of. Like if you know someone uses a cleaning service, then ask them who they use. When I shop online I only go to websites I can trust. I only shop at Amazon.. and of course now I shop my own store I have online. That's it. I got scammed once too, but my bank was able to get my money back.
@zralte (4178)
• India
19 Nov 11
I am feeling so proud to have a discussion in which old friends found each other.
@Pointless, it is a bit difficult in India. Though internet is used everywhere, trying to find information like this is still difficult. Probably because household help are not paid much, so not many people want to pay an agency.
I do online shopping whenever possible. It saves me time and energy. Again with the Indian sites, it is difficult to find information. Like details of the item for sale are not given properly, and some sites can be very messy. ebay.in is one of the worst I have seen; not the site itself, but some sellers having shops in ebay.in . Some sellers have more than 10,000 items (in some cases more than 40,000) in their ebay shop and not bothered to categorize them!!!
Who would scroll through 100's of pages. It is ridiculous.
@Pointless, it is a bit difficult in India. Though internet is used everywhere, trying to find information like this is still difficult. Probably because household help are not paid much, so not many people want to pay an agency.
I do online shopping whenever possible. It saves me time and energy. Again with the Indian sites, it is difficult to find information. Like details of the item for sale are not given properly, and some sites can be very messy. ebay.in is one of the worst I have seen; not the site itself, but some sellers having shops in ebay.in . Some sellers have more than 10,000 items (in some cases more than 40,000) in their ebay shop and not bothered to categorize them!!! Who would scroll through 100's of pages. It is ridiculous.@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
18 Nov 11
OMG!!! I had no idea that was you either. I know someone named Autumn and I always ponder your user name every time I see it. I had wondered if you were my childhood friend's daughter. Well who knew!? Good to see you. Yep I retired my old user name.
@boyuancy (1708)
• India
18 Nov 11
Hi zralte. First of all please do not use cheating followed by India as tags as not all Indians are cheaters (It can be misconceived). I'm a devout patriot and I love my country.
Okay now to your point.
I also got ripped off. My mom brought this exercising equipment. After a few days it completely broke down-as in shattered!!! Now I tried to call the company but they were nowhere to be found. Again my mom went to find their office and guess what there is no OFFICE of theirs where it used to be. It is as if it vanished into thin air . . . POOF!!!
What can we do after all? It was for Rs.3000. Totally gone.
@zralte (4178)
• India
18 Nov 11
Hi boyuancy, nothing I can do regarding the arrangement of tagging. It is arranged alphabetically. If you want, you can tag it with another words starting with d/e/f/g/h...that will certainly separate the two words.
As far as being a patriot goes, I'm sorry, I don't see the connection. I don't say and I will never say that any nation or country is cheaters. I know better not to generalise. There are bad people as well as good people every where.
I am sorry that your mother got ripped off. I am surprised that they can just move like that!!!! And just for Rs. 3000!!! I guess they must have duped enough people already then.
@prabhatcourt (3)
•
15 Jan 12
Hi,
Lots of complaints seen in Bangalore . I am always buying any product by seeing them in below website:
www.consumer-court.in
@prabhatcourt (3)
•
15 Jan 12
So many cheating in India I am always watching the review of any product before buying from the market:
