CASE Solved: Singapore Consumer Group Secures Injunction against Timeshare Firm
Another one bites the dust.
The Consumer’s Association of Singapore (CASE) announced a triumphant victory in its crusade against timeshare scammers. The advocacy group obtained a court injunction against timeshare company Garraway Enterprises for allegedly unfair trading practices
The injunction, issued last May 24, prohibits the company from selling vacation packages within Singapore by claiming it offers better deals.
Since 2007, CASE has received over 75 complaints against the firm. Among the chief complaints are Garraway’s use of hard-selling methods, misleading claims, and outright false promises.
One of the company’s tactics involves luring sidewalk pedestrians with scratch cards predesigned to win. The “winners” are asked to collect their prizes at the firm’s office in Singapore’s Ngee Ann City.
Upon showing up, victims are then pressured into signing for membership, ranging from S$3,650 all the way to S$30,000 (about $2,600 to $21,600). The membership supposedly entails buyers to perks such as convenient booking for vacations, and discounts on air tickets and hotel accommodations.
Following these complaints, the association initiated legal action against the company in February last year.
Singapore’s local media, Channel NewsAsia, tried to get Garraway’s side of the story. Despite repeated calls, however, the company could not be reached for comment.
Like the rest of the world, the city-state is experiencing a surge in timeshare-related scams. With the Asian market still booming, however, most fraud cases still deal with timeshare sales, unlike the resale trend going on in the US.
In 2009, timeshare-related cases made up the largest number of complaints filed with CASE, at 2,523. The consumer group says the industry is its biggest source of complaints for the sixth consecutive year.
With the weed-like proliferation of timeshare scams, CASE hopes to replicate its success with other unethical timeshare companies. It enjoyed victories in 2006 and 2007 after securing injunctions against Orion’s Belt Network Global Europe (Asia). Both businesses conceded to employing unfair practices midway through their respective court hearings.
The organization currently has its sights on timeshare firm Worldex Pte Ltd, also known as River Marketing Ltd and Worldex Asia (see our previous coverage here).
Short URL: http://www.timesharepages.com/?p=3071
Hi Alvin,
The govt must do something to shut down this con companies that are freely operating in Singapore. Also, the owners of these company should be sent to JAIL..
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It’s pointless for CASE to set its sights on the company as the people who run it will just switch to another of the 20 they have already prepared.
Peter Mitch Mabbort and David George Grimes from Worldex are involved in a whole long list of these scam companies and yet they are allowed to walk free day after day to set up new companies to cheat folks in Singapore. Their latest con job is based at OCBC Centre #25-05 and they have a whole variety of new companies set up there including: CityCorp Media, AFTAG, Concord Developments, Boston Ventures, Realty Access, and a list of many other legally-registered companies doing shady deals.
Stopping just one of their companies from selling garbage deals is as effective as using a soupspoon to drain the oceans one scoop at a time. These “foreign talent” are laughing at CASE all the way to the bank. By the time CASE decides to move against any one of their scam companies, they would have cheated enough money and decided to start a new one already. You are just doing them a favour helping to close up the company nicely for them.
You need to cut off the head of the snake, not help scratch off bits of scale when it’s shedding its old skin.
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Hi, I just went to OCBC centre ( 25-5). I received a call from AFTAG who claimed that they have engaged lawyers to take legal action action timeshare companies. They even ran advertisement with ST. I was very sick and tired as I went to many companies. To may dismay, I saw George( The angmor from River Marketing 9 Tong Building). I immediately told him ” Don’t tell you going to give me the same “s.. when I first met you:. He mentioned that they have engaged lawyers to look into the timeshare members. So sweet and so generous, can’t believe it. I was referred to a guy by the name , Frank who claimed that George was “head-hunted” to look into this matter. Very interesting. Frank claimed that he is a legal assistant and that he is asked to head AFTAG. When I asked asked, who are the lawyers looking into our matters. He three names such as Dre & Napier, Lee & Lee , Surin and Partners. No letters was showsn to me, just plian sales talk, He also gave me a voucher that entitles me to a free “apple ipad , or galaxy. I was asked to cross a check of $89 to Citycorp Media. I did my housework on the spot using my iphone and found that they are belong to the same company. They is no contact number to call , just a PO Box number. All look very creepy and suspicious. I could also hear loud music in the background,
Frank was trying to hold me holder and I think he knew I do not buy his “crab” dishes. I immediately told him that I need to go home as I need to go overseas in the morning. he tried to call George to hold me back but George was busy attending to another client. He tried to register me to sign for “ITRA”. I told him that i am very busy and will go it when I am back from oveseas.
I think the authorities should step in. they are using lawyers name and acting as “big Brother”. So true to believe. In the newspaper advertisement., AFTAG claimed that a number of timeshare of owners have got their money already. When I spoke to Frank, He mentioned to me that they need 1 to 2 years to collate all the names to represent us. Guys and ladies out there, open your eyes. No lawyers will represent you for free even when their office is located in Shenton way.
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My heartfelt thanks to anonymous & joshua for posting on the internet so that innocent timeshare owners will not fall prey to yet another scam! My appointment is this Sunday (tomorrow). I was still skeptical if this is another bogus company. Their name Asian Fair Trade Advisory Group sounds like a legitimate body who’ll really help us. Thank God I found both your sharing. I just received their sms to confirm my appointment on Sunday at noon at the same address you both mentioned. I’ve replied to cancel my appointment. Phew! Thanks again… I am so relieved now.
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Hi,
Ive recived a call from a person claiming that they are having a joined promotion with Citibank and was invited to attend a talk on holiday packages .Thereafter , they promised that it is not a time share company and that their intention is to create pbublic awareness.
After the talk I was given a voucher to claim my free Apple IPAD.
I was asked to issue a cheque of $89 payable to Citycorp Media Pte Ltd.
My cheque has been cleared on 8 May 2011 and till date I have not received my IPAD.
There was no address or contact no just a PO Box.
Other than making a complain with case, is there any way I can track this company down and make sure that they stop going around cheating people .
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Does anybody know a lady by the name of ANNIE SAHLAWATY or ANNIESA SAHLAWATY or a guy name JOE MATTHEWS who work in a timeshare SCAM company AROUND TANJONG PAGAR????? If yes beware.!! Cause these motherf*ckers are playing with their own staffs salary. Burn in hell u f*cking fraud pig sh*t motherf*cking c*cksucker whore dickless sh*t.!!!! DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE.!!!!!!!!
OUH AND ONE MORE THING. THEY EVEN CHEAT THEIR CLIENTS. THEY’LL DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY. DONT TRUST EM. THEY’LL EVEN SPENT A NIGHT WITH U TO GET A DEAL FROM U. ESPECIALLY THE LADY SO JUST SCREW THAT SWINE WHORE BITCH AND JUST LEAVE WITHOUT ANY DEAL AND SEE HER POOR PIG WARTHOG BITCH/DOG SH*T HYBRID FACE BEGGING U FOR MORE CUM IN HER EAR NOSE N SHITHOLE JUST TO GET MONEY FROM U.
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Does anybody know a lady by the name of ANNIE SAHLAWATY or ANNIESA SAHLAWATY or a guy name JOE MATTHEWS who work in a timeshare SCAM company AROUND TANJONG PAGAR????? If yes beware.!! Cause these motherf*ckers are playing with their own staffs salary. Burn in hell u f*cking fraud pig sh*t motherf*cking c*cksucker whore dickless sh*t.!!!! DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE.!!!!!!!!
OUH AND ONE MORE THING. THEY EVEN CHEAT THEIR CLIENTS. THEY’LL DO ANYTHING FOR MONEY. DONT TRUST EM. THEY’LL EVEN SPENT A NIGHT WITH U TO GET A DEAL FROM U. ESPECIALLY THE LADY SO JUST SCREW THAT SWINE WHORE BITCH AND JUST LEAVE WITHOUT ANY DEAL AND SEE HER POOR PIG WARTHOG BITCH/DOG SH*T HYBRID FACE BEGGING U FOR MORE CUM IN HER EAR NOSE N SHITHOLE JUST TO GET MONEY FROM U.
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I’m also one of the victims that has been scammed by these people. Had reported to CASE and at police post but of not much help. We can collectively report this case to Commercial Affairs Dept (CAD) written or online at the following website link:
http://www.cad.gov.sg/cad/template/subpage_t.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fserv%2frep%2fLodging%2ba%2bCommercial%2bCrime%2bReport%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7bB77BDDAF-2A55-45EF-83E9-E0CF2D7693F1%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#electronic
Hopefully the relevant authorities can do something about it for the benefits of all…..
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Angry husband, dei go n post on another blog, type at google: titanium simply jean…….shld b the first one… that blog is very popular n thats the one they will check….. lol… i knew it was u, hahahaha
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Angry husband, dei go n post on another blog, type at google: titanium simply jean…….shld b the first one… that blog is very popular n thats the one they will check….. lol… i knew it was u, hahahaha
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Attention all,
Citycorp Media is recruiting more staff… check the links below;
http://siva-sg.jobstreet.com/_profile/previewProfile.asp?advertiser_id=56193&dept_id=0&src=a
http://job-search.jobstreet.com.sg/singapore/company/citycorp-media-pte-ltd-jobs/
R they planning to scam more ppl????
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They are still around and active..
Peter Mitch Mabbort is still running this..
From Jue Shi Marketing theu switch to Great Concepts and now Citycorp Media..
Shaw house in 2004-2006 and now OCBC Building at Raffles..
They called me up for an interview after seeing my resume in jobstreet..
Job title: Call Centre Agent.. (yea yea so much of a call centre)
More like a telemarkeeter hard-selling pack of lies..
They even mentioned they had an overwhelming responds so they will do a group interview and only selected candidates will be choosen (cmon ya im sure each and every one would)
Salary 1.6k(basic) + commission and incentives = $3-4k per month..
Qualifications: Just needs to speak fluent english (wa so much u paying someone who just need to speak fluent english)
Then they confirmed me for an interview Friday 11am..
They called on Wedsnesday to confirm.. They call on Thursday to reconfirm and then Friday at 9am to triple confirm again.. Are u serious?!? Why so many calls..
I then decided to google them..
Seems like they don’t even have one pathetic web page..
And Stumble upon this page- perfect..
Another time share- lucky draw thingy going on..
Back in 2005 i was at jue shi marketing interview.
Was interview in a group by Cynthia(cindy)- Mitch Mabbort’s indian wife..
Both claimed that we are going to be calling lucky draw winners as we are part of the National Draw coorperative body..
What a nice way of putting it..
We we start calling the winners, some were really excited but some tpld me that id better leave coz this lucky draw thing doesnt exist..
We were told to tell them that 200 people won the top 200 accomodation prize and some digi cam- jvc panasonic and dg(whatever this brand is)
We are also required to tell the “winners” they need to make 2hours of their time available for prize presentation as John Dyke and Paul Maze Feild from ESPN amd some mediacorp celebrity would be present to witness and give away prizes.. U need to bring along ur spouse coz in case u win the car(grand prize) u need to take a shot with ur partner and john dyke so that the press can publish it on the news paper..
Credit card is needed coz they will show u how to book ur hotels through a web presentation. And u need to be a member for that website so u need to register ur credit card number in there coz it is an exclusive web site.
Children are not allowed.. But if u have no choice but to have them tagged along- there will be a nanny taking care of them in a play corner nearby the presentation floor..
Handphones on silent! Its a must coz the radiation mite affect the web presentation..
I then began to realise it was a load of crap amd just M.I.A-ed from the company.
Anyways if ur a staff there u work Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
No lunch except for a 15-20mins one time break.
If u do not get at one couple’s confirmation you cannot go home..
They even have night shifts for some people- starting from 7pm-11pm part timers mostly..
Just a whole load of crap..
All plain lies..
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Hi, I receive a call from City Corp Media to work as Call Centre Executive. After reading this, I don’t think I want to go down for the interview. The irony is, the caller called me on the phone saying, “You need to arrive by 12.45pm because our boss from London is coming. You will be interviewed by him”.
To me that, already sounds suspicious. Do I care about the boss coming down from London? Secondly, shouldn’t it be the job of the HR to deal with employment since the boss from London has been in London for too long to even know the local employment practices?
Add on, the sms they texted me later says, “to bring along a CV is appreciated, but, is not vital.” The working hours is from 10.30 am – 5.30pm, Mon – Fri and pay is $1600. Now, I understand why they can easily entice workers because you’re working for 7 hrs only. On top of that, in the newspaper ad, it mentions, with health insurance + benefits = can earn up to $2700 per month.
To all who is about to work or interviewed by City Corp Media, pls don’t and have some self integrity. Jobs are not easy to come but still, it’s better to work in a company with the right ethics.
I’ve posted this similar comment @ http://blog.simplyjean.com/2007/12/04/maybe-singapore-should-ban-this-as-well/comment-page-14/#comment-286669
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To all who purchased the package from
CONCORD Development / Boston Ventures / Realty Access
65 Chulia Street.
#25 – 05
OCBC Centre
Singapore 049513
To Cancel within 5 days (Singapore Contract Law)
1) Go to CASE. 1st appointment. Log a case. Only $10 or free if NTUC member. They will write an official letter & cancellation notice for you. Sent within 5 days thru registered mail. Refer to:
http://www.case.org.sg/lodge_a_complaint.html
CASE: Mon – Sat. 9am – 4pm.
170 Ghim Moh Road
#05-01 Ulu Pandan Community Building
Singapore 279621
(If you want to expedite, go to step 5)
2) CONCORD development will call to meet up with you to give a very long story. (However, they have no auditors to verify the stories so be careful what to believe)
3) If CONCORD development is not refunding any amount, walk away. Do not sign any other contracts with them.
4) Go back to CASE. 2nd appointment. Only $25 or free if CASE member. They will help you negotiate with CONCORD development. They are better at this than you.
5) If no settlement can be reached, next step is to go to Small claims Tribunals. (I am interested to know if their contract of circumventing the Singapore Contract Law for cancellation can stand in the courts. Keep us posted if you have gone thru this stage and I am interested to know if they will be fined for doing that)
Filing at the Small Claims Tribunals:
Mondays to Thursdays* : 9.00am to 5.00 pm
Fridays*: 9.00am to 4.30 pm
Saturdays*: 9.00am to 12.00pm
http://app2.subcourts.gov.sg/sct/index.aspx
Well, I myself have yet to see any tablet PC or receive any yet. It has been 1 month and counting. Will post an update if I receive it…
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