Beijing Lapland Electronics Co., Ltd,

Buyer’s Nationality:
United States

Seller:
Beijing Lapland Electronics Co., Ltd,; Shenzhen taobao Electronic Co.,Ltd

Seller Website:
www.laplandltd.com; www.taobaoelec.com;

Seller Address:
12A-09 Room, Building 1, No21 Shun san tiao, Song; No 2. and Eastern sea lanes,Bulong Road, Longgang , Zhuang Road, Fengtai Zone, Beijing, China

Initial contact with the supplier:
Direct Buy Website

Type of product(s) being purchased:
Computers and Electronics

Value of the Purchase Order when the incident occurred:
6,001 to 12,000 USD

Destination market of order in question:
US or Canada

Type of Complaint(s):
missed lead times, scams & other unethical activities

Stage of relationship with the supplier at the time of the incident:
Initial Order

User Experience:
We ordered and paid for some products that came from an inquiry on Global Sources. After selecting and arranging for the products, everything fell apart. How did we start to know it was a scam?

Hint #1: If it sounds too good to be true, it is. First, you place your order for goods based on a perceived notion of very good prices. Every item listed had an incredible price – items included laptops, TVs, tablets, etc. If your total exceeds or is close to $2000, the phony suppliers give you a discount.

Hint #2: The scams require using Western Union. Western Union does not accept more than $2,000 per day from one individual. This encourages or sets you up to send partial payment to initiate the scam. When you do this, they send several emails to make it appear you are in good hands and you are now on their hook!

Hint #3: The supplier emails or calls you back saying that your products are detained by customs and that you’ll need to send the fee to have your products sent – usually 80% of your order. Once again they add urgency to the situation by requesting you send the funds via Western Union for a quick release.

Hint #4: There’s more charges for customs storage or demurrage, with additional requests to send money. They may even email saying they didn’t except such problems, so will cover some of the costs because they want repeat business with you.

Hint #5: Surprise inspections by customs. Keep in mind, the scammers have computer access and can forge Government seals for their documentation. This is not one individual or one business – this is an organized syndicate throughout China that likely involves corruption in shipping companies as well – our order had what appeared to be a legitimate DHL tracking code, but the code was for a package being sent to a completely different state.

You may hire a lawyer and try to recuperate your funds, but this to will cost you. So be aware of the hints. The goods that they listed are the same goods you are able to get from your local stores or from reputable online vendors – the difference is real cost versus fictional cost. If they are reputable and stand by their goods to build trust, they would allow you to create an Escrow account or allow COD purchase.

Here is a list of some scammers:
www.lichine.com – sales@lichine.com
www.jrwcn.com – sales@jrwcn.com
www.laplandltd.com – sale1@laplandltd.com
www.taobaoelec.com – sale1@taobaoelec.com
November15th 2014

User Recommendations:
Be aware, the goods that they listed are the same goods you are able to get from your local stores or from reputable online vendors – the difference is real cost versus fictional cost. If they are reputable and stand by their goods to build trust, they would allow you to create an Escrow account or allow COD purchase.