Fraudulent Mac Retailers

[G4Store]

Originally posted by Raid
Ok I think this is a step in the right direction. First we know that the g4store is a valid and reputable company that has involved itself because it too has been victimized by this person. Second Scott has pretty much confirmed his identity or at least proven he can make an email account with the g4store domain...

Thanks Scott I really do think you are who you say you are. I would still stress to people that when emailing your experiences keep certain things like your account and credit card #'s out of the posts, ball-park the amount you paid... and to paraphrase Joe Friday 'post just the facts'. Also keep contact information to a minimum until the proper authorities come asking for it, and then give them all the evidence you can. Check out the links in my post above, they have instrcutions on what to do.

Raid, thank you very much for the clarification and vote of confidence. You are absolutely correct. When sending email to our alert@g4store.com address, please do not provide any secure information such as credit cards, social security, etc. We also do not want bank information; just basic contact information and your general experience would be helpful.

Thank you again for your assistance.

Sincerely,
Scott Carr
Founder, The G4 Store
http://www.g4store.com

The G4 Store, a subsidiary of SaveWealth Internet and Media

 

[winwintoo]

I'm sure you've all thought of this already. Those of you who gave this creep your credit card number........well, you gave him your credit card number. I know what I'd be doing first thing.


m

 

[rob_chemist]

Probably not legit

My guess is that they are not legit and are a total scam. I tried to but a computer through them, and lets just say their actions were suspect to say the least. I ordered a computer, as with the educator discount they give, the prices were unbeatable. I ordered with a credit card, and asked about a day later if the order had gone through (via Email). I received an Email back from them stating that they tried to use the credit card, but it didn't go through - more on the rest of the Email in a moment. Anyway, I called my credit card company to see what was going on, and they said that they had no one had made an inquiry on that account - I hadn't charged anything to that account in several months. Rather odd, to say the least. Anyway, after saying that my credit card did not go through, the Macwhizshop did say I could expedite things by doing a wire transfer of the funds to their account (or send them a cashiers check!). Also, the name on the account for the wire transfer was not that of the company, but an individual. I didn't send the funds, as it smells like a total scam (foreign company, only want cash, etc.).

 

[chirag]

attention: G4Store

you can still find some old pages on macwhizshop copied from G4store.com like this

http://www.macwhizshop.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?keywords=50089613

basically, if you try to place some order, you'll see pages that are still same as G4store. that guy has just changed the outer look. i would like to hear what G4store is doing in this regard and what's the progress - if not in public, then in private. i'm a victim of macwhizshop.com and can verify my identity.

Chirag
Student
UMass Amherst

 

[jxyama]

Re: Probably not legit

Originally posted by rob_chemist
My guess is that they are not legit and are a total scam. I tried to but a computer through them, and lets just say their actions were suspect to say the least. I ordered a computer, as with the educator discount they give, the prices were unbeatable. I ordered with a credit card, and asked about a day later if the order had gone through (via Email). I received an Email back from them stating that they tried to use the credit card, but it didn't go through - more on the rest of the Email in a moment. Anyway, I called my credit card company to see what was going on, and they said that they had no one had made an inquiry on that account - I hadn't charged anything to that account in several months. Rather odd, to say the least. Anyway, after saying that my credit card did not go through, the Macwhizshop did say I could expedite things by doing a wire transfer of the funds to their account (or send them a cashiers check!). Also, the name on the account for the wire transfer was not that of the company, but an individual. I didn't send the funds, as it smells like a total scam (foreign company, only want cash, etc.).

please read at least some of the thread before posting. we've gone far past the point where we are trying to determine if this is legit or not.

it is a scam and i'm glad you didn't get victimized.

 

[Counterfit]

Re: Probably not legit

Originally posted by rob_chemist
My guess is that they are not legit and are a total scam. I tried to but a computer through them, and lets just say their actions were suspect to say the least. I ordered a computer, as with the educator discount they give, the prices were unbeatable. I ordered with a credit card, and asked about a day later if the order had gone through (via Email). I received an Email back from them stating that they tried to use the credit card, but it didn't go through - more on the rest of the Email in a moment. Anyway, I called my credit card company to see what was going on, and they said that they had no one had made an inquiry on that account - I hadn't charged anything to that account in several months. Rather odd, to say the least. Anyway, after saying that my credit card did not go through, the Macwhizshop did say I could expedite things by doing a wire transfer of the funds to their account (or send them a cashiers check!). Also, the name on the account for the wire transfer was not that of the company, but an individual. I didn't send the funds, as it smells like a total scam (foreign company, only want cash, etc.).

Congratulations. 1.) You were smart and didn't get scammed. and 2.) you say it's "probably a scam" now, after lots and lots of posts pretty much confirming that.

I dub thee, "Lieutenant Obvious"! "Captain Obvious" is taken

 

[Raid]

Re: Probably not legit

Originally posted by rob_chemist
Also, the name on the account for the wire transfer was not that of the company, but an individual. I didn't send the funds, as it smells like a total scam (foreign company, only want cash, etc.).

This may be a blessing in disguise! He gave you a name! If the name is ligit then you can help nail this person, please email Scott at alert@g4store.com with the details of this transaction. If it's an alias then there's a good posibility there could be bank fraud charges as well.

<cheer>

 

[BiPolar]

I just want to say how incredible all of this is. I posted my first question purely as an innocent remark about a company offering low prices for apple products. While my initial thought was "too good to be true", I never would have thought that it would have ended up as a forum for folks who have been defrauded to pull together and prosecute this bastard.

I hope that everything goes well and this guy isn't given merely a slap on the wrist and a chance to do it again under a different business name.

Good luck to all of you, and I hope we stop this guy from defrauding anybody else.

 

[gemio17]

Just keeping this thread up top-really important to know about these scams esp. so close to the holidays....good luck! Wishing a productive and just 2004 to all those who were scammed

 

[furryyuri]

Wow! So much has happened here since last I posted. I used to get emails when there were new posts, but I haven't got them for awhile.
I just want to say good job to you all for all the research & work you've done.

I think one thing we can all do is write/call his ISP & let them know that they are hosting a site engaged in criminal activity. I hope that if enough people complain, his account may be cancelled, which would be great. I noticed that someone said it was lookup.ca. I just want to verify that that is still right, since I visited macwhizshop.com today & saw that the whole site has a new look & feel, and thought he could have moved host as well. How can you look up a site's ISP?

 

[ovrdrvn]

Update

I've stayed out of this for awhile...just to update everyone, all necessary parties (ISPs/Hosts etc.) all know. There is nothing you or they can do at the moment so save your time and theirs. If you are a victim, there are steps you can follow. Email or PM me if you haven't already.

 

[furryyuri]

Oops, well in looking at the newest posts, I missed a whole page & didn't realize the ISP had already been contacted. Too bad the site is still up.

 

[cbz38a]

Just wanted to personally thank ovrdrvn for being on top of this from the start. Although I was lucky and did not fall victim to this scam, I think that you deserve a lot of respect for taking this bull by the horns and running with it.

I want to thanks all of the others who have also bared their teeth to this guy. I am glad you are all on our side!

 

[kanker]

Nothing new, just putting this back near the top. Maybe it's time for this to be a Sticky?

Kevin

 

[applemacdude]

I feel like bitch slapping that damn derald even though he hasnt done anything. Any updates?

 

[latergator116]

I know that you guys have already confirmed that this is a scam, but I just noticed something on their website. If they claim to get computers from business' that have closed, etc., then how is it possible they are selling a custom built xserve that ONLY the apple online store sells ?

 

[Counterfit]

because they're a scam

 

[iJon]

am i the only who finds it amazing that people fall for these types of scams. im glad you guys are going after him and everything and trying to get your money back, but every thing in his FAQ is code for scam.

iJon

 

[renikm]

I agree iJon...

The whole site, text and payment process(I did a mock order) is so laughable I have trouble having much pity for those that got scammed. Don't get me wrong, no one deserves to get robbed but for christ sake people use some judgement.

I really hope the guy gets caught though.

 

[winwintoo]

Here's a plan

What if we all flooded him with orders, keep him hopping trying to remember which lies he told to who and then when he asks for payment, wire him a dime.

Nah, that's cruel.

M

 

[ovrdrvn]

Hmm...

Honestly, I think something of that nature might at least keep the next person from being ripped off as he still is in business. Maybe we should coordinate such a plan?

 

[latergator116]

Sounds good to me. Anyone else?

 

[Counterfit]

I think I have a penny in my account I can spare...

 

[gemio17]

got an interesting message when I tried to up to this jerks site today:

"Forbidden You don't have permission to access / on this server"

I hope it's not just my computer and this guy is out of business for good now....or maybe he just switched sites again....

 

[68k_575]

That happened with me too. . . I guess they pulled his site.