Breaking: Warehouse of fraudulent online Android phone sellers with rocks inside the box has been raided!

Together with the Manila Bureau of Permits, SMART raids the warehouse of a fraudulent electronics e-Commerce company in Manila.

Rocks instead of smartphones

Buyers should be cautious against these fraud online sellers

An anonymous informant wrote a letter to the Manila Mayor's office to disclose an illegal activity happening inside a warehouse. Because of that, the Manila Bureau of Permits and Special Mayors Reaction Team performed a raid.

Inspection with Levi Facundo and Jhun Ibay

Manila Bureau of Permits Chief Levi Facundo and Special Mayors Reaction Team Chief Jhun Ibay inspects parcels containing rocks instead of promised items on sale. According to Ibay, most of what they have seen from this fraudulent warehouse is selling fake Android devices using 32 seller accounts in Lazada and Shopee.

The said warehouse delivered bulk orders with rocks inside instead of real items. Ibay explained that the law offenders committed swindling or estafa and cybercrime. Aside from that, he said that they violated the consumer protection act.

In the video, the Special Mayors Reaction Team Chief also held a parcel that looks like a box containing a smartphone and said that it does not have a trademark sticker from the Department of Trade and Industry. 

Allegedly there are parcels returned from buyers that appear similar to products from OPPO and Samsung. However, Ibay said that they do not have a trading name like the original phones have. He said that they found several returned items because of the seller's false advertisement.

The government official noted that he anticipates that there would be complainants or victims of these fraud sellers. But the initial violation of this warehouse would be the lack of a business permit and operational permit. 

For those who have been victimized by fake items or even false advertising, DTI said that you have the right to be protected against dishonest advertising/labeling/promotion

In addition to this consumers have the right to be given the facts and information needed to make an informed choice.

To file a consumer complaint against an online seller, you may send your complaints to the DTI Fair-Trade Enforcement Bureau at fteb@dti.gov.ph. Kindly also CC eco@dti.gov.ph when you send your complaint.

What do you guys think?

Sources: Manila Bulletin, DTI