Update: This page originally documented my experiences, but given the number of commentators and changing tactics, it is regularly updated. I can't vouch for the accuracy of, nor take responsibility for, the commentators information, or that of HeloPeter's. Also, while this fits my personal definition of a scam, until that is tested in a court, they are at most using disingenuous marketing tactics. Either way, don't waste your time.
I got a phone call from 'Divine' today telling me I was one of 15 lucky people who had made it to the final draw for a Cheverolet Spark. This appears to be part of a possible ongoing scam (or network marketing) run by a company that keeps changing it's name. They are currently EcoWorld and appear to have been previously Prestige Business Solutions, which others claim use the trickery to try and get you to buy a time share at the Quality Vacation Club.
Divine told me that Anna, the "events coordinator" would be phoning me tomorrow morning to give me the address. Does anyone have ideas for what I should say? I'm thinking of accusing her outright and getting a response. Ideally someone with lawyering skillz could tell me what charge to lay and get a case number?
Several other's have blogged about it:
- Jo'blog - Scammed?
- Insights and Rants - Prestige Business Solutions QVC Scam Alert
- SundayWorld - It's a trap! No bakkie, no trip to Mecca
- Numerous complaints on HelloPeter at:
- Prestige Business Solutions
- Quality Vacation Club
- EcoWorld
- A more detailed list at my other entry
They pointed me to the Our Winners scam site, which is part of the apparent Quality Vacation Club scam (qvc.co.za and. A quick WHOIS shows the following registration which matches the address I am supposed to go to to collect my prize:
registrant: Shackel Validations
registrantpostaladdress: 28 Guildford rd, Carswald MidrandOne commenter has highlighted they sometimes use the address: Corner of Leslie and William Nicol
Warlynx points out that:
It looks like it is registered under
Flink Warm Handel 101 T/A Prime Visions,
registration number 2008/022354/23
The physical address is:
VIP Building, Guildford Road, Carlswald, Midrand
So, even though the company changes, the address doesn't. If you blog about it please include the address to track their activity across company name changes.
Their phone numbers were, and still seem to be the following, although the names used change:
Divine/Jackie - 0878052380 ( 087 805 2380 )
Anna - 0763758026 ( 076 375 8026 )
Tracy - 0878052365 ( 087 805 2365 ) - Thanks to Christo for this
They also appear to own the domains:
- qv.co.za
- qvc.co.za
- qvcweb.co.za
When they phoned, I quickly worked out it was a scam, but decided to go along with it. Two funny bits were when he asked that I come with my wife or partner for the photos. In response, I suggested that I was single but had a boyfriend. He then uncomfortably asked that I try and find a woman. We left it at him "getting back to me" about supplying a model for the photo instead.
The other bit which tipped me off it was a potential scam was when he asked me to pronounce my surname, given that I have a very pronounceable surname, I asked what he had written down. He then admitted he didn't have my surname, just my firstname, so I lied and gave him a false surname. In retrospect I should have said my surname was "Robert'); DROP TABLE Students;--".
Update: From my other entry on the subject, some aliases used by these guys are:
- Quality Vacation Club
- Prestige Business Solutions
- Unique Connections
- World Connect / VIP / VIP World Connect
- Prime Vision
- Media Magic
- Mega Communications
- Ezweni Communications
- Dynamic Communication
- Real Communications / Real Communication
- Ecoworld
- Market Matrix
- Terrafirma (according to one of our commenters)
Barry Irwin

singe: How Atari violated the GPL, got litigious and why Nintendo may be dumb (no Open Source Software, seriously?) http://is.gd/1jjBC
Schneier on Security: The Pros and Cons of Password Masking
11/18/2008 10:54:32 PM
PingBack