The StreetDeal.sg Story

Life is funny this way. I was feature on TheNewPaper just 1 week ago for being a really happy online shopping addict.

But horror strike rather quickly and I was on the papers again, this time on The Straits Times for being an unhappy shopper. Things sure change very quickly online.

Thanks for the pic @rainnabe (on twitter)

So what exactly happened? I will try to write the account in simple easy to follow point form.

StreetDeal 

1. Purchase 

I might be an online shopping addict but I only shop on sites that I really trust. For example Taobao, Lazada, Carousell, Amazon, Ebay, Q10 etc and it is really out of the norm that I buy things from sites like Groupon, Streetdeal or Deals because I've heard enough of them but when my blog buddy Melva approached me to help her buy something off Streetdeal.sg because their office blocked it, (for the best) I did not hesitate and just did the purchase.

2. Payment

So for those who are interested to look at the user interface on how I actually missed those details, here's how it looks.

Like I admitted. I did miss the whole banner which says $88 quaterly and also under the TnC. This screen shot was later sent to me by the streetdeal staff highlighting the two boxes.

2.1 Smith Vs Payment Page

The banner looks more like an ad to me.

The First checkbox besides "$88 quaterly" was default "checked" which means it was an "opt out".

The final checkbox is a MUST check in order to purchase and I really just click it after reading "i acknowledge". Yes my bad to not read the full sentence.

The $88 wasn't included in the total amount checked out. That is the most important box that we always pay attention to!

3. The Invoice 

3.1 Smith Vs Invoice

Once again, the total checkout amount only shows the $16.10.

Yes, they did once again show that there will be an $88 charge at the TnC, which I (and everyone else) did not see.

I did forward this to my friend as a confirmation and she too missed it.

This was the ONLY invoice I received. I did not receive another invoice about the later payment of $88. I logged into the purchase history and the $88 wasn't reflected as well. I only found out of this payment thanks to the Credit Card Bill.

4. Refund 

Me being me wanted to just let it slide and take it as it is my fault since I am well, in some way not attentive enough to see those fineprints. I am a fair person and I will admit to my mistakes. Although it looks as much that they tried their very best to hide it, I was ashamed by making an amateur mistake of trusting online sites so easily. I think I got too comfortable with online shopping.

We did not let it slide because my buddy Melva felt that it is unfair to hide it and after multiple angry emails, we managed to get it refunded in streetdollars which means I had to shop with them AGAIN!

I was served with "Fun coupons".

5. Gave up and Shop Again. 

I hate such tiring procedure and I thought since I have $88 credit back I might as well just spend it and call it a day but guess what?

I WASN'T ALLOWED TO SHOP UNTIL I CLICK THE SAME TnC AGAIN!! So once again I emailed them and they told me I can only buy non premium and non flash sale item.

How much more trouble must I go through for this like seriously!! I am seriously very tired and all I want to do is do some shopping.

6. The Rant 

Keyboard warrior at my best lah. So I rant on my Facebook page of course.

And I gotten many comments within my friends that they also encountered the same and some what similar issues over the last 2-3 years until today. And also the attention of ST.

7. Google Before You Buy 

I think this must be one of the greatest reminder. What happened to the very alert and vigilant me. I got soft over the years of living in peace of online shopping. I Should have googled them before I did my purchase! There are so many of such reported cases online about them and I simply miss everything!!

http://scams-singapore.blogspot.sg/2014/05/wwwstreetdealsg-premium-membership-scam.html

https://www.facebook.com/StreetdealSingaporeConsumersInterest?__mref=message_bubble

http://blackilocks.hubpages.com/hub/Streetdeal-Scams-More-Than-200-People

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/customers-complain-about-streetdeal-singapore-%E2%80%98trap%E2%80%99--company-responds-093640798.html

They were even on Yahoo some years ago and they are still operating now. You know what does that means? It means that CASE can't do anything to them. It means that the law can't do anything to them. Why? My best guess is simply because in the forms, we did checked the TnC that we kinda acknowledge everything. So, yes, I guess we have to pay the price for being careless.

According to the interview with ST they seem to have to answer to careless people like me pretty often. So I hope everyone read this and be more careful and do not trouble them anymore by asking them to refund and all.

Anyway 

So I guess it is my bad and I hope everyone stay alert for anything online. READ ALL THE TnC!

In fact, just shop at Taobao for all your needs. And also if you are interested in comments of this post.

StreetDeal customer bought a set of drum sticks on sale for $16.40, but was charged an additional $88 for 'premium membership'. str.sg/ZhPS

Posted by The Straits Times on Sunday, August 16, 2015

Meanwhile if you are free you can check out my friend's post about being savy shopping online!

http://theo-deroza.com/blog/a-guide-to-online-buying-selling-on-online-discussion-boards-and-forums-prevent-being-scammed/

UPDATED 18 Aug: More links for your reading pleasure

https://vulcanpost.com/343071/scam-streetdeal-sg/

http://themiddleground.sg/2015/08/17/morning-call-august-17-2015/

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My Facebook Sextortion Scam Experience

*Disclaimer - Screenshot timing might not make sense because some of the images are taken after the incident. 

If you haven't heard of the term sextortion, it is basically one of those online scams that gets you naked, take some video and screen shots of you and extort you for money.

I am always very curious about how this kinda thing can happen to people. I mean people are very open minded these days or at least very open looking thanks to how the media has been portraying us but also not open until like that right.

So basically this blog post will share with you some insights of how it usually happens, how you can avoid it and of course the truth that this kinda thing doesn't happen to you. I am always very curious how these kinda thing happen and I am very glad I actually get to experience it first hand!

Step 1: Contact 

How do they even contact you? Adding you on Facebook of course!

Question 1 - SURE OR NOT? SUCH A PRETTY GIRL COME AND ADD ME FOR NOTHING? I mean if you are ignorant like me who doesn't know many Taiwan or asian actress etc you might fall for it but ask yourself again, why would a pretty girl like her add you as friend for no reason?

Step 2 - Verification 

Tip - Look at her Facebook account. It looks too new to be real. Not much of other friends, no history etc. Highly possible it is fake.

Tip - Check out other profile image to make sure they all look the same.

Really so hot?? 

Tip - One of the best invention ever. GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH!

Apparently this is some Taiwan actress? I still have no idea who but with a name, things get easier.

Did you see what I saw? That image at the corner. Looks familiar? 

looks like we know who we are dealing with now. Let the game begins.

Step 3 - GAME ON! 

Not much explanation needed. Screenshots of how I play my cards.

Ignored her after that. Wait another few days.

Didn't entertain her still because 8pm is family time.

So I finally decided to entertain her a little in the office. Really? Added me for more friends? or more cash? Loads of small talks in between which I skip cause there's nothing juicy. 

So I initiated the whole image sending things. Just to see how much game she/he have.

For the obvious reason she want to talk about her bed and want me to ask her to take a selfie but I am not falling for that. Why not just show me your apartment? 

And I wonder why she must tell me she is alone... Hmmm..

Of course I send you something I already posted on my Instagram. And thanks for your compliment unknown scammer. 

And of course she do not want to waste time just being friends anymore. Let's bring our relationship to the next stage. Like let me show you my naked pictures and also tell you my scam name. 

Tip - If you wish to scam people. Made fake accounts and all already. WHY CAN'T YOU HAVE A BETTER SKYPE NAME? 

Me, playing it cool and thanks for calling me dear. 

Me playing all social media guru even to scammer. Always have this heart to teach and share.

Yes yes, I get it. You are alone.You are very shy about watching sponge bob square pants. That is my guilty pleasure too.

Step 4 - Video Time

Oh after almost 90 mins of foreplay. You decide to show me your body.  And I went to have dinner and ignored her for awhile and we then brought the game to Skype. 

So of course I didn't turn on my cam the 1st time but she/he ain't that stupid too. Cut me off very quickly so in order to prove myself right that this is a sextortion, I up my game and on my cam and show her my handsome face. 

WAH!!! SURE OR NOT!! REALLY SHOW ME NAKED VIDEO?

Tip - There is an application known as "Fake Webcam" where you can upload a short video and replace your webcam instead of your real webcam. Pretty neat app eh?

So once again with a print screen like this. Time for Google image search.

Okay cool. There's a China site that shows this. You can click the link here but warning - NSFW - Link

Of course we ain't gonna just let it stop here. I continued to play along and say some stuff to her/him.

Step 5 - The Showdown - Time to call your bluff

Oh yeah? Just for me? You found the ONE in Singapore on Facebook when you are from Japan. That's cool. So since I already know your game, why not let me call your bluff and see how it goes? 

So I managed to convince this person to on the cam together again and she show the EXACT same clip and same part of it. Yawn. I might have small eyes over the cam but I am really not blind. 

Yeah, I really don't dare to show you because my anaconda DON'T! 

And after that she just ignored me. I am blogging about this and tagging her and Let's see where this goes.

So point to note kids, young man and old at home. Do not fall into such traps. It is almost impossible for you to get a hot chick adding you out of no where. You may have but most of the time those people might be your ex-school mate, bump at event or what not and not just adding "friend" out of no where.

I hope people who are reading this article are reading this because they search before being scammed instead of only reading this after being scammed.

I am sure they uses other videos and images but the game will probably be the same.

You have been warned.

And here's MY ANACONDA MICHIKO!

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