ABOUT two months ago, I was going through Zimbabwean news web sites when I came across http://www.yes-zim.com. I clicked on the link to see what they were about.
In no time I was browsing through links on that site. I learnt that they were selling products including but not limited to Econet Buddie SIM cards. I was interested in purchasing the SIM card for a family member in Zimbabwe.
One night on the early morning hours of February 18th 2008, I decided to purchase that Econet Buddie SIM card. After the purchase I called YesZim as it was 10:00 AM in the UK or 02:00 AM my time in California but was on hold for half an hour after which I hung up.
A relative in Zimbabwe was to receive a text message with the voucher for that SIM card. Two days later I called the UK based YesZim Ltd in an effort to speak to their customer service department.
I needed to find out when delivery of the SIM card was to be executed.
I was at this point getting frustrated and decided to e-mail YesZim Ltd because each time I called, I would be on hold for far too long. I became suspicious of them when each time I will be the first one in line, yet I would be on hold for over half an hour. I knew there was a battle ahead of me so I sent an e-mail telling YesZim what was coming to them. I waited over 24 hours for their response but never heard a word from them.
I called their payment gateway company, PayPal, and detailed to them my account of the story.
PayPal told me that they were going to be on YesZim's tail until the money was refunded. Two days later I got an e-mail from PayPal informing me that they had taken care of the fraud case.
Anyone who wants to check this for themselves can do so by calling a number on the YesZim Ltd web site at http://www.yes-zim.com. You will notice, however, that the voice instructions on that recording appears to be that of an English man.
It appears to me that someone out there is trying to take advantage of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora. Be careful with other nationalities too.
They try to fit in where they don't for as long as they see an opportunity to make money. I can share my case with anyone interested as I have an e-mail from PayPal.
I can also help anyone who may have fallen victim to those morons on how to file a claim with PayPal, their payment gateway company. You can also visit PayPal's web site at http://www.paypal.com for instructions on how to file a claim.
Don't be a victim of circumstances.
My name is Amos Chivaro, and I can be cantacted at ChivaroA@aol.com.
Together we can fight cyber crime.
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Abhijatri Robinson • abhijatrir@ssi.co.za Subject: Yes Zim Fraud Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:53:57 • Thanks Amos for your article.
I have also been taken for a ride by Yes-Zim. In Sept last year I ordered some bulk groceries to be bought in South Africa and shipped to Zimbabwe. Nothing happened. I have had close on 50 emails to YesZim with very minimal responses from them. I have spoken to Kelvin, one of the owners I think, on two occasion and on both he has been very polite however they took my money and did not deliver any of the items that they promised to. They claimed that it was as a result of a failure of their subcontractor and eventually promised to return my money. They have however not been forthcoming.
They owe me approximately ZAR 2100. Is it not possible that the UK police can close this company down?
Once again thanks for your article.
Abhijatri
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