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International Merchandise Services

International Merchandise Services review: SCAM 128

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Author of the review
6:56 am EDT
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This company has now tried to scam me twice - but with no luck! After receiving their first scam letter telling me that I won a quarter of a million rand but needed to send R215 in order to redeem it, I decided to call their call centre as an "unsuspecting customer" trying to redeem the funds that I won. The con artist who answered had no clue what he was talking about and when I asked him how he got my details and how I had won this competition he could not provide me with a straight answer. I eventually told him that he was a liar, a cheat and a fraud and told him to lose my particulars. It is now two months later - and I have miraculously won another R100 000.00 from them! This time, they have replaced the telephone number with a fax number and all I have to do is send R212.90 to them in order to get this paid out to me.

I wish these criminals could be tracked so that they can get what they deserve!

128 comments
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Jacques
Nov 04, 2008 11:40 am EST

Received express dispatch claim form, stating that i need to complete a the claim form and forward my credit card details to them for the the amount of R 157.90. in order to claim a PC, or TV, or DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA ETC, to the value of R 7500.00 ABSOLUTELY FREE. Be aware.

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Lucy Tarr
Nov 17, 2008 6:59 am EST

I have been receiving same notifications from these fraudsters for about 2 years. Intially I was stupid and twice sent money but no longer so don't know why they bother with me still. I also tried to get a phone no. in "Eppindust" where ever that may be !

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May
ZA
Feb 11, 2009 5:31 am EST

hello, I too was told that to claim I was to pay (which I did) to this day NOTHING!

Once bitten twice shy!

So, its GOODBYE TO INTERNATIONAL MERCHISE SERVICES!

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T Baily
ZA
Oct 22, 2009 10:55 am EDT

I have just received their latest creative letter leading me to believe I have won a 32" LCD Television..they mention a Small or Big LCD device with the 2 TVs pictured as the catch to lure you in .however the small print on the back gives the odds at winning a small LCD device to be 1:1 if I pay then R139 - and the 2 TVs at 1:160000 - so what is this 'small device' I am guaranteed to win? they do not say...for sure it will be something not worth the R139 !

So many are getting suckered in by their clever wording...can they not be brought to task for such misleading statements!

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Kevin Stanley
US
Nov 02, 2009 7:46 am EST

I too have recently received a similar letter saying that I am the "potential" recipient of a R 500, 000.00 prize.
All I have to do is send them a R 99.90 acquisition fee. Gee ! - Lucky me !

I agree that these crooks should be locked up.
I have sent my "Lucky Winner" documentation to the local fraud squad to follow up.

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C. Maritz
ZA
Aug 06, 2010 10:04 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have received a letter saying that I have won a motor vehicle and have to pay R 149.90 for delivery. But no contact details are provided to follow up with their postage. Further more they say that if it is delivered to the wrong address, they will not take responsibility. They ask for payment to be done to: International Merchandise Services, see if any one can find out about them, and confirm.

What a load of bull. Please watch out there are to many scams going around.

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GIRLA
ZA
Aug 18, 2010 8:28 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

MY HUSBAND RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL TELLING US THAT WE WON R115000, 00 AND ALL WE HAD TO DO WAS MAIL BACK THE ORDER FORM WITH AN AMOUNT OF R139.00 FOR THE " PENDANT" THAT WE ORDERED.
MY HUSBAND WAS CLEVER ENOUGH TO NOTICE THAT THERE WASN'T A CONTACT NO. AND CUSTOMER SERVICE NO. ON THE LETTER AND THAT MADE HIM CURIOUS. WE CHECKED ON THE INTERNET FOR SOME CONTACT DETAILS AND THERE IT WAS, A SCAM.

I'M SO GLAD FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO POSTED THEY COMPLAINTS, THAT MADE US AWARE.

HAIBO THESE CON -ARTIST!

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butch smith
ZA
Aug 19, 2010 11:21 am EDT

i received a scratch card in my M-Net magazine sealed plastic booklet celebrating 21st anniversary of which i submitted because i had three matching symbols, i then received a travel voucher worth R10.000 from travel clips, and another voucher telling me if i sent an extra R129, 00 i would stand a chance to win a number of prizes that had not been claimed, eg: lcd tv /laptop/diamond pendant/cellphone and a host of other items including R100.000 .I have also been promised a pay out of R115.000.00 from international merchandise services private bag x15 eppindust, if i send anotherR139.00 i will get the diamond pendant thought it was to good to be true i have lost just over R280.00

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GRV371
ZA
Sep 21, 2010 5:09 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Neem goeie raad:
NEVER DEAL WITH SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN AND OPERATES FROM A POST BOX !

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F C DAVIS 7909028
ZA
Sep 30, 2010 6:52 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

WERE DO I START .INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE SERVICES... THESE PEOPLE GIVE YOU FALSE HOPE AND PROMISES. LAST YEAR I WON R50000 AND A CAR I ALL SO HAD TO SEND THEM A FEE WHICH I NOW AM SORRY OVER .THIS YEAR I WON ANOTHER CAR AND R115000 AND R50000 ALL WITH RELEASE FEES.( STUPID IS WHAT STUPID DOES).O AND I NEARLY FORGOT THE TV THEY WERE GOING TO DELIVER ON THE 12TH OF MARCH 2010 IN TIME FOR THE WORLD CUP HAHA.STILL NO DELIVERY. THEY SEND YOU A LETTER TELLING YOU THAT YOU HAVE WON A TV OR A DVD PLAYER OR A DIGETAL CAMERA OR WAIT FOR A PENDANT.YOU RECEIVE THE PENDANT EVERY TIME I HAVE SIX OF THEM TO PROVE THE FACT .I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT.WHY PUT A PENDANT WITH SUCH ITEMS AS A TV DVD AND CAMERA. I HAVE KEPT ALL THE MAIL I RECEIVED WITH ALL THE PHOTO STATS OF FALSE PROMISES AND THE MONEY I HAVE SENT TO THEM AND ALL THE BANK SLIPS . I AM GOING TO GO TO THE FRAUD SQUAD TO SHOW THEM. I HAVE HAD IT WITH THEM AND THERE VASE PROMISES . THEY HAVE RIPPED ME OF FOR THE LAST TIME, AND I HOPE THEY ROT IN HELL AS I AM A PENSIONER AND EVERY RAND IS IMPORTANT TO MY WIFE AND I . THIS MIGHT SOUND STUPID BUT I WAS HOPING ALL THE TIME THAT IS WAS TRUE . TO GIVE MY WIFE AND I A BETTER LIFE FOR THE TIME WE STILL HAVE ON THIS EARTH. PS .NO MATTER HOW YOU TRY YOU WILL NEVER SPEAK TO MR PIRIE OR MR BURGER OR ANDERSON OR JENNY -ANN OR MR WALBRUGH THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE NAMES ON THESE LETTERS I HAVE RECEIVED. I DO TEND TO WONDER IF THESE PEOPLE REALLY EXIST. DO NOT EVEN TRY TO SPEAK TO ONE OF THE PERSONS ON THE PHONE, THEY DO NOT HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT IS GOING ON

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Geek
ZA
Oct 05, 2010 3:30 am EDT

Hi all, i also received a letter claming that i have won but decided to 1st do some research on them and came accross this blog. Please see details below for the director of International Merchandise Services for those who would like to take the matter further.

Buckham, Jean
Director
Lifestyle
PO Box 391, Rondebosch, 7701
adminphone : [protected]
adminfax : [protected]
adminemail : ctheart@lifestylemail.co.za

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GerP
ZA
Oct 08, 2010 6:35 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Thanks for the early warning! I have just fed my letter with wonderful promises to the shredder.

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Vera-lynn
ZA
Oct 08, 2010 3:07 pm EDT

Hi there.

Thanks for the warning.
I also received a letter from International Merchantile Services stating that I won 3 holidays with Travelclips and the promise of a gift, I must send R149 to claim my gift.

Vera-lynn

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R. van Vuuren
ZA
Oct 21, 2010 5:38 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have received the same letter from this people with the same travel voucher and a promise of a big prize if I send them R129-90. I have called the cape town number on top of the letter and asked a lot of questions about the "scam". The answer was that they do not know about this website, that they have their own website with a different address. The man promised me that I will receive one of the prices on my list (laptop, Garmin, cellphone, camera, dishwasher, diamont pendant etc.) He twice promised me that this is not a scam and the prize will be worth much more than the R129-90 postage! Why don't I believe them?

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Janine Barnardo
ZA
Oct 22, 2010 8:18 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi

Thanks for your input, the same happend to my husband.
first he "WON" R125, 000.00, and all we had to do is to send R157.00 to get a longsome check or 5 monthly paimants.
Yesterday we resieved a nother letter to say that he "WON" R50 00, 00, and we also have "WON" 3 hollidays with TRAVIL CLIPS, and know after reading this i can see that this is just a total SCAM.

THANKS

JANINE BARNARDO

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Fuem
ZA
Oct 22, 2010 7:09 pm EDT

Good Blog. Thanks to the nett. we can all investigate .These people will never stop as they will alwayes hook some fish. 2008 ...2010 still they keep on trying...and still there is those that will take the bait if you like. If its too good to be tue it probably is bla bla bla..

G.

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Coleen Adele
ZA
Oct 26, 2010 12:57 pm EDT

I also received a scratch card in the People magazine. As there were 3 matching symbols, I sent them R129-00. I have just received notice of a R115, 000 prize and before I did anything, I thought I would google this company. I am so glad I did. I also noticed that there are NO telephone numbers on this document, only fax numbers. Thanks for posting this possble scam. You just saved me R139-90.

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Rene Yiangou
ZA
Oct 26, 2010 3:06 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi, my mom received that scratchcard in the Keur magazine. Also won R10 000.00 travel voucher. She gave it to me for my honeymoon. I phoned the number on the voucher and the lady "Laika" from Travel Clips said that it is a voucher for accommodation only and all flights and food is my expense. I really want to believe them. Can somebody please tell me if this is a scam or not.

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Sarie Brits
ZA
Oct 26, 2010 6:39 pm EDT

Hi I have received a scratchcard in the Keur Magazine for their 21st Anniversary Celebration. If we dit not received our award in 14 days we can contact ther Customor Service on [protected]. Were they explain that they have a high volume of calls and if the querie is related to the late delivery we must be patient. Well I have then received a day later a Leter from International Merchandise Service Warehouse Distributen Office with no Address on ther lette telling me that I have Won the top Award of a Holiday voucher that was included Namely Travel Clips and secondly that I have been entered to win R100 000.00 and that I have been specifically selected to received another award as listed on their letter Where I have to pay a R129.90 for the selected price to be deliver to me. I log on to the website of travel clips and could not vind the Specials Icon to view the available offers.
Is this a Scam? Sarie Brits

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Rene Yiangou
ZA
Oct 27, 2010 7:24 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi, my mom also won a travel voucher in Keur magazine and she gave it to me for my honeymoon. As sceptical as I am, I phoned Travel Clips and Keur and Customer services officer Heidi Hendricks [protected]. She explained to me that this prizes are real. They are the company that do the promotions and that they use Travel Clips as a travel agency because they are both located in Cape Town. The R129 is not compulsary but if you want some of the other merchandise you can pay it.
The travel voucher is for free accommodation at a hotel and 10 - 70 % discount at a self catering place. All you need to pay is travelling and food.
Heidi also gave me their correct web address: www.imservices.co.za.

I'm still looking into the accommodations if they are legit. I will keep you posted on my findings

Rene
[protected]

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Rene Yiangou
ZA
Oct 27, 2010 9:26 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi,
Some feedback on the accommodation advertised on Travel Clips website:

I am sorry but I am not aware of any vouchers that are accepted by our
Resort.

We have no dealings with Travel Clips but there is a Blue Waters Lodge in SOUTH AFRICA!

Will keep you updated.

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Sansra
ZA
Oct 28, 2010 5:10 pm EDT

I received a scratch card in my Edgars Magazine.Responded to an SMS, told i won a prize then got the letter promising a R10 000.00 holiday from Travelclips. How can they allow scammers to place scratch cards/brochures in their mags?

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B Bekker
ZA
Oct 29, 2010 12:21 pm EDT

Fake competition prize

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Gerald01
ZA
Nov 01, 2010 1:29 pm EDT

Thanx guys for your postings.I was on my way to the bank to make a deposit of R129 as I do not want to expose my credit card to scams.Is this a scam or real i got my R10000 travel voucher and award entitlement three days ago.I have tried calling the customer care line for ims and no one is answering.

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Christolopolis
ZA
Nov 02, 2010 7:25 am EDT

Go to their "cheap website" and think about this - a company that brags about their state of the art comp. system yet fails to have one e-mail address listed? Either they are as thick as a Yank from the deep south that calls his sister his mom ( because he is not quite sure) or a slimey as a Nigerian 419 scammer - either way they are not getting invited to my next braai. I suggest returning those letters you receive, without sending money, just update the contact details with incorrect ones. You can make up names and have some fun with it.

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Tassie
ZA
Nov 02, 2010 10:14 am EDT

I got the same thing. The travel voucher and then I won R115 000.00 but I must buy this diamand pendant. I also got it is the Keur magazine.

I am sorry but you get nothing for free in this world.

Thank you all for your comments. I think we saved a lot of people some money.

I am just glad I am not the only one that got this so now whe definitely know it must be scam.

To good to be true!

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oandhow
ZA
Nov 02, 2010 2:01 pm EDT

OMG, I have been receiving endless mail from ims ever since that sms i sent with my details...I am getting so frustrasted as I know there is nothing for free in this world. Just yesterday I received a letter telling me I won R50 000 and I thought to myself what happened to the R115 000 that I won last week. Please people do not be misled it is all a money making scheme. I am so tired of people coming up with these schemes and taking away peoples hard earned money.

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lowlifescammers
PL
Nov 02, 2010 4:39 pm EDT

Do a whois domain on there site you will be provided with all juicy domain details upto the domain owners contact details you can get this information at http://co.za the registar. webmasters knows all the tricks they wrote the book

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Richard O
ZA
Nov 04, 2010 9:26 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi All,
We also received a scratch card and stupidly enough SMS'd our Postal address. In two months time I became a Rich man! People do not be naive. Nobody gives money away for nothing. The only thing they got from me was my Postal address and is too much already. These huys should be brought to Justice but they are sly. Every dog will have it's day and I just get the feeling theirs is coming soon.

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Dante Wild
ZA
Nov 04, 2010 5:13 pm EDT

It looks like I am unfortuanutely also a victim. I also received my voucher in the keur magazine, and my husband and I took a while to deside if are going to respond an YES we did. Its to late now to cry over spilled milk we new that we could lose in total R310-00, bur we hoped that it the outcome was different, sins we havent been on holiday for many of years. I teceived the voucher thou and I just hope that is realy what they say I don, t mind paying for food or some of the other expenses. I hope that every thing will work out for everybody who still had a little bid of faith in mankind whose faith is scarred now like mine. Those behind the scam just remember that what you do unto others will comeback to you three times more. Shame for you I hope that all our names reflects through your memory the day that it is paypack time for you.

Dante Wild

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MsvNiekerk
ZA
Nov 05, 2010 9:31 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am pleased that we have the tools to discover these fraudulent claims...
My employee who is struggling with a household of 5 children, came to me not ten minutes ago with a letter she received from this International Merchandising services...

Thank heavens she stopped to evaluate it.
According to her, she receives these letter almost bi-monthly, and has been tearing them up.

I went onto the Web and found all these sites warning about this company and showed it to her.

We may never be able to stop them in future but at least, thank goodness, there are people complaining and making this information available to the rest of us.

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Alexander00
ZA
Nov 08, 2010 9:27 am EST

we received the exact same thing. found mine in the people magazine.
we sent in R100 to travel clipz and another R149.90 to international merchandise services so that we could claim our prize. 3 weeks later we received "our prize" which was a cheap fake necklace with a plastic purple "diamond" - not even worth R10. i am now worried that the holiday is a scam too, as we have not heard from them as of yet either.
What really worries me is these vouchers are being found in upmarket well-known magazines, surely they would be more aware of what they let into their magazines and make sure that its all legitimate.
Where does all our money go ?

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Miss C.Schulze
ZA
Nov 08, 2010 10:12 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Miss C.Schulze

good day all, I've had the same got a scratch card in my people mag and sms my lucky number off to them.
the sad part is I've paid R100.00 towards the holiday, i have had a response from them tho, so now I'll just see what happens next!
further to this i've recevied 3 letters in the post already that said i won R115'000.00 then the 2nd one to say I won R50'000.00 and the last one to say I won R100'000.00!
this really upsets me what is wrong with this people in our contry, they make you think you have won all this money and now I see it's a big scam...
I hope somebody does something about this!

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Trishia
ZA
Nov 08, 2010 11:11 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

These people should really piss off, If they want money they should go work for some or other company, where they'l be able to earn honest money. Iv'e bein gettin the same f***** letters! and i'm sick of it already. I wonder if it's possible to sew these [censor]s! Does anyone have clue?

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tshotsho
ZA
Nov 09, 2010 10:21 am EST

i also got a scratch card on people magazine and after i sent sms, i received a traveling voucher worth R10 000. i also sent them money twice till i realise this is a scam. they also promised me R115 000 after it was R50 000 then followed by R100 000. this people need to pay for wat they r doing to us.

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Joe_Snoop
ZA
Nov 09, 2010 11:34 pm EST

I also got a scratchcard in the people magazine and sms'ed my details. also received a travel voucher worth R10000.00. I also sent some money for an additional gift but now seeing this site I am clearly not going to receive anything! Someone should really do something about these people. They have contact details and you actually speak to someone on the other end... So is it really so hard for the authorities to track them down?

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Fyfy
ZA
Nov 10, 2010 9:14 am EST

OMG! OMG! I am so glad I didn't sent any money.. Gosh, what kind of sick game are these people playing... I also recieved a the scratch card inside my Edgars club magazine... Luckily I didn't trust anything, I wanted to be sure first. so I went on to the CIPRO website, but the Company Registration number does not exist... That's when I googled it, then ended up on this blog. I am so glad I didn't send any money... Gosh, I sympathise with those who have lost something to these animals. This matter should be sorted ... ASAP! Where do we report?

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shamiem
ZA
Nov 11, 2010 9:34 am EST

I also received the voucher i was on ma way to the bank...thank god i had to go thru yo mails 1st
I'm no longer going there it's a Scam ..

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D. Roux
ZA
Nov 11, 2010 10:00 am EST

Hi, you know what, the authorities don't give a fig to us people that sufers the costs. They won't do a thing about this problem. What a shame this is.

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tman p
ggd, ZA
Nov 11, 2010 9:25 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

thanks God I also received the letter that said I've won R115 000. Then I decided to Google this company, then the first page I found was this one of complaintsboard.com, Thanks everyone for the alert. Edgar's must do something about this because we the customers we find ourselves in this mess because of their magazines.
Mthunzi Khosana

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