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30-08-2011, 08:21 AM
The Straits Times
Aug 30, 2011
Families lose cash in 'rental car scam'
They placed deposits for vehicles that never arrived
By Jalelah Abu Baker
SEVERAL families hoping to rent a car to visit their loved ones during Hari Raya
Aidilfitri have lost their deposits in a suspected scam.
At least 40 police reports have been made against Easi Car Services by angry customers who put down between $200 and $500 - only to never see the vehicles.
Not only have they been left out of pocket, their festive spirit has been dampened by the lack of a car to use to visit their families.
The apparent victims were attracted by a cheap 'Hari Raya' rental package offered in a nondescript classified advertisement in Berita Harian.
After placing their deposits and being given a receipt, they were told by the dealers to collect the vehicles at 9pm on Sunday from a carpark in Golden Mile Tower, where the shop was.
Several families turned up, mostly Malay and some with young children and elderly parents in tow.
But although the shop looked convincing, with posters of cars, a list of makes available and namecards, the vehicles themselves were nowhere to be seen.
'They said the cars belonged to owners who could not afford their instalments, and would be in only on the day of collection,' said Mr Farhan Faisal.
The 28-year-old civil servant, who had put down a $300 deposit for a Kia Cerato, said the dealers told him not to worry as they were registered.
Driver Rahman Osman, 47, had been looking forward to taking his elderly mother to her home town in Muar, Malaysia, in a rented BMW 320i.
He said the shop - manned by two men and a woman - looked temporary when he first went there two weeks ago to inquire about renting the car, which required a $400 deposit and would have cost him $588 for a week.
Mr Rahman thought nothing of it at the time, but over the next few days, he began to have doubts. 'When I called a few times and there was no answer, I thought something was wrong,' he said. He has made a police report.
The advertisements ran for about two weeks, and offered a 'Hari Raya' package to rent a car for a week between Aug 29 and Sept 5.
Sedans cost $388, and bigger vehicles were more than $500. The ads did not name the company, but listed two mobile-phone numbers.
When The Straits Times visited the shop yesterday, police officers could be seen gathering evidence. They were also examining a neighbouring toy shop, which is believed to have sublet a space to the car rental company.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Customer Faizal Hashim, who has had experience renting from other car owners, said he first began to suspect that something was wrong when he realised that the rental paperwork contained only his details, but not those of the owner.
'Usually, the details of the owner's particulars will be there, but this one had only mine. And most of the time, the owners invited me to see the car first,' he said.
But the 36-year-old engineer was busy with work, so he brushed off the discrepancy.
First-time car rental customer Sheikh Fazli was convinced enough to put down a $300 deposit with the company on Aug 9.
But he returned a few days later because he had a bad feeling about it. 'There were still people coming and going from the shop when I went again at that time,' said the 22-year-old.
However, he knew his premonition was right when he tried calling the mobile numbers from 1pm on Sunday and could not reach anyone.
He was one of several apparent victims leaving the Kampong Glam Neighbourhood Police Post after lodging a complaint at about 11pm on Sunday night.
They were frustrated and disappointed when they spoke to The Straits Times. Most were also resigned.
Mr Rahman said: 'My mother was so excited about going to her home town. But I'm fed up already, I won't be renting again.'
jalmsab@sph.com.sg
Additional reporting by Elizabeth Soh
Aug 30, 2011
Families lose cash in 'rental car scam'
They placed deposits for vehicles that never arrived
By Jalelah Abu Baker
SEVERAL families hoping to rent a car to visit their loved ones during Hari Raya
Aidilfitri have lost their deposits in a suspected scam.
At least 40 police reports have been made against Easi Car Services by angry customers who put down between $200 and $500 - only to never see the vehicles.
Not only have they been left out of pocket, their festive spirit has been dampened by the lack of a car to use to visit their families.
The apparent victims were attracted by a cheap 'Hari Raya' rental package offered in a nondescript classified advertisement in Berita Harian.
After placing their deposits and being given a receipt, they were told by the dealers to collect the vehicles at 9pm on Sunday from a carpark in Golden Mile Tower, where the shop was.
Several families turned up, mostly Malay and some with young children and elderly parents in tow.
But although the shop looked convincing, with posters of cars, a list of makes available and namecards, the vehicles themselves were nowhere to be seen.
'They said the cars belonged to owners who could not afford their instalments, and would be in only on the day of collection,' said Mr Farhan Faisal.
The 28-year-old civil servant, who had put down a $300 deposit for a Kia Cerato, said the dealers told him not to worry as they were registered.
Driver Rahman Osman, 47, had been looking forward to taking his elderly mother to her home town in Muar, Malaysia, in a rented BMW 320i.
He said the shop - manned by two men and a woman - looked temporary when he first went there two weeks ago to inquire about renting the car, which required a $400 deposit and would have cost him $588 for a week.
Mr Rahman thought nothing of it at the time, but over the next few days, he began to have doubts. 'When I called a few times and there was no answer, I thought something was wrong,' he said. He has made a police report.
The advertisements ran for about two weeks, and offered a 'Hari Raya' package to rent a car for a week between Aug 29 and Sept 5.
Sedans cost $388, and bigger vehicles were more than $500. The ads did not name the company, but listed two mobile-phone numbers.
When The Straits Times visited the shop yesterday, police officers could be seen gathering evidence. They were also examining a neighbouring toy shop, which is believed to have sublet a space to the car rental company.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Customer Faizal Hashim, who has had experience renting from other car owners, said he first began to suspect that something was wrong when he realised that the rental paperwork contained only his details, but not those of the owner.
'Usually, the details of the owner's particulars will be there, but this one had only mine. And most of the time, the owners invited me to see the car first,' he said.
But the 36-year-old engineer was busy with work, so he brushed off the discrepancy.
First-time car rental customer Sheikh Fazli was convinced enough to put down a $300 deposit with the company on Aug 9.
But he returned a few days later because he had a bad feeling about it. 'There were still people coming and going from the shop when I went again at that time,' said the 22-year-old.
However, he knew his premonition was right when he tried calling the mobile numbers from 1pm on Sunday and could not reach anyone.
He was one of several apparent victims leaving the Kampong Glam Neighbourhood Police Post after lodging a complaint at about 11pm on Sunday night.
They were frustrated and disappointed when they spoke to The Straits Times. Most were also resigned.
Mr Rahman said: 'My mother was so excited about going to her home town. But I'm fed up already, I won't be renting again.'
jalmsab@sph.com.sg
Additional reporting by Elizabeth Soh
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