Man accuses Peninsula Plaza shop of trying to scam maid of old laptop, police investigating, Singapore News

Was it a rip-off?

When a maid tried using to obtain her notebook at a Peninsula Plaza store, she was explained to anyone else experienced presently collected it on her behalf, even even though she could see it in the store.

It was only when her employer, Stomp contributor Edwin, intervened that they have been capable to get the laptop back.

He advised Stomp: “The notebook belongs to me. I lent it to my helper because she is having up classes to boost her pc competencies.

“On Could 15, my helper went to this shop at Peninsula Plaza to request installation assistance of Microsoft Business. She was given a handwritten receipt and was told to appear again just one to two weeks later on for collection.”

Edwin’s helper been given a message to accumulate the notebook on June 12.

The Stomp contributor reported: “My helper went down and was advised that someone experienced gathered the notebook on her behalf, so it is missing, but she managed to spot the notebook in the store. But the shop owner kept insisting the laptop computer was not hers, then shouted and chased her away.

“My helper was remaining helpless and gave me a phone to find assist.”

He stated that he was unaware that his helper needed Microsoft Office environment on the laptop and was recommended to go to the store. He located out only when she known as.

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Edwin ongoing: “In excess of the telephone, the owner asked me for the IMEI range and specs of the laptop computer so that he can ‘hack’ the ‘lost’ notebook and delete or retrieve my essential data files.”

IMEI stands for Worldwide Cell Machines Id. It is a 15-digit selection exclusive to every machine.

Edwin informed Stomp: “This is when he pointed out accountability. Because it was dropped and he would refund no matter what secondhand benefit there was based on the notebook specs.

“I replied, ‘How can you retrieve the important information if the notebook is lacking?’ He claimed he experienced a way. So I felt there was a opportunity scam heading on and advised the shop operator I would simply call him back in five minutes.”

The Stomp contributor, who said he is a double major graduate in cyber forensics and IT organization, felt that this was a “pink flag”.

He included: “I made the decision not to contact back since the store operator couldn’t communicate good English and his explanations ended up really contradictory.”

In its place, the Stomp contributor went to the store in person. He claimed he was there within just 30 minutes and obtained into a verbal dispute with the store owner.

Edwin recounted: “I instructed the shop operator nicely to return my notebook, but he stored insisting on proof these as IMEI quantity. Who on earth can remember the IMEI range and 10-yr-previous notebook data this kind of as systems set up?

“Subsequent, he kept arguing and the scene turned louder with both of us supplying factors and calls for.

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“The store proprietor questioned me for the identify of the laptop. I gave the title of my cousin who final employed the notebook. I recognized the laptop could not even operate because of to reduced battery, but he kind of ‘verified’ that way with out essentially turning on the notebook.”

According to the Stomp contributor, soon after looking at a movie was becoming taken of their conversation, the shop operator handed back again the laptop.

“So I walked straight out with no a word,” said Edwin. “All I want was my notebook back as it had been away for nearly one thirty day period.”

He said Microsoft Place of work was not installed on the laptop when he received it again and no payment was manufactured. “I soon installed MS Business for my helper right just after this incident,” he mentioned.

Asked for comment on the incident by Stomp, the shop operator reported: “Not intrigued. Sorry.”

Responding to a Stomp query, law enforcement verified that a report was lodged and investigations are ongoing.