Ongoing scam update - Last link update 06.2021
12 min read
A brief introduction
Since the fall of 2018 scammers have been using material from our YouTube channel, websites and Instagram to give the impression that they sell Amok hammocks. The scams have been advertised massively on Facebook and Instagram.
Most often goods paid for are not delivered - one of the world’s oldest scams! They take your money and disappear. Still, some people have received a regular gathered-end hammock in poor quality. To our knowledge no Amok clones or knock-offs exist as of today.
We have contacted Facebook, Shopify and Paypal to make them stop the scams. To date we are mind blown by their lack of interest to tackle this problem properly.
We thank you all for your continued support by reporting the ads as scam, and keeping us up to date on new scams.
Please do not place orders on suspect sites. They know what they are doing, and have tailored the price and advertising to make you think: “Hell, it looks fishy, but it’s only 30 dollars… I’ll give it a try for the fun of it”. Unfortunately, this kind of thinking funds the scammers’ advertising budget on Facebook and Instagram. Basically most of your 30 dollars are reinvested in Facebook ads that reach thousands, and recruit new scam victims.
Itsokshopnew is one of several Facebook- and Instagram accounts that have been used to advertise the scams during August and Septemebr in the fall of 2020.
Continue reading to learn more about:
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the scam details, and why the offers are too good to be true
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what you can do to help us
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how we deal with the situation
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what Facebook, Shopify and Paypal do to prevent this (practically nothing)
Scam details
We have reason to believe that it is several groups behind these scams.
There have been hundreds of Facebook pages advertising the scams, and they link to several web-shops, but one Paypal account (WANG KUNLUN) was associated with four out of the first six web-shops that we knew of. And the content that is stolen from our websites and social media accounts is re-used quite similarly across the various ads and web-shops.
Today there has been well over a hundred different Facebook- and Instagram accounts that have been used. Here you can see the six first pages that was used to propell the scam forward:
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Benxuan- SHE
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Benxuan- UUU
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Benxuan-mmx
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Bonnie Store
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MeiLi TAO-MVK
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Tumble Cat @Tumblemeow
Our trademark and copyrighted material was earlier used as a cover picture on one of the Facebook accounts used to promote the scams. Facebook seem not to care.
As of 11.06.21 this is the list of the domains that have been used in the scam so far. However, new pages appear every day:
Shopify have helped us remove Amok product pages from the shops that are built on their platform. But as we have feared all along several of the new shops that have surfaced are built on other platforms, that are outside our reach.
... and why are the offers too good to be true?
The persons behind this create a false sense of urgency, and they know how eager people are to get a $199.95 - $ 219.95 hammock for $20-30. However, it is of course, too good to be true. No one we have been in contact with (and who report to us) have received any real goods after submitting their payments to the scammers. They simply take your money and disappear, or you receive a regular gathered-end hammock in poor quality (learn more from this hammock forum thread).
To our knowledge no counterfeit Amok products or knock-offs exists. It is easy to understand that many have been tempted by the seemingly good deals, but internally in the Amok we early on understood that all of these were simply scams.
After all, $30 does not even cover the material costs alone for the original Draumr hammock, and the final purchasing price from the factory we cooperate with is multiple times such numbers. Then add payment transaction fees, ad spend and shipping.
Only after those cost are covered will Amok (or a “legit” scam company with knock-off products) start to see an income to support employee salaries and regular operating expenses.
Sure, it would be possible to use lower quality materials and make a cheaper knock-off with less functionality and quality. If we look past the point that it would be illegal and not look like the Amok product you are shown, it would still be very hard to even reach a production price close to $30, which means they would still be losing money if they actually sent you a bad knock-off.
What you can do to help
We would like to say thank you for the tremendous support we have received from our fans, followers and everyone that’s has been reaching out from the outdoor community. We are warmed that so many of you send us encouragements, and spend time to update us along the way.
It truly helps if you downvote scam ads by reporting them as “it’s misleading or a scam” or “spam”. In the top right corner of all posts on Facebook and Instagram there are three dots. By clicking the dots a drop down menu opens where you can select report ad.
Illustration post from Facebook: Several brands experience similar scams.
It still takes time to shut this down. Given the amount of upvoting (likes, comments, shares) and traction these ads have been getting by unawares, it is an uphill battle until the platforms themselves take action. This is because the Facebook- and Instagram algorithms take each upvote as a confirmation that this is legit and something people would like to see more of. So even though it helps to report the scam ads, it might not feel that way immediately.
Please also keep sending us updates about new Facebook pages and web-shops that appear.
What are we doing about the situation?
We do of course feel sorry for those who have been scammed, but there is unfortunately nothing we can do first-hand to help you out.
If you placed an order using Paypal you can use their buyer protection. You can claim a chargeback via Shopify if you paid using one of the site’s standard payment method. If this does not work we suggest contacting your bank, some people have reported that they have more success getting their money back by contacting their bank directly.
The sooner you claim your money back for non-delivered items, the sooner the sites can be shut down, preventing further people from being scammed.
We work hard to stop the scams by filing official trademark and copyright infringement claims to Facebook, Shopify that is used to build the sites, and Paypal which is one of the payment methods used on five of the six currently known scam web-shops.
In the next section you can read more about their lack of willingness to solve this situation.
What do Facebook, Shopify and Paypal do?
Facebook and Instagram (which is owned by Facebook, Inc.) clearly have a scam and counterfeit ad problem, but they seem not to truly care.
It took Facebook 14 days to tell us that:
“The team can only disable pages where they are impersonating a company/brand's presence. This is not the case here”.
Basically what Facebook say is that they won’t close a Facebook page regardless of trademark infringement, copyright infringement, or advertising sites that scam people or sell counterfeit goods - as long as the Facebook page itself doesn’t impersonate a company or brand (meaning use of someone’s trademarks and copyrighted content as profile- and cover pictures, and publishing posts pretending to be the original brand).
Now we’re waiting (probably another 14 days or more) for their response on our trademark and copyright infringement claims for separate ads and posts published under the Facebook pages mentioned above.
We consider this to be bad business policy from Facebook, especially when considering how much they profit from the scam ads running on Facebook and Instagram.
In 2019 Facebook have removed some posts based on our trademark and copyright claims.
Shopify
We must say that Shopify have been more helpful than Facebook and Paypal.
They have at least removed individual product pages based on our trademark- and copyright infringement claims, but it doesn’t free Shopify from criticism.
Yes, they do shut down individual product pages, but they do not shut down the actual sites running the scams. Removing individual product pages may help for half a day, but it doesn’t prevent the scam store owners from creating an exact copy of the site under the same domain. And people still get scammed from the same web-shops, just not by Amok products.
Paypal
Paypal’s reply to our claims:
“I understand that you have concerns regarding a company that you feel has copied your products, and website.
We cannot contact the seller because of these claims. This is nothing against you, but we need valid proof to further investigate this. As soon as a seller gets a complaint of a purchase if that is for not being received, or the product not being as described, we will start our investigation to see why the seller can't satisfy the buyers”.
For more than one week we have received numerous messages from people who have been scammed, and have filed claims to PayPal’s Buyer Protection. And, yes, you’re right, the Paypal accounts are still live and making money on these scams.
To summarize: we’re not overly happy with how these large companies handle scams, and trademark- and copyright infringement.
And one more thing, to keep you from getting scammed in the future we suggest giving this a read: https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/5-ways-to-determine-if-a-website-is-fake-fraudulent-or-a-scam/
Stay tuned for updates. And please leave a comment if you have further information about the ongoing scams, we read them all!
62 Responses
Pete Hanson
Not a trademark matter, but Amazon seems to have a collection of very poorly-rated versions of a flat-lay hammock that looks much like a Dramur. See “Flat Sleep Hammock Tent with Bug Net and Suspension Kit, Camping Hammock, Camping Cot,Camping Hammock with Rain Fly and Bug Net – Hammock Straps for Trees – Hamacas para Patio (Green)”. Variations on that description turn up many more examples on Amazon." This is a cheap knockoff, I do not see any Amok brand representation.
John Pesat
I have purchased one of these rip off hammocks to prove it is a scam https://youtu.be/ukRkANbqck4 here is a link to my YouTube channel showing you what you will receive I have purchased 2 Amok hammocks from Amok equipment which are outstanding please only purchase from Amok equipment
Rytis
I have bought 3 such hammocks from rxivcracknm store (www.nabmeanwhiler.xyz). I suspected them being scammers, so I made a gamble and purchased it by using PayPal. I ended up using Buyers protection right, raised a dispute (was ignored by a seller) and escalated the claim. Received a full refund with a statement that claim was decided in my favor and that they are issuing refund at no cost to a seller! Can you believe this??? NO COST TO A SELLER!!! They incurage scamers to use their services. Anyway, sellers name is 周 婕 and email zhoujie617@outlook.com or they call themselves Eleganet Trade (eleganetcustomercares@gmail.com)
More scammers:
https://www.fellua.com/products/75—off-flat-sleep-hammock-tent-with-bug-net-kit
https://www.tidelove.com/collections/best-sellers/products/flat-sleep-hammock-tent-with-bug-net-and-suspension-kit?fbclid=IwAR2tks9JJ91wLZCmT5GzanUsOXi0Z0vkDbnRRP_bKdwSuQ1pmbfdrA82xQQ
Rebecca
Well that will teach me! Clearly i have been scammed as well. I thought an advert on Facebook would be safe I feel like such a fool!
I’ve been in contact with this company for weeks chasing the order and when it arrived last week instead of a large package with my Hammock i got a cheap tacky ring! When i complained the company said i could sell the ring and if I wanted the Hammock still i could use that money towards ordering it again! I have also contacted Paypal to see if they can refund my money.
Eivind T
New one, got in my feed today: https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=all&ad_type=all&country=NO&impression_search_field=has_impressions_lifetime&view_all_page_id=111148057215283&sort_data[direction]=desc&sort_data[mode]=relevancy_monthly_grouped
Lance Smith
Copy and paste this page to your FB and instagram page and hopefully warn unsuspecting people who’s only crime is to want a bargain .
Thesel fekkers need to be outed imho.
Lance Smith
https://www.automatm.com/?source=email
This is the SCAM company that I dealt with. They sent me a childs hammock of very low quality. These people need to be accountable for their deceptive techniques and dishonest practice.
Eivind T
Saw and reported ads from “Rossny” today: https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=all&ad_type=all&country=ALL&impression_search_field=has_impressions_lifetime&view_all_page_id=113657327046421&sort_data[direction]=desc&sort_data[mode]=relevancy_monthly_grouped
Doug Malpus
babymlove.com are advertising your Draumr hammock with all your photos.
It looks like I have lost my battle for a refund through PayPal.
babymlove.com run by account name Keidson is a scammer, advertising a product that they are not allowed to sell.
The product is the intelectual rights of Amok Equipment. They do not allow any other company to sell their product. https://www.amokequipment.com/
They are still advertising on babymlove.com the Draumr-Flat Sleep Hammock Tent With Bug Net And Suspension Kit. I ordered this and received a hammock of ordinary design and worth about £5, certainly not the Draumr-Flat Sleep Hammock Tent With Bug Net And Suspension Kit.
The Draumr-Flat Sleep Hammock Tent With Bug Net And Suspension Kit is only available from Amok Equipment.
It seems to me that my claim is now closed without appeal, the scammer has gained at my expense and Paypal is supporting a criminal scammer.
I hope you can get Paypal to close the scammer down, albeit only temporary, nothing will stop them until facebook a nd Paypal take real action.
Good luck
Doug Malpus
Just found this site
https://www.bibibb1.site/products/flat-sleep-hammock-tent-with-bug-net-kit?variant=32416628441172&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping¤cy=USD
Doug Malpus
I thought I was scam wise but sadly got caught by these criminals. I ordered a Draumr-Flat Sleep Hammock Tent with bug net and suspension kit. I paid $50.95 and got a gathered end hammock of very poor quality and I doubt it is big enough for a pre teen child.
Paypal are trying to negotiate a refund but at the moment the deal is post the cheapy back to China at my own cost. I now realise what an idiot I have been. I am not sending the rubbish back and throwing yet more money away.
The PayPal account name is Keidson and the website name (now disappeared) was “onebaby”. It all seemed legit, how wrong I was!
I will continue to send details of any more facebook sites I find trying to sell your hammock.
I will check out you product in the hope of buying, soon.
Doug
Lance Smith
I recently purchased this “bargain priced lie flat hammock” No claims to be an Amok Draumr but some of the pictures clarly show the branding. If this is the case surely facebook should be doing something about it . as yet nothing arrived but in case anyone else is considering it …DON"T
https://www.automatm.com/products/%F0%9F%94%A5%E3%80%90-hot-sale-%E3%80%9150—off—flat-sleep-hammock-tent-with-bug-net-kit%F0%9F%94%A5
Ryan Beiler
Just left a warning comment and reported this ad:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=568696187169004
Arjen
Just reported an advertisement of https://zcloudl.com/products/draumr-flat-sleep-hammock-tent-with-bug-net-and-suspension-kit to Facebook as misleading. They use a movie of Amok to present there crap.
Paul
Are you a victim of the following ;
Binary option, Forex trading, Romance, ICO Scams, Online betting, Bitcoin, Phishing, exchange scams etc
If in any case you have lost your hard earned money. Dont give up, I have a good news for you. Asset recovery is currently recovering funds for all victims. Service delivery is second to none. I obliged myself the priviledge to announce this to everyone. Hurry and contact on; info at Assetrefundteam dot com
Thank me later.
Solomon Parker
I just spent an hour and 42 minutes on the phone with Paypal, second day, including half of that on hold first to talk to the first representative and then even longer to talk to a supervisor.
Things we learned:
PayPal does not receive emails from me. Just don’t get ‘em. They don’t happen.
That makes it impossible to present evidence in the case.
They refuse to look at this case as a wider scam, even though Amok reported it over a year ago.
They will not deal with the situation on any other than an individual basis, buyer against seller.
If you report it as items received substantially different than you ordered, they’ll just deny the case because who are they to make that determination.
We all know the scammers use delivery confirmation, so you can’t just claim you didn’t get the product, either.
I have my own webstore, and I’m of two minds. Firstly, Paypal is really set up to screw the buyer. That has become obvious. Secondly, that might be good for me as a seller. Thirdly, I don’t deal with dishonest people, so if Paypal isn’t going to clean this up, then I think I’m going to have to remove them as a payment option in my store and switch to Google or Amazon or something.
Solomon Parker
I called PayPal and the guy promised that he was now handling the case personally and would make sure to get my money back. So he reopened the case, and then immediately closed it again, giving the reason: “We have reviewed this transaction(s) and are denying your case(s). The decision was made because we did not receive a response from you with supporting details for the case.”
They did receive a response, I sent an email back denying the half refund settlement, but apparently they never got it. At any rate, after they reopened it, I never got any more correspondence, no request for information, no email, no call, just re-closed the case again less than 12 hours later. I will be calling back as soon as I have some time.
This scam has been going on for more than a year. Paypal is facilitating the scam, and then protecting the scammer rather than eliminating the scam. They could have stopped this a year ago. A half refund is still a massive profit for the scammers, because they’re selling products worth over $300 for $112, but they’re actually worth probably $10-$15. Just search around for Chinese suppliers of these hammocks, they can be had in bulk for just a couple dollars each. There is no justifiable reason we should have to pay half price for a scam. We should not have to pay anything.
The scammers are profiting, PayPal is profiting, well meaning customers who just want to sleep flat in a hammock are getting screwed.
If I had known about Amok before the scam, I never would have tried to buy a Chinese version. But like most people, I had never heard of Amok, and only in my research after the scam discovered they existed. I figured it was just a drop shipper selling some gimmick like everywhere else. I should have realized that nothing innovative comes from there.
If I cannot get this worked out properly, I’ll be removing Paypal from my own webstore, and doing as little business with them as possible in the future. This is unacceptable.
Solomon Parker
I escalated to a claim with PayPal. This was the response:
“We have reviewed this transaction(s) and are denying your case(s). This decision was made because if an item is materially similar to the seller’s description, we do not consider it to be significantly not as described.”
That’s right. Not only are they allowing it to happen, they are denying claims. I’m on hold with PayPal right now.
Steven
I recently saw the advertisement on IG, but when I click on the “learn more” link, it took me to a invalid webpage or error message. I really wanted the hammock, so I rewatched the add and googled “Amok” to find what I wanted to buy. I found your website and just to be sure it wasn’t a scam, verified the Amok website and company. I then made my purchase and wanted to learn why the advertisement on IG was still playing when all the comments say that it is a scam. I took screen shots if y’all want them. I hope to have my hammock in the mail soon. Your company isn’t that far from me!
Robert Conway
I wanted to let you know that fakes are on EBAY…seller is 109_japan. They are trying to sell your products at a high price as well. Also there is still the facebook scam going around as well. I was taken but did lose as much as some on here and was shipped a knock off hammock with bug net, tarp, and pad. it was not a late flat it is a standard hammock. Oh well I can give it to someone that is just wanting a normal hammock. Trying to get something back from paypal but they are not responding right now as it is still open case. I have shared this article as well (which i found after the mistake i made). i hope to get one of your products soon. Maybe an outlet model to save a bit of money.
Aaron Thomson
Well, turns out I recently lost $750.00 on this scam, I wanted to purchase these for myself and two brothers for our motorcycle camping trip. I received plastic cards that hold up a cell phone and a sponge in place of the Hammocks. Such a punch in the gut that was, lost my money, don’t have enough to buy the real ones. If I could catch these thieves oh how they would go down. Love to see these folks in prison. Such a heat breaking ordeal. Maybe soon I can save up again and buy directly and safely from Amok. Wonderful product l! Can’t wait to have one!
Brian Bodenhamer
I had shopped your hammock before and unfortunately fell for the Kumaori.shop scam. Working with bank to dispute the transaction now. I realized 3 days after placing order with no shipping email that something was not right and looked up information on the fake company and your company’s internet site about these scams popped up. Feel like a fool now wanted to believe your hammock was on sale so badly I fell for it. Never again, too good to be true and should have known better. Thanks for your site and information on these scams.
Mandy
Basically common sense is….you get pretty much what you pay for. If it looks too good to be true …it is. It sucks that great brands like Amok are being impersonated.
Sam Cowie
Be aware of any Chinese or Indian named companies in ads, there ARE some reputable ones like Banggood or Ali Express or Wish (but even the last two can have dodgy subsiduary companies as trade partners)…ALWAYS go by the rule that “if it looks like a great bargain then it’s definitely not a genuine item”. Chinese companies have been “knocking out” poor copies of anything that sells well for decades now.
Stephen Curle
Hi,
It looks like they are at it again on Facebook. Beware or Kumaori.shop1
Ray Meneses
topeflex.com has no website since I placed my order months ago.It was to good to be true.They sent me an email address but no response either.
Debbie Billings
I too was scammed by a company named PHONCOLMI through a Facebook Ad.
RJH Frans, Netherlands
I did not order a hammock but a remote controlled Tank model for 65 USD at Wang Kulun.. What they send was a much smalle model, really cheap plastic stuff I did not order. After complaining: I could send it back at my cost (…) and wait for the money to returned. So: I order model A, they send other stuff and now… indeed you guess it right: Paypal sticks to the “order” and will recharge the 65 USD as I already disputed the payment.
DO NOT order anything with Wang Kulun.
Pete Lauria
Add me to the list. PayPal at first offered a partial refund, which I declined. They then offered a full refund of $59.78, but as a condition of getting said refund I am required to return the item to China within 2 weeks. Cost of return shipping to China: USPS $63, DHL $129, FedEx $163, UPS $164. My next step is to insist that this vendor cover the cost of return shipping. I am amazed at how indifferent PayPal is towards its customers. PayPal was created to instill confidence with online purchases. They seem to have forgotten their very purpose.
Felix Back
UPDATE : If Paypal refuses to side with you, I suggest making a formal complain to these agencies (in Canada, different ones for the US) : OCA (office of consumer affairs) and the CAFC (Canadian Anti-Fraud Center). Since Paypal is supposed to filter their sellers, they are responsible when they let this kind of things happen to a certain extent. Since this website even proves that Amok and numerous buyers contacted Paypal, this is not acceptable and I encourage people to take action against Paypal for protecting this seller.
Felix Back
Paypal ruled the dispute in favor of Wang Kunlun and relaxlife.shop….. Even if they have the link to the article you created (BTW thank you!) they will still stick with the seller for the scam. This is highly innapropriate and it feels like paypal just wants to make money or I dont know they do not care. I filed a dispute with my credit card company, which gave me a full refund. But only after i payed 48$CAN to send the Item back to F*****ing China. What a ride, even had to write the adress in mandarin.
AMOK _DIDRIK
Thanks for sharing Daniel.
We will look into it ASAP, if you see any links etc in the future and want to notify us about its end us an email to support@amokequipment.com
JBG:
Thank you for sharing this info, we will update our recommendations as more people seem to have better protection trough their own bank. PayPal is proving to be slow about it.
Michael:
I would not accept that from Paypal if I were you, we know for a fact that they have issued refunds to a lot of people before. And your case is no different. But try contacting your bank also Like JBG proposes.
Best of luck and thanks for sharing.
All the best
Didrik @ Amok
Daniel Makin
I ordered something off of shopepip it’s a scam please get this one shutdown too they took my money and disappeared
JBG
I too fell for the scam on Aug 2nd. The next day I saw a post about it being a scam. I immediately looked up all email addresses for relaxalife and Wang Kunlan and sent a message to cancel the order and refund my money. I made a complaint to Paypal with all documentation which was closed. I then made a complaint to my bank who immediately reversed the charges. I then received an email from Paypal that they were escalating my complaint. I also kept Amok informed and every time I saw an ad I commented it was a scam and reported it. On Oct 2nd, I received a pitiful excuse of a regular hammock. If I wanted to return it, I couldn’t understand the return label. I sent emails to all of their previous emails stating that I will be happy to return it as soon as I receive a prepaid mailing label. I wonder if it will take two months or if I will ever receive it. Your best chance of getting your money back is to contact your bank, not Paypal.
Michael WIllaims
I had seen a video a while back and really liked the amok side ways hammock, but when I went to the website it was sold out./or discountinuted I wasnt for sure. Seems like a couple weeks later I seen a facebook advertisemnet that was very similar to the amok , so I ordered two for 59.96, I waited a while before openeing up a paypal case , after opening the case they sent me out a couple really cheap hammocks, the old bait and switch,. Paypal decided the case in there favor, I mentioned this webpage and still they were in the favor of the sellerl.
Tapio
It is a relief to know that I am not the only one who was stupid enough to believe that it is possible to buy something so impressive with so low a price (35,88.) To help others to avoid this scam I made complaint to PayPal and here https://www.complaintsboard.com/
I look forward to buy the real Amok product which I didn’t know to exist before this scam.
JK
Got caught in the same hammock scam. Supposedly from relaxlife, and the vendor on my Visa statement said PAYPAL *WANG KUNLUN. Just got off the phone with Capital One. They are issuing a charge-back to the PayPal account. I urged them to go further and block everything from this PayPal account.
John Bell
I ordered a couple of lightning bolt cables for my iPhone through TOPEFLEX.com I got an email confirming my order that with a 3 to 4 week shipping I was going to cancel the order but now the website Is no longer available so I lost $22.50 and I’m a go to my bank to make sure that they haven’t scammer me for more I too will be more diligent in the future and this is the first time I’ve ever been scammed with online orders I guess I was the first time thank God it was no more than the $22.50
Paul Hammersley
OK, I’m an idiot! Between 8th and 10th August I managed to fall for 2 scams from WAN KUNLUN.
One was for what looked like a complete AMOK Drem 3.0 system, one for a hammock tent type thingy. After a very long delay, 2 packages with no invoice, delivery note or any other ID arrived containing such utter substandard product that didn’t remotely resemble either of my ‘bargain’ purchases!
So, partly due to this page, I had already logged PayPal disputes which got closed because the vendor had supplied delivery tracking!
I have now actually spoken to a real person at PayPal…….yes I was amazed too!
I described the situation, I directed the chap to this page, and I told him of the scams that this vendor is pulling on several different websites.
It seems that this chap was someone reasonably senior, who actually had the authority to issue a refund for the lesser goods, reopen the case for the Amok scam case AND initiate a proper SCAM ALERT investigation into WAN KUNLUN. Result! I actually feel like I will eventually get my money back! Fingers Crossed
Myron L. Tipton
ok, so updating my previous comment. after being scammed and filing a complaint with PayPal , i was contacted by PayPal today saying that wang kunlun has offered a partial refund. i purchased 2 of the hammocks and did in fact receive 2 pieces of junk with no straps or instructions. after opening them all the way up, i realized that i didn’t need instructions as they were just gathered end cloth with a zippered net sewn on. i paid 57+ dollars and have been offered 34 dollars in return. i guess i can just take the money and let my grand kids play with the junk i got! it is a 23 dollar loss for me and still worth more than the trash i got, but live and learn. reading previous comments, i see that i can get a full refund if i send the junk back to china at my expense. don’t be lulled into thinking that face book only shows real ads. i’ve learned my lesson!
Myron L. Tipton
well. i too was scammed. same story as all the others. i ordered two of what i thought was, as it turns out, the amok hammock. i was literally in the process of sending a scathing email to shopify when my wife walked in the door with 2 hammocks in a plastic bag. i canceled the email and opened the bags. same story, 2 cheaply made hammocks with no instructions. they did get the colors correct, but they were cheap junk. after searching long and hard, i found AMOK which has been superbly helpful! i have ordered their hammock and am still very excited about the product. i will file a complaint with PayPal this morning.
OlympicSitter
I ordered 2 of these hammocks as a result of seeing a Facebook ad. I’d never heard of Amok hammocks but I thought the design was so cool I got sucked in.
I did actually received 2 bits of cloth that are nothing like the advert. I did a bit of research and found the real deal. I raised a case with PayPal and was offered a partial refund which I declined. I have now been offered a full refund but only if I send the hammocks back to China using a tracked mail service which will cost me over half of what I actually paid.
You live and learn. I’ll do my research next time
Tom Skotzki
I’ve sent them an email one day prior to even reading this article. Ok so I log into my bank app and see WANG KUNLUN in my statement. Couldn’t put together when this purchase was made so I googled the name and it brought me to this site. Immediately after reading this I went to my paypal account to register for buyers protection and right when I logged in I saw a full refund from WANG KUNLUN. Alright so this is what I think I did right. Remember how I said I sent them an email one day before this whole shenanigans… Well that mail was as follows:
“At this point it’s been a few weeks and I’m not even sure if I’m getting scammed or not, but one thing I do know is if I don’t get an update about my order I’ll be taking this to my personal Instagram profile where 968k people will get to hear all about my experience and your outstanding scam! Have a great day :)”
One thing to note here is that I have no Instagram with such a following whatsoever haha, but I thought it’d be worth a shot so there you go, literally one day later I got a refund from them. If this helps even one person I’ll be happy :) Good luck guys and stay safe out there, I definitely learned my lesson, Amazon it is! x)
Oh and btw.. I ordered a hammock through an Instagram ad that was run by www.relaxlife.shop
Cheers!
SAY PEI KONG
I just received my hammock too today! So-called hammock turned out to be mosquito net hammock! LOL I filed a complaint at Paypal. Hopefully they will refund back my money to me.
Crystal Monteleone
I just got scammed, wish I would have seen this before I ordered. New site is https://www.topeflex.com/ and I saw them as a first search hit when I looked for a sleeping on stomach hammock through google. I will dispute the order through my CC and will buy one from you for sure!
Chris
Well, as Paypal said themselves “as soon as we receive a complaint”
They did receive a complaint from a purchase…Mine and gods know how many others
Also i received my cash back real fast.within 3 days of being a fool
The fact of the matter was that the dude was selling SHITE and there advertisement was the 270 euro Amok hammock..I pointed this out and asked them to confirm or denie it.
Let me say this in a few steps, 1st you have to raise the issue with he seller and give them chance to talk you down from a refund **you do not have to wait until the delivery time to do this.. You simply say hey, the guys who make that hammock in the movie clip are saying you do not sell there hammock could you go to there facebook please and PM them and then on AMOK’s wall both agree that your a re-seller??
This will not happen unless they are a real re seller. The replies will be regular twoddle saying they have thousands of orders to deal with and they will get to you soon..
They will 100% ignore any implication of wrong doing from the MANUFACTURER and they will say they are continuing with the trade.
I promise if you imply the real deal is a fake they will politely try to prove they are the real deal, they will not ignore a bad business accusation from anyone, the fakers will just skip over this issue as if it is not a thing..
Then you have to send another in Paypal question, ask them to address if the hammock or whatever the item is- IS the one on the picture/movie clip.
They will say yes. they will say no, In this case we know they are not re sellers you have to address this immediately and THEN contact Paypal and state your case.. you tell them that the item is not as advertised thus it is eligible for a refund you mention the website is fake and pops up n down more the whack-a-mole each time with a different name, you have to paint a kiddy picture with words but "this isnt because Paypal are incompetent, its because you have to be clear with your accusations and claims**.. you have to make sure the seller is communicating 1st because without a replie you cannot convey that you have spoken to whom ever and they understand, THEY MUST REPLY 1st..
The most important thing is not to rant at Paypal or the scamtards be cool. give them verbal rope.. Allow them the chance to talk you down they wont..All good businesses will all but bend over backwards to help ease the situation for a customer. Unless your business sounds like it is a form of coffee and for that we need litigation literaly..
You will get a refund, but you have to act fast do not wait for the bit of tat cloth they send out to get to your door, do not wait for them to send an email saying they have sent out the item ,that is 100% to late.
A side note
As mentioned i got a refund, as not mentioned yet.. chinapost dated 4 days after my paypal refund I recived a bit of cloth some twat had the cheek to call a camping hammock.
Yes they sent out a hammock 4 days after after i was given the refund.
glo oneal
i stupidly was so excited about the hammock/tent/rain poncho from merchant Wang Kunlun. i ordered on 8/10/2018 and then received a ‘reciept’ from Wang Kunlun. to date, no hammock at my door step and PayPal is clueless. so freaking frustrated. This merchant should be hung by their toenails .. and well, just left there
will
As someone who has had product go through this problem before, this will not stop until you file for a patent over in china. They will also sell the product direct to consumer via amazon or alibaba
Kellie Gilliss
I too am a part of the class action scam that Facebook, PayPal and Shopify are allowing to happen.
Shopify, apologized for not being able to help, PayPal is starting an active investigation and well I don’t even know where to complain on fb besides blast them on fb. I have bought many things on fb and I use PayPal because I thought I was protected. I am now thinking otherwise and have sent a statement to each telling them that I will no longer use their services and I will tell others that they are not protected when using their services to make purchases.
The times are changing and it’s time we as consumers take action to tell others about the lack luster customer service we are receiving.
Bob Caverly
Yep! Got scammed too! :( I should no better!.
Scammer was WANG KUNLUN and https://livepro-shop.myshopify.com/
I did recieve a hammock a couple of days ago – but it was of course nothing like the one advertised, and was missing straps, etc. Not even properly packaged – merely wadded into it’s stuff sack and stuck in a ziploc bag. No name, no instructions, no labeling.
Stupid me – filing complaint with PayPal.
Seth
So my “Order” has been sitting at “Processed” for a couple weeks now. I’ve sent them several emails asking for an update. Contacted PayPal – They had no record of the transaction, Shopify.com, who gave me the below*…I ended up calling my credit card and having them reverse the charges. It show’d Pay Pal WANG KUNLUN as the merchant.
I’m guessing I wont receive anything, and if I do it’ll be crap. Too bad as I’m thinking AMOK has a pretty cool product. I’m just not a hammock guy to shell out that much – don’t get me wrong, when I win PowerBall, I’ll buy at LEAST 1, but not yet…
*"I understand that not receiving goods paid for can be a frustrating affair indeed and with that we truly sympathise. However due to Shopify’s nature as a platform we cannot interfere with how stores operate or force refunds.
Each store on Shopify is it’s own business and we do not have the power to manage their business for them. A good analogy would be to think of asking the owner of a shopping mall to refund a product bought from a store leasing space within the shopping mall.
There are processes in place with your bank for these situations for you to get your money back. I recommend speaking to your bank or credit card company and notifying them of the transaction and any issue you are encountering. They should then be able to begin an investigation with the aim of retrieving your funds."
Cis polsdotter
I also received my hammock Today. Nothing like the one in the video offcourse. Just a cheap fabric, stained all over with I don’t know What, parts missing… But most of all… just a regular hammock… Nothing in package on how te return or refund. Also made a complaint at paypal…
Odd Fredriksen
I ordered a big hammock and got a small one. I contacted the seller and PayPal. I hope I get my money back.
Matt
Sorry for the previous post there was an error with the comment for all the repetitive sentences.. Code glitch while posting.
Matt
I bought 3 of them.. 1 for me, 1 for my GF and 1 for a friend.
I am currently talking with Shopify giving them evidences. They seems to want to “act”.. but my bet is they will probably not take legal action against this chinese person because its gonna cost too much, they will just remove the products.. very slowly and MAYBE close the shops.
I sent email to PayPal, and complaint about the products fraud. What I have read on google forums is PayPal just really don’t care 99% of the time and they don’t refund. PayPal SUCK.
Facebook.. forget that.. sometimes I flag fraudulent profiles or profiles that try to add me as “friend” and when I look at the profil I see porn/sex video link on their wall and guess the Facebook’s answer?? The profile does not go against the facebook’s policies bla bla bla bla bla..
Facebook.. forget that.. sometimes I flag fraudulent profiles or profiles that try to add me as “friend” and when I look at the profil I see porn/sex video link on their wall and guess the Facebook’s answer?? The profile does not go against the facebook’s policies bla bla bla bla bla..My thought? I think scammers make a lot of money and have NO ACTIONS AGAINST THEM.
Facebook.. forget that.. sometimes I flag fraudulent profiles or profiles that try to add me as “friend” and when I look at the profil I see porn/sex video link on their wall and guess the Facebook’s answer?? The profile does not go against the facebook’s policies bla bla bla bla bla..My thought? I think scammers make a lot of money and have NO ACTIONS AGAINST THEM.Companies such as Shopify and PayPal just do nothing.. they really don’t care. And Facebook is BULLSHIT.
Facebook.. forget that.. sometimes I flag fraudulent profiles or profiles that try to add me as “friend” and when I look at the profil I see porn/sex video link on their wall and guess the Facebook’s answer?? The profile does not go against the facebook’s policies bla bla bla bla bla..My thought? I think scammers make a lot of money and have NO ACTIONS AGAINST THEM.Companies such as Shopify and PayPal just do nothing.. they really don’t care. And Facebook is BULLSHIT.Could be interesting if people write up here about their own developments.
Facebook.. forget that.. sometimes I flag fraudulent profiles or profiles that try to add me as “friend” and when I look at the profil I see porn/sex video link on their wall and guess the Facebook’s answer?? The profile does not go against the facebook’s policies bla bla bla bla bla..My thought? I think scammers make a lot of money and have NO ACTIONS AGAINST THEM.Companies such as Shopify and PayPal just do nothing.. they really don’t care. And Facebook is BULLSHIT.Could be interesting if people write up here about their own developments.
Jim Hansen
Also a company attached to Wang Kunlun is a company named Livepro you can no longer get hold of them.
Brad Benton
Just received my big scam hammock today… poor quality standard hammock. I guess at least I got something. Submitted a complaint with Paypal.
Brian Sprouse
I am sad to say that I was also scammed by an online store (threesquirrels.shop). I had never seen your hammock before and loved the new ideas that Amok had when designing this product. I was fooled by the way these scammers have copied your advertising. I truly should have know that the price was just too low for such a product!! I also will be filing a claim with paypal to try and recover my money.
Sherry
I was curious about when I would be receiving my 2 tents I ordered from this place and just found out today it’s a scam! I’ve written a complaint to PayPal and hope they refund my money! I hope they refund all of us who were scammed. I dont know why I ordered these tents! I really thought an ad wouldn’t be on Facebook if it were a scam. I’m so naive too! :( please let’s keep in touch to make sure PayPal is keeping up with their word to help ppl in these situations.
Topher Eliot
Ironically it was in comments about the scam that I learned about Amok, and have ordered from them.
Lad Shore
I too have been scammed by these guys. I’d never heard of Amok and the presentation of the scam prevents you from finding the true product. I figured it was a legit promo for a new-up-and-comming hammock company. How niave! Payed through paypal, and just got done filing my complaint/request for buyers protection. We’ll see if they give me my money back. Pretty sad to see this happening. The saddest part is I won’t be recieving your awesome product. I’ll need to save up for a while longer, but someday hope to enjoy my own Draumr hammock. Keep us posted!
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Outdoor Engineers
James
January 05, 2023
I found a scam in egghead store dont know where to report so here you go Check this out on @Newegg: Gemdeck Camping Hammock Portable Hammock Hammock Camping Accessories for Outdoor Red https://www.newegg.com/p/0DP-00R7-00009?Item=9SIAUJ5J2H3899&Source=socialshare&cm_mmc=snc-social-sr-_-9SIAUJ5J2H3899-11202022