“Most scammers do a very basic method, fake images from multiple different famous portals, fake mobile phones (which will be offline post transactions), incredibly appealing prices on the products, and a super FOMO (fear of missing out) conversation built with potential target, leading them to wire a 10 to 50% deposit for the item without having seen it,” iMotorbike co-founder, Gil Carmo said.
In 2023, the country witnessed 8,800 reported cases of e-commerce scams, leaving many victims grappling with financial losses. One prevalent tactic, involving fictitious motorcycle listings, ensnared countless individuals, promising bikes at unrealistically low prices only to vanish without a trace. Another insidious scheme involved phishing for financial information, leaving one victim unwittingly out of pocket by RM25,500.
As we delve into the depths of Malaysia’s scam epidemic, Carmo in an exclusive interview with BusinessToday sheds light on e-commerce scams and the impact of these nefarious activities on individuals and the broader community.
iMotorbike stands as one of Southeast Asia’s top destinations for buying and selling pre-owned motorcycles. With a user-friendly online platform, it ensures a fast, secure, and hassle-free experience. Offering not just sales but also essential services like insurance, road tax, warranties, and financing, iMotorbike is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and efficient online ecosystem for motorcycle enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Additionally, Carmo emphasised iMotorbike’s commitment to prioritising purpose and action, citing the lack of trust and clarity in the motorcycle industry’s pre-owned space as a driving force behind the platform’s inception.
He urged caution against wiring money without substantial reassurance regarding a company’s legitimacy, saying, “We would highly recommend that no one wires money to any other party, without an incredible amount of reassurance that the company they are engaging with has a legal online available presence and documentation, with a physical location recognised by multiple entities such as the local government and its authorities as well as google and other prominent global player.”
iMotorbike’s Protection of Intellectual Property Against Scammers
Typically, scammers employ various techniques, including the use of fake images sourced from reputable portals, offering products at enticingly low prices, and creating a sense of urgency through persuasive conversations to prompt buyers into making deposits without verifying the items.
As iMotorbike operates as a trusted platform, ensuring that all products available for purchase are owned by the company itself, they are using approaches to eliminate the possibility of scammers utilising iMotorbike platform to deceive users, a risk commonly associated with classified websites.
“As for preventing scammers from using our content on other platforms such as Facebook and to protect our brand, we came up with all sorts of technology features that enable protection on image and product sourcing from our new platform, from watermarking images which is a basic ancient protective and copy-right enabled feature to a much more complex and sophisticated embed coding that blocks any potentially automated content extortion thus portraying a hard time to any scammers if they were to think of using our content,” Carmo said.
These measures serve to protect the brand’s integrity while providing users with a secure and trustworthy platform to buy and sell motorcycles.
By proactively addressing the tactics employed by scammers and leveraging technology-driven solutions, iMotorbike continues to uphold its commitment to providing a safe and reliable marketplace for motorcycle enthusiasts.
iMotorbike’s Stringent Quality Assurance Measures and Buyer Protections
Carmo outlined iMotorbike’s stringent 170-point inspection checklist for motorcycles, coupled with a 6-day return and 6-month warranty policy. He stressed the platform’s dedication to providing a safe marketplace for buyers and sellers alike.
“One of these methods that we adopted is to utilise a 170-point inspection checklist to affirm the quality of the motorcycle.
This checks for any current issues the motorcycle has, or any potential faulty parts. However, even with a thorough inspection, problems may arise in the future. Hence, we employ a 6-day return and a 6-month warranty policy as a safety net for customers,” he said.
He assured that iMotorbike’s platform, which exclusively hosts products owned by the company, eliminates the possibility of scammers exploiting users.
Ensuring Quality and Trust in Motorcycle Purchases
Unlike conventional online marketplaces,Carmo said this platform prioritises the safety and peace of mind of its users, offering a unique array of features that differentiate it from the rest.
“What differentiates us from other e-commerce platforms is that our thorough inspections ensure that customers of iMotorbike will not be victims of scams and fraud.
Here at iMotorbike, quality is assured when purchasing motorcycles. We go through a detailed 170-point inspection on sold motorcycles, fully reconditioning them to look and perform like new,” he said.
Futhermore, the platform recognises the inherent value of pre-owned motorcycles and the benefits they bring to buyers. With quality certifications, warranties, easy returns, and insurance options, purchasing a pre-owned motorcycle through the platform offers unparalleled peace of mind and value for money.
Customers can rest assured that they are investing in a reliable and well-maintained vehicle, backed by the assurance of iMotorbike’s quality standards.
Beyond its commitment to product excellence, the platform also distinguishes itself through its exceptional customer service. With a dedicated team of experts ready to assist both existing and new customers, iMotorbike ensures a seamless and enjoyable purchasing experience for all.
Whether it’s answering inquiries, providing guidance, or resolving issues, iMotorbike’s customer excellence team goes above and beyond to deliver personalised support and assistance at every step of the journey.
Raising Awareness and A Look into the Future
In terms of raising awareness, Carmo expressed iMotorbike’s commitment to educating the public on scam dangers through social media alerts and anti-scam advocacy. He emphasised the secure communication channel provided by the iMotorbike app and website.
Carmo positioned iMotorbike as the go-to platform for locals seeking second-hand motorcycles, underscoring its thorough inspections, quality certifications, warranties, and exceptional customer support.
Looking to the future, Carmo expressed aspirations for iMotorbike to become the leading platform for pre-owned motorcycle transactions, adaptable to industry trends like the rise of Electric Vehicle (EV) motorcycles.
Through Carmo’s insights, it’s evident that iMotorbike is not only addressing current challenges in the motorcycle market but also proactively safeguarding consumers against potential scams, ensuring a trusted and efficient marketplace experience.
