Discover Lion CIty SCAM !!!! (updated as of February 2014)
1:23:00 PMDiscover Lion City Priviledge CardThis whole thing is a freaking scam !!! >:(
In the beginning, a few promoters in their 20s approaches customers along the stretch of road leading to Cineleisure. They are an insistent bunch that would not let you away at all costs.
Even when rejected, they persisted by saying that "$50 for 24 movie tickets to be collected weekly. There's no way you would lose out !"
They continued by telling customers all the various attractive perks such as waived entry cost to St James, Singapore Flyer etc., as well as discounts for companies such as Q&M Dental Surgery, Polar Puffs&Cakes and KBox.
I really should have followed by guts or at least what I've been taught, but I didn't.
I was wondering how would they earn revenue.
Crime Watch: "If it sounds too good to be true, it is probably scam." Totally !
Everywhere: "There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world."
Really really really hate myself for caving in.
Usually when approached by this kind of street promoters, I wouldn't give a damn, or perhaps stop by to take a free sample haha, tell them I'd think about it and never return. But since I was with my friend, I stopped to listen la. I bought their story and signed up.
Guess what? They don't even let me go when I said I'd think about it. "What do you think about for?" and they continue hogging you. Insisting you to sign first and EVEN FOLLOWING YOU TO FREAKING ATM ! houseflies.
I should've known. So unprofessional. Where got ppl follow you all the way to the ATM (si chan lan da).
While walking to the ATM, my friend and I were just saying how we feel super heartpain because 50 bucks to a student, is a lot. A hell lot. However, we chose to see it as a form of 'investment' as we could gain back what we paid by selling the tickets. Argh crap logic.
For the first 3 weeks, everyone came and queued for their movie tickets at Cineleisure and all was well because we got what we promised. 2 Cathay movie tickets and 1 Golden Village movie ticket (They claimed that Cathay's movie ticket printing machine broke down and they could collect it the following week if they still wanted Cathay's instead of GV.) Hence, I thought maybe I was wrong. Perhaps DLC is not a scam afterall.
The day before the 4th week of collection, they IMPROMPTU changed the whole system ! We had to ballot via SMS for our tickets.
This is what they sent out:
"IMPT! Weekly Redemption is change to only sms balloting.
For more updates, pls visit Card Privileges/ Weekly Vouchers Redemption at www.DiscoverLionCity.com.sg "
The website mentioned that we had to provide our Name (never even specify first name or as per in NRIC) , NRIC no., and mailing address (if we opted for the tickets to be mailed to us fortnightly).
So I thought selling our information would be their source of income !
Firstly, which professional company would inform client just the day before.
Secondly, on their website, they didn't even specify by what time we would receive a confirmation reply (if we were successful)
Thirdly, they selectively replied client's comments or inquiries, avoiding those that questioned their legitimacy.
Thirdly, they selectively replied client's comments or inquiries, avoiding those that questioned their legitimacy.
Fourthly, their English SUCKS ! Not trying to be a Grammer Nazi here but as a professional company, though it may be just established, would refer back to clients using proper English.
Look, for example, "is change to" . Huhhh. What the shit? Din't even countercheck before mass-sending out. They do not even bother appropriately capitalising words.
They tried to justify their actions by '
''Due to the inconvenience caused from the long queue during our redemption session, we have to alter the system now. (starting from 22nd September 2012)
With the feedbacks from members and recent poll done, we have decided to offer only sms balloting for premium vouchers redemption (Eg: Movie Vouchers)
This will also prevent some members from making a trip to the redemption counter but not manage to receive the premium vouchers ''
SPOT THE GRAMMATICAL ERRORS ABOVE QUOTE
Dubious dubious dubious !
Obviously, we did not get any replies after the ballot. Also, dude, NO ONE contacted us about the poll. And so, the poll ended up in favour of their policies with, their staff liking them as well.
*some random obervations*,
There are actually people with a tablet on hand, standing around the streets, asking by-passers to like their page in exchange for things like, a pen. How do I know? Because I had been approached to like XXX's page before. "When there's a will, there's a way." I believe you can think for yourself. Just sayin' ~_~
So, many people have expressed regrets and are skeptical of their operations and it seems like they have gone into hiding ! Or only giving short replies to questions that do not doubt their authenticity.
One client mentioned, " I went down with my boyfriend to st James last night. We got there pretty early so there isn't any bouncer. But when we were about to leave we saw the people at the counter. So we went to ask about the cover charge getting waived and the guy actually told me he has no idea about and didn't even know that there was such a card. "
St James' personnel do not even know about the card. I rarely use this hand gesture, saving it for special instances like this. Well, _|_ .
Another one enquired about the redundancy of the top-up for extended premium membership,"Its good new to hear that memberships signed before 21 Sep 12 will be upgraded to lifetime..
But I've topped up $50 to upgrade to the 10 yrs membership during my card collection day.. Does DLC meant that the $50 I paid is redundant now? totally like thrown into drain?"
Should I feel a tad bit comforted that at least I didn't agree to the whatever top-up shit? No.
Another girl expressed how they changed they terms and conditions as and when they like, " So now I didn't receive any sms from you guys meaning that I didn't get the ticket for this week? Seriously at the point of time when I sign up for this card, the 2 persons who are promoting this card told me that I will get 26 free tickets provided I went down to collect weekly. But after that then I get to know now is only for a limited of 100 people. I seriously feel very regret signing up for this stupid card. End up now I may not even get any movie ticket."
I really "respect" DLC for being so really organised in their operating methods of making this whole thing so believable and successfully managing to con so many ppl.
Re-enacting crime watch. Totally can imagine the police re-emphasising "Anything sounding too good to be true, is probably a scam" at the end of the show.
Argh. I'm never ever gonna agree to something I do not want just for the sake of 'don't abit abit also suspect la'.
Why do lessons come by in the hard way ? =[
I can imagine after we make the report, the police will go, "Sigh, another scam case. Haven't we been warning them a lot of times already?'
Moral: Don't be so cheapo.
1 YEAR LATER
They have removed their website which was previously www.discoverlioncity.com.sg and all the other blog posts mentioning badly about DLC have been removed as well, so I cannot screenshot their complaints. But alas, I found this.
1 YEAR LATER
On 9th September 2013 on 2.30pm, I received a phone call from a representative claiming to be from Discover Lion City, requesting me to remove my blog post containing the content as of above, the 'scam'.
He said Eminent (new company. only knew this after calling them up again) had bought over the company and would be doing some re-structuring of the whole system and that my post, was "affecting their business", I quote. What he said was not delivered so, the post is back up. I am so sorry :(((((
The new system, he said, supposedly involved a new voucher booklet which would be given to members monthly. You don't get to choose what is included in the voucher of course. They choose it, according to whichever merchants they have secured the deal with.
Some of the vouchers distributed previously.
Those vouchers... Uhhh... How should I put it..... I mean, at one glance, you would understand right? Well, let's put it this way. Pizza Hut/ NTUC/ Popular/ Movie vouchers versus those given above.... which would you choose?
I told him that the my main reason for signing up was the movie tickets, as for my friend too. And also, the discount promised for entry to St. James etc. Basically, whatever I signed up for was not delivered >:(
He apologised for the promoters whom he said, might have been too engrossed with pushing sales that they might have provided false/ insufficient information, leading customers on.
Additionally, he said that if I did not agree/ am not satisfied with the deals in the voucher booklet, I could ask for and they would give me a full refund of $50, which was the amount I had paid for. However, the restructuring would only be done "by November", he said. And so, everything would only come into effect after the works are done.
How would we know when they have completed their restructuring? Would they email us? Give us a call? Mass SMS? Anything?
He said, he would email me but not everyone would be informed because...... *low and behold*....
"Their company would make a loss if everyone wants a refund."
Now I feel bad because he spoke in a somewhat nice tone and I felt pretty empathetic. I could understand your plight... If you would understand mine : (
YES, IT'S "BYE NOVEMBER, HELLO DECEMBER" NOW AND HAVE I RECEIVED ANY FOLLOW UPS? YOU GOT IT! NO!
Calling them up again
They pushed the date of completion to JANUARY 2014.
Argh what next?! 25 December 2014? 2015? (waiting for Christmas) Buey tahan.
Not that I am being a cheapo, harping on my 50 bucks.
But if 50 bucks ain't a lot to your company, why don't you just give me my refund already??? Or is your company that poor until you guys don't even have 50 bucks in your funds? JUST ASKIN' :(
Pardon for the so many 'he said' used but that's to let you know that I am not making things up.
They have removed their website which was previously www.discoverlioncity.com.sg and all the other blog posts mentioning badly about DLC have been removed as well, so I cannot screenshot their complaints. But alas, I found this.
Got to clarify some matters. Two things.
Firstly, they have gathered around 4000+ likes on their Facebook page. 4000 x $50 sums up to $240k and that's a huge sum of money I would say!!!
Secondly, it's the mentality. If a bully extorts, say 10 cents, from a child. Should the child inform his teacher/ parent? Should the bully be allowed to get away scotfree? "Low crime is not no crime". His "successes" would only further encourage his misdeeds.
February 2014
That douchebag blocked my number. Very sure he is still using the same number because he changed his whatsapp dp to a sketch of his beeeautiful face... but my call cannot even get through. Advice guys, go make a police report if you haven't already...
May 2014
Made a report last December. Report no. F/201312220/2107. The police didn't rlly see my case as a scam because after all I did get the card but not what was promised along with the card. But bladdy hell if you were the one who got scammed, you would know its a scam. Anyways in December 2013, I made my report under the case of a suspected scam (cos he postponed the company opening shit to January = =)
Followed up with my report in Feb 2014 after he blocked my number.
The police referred me to Small Claims and Tribunal Subordinate Courts. Hello?? I'm reporting a scam and think that I just want my 50 dollars back. Pissed.
OKAY I'm guessing a lot of ppl upon hearing the need to report to another third party would have backed away from all that trouble and just SUA-ed the case. But I wanted to see how it was like. So I went to the court. In Chinatown.
Told the lady in the Subordinate Courts that I'd been referred here by the police. Showed her my report. And she said that Subordinate Courts only work on cases within a year and my case was like in 2012 which is more than a year. FUG.
I told her that the douchebag only contacted me in Sept 2013 which is less than a year ago. She said yea I could file for hearing if I wanted to but if the lawyer.... the lawyer... LAWYER. Walao eh in order to get that scammer caught and have mine and my friends' $50 refunded back, I have to get a lawyer involved?! Bladdy hell, I should've opted for Law instead then I will fight for my own case.
Back to topic~ In the event that the lawyer views the case to be more than a year back (starting from the date I fugging passed that promoter the money), I would not be able to get the $10 administrative fees back. That fee is mandatory for filing a report.
Asked what would she advise. Should I get the case back to the police? And she said that Subordinate Courts cannot provide advices and that I should go to Community Justice Center and ask for free legal advice instead.
THANKFULLY it was just next door. I hopped over.
The counter lady told me that if I wanted to proceed....... *zoned out a little*.....some administrative fees (?) "could amount to hundreds" which is more than the $50 alr.
I asked if I could file many ppl's report together cos I wasn't the only one who kena scammed. That way, it'd be more than the admin fees alr right? ......... Cannot.
Asked if I should raise the issue back to the police instead. She suggested that I gather a few ppl and report the case together so the police wouldn't think that I'm the only one who got scammed but there are others out there as well, then they would consider opening up the case for investigation. Daheck?
Made a report last December. Report no. F/201312220/2107. The police didn't rlly see my case as a scam because after all I did get the card but not what was promised along with the card. But bladdy hell if you were the one who got scammed, you would know its a scam. Anyways in December 2013, I made my report under the case of a suspected scam (cos he postponed the company opening shit to January = =)
Followed up with my report in Feb 2014 after he blocked my number.
The police referred me to Small Claims and Tribunal Subordinate Courts. Hello?? I'm reporting a scam and think that I just want my 50 dollars back. Pissed.
OKAY I'm guessing a lot of ppl upon hearing the need to report to another third party would have backed away from all that trouble and just SUA-ed the case. But I wanted to see how it was like. So I went to the court. In Chinatown.
I told her that the douchebag only contacted me in Sept 2013 which is less than a year ago. She said yea I could file for hearing if I wanted to but if the lawyer.... the lawyer... LAWYER. Walao eh in order to get that scammer caught and have mine and my friends' $50 refunded back, I have to get a lawyer involved?! Bladdy hell, I should've opted for Law instead then I will fight for my own case.
Back to topic~ In the event that the lawyer views the case to be more than a year back (starting from the date I fugging passed that promoter the money), I would not be able to get the $10 administrative fees back. That fee is mandatory for filing a report.
Asked what would she advise. Should I get the case back to the police? And she said that Subordinate Courts cannot provide advices and that I should go to Community Justice Center and ask for free legal advice instead.
THANKFULLY it was just next door. I hopped over.
The counter lady told me that if I wanted to proceed....... *zoned out a little*.....some administrative fees (?) "could amount to hundreds" which is more than the $50 alr.
I asked if I could file many ppl's report together cos I wasn't the only one who kena scammed. That way, it'd be more than the admin fees alr right? ......... Cannot.
Asked if I should raise the issue back to the police instead. She suggested that I gather a few ppl and report the case together so the police wouldn't think that I'm the only one who got scammed but there are others out there as well, then they would consider opening up the case for investigation. Daheck?
21 comments
Hi, my friends and I were scammed like you and I was just random googling about it and found your blog. We're really pissed and should really bring it up to CASE, but it's really too troublesome.
ReplyDeleteAny updates on the situation? We'll like to get our money back too :(
Hi Damon, since he said that it would be done by January, I'll call him up again at the end of Jan and if the completion or whatever is going to be delayed again, I'd report it directly to the authorities argh. Yeah, there's still a membership fee for CASE : (
DeleteHey there, I'm another victim who paid $50 and didn't even get the card. Seems like their website is down. Any ways of contacting them?
ReplyDeleteHi, yup, do you have any ways I can contact you privately? I'm not sure if I could post it here
Deleteyup, can contact me at 98379039
ReplyDeletecontact, whatapps me at 85112173 the information, I love to bring them up to the authority too if it isnt too troublesome.
ReplyDeleteI got scam too and my few others friends :(
ReplyDeleteI feel ya babe :(
DeleteHi dear, I got scammed too. I didn't even get a single shit from them la :/
ReplyDeletePlease contact me if you're gonna take action cos I want to, too! >:(
My name is Denise and my no. Is 81386996
Hey Denise, sorry for the late reply, i didn't see your comment earlier :/
DeleteYES i'll contact you tmr regarding my report!!
me too!! and my gf!! >:( its been more than a year since i heard anything from them!
ReplyDeletedo u know how many ppl have taken action?
Hey Jovin, yea doubt they actually plan to do anything about it arghhhh
DeleteI don't have the exact figures but I do know a couple who have already done so!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI was once scammed and made a police report. But according to the police, they require a certain number of reports filed by different people before that can classify that as a scam and take action.
Per advised, it will be good to link the police reports filed together. For example, after you file your report, advise the people who have been scammed to inform the police your report number and link their report to yours. In this way, it will be easier for them and everyone of you will have stronger case of being scammed by the same company.
Hope this helps. =)
Hey Arine,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your advice! I'd update my post soon to include my report details.
YES GUYSSS! Do make a report even though it has been a year, cheaters are cheaters, scammers are scammers, they should be caught and we should be refunded.
same here kena scam upside down paid 100 some more "extended membership'
ReplyDeletesigh i feel ya man :/
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteDo you have any updates from them? The card is collecting dust in my drawer and no way of contacting them for any benefits to speak of.
Thanks!
Nope they MIA already. 96528837 was the number I last contacted them at!
DeleteMy and my bf got scammed too! If theres any updates, please WA me at 97903516. Thanks!:)
ReplyDeleteHey, I got scammed too. Still have the stupid card with me. Paid 100 for the lifetime membership too.. imagine how many hundreds they have now! Can WA me at 96453965 if you have any updates? How many people do they need to raise a case? Think we can report to CASE?
ReplyDeleteHi there! YA thinking about them getting away scot-free gets me even more pissed. Yup okay. That one i'm not too sure. I tried reporting to CASE but failed because the scamming incident happened more than a year ago :\
Delete