Just to add my 2c to the herd.
There is a group of people who operate under various names and basically phone people, tell them they’ve won a car or something and then make them attend a prize giving where they discover they’ve won nothing but then subsequently get lured into some contract holiday garbage which invariably ends up costing them way more than they expected. This bait and switch operation is the very definition of a scam.
Long story short, if someone phones you and says you’ve won something, don’t believe them… alternatively you can tell them to drop off the car at your house when they have a moment 🙂
In the mean time, another South African blogger wrote some stuff about the scam on his blog and QVC are subsequently trying to sue him for over half a million rand, which is basically their way of saying “We’re bigger than you”… well, they might be, but they’re not bigger than all of us.
You can read more about this case here and here
ps QVC, aka Quality Vacation Club, aka Prestige Business Solutions, aka Unique Connections, aka World Connect/VIP/VIP World Connect, aka Prime Vision, aka Media Magic, aka Mega Communications, aka Ezweni Communications, aka Dynamic Communication, aka Real Communications/Real Communication, aka Ecoworld, aka Market Matrix.
Why would a legitimate business need so many aliases?
I encourage other bloggers to get this story out into the wild so that these con artists start to feel the google crunch.
arbitraryuser 
Why so many aliases indeed? And why are they so evasive when you start asking questions. Check out the responses on HelloPeter.com!
Like everyone else I also got a phone call where they said I was 1 out of 15 couples in line to win a car – chevy spark.
I was very sceptical, and googled the name prime vision where i saw all the complaints on hellopeter.com
Thanks to all who posted complains about this bogus company!ime
Something really needs to be done about these scam artists!!! They waste good peoples time and money!
Someone called me to say that I was 1 of 15 shortlisted to win a car. I was sceptical and specifically asked whether I would have to attend a any sort of presentation. Twice I was told not. I gave the caller the benefit of the doubt and decided to attend. The minute we arrived we were sent to a room where we were asked to complete a form related to our income and whether we already own “holiday ownership”. This is an absolute sham! Upon complaining to the representatives at hand I was confornted with an aggressive and defensive attitude.I aksed for the contact details of the manager / owner of the QVC. I just tried calling “Nash Stevens” on the numbers given. The phones ring unanswered.
There has to be a law we can use in this instance they are harrassing us and we need to put a stop to it this is also fraud they are stealing our leave and salaries asking us to be there with their lies
Is this “company” based in Midrand, VIP Offices, Guildford Road?
They are having a draw this afternoon Tuesday 5th May at 14h00 and 16h00 for a Chevy Spark??????????
Hi Kelly,
I’ve heard about the Chevy Spark before and it was a scam that time too.
If these people call you I’d suggest you just tell them they can drop the car off at your house if you win. 😉
j.
we were scammed into this winning a car, so they talked us into buying points in the vacation club, we were gulleble, no that we are trying to get out!!!!!!!!!!!!anybody that can help me please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Guys and girls,
Let’s rally up some support…
We also have bought into this, has anyone had any success with gettting out of the scheme? or has anyone got any good comments?
I have just received the above blah blah blah phone call from dynamic communications . I am guranteed a prize of a chevy spark, garmin, quad bike and ad nauseaum. All that I have to do is do the draw myself. I am also invited to a free dinner and refreshments. My reference number is J 611. The landline number that I asked for is 0114674823. The draw will be held at Terra Firma in Fourways. A moron called Anna will be contacting me shortly. What do I do? .She sounded so genuine,though her command of english grammar leaves a lot to be desired
Hi Terra 😉
Personally I would arm myself with as much info as possible and then go to their “prize giving” and cause as much shit as possible.
j.
HI All, I also got a call yesterday about winning a chevy spark, one of 15 people invited and that I am guaranteed either a garmin , a holiday to cape town, a quad. This company is based in midrand off new road, called VIP. I think this is an ideal topic for carte blanche. I believe that there are competition regulations and these cases is a definite case of fraud. Thank you
Yeah, I got The Phonecall today, on my landline (to my surprise…). Immediately suspicious, I started asking a lot of questions, and the guy (Clement from Interwave in Fourways, a “research” company working on behalf of Terra Firma) just kept repeating the same thing over and over again. He kept on avoiding to answer me, and he wanted to find out where I lived. As I was dragging for more time, he was starting to get very irritated. They obviously need to make their numbers, and everybody who asks too many questions is not earning them anything. I asked what the company sells, what business they are in, and he blatantly refused to answer, playing the broken record “you’ve entered into a competition to win a Chevy Spark blahblahblah”. I hope they phone me back so I can irritate them a bit more…
I got the call today, been bothering me as I was sceptical from the begining, where did they get my numer as i got a new phone and sim, I asked her if this is some sort of time share crap, no I was told , I said if it was I would smack the living sh*t out of who ever is doing presentation/ award, now I know, I feel like going there with a few of my mates to beat the crap out of them.
I’d happily take a day off work to go stage a little protest of sorts at their offices. Maybe take along a couple of beers and a braaier and piss them off some. Anyone else interested? Why not get the media involved? That way the peeps who still don’t know where a computer’s on switch is, won’t get scammed anymore. Let’s close down these SOB’s.
I am one of those that were scammed by QVC. Now I am stuck with these points If I have to sell them(you cannot give them back) you only get half your money back. My membership fee jumped from R3400/ year to R5000 this year. I am stuck. Complaints just fall on deaf ears.
We’re members of QVC and we’ve never had problems, and been on lots of holidays with the points too! Let me tell you it is well worth it!
I also got the call yesterday. This woman had to spell everything, cause i couldn’t understand a bloody word she was saying. Good thing there’s something like Google, typed in Terrafirma, and viola! All the complaints popped up. I’m waiting for Anna to call, got a few comments ready for her….
Just a hint – they start calling you just after you’ve placed an ad in the Junkmail…
I got a call on Thursday 26th November 2009.
I got a comfirmation call yesterday.
They now calling themselves Interwave. Thank goodness i googled and found all the complaints.
My husband got a call, I was immediatley suspicious so I looked up the company. So long as we are gullible and looking for freebies we will be caught by these scam artists
I also got the call on the 8th December 2009 from to win a Chevy Spark. Ref J536, Tel 011 4675823. Draw to take place at Terra Firma, Fourways at 10h00 on the 10th December 2009
The confirmation call was done within 15 min
Thank goodness I also googled
Thank you for the blog.. Just saved me a lot of trouble..and yeah,happened just after placing an ad in Junkmail
Hi
I just got called by a Michelle from ‘World Connect’. She said I am already a confirmed winner of one of the following, a quad bike, Garmin GPS, some kitchen appliance, some vacation for 2, etc… I am also 1 of 15 finalists invited to the draw for a 2009 Chevy Spark. This is to be held in Midrand on 21 Jan 2010. Michelle said the the ‘event coordinator’, Tracy will call me tomorrow with directions to the venue. Their hotline no is 087 805 2365. Michelle also gave me a J425 reference no.
According to her I entered by sms in Oct 2009 in Kempton Park. How would they know that I sent some sms from Kempton Park? Fishy!!! I know for a fact that I didn’t enter any compitition of this nature. This is a scam for sure! Thanks to google and everybody that posted!
I am sick and tired of receiving cold canvas calls from World Connect who front for quality vacation club.
I also started receiving the calls soon after placing an ad in Junkmail. I am now telling everyone I know not to use Junkmail.
Yup, I recently placed an ad in Junkmail too. Guy calling me is with “Unique Communications”, and the draw is taking place in Pretoria North. I wonder if Junkmail can’t warn advertisers? Going to mail them now.
My parents who are pensioners were also caught in this scam… They asked us to go and receive their price on their behalf as they were away on holiday. A Martin guy called me and explained all the prizes, also the Chevy, Quadbike, GPS etc. I asked at least 5 times on two occasions when they called me if it has something to do with timeshare, points etc and he every time confirmed that it was definitely nothing like that- no strings attached. At first it was 6 couples in the draw for the prizes and later 15 couples. We were guaranteed our prize! Another guy called with directions- prize giving was at Monateng Lodge, Pretoria. I had a feeling that it was just another scam but we decided to go as we had never been to Monateng Lodge and wanted to check the place out. We arrived there, had to go to the “presentation room” and had to complete a few forms- very friendly Afrikaans speaking people. Like in the Lotto we then had to spin a machine with some ball with numbers in… and we did not win the Chevvy, or the GPS or quadbike…!!! According to the lady who worked their, the Chevvy was won the previous week…. We “won” a midweek break at one of the QVC resorts but I guess that accommodation will just never be available on the dates we want to go and that the voucher will not be valid. The Monday thereafter a person called me again to ask for the voucher number of the midweek break- I refused to give it and asked to speak to the owner of the business, the phone was immediately put down in my ear. I tried to call the number 0878054350 but with no success.
It is a shame how people (especially our senior burgers) are caught by scams like this. We have to expose them.
Was phoned less than an hour ago by Candy from somewhere nd told that we were 5 people in the draw and I have to be in Fourways 26 Feb to draw my prize I am garenteed a prize. Either the chev, a quad, an ice maker or a tHOLIDAY FOR TWO. Was realy excited. She said she would email me the stuff. Still waiting for the mail so I googled a few keywords I could remember to see where exactly this gala event will be and tada got to this site. Thanx for saving me time and money guys. FYI Ref# J427 tel# 0878052390
I worked as a timeshare salesman for about 6 months, our catch was to offer a free meal for two at a good restaurant but when they arrive they have to sit and listen to my presentation first.
The presentation would end when they buy the timeshare or they couldnt wait to leave and would have long forgotten about that free meal…
my brother got caught by one of these okes recently and R25000 later and paying a monthly levy he uses it once a year when available…. TIMESHARE IS A SCAM…If you think otherwise the salesman was really good :)…..ts
Jip. same story. shortly after placing an add in junkmail….i got the call. and have been getting it every damn day evesince…..cindy,ntombi, michael, martie good lord!!!! I’m the type that never…and i mean NEVER enter compititions! yet according to these idoits I have entered several since 1950….I was born in the 1980’s…go figure!
Its a scam!!! I will gladly join anybody to go ….. down their offices!
Jus received a phone call from them. Phoned back on their 0878054350.
Thokolani / Thakalani something or another.
Other company on same number there as well: Unique Connections.
Gillem/Gilliam answered the phone.
Apparently the manager is a Charmaine (refused to give surname)
Ev entually spoke to a Patrick, who is just an agent there. Supervisor is a Lee Matthews… all names, no way to verify.
Irritating to say the least!
Also got a call from 0878054350 saying that I have won a prize (tv,laptop,gps/playstation or accomodation voucher). I told the lady that if this is time share I am definitely not interested. She then sent me a fax clearly stating that I will be awarded one of the prixes and the it definitely is NO TIMESHARE deal. The company is VMS. I googled some of the names and numbers on the fax and found this still to be part of the old-scam. So for anybody that gets calls or faxed from the following numbers, please be aware: Temie 0762887260 or 0878052370 or Rachel 0711816739.
Just got called again from 0878054350 by an illiterate, sloth-sounding lady congratulating me on some “prize” I have won. Don’t know what the prize is because she had the lingual skills of an ape, it did sound like she just woke up after being hit by a bus, then a train and then another bus. These morons will try to get you even though you are aware of the same old lame-ass scams? I regularly (twice a week) win the the UK/EURO/US Lottery programs too. F man, can someone please push a button to get rid of these lazy-lowlife-oxygen-thieves once and for all!!!
The scam is still continuing!!!!! from this number still 0878054350!!!!! sies
Yip, just got a call from ‘Beatrice’ at somethingorother ‘Connections, same story Spark, Quad blah blah.
I told her I live 100km’s from Pretoria and I would not be a happy man if I get there and I have spend money, I also told her I am unemployed – still they want me to go to Monateng Safari Lofge on Sat…seems I was the ‘First’ person they called I could choose one of three times to be there; 9am, 11am, or 1pm.
Thanks for the heads up people!!, I will not be going!
Hey guys, i received a call from world connect – Sheila’s her name -saying i’m in line to win a chevy spark this morning.. apparently the draw is on tuesday in midrand somewhere on new road. Gosh im so glad i googled this, thanx for the heads up guys.
I think I may have been a gullible idiot!
They called me two days ago and I could not recall ever entering a competition. Long story short- I entered a competition (they said) and could not win the car but not to fret because I qualify to win a 5 day stay at any of their resorts in SA (all 185 of them). It sounded legit- one lady called on Monday and another called to confirm my attendance of the price giving ceremony in Midrand. Something sounded a bit off so I googled the company and ended up here :-). I am glad I got here before honoring the appointment.
Just got a call from them today – same scam…
And I got scammed into attending a ‘night out’ with them about 5 years ago!!! Damn, these guys have been round the block a few times!
LOL@ Jay… my very sentiment indeed !
Quote: “Just got called again from 0878054350 by an illiterate, sloth-sounding lady congratulating me on some “prize” I have won.”
ok also got the call,lol,new was a scam so im gona go with print out of everything i found on them there is even a liguidation thing on them on the internet just type in their adress and you will find a different name .Or when they phone back say they must just hold on while you get a pen and paer and leave them hanging and just listen to what they say in the background.Idiots ,but they seem to catch alot of ppl otherwise they would be out of bussiness by now.
And these guys are crazy to be doing this “legit” business on innocent people. They once called me and told me to bring my wife and/or partner. After googling them i realised I’m about to get scammed. I actually was thinking if i take my wife along and these okes kidnap us or something what then. But the problem with them is, you can’t ask the questions. Once you start asking they get all dodgy and scared. It seems there’ve been operating for quiet some time and people have been taken for a few rides on them mini coopers
Got a call from these guys a few days ago, new draw Friday 21 May 94 Glenwood road, Lynwood Glen, Pretoria. On my invitation, that same number (071 181 6739) along with 074 753 8324 (Lucinda) Apparently this was because I completed some survey in a shopping centre, strange because i live 2 hours from pretoria and have never been to the centre concerned, also GUARANTEED a prize. LOL. New company name though, they now call themselves VMS(nice cover since VMS Group is a company specialising in marketing, completely different numbers, logo and no office in Pretoria. Even gave me my very own reference number and state at the bottom of the invite in big bold letters: “NO TIMESHARE!” Got a call from their “Manager” today asking if I would be attending. Well, they think so, but we all know better. Oh, and asked if my spouse would be joining me, I’m 20 years old and have never been married, unless a longterm girlfriend is considered a wife nowadays. These guys should get taken down. Companies like this serve no useful purpose other than making its members rich.
Scam is still going! Got a phone call this afternoon to confirm direction to 94 Glenwood Road, Pretoria.
So here’s what we do to them now:
Put your phone on speaker, go on with your work, just “Ja” & “yes” often and keep sounding interested, let them book your seat at the prize giving, then just don’t go.
I’m sure these guys (like any other telemarketer) gets commission on customers who show up at the venue, so if your seat is booked, you’re a potential income for them. No show – no money (commission). If you reject them outright, they’ll go on and harass some other bloke until all their seats are booked, so let them book you & just don’t show! – I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this.
Hi All
I have just received the phone call, from a Shaun. Iam apparently also one of 15 lucky winners to win a Nissan Levina…..they will phone me tomorrow for the directions to the venue on Saturday. Unique connections 087 805 4350….guess they’ve got a new number.
I also got a call today from Beauty saying that I have won a family vacation for 5 days sponsored by QVC.only got excited for 5 minutes untill my colleague warned me that its a scam, so I decided to google on to find all these comments and complains some placed on Hello Peter.com. Am glad I did my research I am not going!
The funny thing is that when they call you they sound so legitimate and even tell you that all calls are recorded for quality purposes! I will not go and next time they phone I will hang up!
The scam goes on….. don’t the idiots realise we are tired of there crap….. watiting for them to call again and then I will practice some choice french on them….and threaten them with the law…
Received a call from Eddie and Gillan from 0878054350 Unique Connections to attend prizedraw at Monateng Safari Lodge….. phoned them, spoke to Mitrish who confirmed that this was no Holiday Club and they don’t sell anything. We’re 150km from Pretoria, and I told her that. My husband will have to take a days leave but she insisted that there is definitely a big price to be won, it will be worthwhile…..
Yep, just after placing an ad in the Junkmail – i got the call from Elizabeth-from a company called Unique connections. Same story-free Chery car, free GPS, free everyting and yes, a free meal for me and my husband. She was insistant to know if I have a partner and if he would be joining me. Anyway, they called back later again for the directions to Monateng Lodge. I told them right off that I’ve been doing a bit of research on their company and they are downright scammers. The caller immediately put the phone down. That was enough to prove that they are indeed SCAMMERS!!
I hope to Heaven that no-one falls for this!
They also called me after placing an advert in the Junk Mail. I filled thier forms after bieng told that they will only use them when I phone them to tell them if I am intertested. Will they sue me coz I now want to tell them that i am not interested and i have already made a stop payment against thier name.
The draw is not a scam. Your chances of winning is highly unlikely. Watch out for the presentation and bullying before or after. Just stick to your guns and DON’T SIGN ANYTHING!!
Hel 2hel yeh they gave me a cal i went there without knwin its a scam. I was suprise wen i hav 2 complete a form about my details. da no. Al of a sudan here comes dis ugly guy by da name of lungelo givin me presentation about qvc damn dat guy. I wasnt there 4 presentation only da draw. I got dat voucher so wat must i do with it. Some people got da bals