dream machine

More than 50 people thought they were investing in a dream machine that would give them a guaranteed monthly return, but they ended up losing more than RM12,000 each, writes SONIA RAMACHANDRAN.

IT was a dream investment, or so it was said to be, and more than 50 people took the bait, only to regret it later.

On offer, at RM43,160, was a "dream machine" touted as a "one-stop centre" where the public could pay their utility bills and even buy plane and cinema tickets.

It was almost like buying a "post office" business for a song.

The investor was promised between RM1,000 and RM4,000 monthly in commissions from the payment of utility bills, airline tickets and prepaid telephone top-ups.
After making the full payment, the investors were told to wait for 14 days for a full briefing on how the kiosk functioned and how the commissions would be paid.

However, no such briefings were held.

For George David, a telephone call and a short message service (SMS) in January last year was what prompted him and his family to attend a presentation on "Mat Kiosk" in Bangsar.

Little did the 48-year-old service engineer from Subang Jaya realise that the trip would cost him almost RM13,000.

At the presentation, which was attended by over 100 people, David and his family were told about the amazing machine called the Multi-Automated Touchscreen Kiosk (Mat Kiosk).

"A guy by the name of Aimi presented the marketing strategy and it was so convincing that even my wife, who is very careful, was convinced," said David.

A 30 per cent deposit had to be paid upon signing up for the RM43,160 Mat Kiosk.

For subsequent machines, the deposit was 10 per cent each.

They were also told where the machines would be placed and the places listed included Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Mara and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa.

The machine would be up and running within one month of the deposit being paid, they were told,

The salesman also assured the investors that there was a 14-day cooling off period during which those who were not satisfied could get their deposits back.

David was among 12 others, including professional people, retirees and unemployed, who turned up at the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) to lodge their complaints.

One of them paid the full amount and received a machine that only dispensed mobile phone top-ups. It also continuously broke down.



The lure of a free trip to Bali was probably what persuaded some to sign up for the machines.

MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong said he had received complaints on this scam early last year.

"The companies selling this kiosk use the names of big companies like airline companies in their promotions.

"But when I checked with the companies concerned, they did not know anything about it," he said.

One case referred to him, said Chong, involved many complainants because the first victim recruited many others to join this business.

"All these cases have been referred to the police."