This complaint is about ongoing fraud committed by Cyber Maestro PTE LTD of SIM LIM Square, Singapore. If my story stops even one more person from being ripped off, I'll feel I have done my job - please read below. Folks, don't just comment - if Cyber Maestro has defrauded you, register a complaint of your own as well - that way, the number of complaints against them can be counted.

A year after Harrold's experience (see other complaints), these guys are still in business and going strong. My story is almost identical Harrold's - I was attended by one ALVIN, and bought a PSP-2006. The PSP cost S$250 and he promised to do a software "hack" and fill the 4Gb flash card with "free" games for an extra S$100. I didn't ask for this hack - ALVIN SUGGESTED IT. Before that, I hadn't even realised this was possible. My thinking was "oh well, they are an established, legal outlet for Sony goods so whatever he is doing must be OK". These guys are not like touts on a street corner, they have a big, brightly lit PREMISIS in SIM LIM SQUARE. One doesn't expect to be defrauded by a REGISTERED COMPANY with PREMISES. While doing this deal with Alvin, another (irate) customer came into the store complaining that there were no games on the PSP that she bought the day before. I asked Alvin how this happened and he explained that the staff attending her on the previous day had "accidentally" not put the games on. Little did I realise the same was about to happen to me. Before we left the shop, he showed me the list of games on the PSP.

When I got home (Australia), the PSP reported "no games". How did this happen? - Alvin showed me the list of games on the PSP before I left the shop - when I got home, the games had disappeared. Some kind of technical slight-of-hand, I know nothing about PSPs, so I don't know how he did this. The fact that it happened to another customer, as I witnessed in the shop, tells me that this is not accidental but deliberate deception. Also, the 4Gb memory card turned out to be a "fake" (not the correct Sony part) - I wasn't paying attention to that in the store either.

I guess the question really is - under Singapore law is it illegal to promise to sell something illegal, take the money and then not deliver the (illegal) goods? As the buyer is (knowingly or unknowingly) engaging in illicit activity he has no comeback whatsoever, even though the vendor is committing fraud. A bit like a corner store selling you a "joint" only to discover that he has sold you an ordinary cigarette at an inflated price.

I can't help thinking that this suits Sony to a tee - as they have nothing to lose, it may even benefit Sony as it presumably "teaches a lesson" to those who try to undermine their business by buying illicit goods.

The fact remains that Cyber Maestro are defrauding people and I wish their dirty little business a nasty demise in the near future. If you Google "Cyber Maestro", almost EVERY SINGLE link relates to a complaint. There is no doubt in my mind that they are CON ARTISTS. Any comments on this page which support them have been planted by the shop staff to sow the seeds of doubt.

I didn't buy the PSP for myself - it was a Christmas present for my son. SHAME ON YOU ALVIN, for ruining a boy's Christmas present expectations. SHAME ON YOU SONY corp. for allowing Cyber Maestro to continue using your products as a tool for their fraud.