I am a victim of a recent commerce crime involving fraud and unfair business practices whereby I paid for a product per the established agreement, but have not received the product to date. Moreover, when I inquire into shipping status, I am told that shipping, originating from Indonesia has been placed ON HOLD in Singapore until additional payment is made to clear transit port charges.

The Agreement:
On March 1, 2011, I ordered via the Starscycle.com website a bicycle component to be shipped from Indonesia to the United States of America. Via the website and in direct email contact with the Stars Cycle, the exact item number, description, quantity and price was stated (invoice from STARS CYCLE and email conversations verify this order). The payment method was indicated as a wire transfer to Stars Cycle bank account. Based on this agreement, the wire transfer was completed and receipt was confirmed by Stars Cycle. Stars Cycle, then indicated that the item would be shipped out shortly using International-xpress shipping company (althought they previously indicated TNT) and that they would provide me with the tracking number when shipped. The tracking number was provided later as promised.

The Fraud:
Using International-xpress.com website, I located my shipping order which appeared to be ligitamate. There was only one question I had regarding the number of units indicated on the shipping manifest. It listed 3 units when I had clearly purchased only 1 unit.

When I questioned Stars Cycle about this, they indicated that I was being shipped 3 units in error. This is when I was told that the shipment was placed ON HOLD in Signapore and that they required additional payment to clear the port charges. Here is when I first realized that my money had been stolen and they were looking to steal even more. If there are truly 3 units instead of 1 then the mistake is with Stars Cycle and not me. Therefore, either release the shipment to its final destination or return it to Stars Cycle location and provide me with a new and correct shipment. I presented these two options ensuring them that if they would continue the shipment, I would return the two additional units to them if they would pay for the return shipping.

My item is being used as hostage to gain additional funds which are not needed, and also will most likely not RESUME shipping to my address. I also have contacted the shipping company, International-xpress, who has not replied to me.

Unfortunately, after the fact, I have now learned through further investigation that the Stars Cycle and International-xpress in partnership together is not just stealing from me, but from others before me as well.

At this time, STARS CYCLE has stolen $470usd from me and is hoping to gain an additional $940 to resume shipment. I in turn am reaching out to the Authorities and Government of Indonesia, the U.S. and any other organizations to 1) hopefully resolve my lost, 2) bring attention to the wrongful and criminal acts of STARS CYCLE and International-xpress; and 3) hopefully invoke punitive actions againts these companies.