**** Essential Oils Website

In December 2017 I was searching for an essential oils supplier. I requested price lists from quite a few suppliers, one of them being Meadowbank Essential Oils (www.mbessentialoils.co.za). Their website looks very professional and their prices were the cheapest of all the others. The same day I received the price list, I received a whatsapp from the 'Sales Manager' Bibby Colin asking if I want to order. I said I would look and get back to him.

I waited 2 weeks til January 2018 and requested an invoice on the 9th January. He sent me the email with proforma invoice amounting to R2,235 and banking details to an ABSA account in an individual by the name of Shandukani Simphiwe. The invoice was stamped and looked legitimate. Bibby Colin stated on the email that the payment goes directly to their stores accountant.

I made the payment via eft and sent proof of payment. The next day at 6pm, Bibby Colin sends me a whatsapp informing me that they have not received the money and they packed my order already for Delivery, and my payment has failed and he will be sending me the assistant stores accountant banking details to make the payment again (This time standard bank account name Zodwa Briget Mhlati). He also asked if I can do an instant payment into this 2nd account.

I immediately called him and asked him what he is talking about! He tells me that my money will bounce back into my account because the account I sent the money to is going under auditing the next day so no payments can enter the account. He tells me I must check with my bank and I mustnt worry. And that he can even deliver before I make the payment.

I sensed something fishy and contacted my bank to do a recall of the payment and now I wait to see whether this money can be recovered.

'Bibby Colins' number is still on so I want to warn any potential buyers against the same what happened to me. They have AdWords campaigns running so they could be de*****ing a lot of people.

Today he sent me another whatsapp saying I must be patient I will receive my money and that he has another client also waiting for money. He again sent I mustnt worry about anything because they are a legit company.

Be aware...