Electronic parts supplier scam - I almost fell for it - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 12:42:08 pm
content: Hi. I am in desperate need of qty 100 of Microchip's ATWILC3000-MR110CA for an engineering build. They are as scarce as hen's teeth, thanks to the unprecedented demand for them in medical (respirators).We need them pretty urgently.I found a website that looked legit that had heaps of them, at about half the normal price. It was top of the listing by Google Ads for the ATWILC3000-MR110CA. What could go wrong!?https://www.infinity-electronic.hk/product/Micrel-Microchip-Technology_ATWILC3000-MR110CA.aspxI sent an email and got a nice reply that they can help supply them:Looks good, eh. Although I wondered how come they have them and no-one else does, not even Microchip. But I found this tonight...https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/infinite-electronic.comhttps://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/infinite-electronic.comThank goodness I have not sent any money. I notice there are some other similar websites with similar quantities out of Hong Kong all at discount prices.Is anyone else aware this is a scam? And where can I get 100pcs of ATWILC3000-MR110CA?

author: Sal Ammoniac
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 03:39:26 pm
content: Any deal that looks too good to be true undoubtedly is.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 03:51:29 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on August 03, 2020, 12:42:08 pmDunno if you already checked here:https://www.iodparts.com/part/atwilc3000-mr110caAnd of course you can try alibaba or taobao. On Alibaba you at least have escrow service.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 04:41:33 pm
content: May be this?https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/microchip-technology/ATWILC3000-MR110CA/ATWILC3000-MR110CA-ND/5322330

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 04:42:05 pm
content: FWIW I've taken to using Microchip Direct after being very burnt by a too good to be true offer.They have some ATWILC3000-MR110UA-T (not sure if that is close enough for you).. probably 2x what you hoped to payI've managed to get free shipping with a coupon that is google-able... MCHPWELCOME ?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 05:07:26 pm
content: Quote from: NivagSwerdna on August 03, 2020, 04:42:05 pmIt requires external antenna. ATWILC3000-MR110CA has chip antenna on board.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 05:11:09 pm
content: Quote from: andy3055 on August 03, 2020, 04:41:33 pmDid you bother to check quantity available?

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 05:26:24 pm
content: The DigiKey lead time is November 2, just before the election.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 09:13:06 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on August 03, 2020, 05:11:09 pmI did but my idea was to find a reliable supplier for the OP. If he can wait, that is up to him. Likewise, there must be other reliable suppliers as long as it is not a part that is not available anymore.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 10:17:17 pm
content: Quote from: andy3055 on August 03, 2020, 09:13:06 pmIf he could wait, I guess he would not try to buy them at dodgy places and start this thread to begin with. Not to say write "I am in desperate need". Also that Nov. 2 date is only a guesstimate. They may be out of stock for half of a year easily.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 02:20:31 am
content: Instead of wasting time, why not contribute to the OPs post? I am sure he/she will appreciate it more than your comments so far.

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 04:03:23 am
content: Have a look here:https://www.netcomponents.com/results.htm?d=1&flts=1&t=f&sm=&r=1&lgc=begins&pn1=ATWILC3000-MR110CAThe downside to using netcomponents is that membership is paid registration, though you might be able to get a free accountAlso are you able to get ATWILC3000-MR110UAand solder on a suitable chip antenna yourself, or do you need a certified device?

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 04:46:59 am
content: Try Digikey Australia. They claim to have 92 in stock!https://www.digikey.com.au/product-detail/en/microchip-technology/ATWILC3000-MR110UA/ATWILC3000-MR110UA-ND/5322331Price is high though. Don't know if the web page is current as well!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 09:56:37 am
content: Quote from: ANTALIFE on August 04, 2020, 04:03:23 amHe would need to move one capacitor to a different position and add 5 missing components.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 09:57:52 am
content: Quote from: andy3055 on August 04, 2020, 04:46:59 amThis is not the module he asked for and I already said what is the difference between them. BTW digikey has domains for many countries, even for Latvia with 2 million population I live in. But it's the same website, the same warehouse and the same stock.

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 11:34:24 am
content: Quote from: NivagSwerdna on August 03, 2020, 04:42:05 pmI apologise for mentioning the UA version (given you don't want to add an external antenna) and to those people suggesting just add a chip antenna... it's not that simple you need the matching network too which is unpopulated and those parts are super tiny and there are quite a few of them.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 11:49:29 am
content: Quote from: wraper on August 03, 2020, 03:51:29 pmI guess their stock number is real after all. Was 47 pieces yesterday and now only 20 remaining.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 09:15:15 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on August 03, 2020, 03:51:29 pmLots on taobao but ~$13 each, Alibaba would be the first choice I think, cheaper and direct shipping is possible.In both cases you can't be certain the inventory actually exists, but, ask/order and you will find out, most likely they have more than 100pc.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2020, 02:53:25 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on August 04, 2020, 11:49:29 amWe bought 27 pcs from IODPARTS. A big thanks to the bloke who mentioned them, and all who helped. The only issue is there is some blue solder mask that has leaked through some of the vias onto the thermal pad underneath, which means they may have been rejects from Microchip. Not a big issue, as these are just an engineering build and IODPARTS was honest in that they sent photos and offered a 1 year warranty. We also bought the remaining 69 modules from Element 14 in the UK - we cleaned out all their stock. And the contract manufacturer in China managed to get another 20 from the spot market. So we are covered. There is pretty much no stock anywhere in the world. The UA variant is unsuitable for a few reasons. Cost (ext antenna), space (it is very tight), and cost of compliance which increases for FCC and CE RED testing.This exercise has woken me up though to risk of component scammers in the electronics industry. If this INFINTY-ELECTRONIC is a scam,https://au.trustpilot.com/review/infinite-electronic.com, the scammer should be handed over to the security police for some "contact counselling" and subsequent processing. The Microsoft Help Desk and other phone scammers from India should share a similar fate. The world is are far too kind to low-life scammers. They should be treated no better than heroin traffickers.

author: carlvanwormer
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 03, 2021, 06:31:32 pm
content: How embarrassing . . . they got me too!I wired $600 in hopes of getting the obsolete pots that fit on my board. Naive is a nice word for gullible.The interactions with this guy were compelling, with him answering all my questions and ready to send the parts. Once the wire transfer was completed, he responded with "OK. Thanks for your payment, I will check with our accounting and let you know once the payment received.And please note we will ship the items to you in 3 days after payment received, after we ship out the items, I will send you the tracking number for your reference." This was the last I heard from him. Phone numbers and fax appear to be non-functional.Color me naive,Carl