DAMMAM: The Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) recently issued a warning that Saudi businessmen intending to buy used heavy machineries such as construction equipment from Singapore should be extremely cautious and make all possible inquiries regarding the reputation of the companies with which they intend to deal.
“The warning has been issued on the basis of the information received from the Saudi Embassy in Singapore that two companies dealing in used heavy equipment, Rizqi Makmur (S) Pte. Ltd. and A Machine Trade Singapore Pte. Ltd., were found receiving funds from clients and not delivering the goods. Singapore police are looking for Shaikh Baber Ghani of Pakistan origin, owner of the two companies,” a source at CSCCI told Arab News on Sunday.
In its message to CSCCI, the Saudi Embassy in Singapore, which noticed considerable increase in the number of Saudi businessmen and middlemen visiting Singapore to buy used machineries in recent times, urged them to follow safe methods when making deals such as ensuring the credibility and reputation of the companies from where they buy machineries.
“Businessmen should also send their representatives to the company in order to ascertain the working condition of the equipment and arrange safe modes of payment and shipment,” the warning notification said.
To avoid being cheated by fraudsters abroad, the council warned against the practice of ordering costly goods on the basis of the information available on websites and then paying huge sums by telex transfer.
According to a recent online posting, “a machine trade Singapore Pte. Ltd. accepted substantial funds, failed to deliver goods; company sent letters including letters in October 2008 that it would ship goods or refund. Company now has kept all funds and failed to deliver.
