posted on December 4, 2000 04:52:03 PM new
Igotgame nailed this one. We found this sight and came here to post it and see that Igotgame has already. The following is the text on the Fountain Valley page he posted:
GAMETEK is currently under investigation by three law enforcement agencies;
Fountain Valley Police Department
Palo Alto Police Department
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
GAMETEK is located at: 17284 Newhope, Suite 215, Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Currently, it appears that GAMETEK is taking orders for a product that they cannot deliver.
If you paid by credit card, money order or personal check, attempt to stop payment.
If you have already placed an order with GAMETEK for Sony Playstation 2, please fill out the form below. Your name will be added to a list of potential victims. You may be contacted shortly reference this investigation.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Detective Rick Freeman
[email protected]
(Please Email me if you have additional questions or concerns.)
Due to the large number of responses we are receiving, a return phone call may not be possible at this time.
Thank you for your understanding.
Us again...we will be calling Rick Freeman after we post this.
Other forums, see www.ps2city.com. There are literally hundreds of complaints from all over the country about GameTek. Go to the Fountain Valley page and register with Freeman...that is, and pardon my cynicism, if this isn't also a scam. We'll find out.
posted on December 4, 2000 04:52:13 PM new
hey everyone I went to the http://www.fountainvalley.org/gametek and printed that puppy out. I then ran across the street and showed the bank officials. Even though they are not supposed to stop payment on an official check they have! Just thought I would try and help. It helped there were 3 police departments involved. Just trying to help us all...K
posted on December 4, 2000 05:06:19 PM new
I got only an answering machine at Mr. Freeman's number. I think we all know that GameTek won the first round. I remember feeling this way when it appeared Gore would steal the election, but alas, the courts have ruled against the arrogant schmuck and his cronies. Now...to be vindicated by our courts on our behalf against GameTek. Good luck to all.
posted on December 4, 2000 06:35:09 PM new
Now even the staunch optimists can give up hope and get to the real task at hand. Getting our money back. I payed through PayPal as I am sure a lot of you did. They promised our money back in this situation. We need to concentrate our efforts at a refund from them. I am glad to hear the person who payed by check got theirs cancelled. That is one success story. Let's concentrate on getting the rest of our refunds and satisfaction. I am going to start blitzing PayPal with this new found proof and see how they respond. I think if all of us do that, they can't ignore us.
posted on December 4, 2000 07:03:36 PM new
Well i know very little about this ...but the B.B.B in canada was talking about the canadaian site today ..they say basically it is one big scam!!!!
posted on December 4, 2000 08:29:31 PM new
A multi-agency investigation is underway involving GAMETEK / PS2CART.com. The investigation is being conducted by the Fountain Valley Police Department, the Palo Alto Police Department and the United States Postal Inspector's Office.
GAMETEK apparently has been receiving numerous orders for Playstation 2 Games. As of this date, they have no Playstation 2 Games to ship and the probability of them receiving the games prior to, or even after the promised shipping dates is not likely.
If you have placed an order with GAMETEK, it would be to your best interest to stop payment on whatever payment method you used; credit card, money order, cashier's check. GAMETEK's web site was taken off-line by GAMETEK and you are unable to cancel your order through them.
This is all the information that is available for release at this time. As information becomes available for release to the public, it will be posted on this web site. http://www.fountainvalley.org/gametek/
posted on December 5, 2000 07:42:54 AM new
THEY MOVED TO A NEW BUILDING PPL! THEY DIDN'T RUN AWAY WITH YOUR MONEY! THEY POSTED THIS INFORMATION ON THEIR SITE FOR AWHILE. THEY SAID IF THEIR SITE GOES DOWN, IT'S FOR THIS REASON. YOU PPL ARE PARANOID FOR NOTHING!
Sorry for the caps but I think it's pathetic how everyone is going bezerk.
posted on December 5, 2000 08:01:39 AM new
"Sorry for the caps but I think it's pathetic how everyone is going bezerk"
You can't understand? Then you are not paying attention. There is an investigation into the company. Websites everywhere are proving to be scams. SONY themselves said there are no small companies with access to thousnads of Playstations and most importantly, Today is the 5th (they told me mine would ship on the 1st)and I have recieved no indication my game is on it's way. Why aren't they answering the phone? Why is their site down? Why aren't they answering emails? Coincedence??? You would think that moving during the Christams season would be bad timing considering the thousands of Playstation 2s they are supposed to be shipping. Why don't you give us the new site's Ph and address, cyrix?
posted on December 5, 2000 08:26:16 AM new
Sorry Moderator you are right. A little frustration showing. Anyway one more thing, Paypal has stated that they are aware of this being a fraud and they are treating it as such. It is up to you but keeping an eye on you 60 day period to file for a refund, you may want to do just that. No Paypal jokes Please.
[ edited by hammer1961 on Dec 5, 2000 08:27 AM ]
posted on December 5, 2000 09:47:07 AM new
I have faith that Gametek will deliver my Playstation 2 before December 15th. The man I spoke with from Gametek a couple weeks ago promised me that. My children will be very happy on Christmas day when they open up thier presents and see that shiny new Playstation 2......thanks to Gametek!
posted on December 5, 2000 12:16:00 PM new
I have read others' posts saying that it is all an exaggeration and that is what I think too... lemme show you what someone else at another board had to say:Hey guys...Ive been searching for the forums in hopes of some decent news, and found a poster who posted yesterday that it may not be as bad as we think just yet...
"I have some breaking news. The reason why all this has started is because their website is down. Many angry people who ordered one felt concerned so they reported the fountain valley police. Rick freeman (the investigator in crime) got involved because he couldnt reach ps2cart staff anywhere so thats why he labeled this case "a fraud" case. Rick freeman is aware of the situation and doing his best to find them. Again their normal business hours are monday through friday between 1-8pm PST. Rick freeman cant take any actions untill tommorow because if the gametek staf dont show up, he will take this case serious. Again their were some sweet people who drove down their themselves and said they saw a fed ex flyer on their door knob, it said delivery. We cant be sure their a scam untill after decmber the 5th but if they dont show up tommroow, rest assure their a scam. however, this news isnt 100% confirmed as some detective agents are saying Rick freeman has found the gametek staff and is currently questioning them. Whatever it is, lets hope we either get our ps2's or our money! Thank you very much! And remember, this all started on friday when gametek didint answer any calls!"
(posted by pman4597 at ps2city.com)
Also, Gametek has been in business since 1995 and a scam is always possible, but as the post by pman states, people started getting worried when they wouldn't answer... Gametek also has offices in North Carolina and California.
Furthermore, when I called, I was told that the site may be down and they may not respond to emails/calls... this did worry me but at least they warned before they acted... that is what is happening now...
Instead of arguing with you (you know who it is), I am going to just wait til December 15th... Sometimes I think it is a scam but other times I don't... only time will tell.
posted on December 5, 2000 12:17:27 PM new
Oh, one more thing... I also emailed Rick Freeman about the investigation... although his site clearly stated that they may not be able to reply to all of their emails, I still have yet to get a reply... I have already filed a complaint with BBB though.
posted on December 5, 2000 12:35:27 PM new
Every web boards I visit have different insights...some say ps2car arrested, and some say still in investigation...
The only site I trust right now is the site put out by Rick Freeman himself...
I called my CC company and let them know about the situation, and filed a complaint at an internet fraud protection site. But for now, I will just wait and see the update by the investigator...
got to be careful who and what to trust...
[ edited by mogu on Dec 5, 2000 12:49 PM ]
posted on December 5, 2000 12:46:04 PM new
This Gametek isn't THE Gametek, Inc, is it? I didn't think companies could share names like that...
Gametek... somewhat of a failure of a game company? Did Quarantine in 1994, Road Warrior in 1996. Various editions of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy? Followed by a bankrupcy in 1997, where it sold of part of the company to Take 2 Interactive...
posted on December 5, 2000 01:18:30 PM new
All I know is that if a detective is having a hard time finding these people then the delivery company would have a hard time as well. I'm putting my vote down for it being a scam. I'd be on the phone right now to paypal if I didn't already have a splitting headache that I don't need aggravated by talking to their customer service.
posted on December 5, 2000 02:19:51 PM new
Well of course Gametek hasnt made delivery yet. The PS2's are all sitting in thier warehouse awaiting delivery because they cant ship because they are in custody! Give them time to make their delivery!
posted on December 5, 2000 03:10:57 PM new
Hey guys,
Cyrix101, how do you know Gametek has other offices in the US? Maybe we should call one of the other offices to see if they know anything.
I doubt that this is the same Gametek that made Roadwarrior, and jeopardy.
I would have to agree with Cyrix, and maybe all this confusion is just from everyone over reacting. Thats what I would like to think anyway.
Look at it this way, why would they have put sold out on there website (not allowing you to order anymore) if all they wanted was our money. I had talked to them once about my order...way back in november, and they seemed very helpful and nice. And then to sell 2500 units...well thats probably what they were expecting to come in. Where they were supposed to get them from is anyones guess...but It may just be the suppliers fault. I am not saying that I am so nieve, that I dont think Gametek scammed us..I am just looking at both sides of the story. I would really like to get a hold of the other Gameteks phone numbers..to call and see what they have to say. Anyone have those?
Also if someone lives near Tam Tu, why not go over there and find out what he has to say. No need to bring the baseball bats just yet.
Remember they are under investigation. That doesn't nessarily mean they are guilty.
In my experiences, its always best to find out what is going on for yourself..rather than hear it from other people (remember that game you used to play when you were in 1st grade...someone whispered you something..and you told the next person..and they told the next person and so on..and by the time the message got back to the begining, it was all messed up, and blown way out of proportion)
With the way things are going now, i think we should see how much info we can find out ourselves. I may take for ever for the police to let us know what is happening.
posted on December 5, 2000 03:19:22 PM new
I emailed siteplot regarding the disappearance of the ps2cart site off their servers yesterday and today I received their response:
"We chose to temporarily take PS2Cart.com offline due to information leading us
to believe that they are under investigation for fraudulent practices. Though no
other information has been made available to us, we felt it wise to protect our
other customers by removing PS2Cart.com from our servers until we hear more
regarding this issue."
According to this information, ps2cart was taken down by the server, siteplot. It was NOT taken down by Gametek. This leads me to believe that those who bought a ps2 from ps2cart.com were already making claims of fraud before the site was taken down.
A few other things to think about:
-how the hell did ps2cart.com get Paypal verified? Aren't their certain qualifications to be verified like that?
-how can the workers of Gametek be in custody when they haven't even been caught? Some people say they are already in custody while others say they are being looked for.
I am also thinking that yes it was Gametek, INC. How many other companies have Gametek as their name? In fact, when I tried looking up Gametek, here is what I found:
"Another One Bites the Dust-
GameTek files for chapter 11 protection.
GameTek, Inc. announced today that it has filed a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of North Carolina.
The software developer indicated that continuing heavy losses, development delays and disappointing sales combined to force the Company to seek the protection of bankruptcy court. Mr. Robert L. Underwood, the Company's recently appointed Chief Financial Officer, stated: "We are hopeful that this filing will provide us with the ability to work out suitable arrangements with our creditors, while preserving our existing development operations and the value of our intellectual properties."
GameTek is a developer and publisher of Interactive entertainment software for the Nintendo/Ultra 64, Sony PlayStation/PSX, Sega Saturn and PC CD ROM platforms. The Company maintains offices in California and North Carolina."
Words from:
http://www.game-junkie.com/News/1997_December/Dec04_Gametek.htm
That information worries me... I don't know what to think right now.
posted on December 5, 2000 03:40:59 PM new
Hi Cyrix101,
To be verified with paypal..all you need is a credit card and a checking account. I myslef am verified, and quite frankly that is the only reason i purchased from ps2cart.com. I though that paypals fraud protection would help me..What was I thinking!?
Paypal has been totally useless in this situation.
Regarding the other Gametek in n.c., I had emailed the owner of the web domain www.gametek.com (which was there (gametek...the company who made games..not Ps2cart's gametek) website a while back and he said he bought it when they went bankrupt. He has nothing to do with this whole thing (he just bought the site because he thought it would be a high traffic site. He doesnt even work for or ever did work for the old gametek...it looks to me as if Gametek is now only in california.( and most likely not tied into the old gametek that made software) Does anyone know how we could find out for sure?
TamTu, I know you are not who you say you are..but why post things like that. (about the ps2's being in a warehouse) Do you know something we dont..or are you just hoping like me, that this is just a bad dream.
I think someone should try and talk to the real Tamtu about this..and get his side of the story.
Cyrix, you said you spoke with them over the phone and they told you that there site might be down? Did they say why it might be down?
Just trying to do my own detective work.
Wish I wasnt on the east coast...and i was near Gameteks office,and the real Tamtu's house. i would go scope things out, and try and talk to someone who knows anything.
It sucks trying to do this from behind a computer.
Like I said before about Paypal being useless. I am going to contact my credit card company to see what they can do. (I am not holding my breath with that either.)
I really want my PS2. If there is any shred of hope i may get one from these guys, I may take it.
posted on December 5, 2000 03:57:23 PM new
Hey dunebuggyjay, why do you say Paypal is useless? Have you actually tried contacting them and started the procedure for making a buyer protection claim. If not than don't give out the misinformation. I for one started the PP claim back when I got an email from those scammers saying that paypal had taken their money so I reported them as potential frauds. This way I was within the 30 day window after payment was made, as per PP's TOS. Now I can start to file a claim.
Please dunebuggyjay respond about what you know about PP being worthless. If they don't give me my money I will go over to their offices and raise hell, as well as contact the State Attorney General to get my money back from PP.
posted on December 5, 2000 04:10:06 PM new
Who doesn't want their Ps2 from ps2cart.com?? Nobody I hope.
- Unless you live in Cali. there is no real way to check out Gametek and its Headquarters(if they have one)with your own eyes. I personally don't think this will be resolved untill Dec. 15th or even after that becuase if Gametek does indeed exist they may be hard pressed to get orders out with all of these investigations and the possibility of begin put into custody.
- Also if it is true about their server taking down there website (which I think caused the most controversy) that might show that they are not picking up and leaving.
- Does anyone actully know how many orders they took in?? I just don't know why they whould put a SOLD OUT sign on their site if they are just trying to STEAL our money.
- Like I said before, we'll probaly not know who is right and who is wrong till Dec. 15th
posted on December 5, 2000 04:23:53 PM new
Hi Grahamreaper,
Yes i have emailed Paypal a number of times. All I get is a stupid automated response. I unfortunatly didnt get into there 30 day window. ( I ordered on Oct 26th) I assume most people who ordered from ps2cart.com also didnt get into PP's 30 day window.
I had emailed them about what i should do when gametek said there account was frozen.... and off course I got no response.
I dont know if you realize this or not but they have also changed there policy on the fraud protection that they offer. It now says they will TRY and get you your money back...unlike before when it said they WILL get your money back if you buy from a verified seller.
Note that paypal is the one who froze gameteks account. They knew something was up..and the SHOULD have automatically sent us our money back.
What really gets me mad is that paypals customer service is horrible.
Grahamreaper how did you contact them? Did you actually get a real responce to your questions? If you did, I think you may be one of the only ones. I of course will keep on trying.
This is what will probably happen with paypal. After about 5 months, what ever they have frozen in Gameteks account will be divided up to those who put in a claim. Which equals pennys on the dollar.
I really would be very, very surprised if we see all of our money from paypal. I think we have a better shot getting our money back from gametek...as sad as that sounds.
If you know of a way to actually get a hold of someone from Paypal, please let all of us know. (who knows maybe they are really busy with all scams poping up)
I didnt mean to post misinformation. This is just my dealings with paypal.
posted on December 5, 2000 04:37:38 PM new
Hi oneandonly,
If you check out:
http://www.fountainvalley.org/gametek
there is a new little button for press release info. (it may not be new..but I just noticed it today)
It says they have orders for 2500. Thats a ton of money they have! $875000 if my math is correct.
Like you said if in fact they are legit, with all this controversy, we probably wont see any ps2's for a while.
Yeah I realy wish i lived there, to talk to someone. I sent them a fax yesterday...but of course, no answer. I wish that the police would publish the interview they had with Tamtu.
guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
It looks like the above link I posted gets updated pretty frequently. (twice today)..although no real new info for us to read.
posted on December 5, 2000 05:05:32 PM new
The Gametek you guys keep refering 'another one bites the dust' and all that is NOT the same Gametek. There is a Gametek that designs video games that just recently filed for bankruptcy and then there is the Gametek that we all ordered PS2's from which is just a couple of guys who came up with the name Gametek to use as a company name. They are two entirely different companys. I doubt that the Gametek we are interested in is really a 'company' at all. It is easy for any of us to get a website and a answering machine, think of a name, and presto...instant company. That doesnt mean their is a business licence or any of that. Cyrix if you are reading this you should email the people who took the ps2cart.com website offline and recommend that they replace their page with a link to the www.fountainvalley.com/gametek site. There are probably quite a few out there that didnt write there address or phone # down and don't know about these message boards that don't know who to contact. Especially if they paid by check or money order.
posted on December 5, 2000 05:10:16 PM new
And $875000 is assuming that all 2500 people out there bought (1ea.) Playstation 2. There are people out there who bought 3 or more so it is easily over the $1,000,000 mark.
posted on December 5, 2000 05:10:45 PM new
Dunebuggyjay how long have you been with PP. They changed their TOS, but when you and I and many others ordered it was under their old TOS. They specifically said that transactions before 11/10 ( I think that date is correct) would be covered under the old TOS, so you are entitled to all of your money back, not just what they can recover. Don't let them fool you. Your payment was made under the old terms. As for information from paypal, I have a premier account ( said with my nose pointed upward LOL) so I have an 800 number to call them. I have also emailed them and recieved a canned email detailing exactly what I need to do to file a claim. I saw somewhere on this board that Paypal already was investigating them for fraud, so the 30 day thing for reporting suspected fraud probably doesn't matter since they already knew about it. If you are a verified PP account you are entitled to a full refund, don't believe otherwise.
posted on December 5, 2000 05:31:56 PM new
Heydi Ho Neighboorenos
If they have 2500 playstation 2's that would equal 1 Million Dollars(Dr. Evil Voice) which is a common number if you have a goal to set.... Like hey why don't we go for a million dollars like those people on "Who Wants To Be A Millionare."
Ya me and Dunebuggyjay need to put our "Where's Carmen Sandeigo" Hats on and track these people from Gametek down.
I just hope after all of this we can either get our money back or get our playstation 2's.
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