:: in the spirit of World Consumer Rights Day (March 15), I’ve been compelled to voice my consumer opinion on something that really pisses me off. And it’s not the typical case of foreign companies ripping off or insulting Chinese netizens, etc. This time, it’s the other way around. Here goes…

56minus1 is constantly spammed by this Web site: www.52jordan.com (52 in Chinese net-speak means “I love.” It’s a phonetic play on the Chinese phrase “I love,” which in Mandarin has a similar pronunciation as the numbers “5″ and “2.”)

Being the sucker (and Jordan fan) that I am, I recently gave in and clicked on one of the site’s links. I suggest you try it too, then come back.

OK, now that you are back, I’m sure you found the same dodgy site that I did: one that presents itself, atrociously, as a legit reseller of Nike Air Jordan, Air Force 1, and Air-Max series sneakers for only USD 85 or less (shipping included). Preposterous indeed, but, that’s what they say they are (sorta). From the site’s About Us section:

“We are a professional & reliable supplier of series of innovative, authentic & inexpensive Nike shoes with original box and retro card from China, such as Air-Jordan（1-23), Air-Max, Air-Force 1, etc.”

The site is riddled with suspect content. Google search any line of text from the articles presented in the News section to see that they have all been copied-and-pasted from random, unrelated third-party sites without any sort of citation. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Oddly, the site is also mirrored (in full) at www.kissaj.com, www.gogoaj.com, and www.jordansport2.com.

I often see this kind of stuff on the Chinese Internet (in Chinese language) and think nothing of it because it targets Chinese consumers who are familiar with such scams and either know better or simply don’t mind not getting the real thing, etc. (However, I still don’t think any Chinese consumer would pay RMB 600 for knock-offs). But, I worry that those outside of China may not know better. Maybe they would. Sigh…

I wanted to learn more about this operation, so I added the Web site’s posted MSN instant messaging contact information () to my MSN account. This, and an email address, was the only contact information made available. Below is a slightly edited and translated transcript of the IM conversation I had with the “customer service” staff at www.52jordan.com. Interesting and bizarre. You draw your own conclusions, but, in doing so, please share in this post’s comment sections. The full Chinese (and Italian!) transcript of the original conversation can be found here.

56minus1: Hello? Anyone here?

52jordan.com: Yes, what can I help you with?

56minus1: Hi, I saw your 52jordan.com site, not bad! The problem is, my English is not so good so I can’t understand. Do you have a Chinese version?

52jordan.com: No. We only sell to foreigners / foreign markets. Sorry.

56minus1: I’m a foreigner, it’s just that my English sucks.

52jordan.com: Where are you from?

56minus1: Italy.

52jordan.com: What’s your phone number, I’ll give you a call. We have staff here that can speak Italian.

56minus1: I can’t talk on the phone now because I am at work and my boss will hear me. Hahahaha. I collect Jordan sneakers, but they are very hard to find!

52jordan.com: That’s OK, we’ll call you back after you get off work.

56minus1: I just want to learn more about how to buy the shoes because I can’t read the Web site on my own. They are so cheap, such a good price! How can they be so cheap? Are they fake? Are they “shanzhai’d” versions?

52jordan.com: Haha. Send me your postal address in Italy and then I will tell you how to purchase from the site.

56minus1: My postal address? I just want to know if they are real Jordans or not.

52jordan.com: Sorry, I must first confirm your postal address in Italy before answering your question.

56minus1: Okay, Fine. My address in Italy is . [56minus1 editorial note: this is the address of AC Milan's stadium.]

52jordan.com: I am sorry, my Chinese is bad, can you tell me what “shanzhai’d” means?

56minus1: It just means fake, as in not authentic. They are so cheap on the Web site, so I’m curious to know if they are legit Nikes or what? I don’t get it.

52jordan.com: I’m sorry, let me have my colleague talk to you in Italian. My Chinese is not so good.

56minus1: Okay. But I think your Chinese is good enough to answer my simple question. Before switching over to your colleague, can you first answer me? I don’t care if they or fake or not, I will still buy them, I just want to know what I am actually buying.

52jordan.com: Ho potuto fare nulla per voi. Scarpe sono vere. È acquistare scarpe. (Italian, clearly via Google Translate, meaning: What can I do for you? The shoes are real. Do you want to buy?)

56minus1: Scarpe sono vere? (Italian, also via Google Translate, meaning: The shoes are real?) Really?

52jordan.com: Dove sei persone? (English: Where are you?)

56minus1: Milano, Italy. It seems your Italian is not so good either. How about we just use Chinese?

52jordan.com: Look, if you want to know about the shoes, just buy a pair and you’ll know, no? I think answering your question directly is pointless. What’s most important is that you first buy a pair and judge for yourself.

56minus1: Hmmm :-( If they are fake, I think the price should be cheaper. If they are real, it’s a great price and I may buy multiple pairs. So are they real or are they fake?

52jordan.com: They are real. Will you please give me your phone number so I can call you. We are very professional and will provide you the best service. I’m sorry, but we are closing up shop now. Please send me your phone number. We have 24 hours service.

56minus1: What? 24 hours service? How can you have 24 hours service and tell me you are “closing up shop?” Are the shoes really real?

52jordan.com: Sorry, we are all getting off work now. We’ll call you later if you give us your number. Don’t worry, we will take care of your service needs. Or, if you have more questions, we can chat again tomorrow.

56minus1: ?

52jordan.com: contact status changed to offline

// AjS

:: according to who.godaddy.com, pasted below is some information regarding the Web site that was created for what appears to have been a successful scam pulled off in Shanghai surrounding a “secret” Daft Punk concert scheduled for Friday night – 3800 people apparently bought tickets over the past two days at 500 RMB a pop. This information may prove helpful in tracking down the identity of the individual(s) behind the scam (and maybe getting your money back), however, is doesn’t necessary incriminate the individual mentioned below, for a couple of reasons:

• because the whole affair has yet to be officially outed as a scam (56minus1 is still holding out hope that it’s an elaborate buzz marketing campaign for an actual performance…unlikely), despite there being such an announcement on Pitchfork; when its announced on Daft Punk’s official Web site as a scam is when we should lose all hope (or on Saturday, when we know the concert didn’t happen on Friday), and; CORRECTION: this has indeed been revealed as a fraud
• this information likely just points to the person who created this site and registered the domain; this person is likely not involved in orchestrating the scam as the info below is publicly available and easily findable CORRECTION: Sun Chen was in no way dishonestly or criminally involved with this incident, we was just contracted to build the Web site; he had no knowledge of the concert organizers’ real intent.

At any rate, here is the relevant information:

Domain: dafthidden.com
Created: 2009-01-25 08:29:30
Expires: 2010-01-25 08:29:30
Created: 2009-01-25 09:29:31
Changed: 2009-01-28 12:35:41
Owner name: Vermillion Orange (more info here)
Organisation: Vermillion Orange
Person: Sun Chen (on )
Address: XXX (erased from 56minus1 at the friendly request of Sun Chen)
Zipcode: XXX
City: XXX
State: XXX
Country: XXX
Phone: XXX

[UPDATE 1: a friend of 56minus1 who knows Sun Chen has connected with him via telephone. Chen is based in Shanghai and was initially unaware of "what's going on," saying only that he was simply contracted to build the Web site by a "British guy" "French guy." Chen is now trying to contact his client, but apparently no one is answering.]

[UPDATE 2: 56minus1 has spoke directly with Sun Chen, the previously mentioned "British guy" is actually a "French guy," who went by the name "Andy" (Da Silva?) (email: ). Chen has a mobile number (+86 13764581774) for Andy, but it is no longer working. Chen said he was paid in full for his work on the Web site. Sun recommends those looking for a refund or explanation to go back to the ticket office listed on the Web site, directions here. If you want to contact Chen, please do so in the comments below or send him a message via his . Chen assured 56minus1 that he had no idea the site was to be a front for a dishonest venture by his client (and is still unsure if its actually a hoax) and that he was just doing the work he was contracted to do.]

[UPDATE 3: There is now a "human flesh search engine" oriented Facebook group for those who have fallen victim to the apparent scam, link to "Daft Fucked - hidden concert SCAM? info and updates in here" . The original "official" Facebook page for the event is .]

[UPDATE 4: The suspected scam artists (Thomas Ramirez and Andy Da Silva) now have a dedicated to them. The photographs below were taken by surveillance camera at the ticket office Thomas and Andy rented from Oasis Property Management. Lastly, SmartShanghai published a thorough summary of the entire fraudulent affair here.]

// AjS