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Electronic parts supplier scam - I almost fell for it
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NivagSwerdna:

--- Quote from: NivagSwerdna on August 03, 2020, 04:42:05 pm ---They have some ATWILC3000-MR110UA-T

--- End quote ---
I 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.
wraper:

--- Quote from: wraper on August 03, 2020, 03:51:29 pm ---Dunno if you already checked here:
https://www.iodparts.com/part/atwilc3000-mr110ca

--- End quote ---
I guess their stock number is real after all. Was 47 pieces yesterday and now only 20 remaining.
thm_w:

--- Quote from: wraper on August 03, 2020, 03:51:29 pm ---Dunno if you already checked here:
https://www.iodparts.com/part/atwilc3000-mr110ca
And of course you can try alibaba or taobao. On Alibaba you at least have escrow service.

--- End quote ---

Lots 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.
VK3DRB:

--- Quote from: wraper on August 04, 2020, 11:49:29 am ---
--- Quote from: wraper on August 03, 2020, 03:51:29 pm ---Dunno if you already checked here:
https://www.iodparts.com/part/atwilc3000-mr110ca

--- End quote ---
I guess their stock number is real after all. Was 47 pieces yesterday and now only 20 remaining.

--- End quote ---

We 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.
carlvanwormer:
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

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