Electronic parts supplier scam - I almost fell for it

[VK3DRB]

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.aspx

I 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.com
https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/infinite-electronic.com

Thank 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?

[Sal Ammoniac]

Any deal that looks too good to be true undoubtedly is.

[wraper]

Is anyone else aware this is a scam? And where can I get 100pcs of ATWILC3000-MR110CA?

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.

[andy3055]

May be this?

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/microchip-technology/ATWILC3000-MR110CA/ATWILC3000-MR110CA-ND/5322330

[NivagSwerdna]

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 pay

I've managed to get free shipping with a coupon that is google-able... MCHPWELCOME ?

[wraper]

They have some ATWILC3000-MR110UA-T

It requires external antenna. ATWILC3000-MR110CA has chip antenna on board.

[wraper]

May be this?

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/microchip-technology/ATWILC3000-MR110CA/ATWILC3000-MR110CA-ND/5322330

Did you bother to check quantity available?

[TimFox]

The DigiKey lead time is November 2, just before the election.

[andy3055]

May be this?

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/microchip-technology/ATWILC3000-MR110CA/ATWILC3000-MR110CA-ND/5322330

Did you bother to check quantity available?

I 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.

[wraper]

I 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.

If 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.

[andy3055]

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.

[ANTALIFE]

Have a look here:
https://www.netcomponents.com/results.htm?d=1&flts=1&t=f&sm=&r=1&lgc=begins&pn1=ATWILC3000-MR110CA

The downside to using netcomponents is that membership is paid registration, though you might be able to get a free account

Also are you able to get ATWILC3000-MR110UA and solder on a suitable chip antenna yourself, or do you need a certified device?

[andy3055]

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/5322331

Price is high though. Don't know if the web page is current as well!

[wraper]

Also are you able to get ATWILC3000-MR110UA and solder on a suitable chip antenna yourself, or do you need a certified device?

He would need to move one capacitor to a different position and add 5 missing components.

[wraper]

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/5322331

Price is high though. Don't know if the web page is current as well!

This 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.

[NivagSwerdna]

They have some ATWILC3000-MR110UA-T

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]

Dunno if you already checked here:
https://www.iodparts.com/part/atwilc3000-mr110ca

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

[thm_w]

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.

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]

Dunno if you already checked here:
https://www.iodparts.com/part/atwilc3000-mr110ca

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

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