Menu
CB Cryptocurrency Australian Wine Index boiler room wine investment scam
Australian Wine Index

Australian Wine Index review: boiler room wine investment scam 416

K
Author of the review
9:29 pm EDT
Review updated:
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

It is not difficult to question the integrity of the company simply by googling "Australian Wine Index Scam" amidst a growing list of high profile fraud cases happening in Singapore such as Assets Wine Management(AWM), Universal Asset Group (UAG), which has left thousands of investors stranded. Australian Wine Index executed a very clever investment scam usually comprising of three stages. Stage one involves targetting the greed. This is done through enticing unwitting buyer into committing large sum of money into buying wines, promising exaggerated yield and guaranteed returns in 3 years time. Unknown to buyers, these wine were sold at way above market price. The company will then prey on the investor's impatience to wait 3 years for maturity by scamming them the second time. This involves tricking the buyer into buying more wines usually with claims that these wines takes less than a year to sell as compared to the earlier ones. The tactic has successfully created thousands of small investors holding on to tiny portfolios of 1 or 2 wines with no way of exit which is naturally so, given that the wines were bought way above market. Final phase of the "Triple Whammy" involves fear. The fear of losing an opportunity to exit. The shanghai auction completes the hat-trick in scamming investors a third time into parting with their money for fear of not be given a chance to enter for the auction.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

More Australian Wine Index reviews & complaints

Australian Wine Index - Empty Promises 6
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Australian Wine Index - Empty promises
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
416 comments
C
C
CGNeo
Singapore, SG
Mar 20, 2022 11:53 pm EDT

Recently contacted by a professional debt collector RDS who claimed that they can get our wine out from CWT. They also claimed that they have ready buyers for the wine. Fees and commission to be paid upon the withdrawal and sales of the wine.

Anybody tried this?

D
D
Disgruntled investor1
, SG
Mar 21, 2022 8:01 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of CGNeo

Are the wines even in CWT? I reckon theres rental fees to store it there but after all this time I'm not sure where are the wines and if we can get anything back. Any idea what we can do?

S
S
Sotong Sotong
, US
Apr 05, 2022 5:33 am EDT
Replying to comment of CGNeo

Hi Neo,

I have been contacted by them as well - Reign Debt Structures. They asked me to check if i still have my wines with the logistics company. And they will get me a quote.

The last I know was my wines were with Menlo. Are they still there ?

Anyone knows ?

D
D
Disgruntled investor1
, SG
Apr 06, 2022 5:04 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of CGNeo

Maybe we can check this as a group?

J
J
James004
, US
Apr 24, 2022 7:24 pm EDT
Replying to comment of CGNeo

I invested a lot of money to earn profits trading and lost my investments to a scam company. I have now had all my investments and profits returned by a recovery commando. You can reach me to share my trading experience and how I had all my money returned jameswiLLLiams04 at gmail dot com

L
L
LostMyWines
Singapore, SG
Jun 10, 2022 8:44 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of CGNeo

Hello, I was also contacted by Xavier Marcus or Reign Debt Structures. They want to charge $550 for a "case summary" to take to a lawyer and $250 for a "warrant to act". The the lawyer will also charge something which is supposed to get my wines released. After that, Reign will charge 5% as a sales commission to sell the wine.

Has anyone done this and is it working?

V
V
VK1966
, US
Sep 22, 2022 4:12 am EDT

Hi, did you manage to successfully recover your thru RDS?

H
H
HKer
, US
Jan 08, 2023 12:51 am EST
Replying to comment of CGNeo

have you been able to 100% locate your wine in storage?

G
G
Greg welsh
Atlanta, US
Nov 30, 2023 9:20 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of CGNeo

UPDATE:

For any information about the whereabouts of this MF (Guilliano Mata) please contact me: gregwelsh6@proton.me

K
K
Kit HK
, HK
Sep 13, 2020 3:43 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi, I also bought wine from AWI back in 2014. The last I heard was my wine was at CWT, I was given a password and ID from AWI. My friend also invested in AWI, had a reply from CWT in Sept 2020, that they cannot track the wine with AWI ID. So has anybody been able to track the whereabouts on their investment? I will drop CWT a line to see if AWI still has an account with them.

D
D
Disgruntled investor1
, SG
Nov 25, 2020 1:21 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Kit HK

Hi Kit, I bought around 2014 too and have no idea what happened to my wine now. They have all changed their numbers. Any idea how to proceed with this?

V
V
Vanessa Roberts
, US
Aug 21, 2020 12:40 pm EDT

I was so devastated after i lost 14350$ to a fake Bitcoin investor, a co worker told me about someone who got his loss back and we evntuallky got the contact of this recovcery team. I was skeptical at first because I had tried different means to get my money back but none worked. I reached out eventually and they helped me recover my loss without stress. I recommend ( support@ corecrypto .tech ), send them a mail. The testimonial page on their webiste is enough to convince you. Truly credible.

P
P
phobie ward
, US
Jan 13, 2020 2:02 am EST

During my early days of binary option i fell into a lot of online scams, trying to trade bitcoin and invest in binary options. Which nearly wrecked me out, making me loose up to 279k very confused on what to do until my boss introduced me to an online recovery agent recoverywealthnow360 at gmail dot com. A recovery expert who helped me recover all my money back from those scammers

E
E
Eviewilliams009
, US
Jul 22, 2019 9:28 am EDT

These brokers really had me for almost all of my life savings, it started with small investments and really strong assurances, although they let me withdraw once a very minute amount but really and truly I had been elaborately taken for almost everything. After trying severally to get my money back, through a different department from my brokers company I was feeling distraught. Then I came across Binaryoptionassetrecovery (DOT) (COM) on a forum different people left positive reviews and then I contacted the admin on the site, honestly I had to really take my time in making sure I wasn’t about to loose any more money and time, luckily for me in a couple of days they had recovered 90% of my investments including profits. Usually wouldn’t do this but if you’ve ever lost money to any of these fake investment scams, including cryptocurrency try Binaryoptionassetrecovery (DOT) (COM) there service is perfect.

A
A
Ampsi
, SG
Apr 23, 2019 10:40 am EDT

Any of you approached by Zeus Trading?

J
J
JFTeng
, SG
Oct 10, 2019 3:57 am EDT
Replying to comment of Ampsi

Did you pay them? I think it is another scam to try get your money.

K
K
Karthikkkk
, US
Apr 01, 2019 9:47 pm EDT

Recently came across this. Does anyone know what this means. Is there any case against AUSTRALIAN WINE INDEX in court?
https://stg.statecourts.gov.sg/cws/CivilCase/Documents/Civil%20Hearing%20Lists/civil_os_ejd.pdf

View 0 more photos
C
C
chiask
, SG
Nov 11, 2018 9:15 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Lost 100k since invested on 2010 till now, is th his company still active

C
C
chiask
, SG
Nov 01, 2018 10:06 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

hi
can we have the contact for the Binaryoptionrecoveryspecialist, so that we can liaise with?
thank u

C
C
chiask
, SG
Nov 01, 2018 9:53 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i had been invest since 2011 for amount up to 100k, is it truth Binaryoptionrecoveryspecialist.com work?

A
A
ALMY18
, SG
Jun 07, 2018 12:02 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Does anyone knows if the wine are still kept for us to claim back?

J
J
Jim1088
, SG
Jun 04, 2018 1:47 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

They stole all my money

J
J
Jennifer Tan
, US
Nov 19, 2017 4:08 am EST

Articles on the Wine SCAM by Australian Wines Index:

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/man-behind-recent-investment-woes

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/wine-investors-cry-foul-over-dealings-with-2-companies

http://itraonline.com/index.php/category/australian-wine-index/

Australian Wine Index — boiler room wine investment scam

A
A
AWI Assistance
, SG
Jul 28, 2018 12:15 pm EDT

Jennifer,
Give me a call if you want to know more.

If you have NOT moved your wines from AWI a CWT - Singapore Wine Vault account then your wines are gone.

I have helped many since 2015 with referrals to support.

Michael
WhatsApp please
+[protected]

H
H
HKDrew
, US
Sep 17, 2017 2:33 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Dear All, My emails to AWI have gone unanwsered for a log time. Is there any more news or other groups where we can all put pressure on this. I'm based in Hong Kong, where AWI used to have an office - so even more hard for me to keep up with this headache of trying to get investment or wine back. Thanks all.

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Nov 16, 2017 9:10 pm EST
Replying to comment of HKDrew

just count that the investment is gone. there is no way we can get anything back

K
K
Kit HK
, HK
Sep 13, 2020 4:55 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of dbaywatch

I think you are right, especially if the investors are based in HK, and dealing with Singapore.

A
A
Aik Teng Quek
, US
Aug 15, 2017 3:50 am EDT

Hi all
I am also a victim of the AWI scam. I am in contact with other victims in the same boat. Started investing with Alvin, then Mata and Ryan Soh. I am actually very interested to find out the status of my wine. Is it still in CWT or gone as suggested by some of you. Anyway for me to visit CWT to confirm?
If there is a group action planned, please include me. Do contact me at mobile if any of you can help.
Zack mobile [protected]

D
D
Disgruntled investor1
, SG
Feb 04, 2019 1:41 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi Zack, do you have any updates from anyone? Am desperate to get my money back

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Jan 05, 2017 1:58 am EST

I don't...

V
V
Viknesh Sandra
, US
Dec 02, 2016 3:57 pm EST

Scam after scam, Now does anyone knows if our wines exists?

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Nov 23, 2016 11:23 pm EST

hello, any feedback, I need some guidance on this crap

S
S
still_stupid
, SG
Oct 04, 2016 7:18 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

To my best understanding, CWT storage is going to give out a letter with regarding to wine stored in their warehouse. I have not seen any actual document. Have any of you received such letter?

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Sep 27, 2016 4:01 am EDT

so what now. can anyone advise

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Sep 13, 2016 1:38 am EDT

so you have not seen the wine too

W
W
Weng Keh Cheong
, US
Sep 07, 2016 1:38 am EDT

dbaywatch - got a Ramsley who sent in mail then everything turned eerily quite after I have replied. Worried about the wines stashed with CWT.

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Aug 25, 2016 1:59 am EDT

hi gareth, is there any update for AWI ?

G
G
Gareth Cheong
, US
Aug 22, 2016 8:26 pm EDT

Alvin. I have a case whether AWI took money from me for a purchase of 18 bottles of Grange which never turned up. Please call me to discuss because none of your staff are responding. C3031.

S
S
still_stupid
, SG
Aug 01, 2016 1:33 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

@ Alvin Lim: I'm NOT Ian Wilde. It's surprisingly new that you said you've sacked Ian...whatever for?
If you're sincere about helping or doing anything meaningful here for any of us. Trouble yourself do a few of these things:
1. Draw a line between you and TBW / Mata Giullianno: means prove to us that you're actual owner of AWI now. The last time I checked AWI is still registered at Nankin Row.
2. If you can do number 1, then tell us what assets of wines / rums that you and AWI have under control now, be it: wines at Menlo, wines at CWT or rum at wherever it is...You WERE THERE when AWI was sold and you WERE THERE with TBW people in the scheme of wine and rum switch so do not SCREAM that you had no part in it.
3. Whatever you do or say, DO NOT even mention of any of your fancy new investments. Let's only talk about wines and rums which most of the people here lost money for.

A
A
AWI Alvin Lim
, SG
Jul 28, 2016 11:26 pm EDT

Dear Unhappy -customer,

we will get you meaning you want to harm me . i will get my it guy to get your IP address and file a report against you to protect myself and my family.
are you trying to hint that you will get somene to harm me . ( RYAN SOH ) soon tien meng.

regards
Alvin lim lye soon .

A
A
AWI Alvin Lim
, SG
Jul 28, 2016 11:09 pm EDT

Dear Still stupid,

Are you ian wilde that i have sacked? if not i need your client number .

A
A
AWI Alvin Lim
, SG
Jul 28, 2016 11:02 pm EDT

Dear Fellow AWI client's you do not have to take my words for it . but no one force you to invest in TBW . Yes ITRA is a Scam don't forget AWI is a PTE LTD . and also STILL STUPID can i have your client number so that i can call and meet up with you. please do not call yourself still stupid,

maybe i should call myself that as it gives me ### everyday if i didn't take over i don't know what will happen to your wines so can i have your client number.

Alvin LIm

V
V
Victimised again
, SG
Jul 28, 2016 12:46 am EDT

Also went Ngee Ann City, talked 3 hours to try to get me to exchange wine for realty assets. In the end nothing about ITRA class lawsuit action by English lawyer, now they are pretending to be lawyers to help us out, they say about 2000 people have signed up, it's another scam.

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Jul 26, 2016 7:04 pm EDT

don't go this is a scam too.

H
H
Hectorquek
, SG
Jul 23, 2016 12:53 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi all, I'm in the same boat as you are. Yesterday I received a local call and follow by another call from England and a lady specking to me that her company is going to gather all the people that have been investing on this ### to sue against AWI. She wanted me and my wife to go to NEE ANN CITY to meet the someone who will help to take back the money...I didn't confirm as I'm not sure is this is another ### plan.

Anyone has the same experience? Please advise.

D
D
dcagency
, SG
Feb 27, 2018 9:44 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Hectorquek

Hi Hectorquek, I'm also a victim of AWI and recently I also received call from England and now a local line that ask to go down & do claim against AWI.. saying they have gotten 600+ signature and need to get 700 to proceed. Any experience from since the last post?

Thanks... Derek Chong

S
S
still_stupid
, SG
Jul 05, 2016 2:00 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Fellow victims (I'm one too),
I'm afraid this is about the end of TBW that includes our investments. As you're all aware that Guillianno Mata has disappeared, TBW has zero physical existence in Singapore (correct me if I'm wrong) except for some vague information regarding storage of wines (possible at CWT) and rums (somewhere, I'm unable to confirm this yet).
From what I gather from someone claimed to be the new CEO of TBW (and is not actually based in Singapore), he has also been double-crossed by Mata. "The evil Mata" (his words) has cheated him to take over TBW while transferring or selling out most of the wine/rum storage without his knowledge. The new CEO hence is trying to reverse his name from being on the company. It means he's trying to get out of this. IF this actually happens, TBW will become a dead-end as there is no other contact or communication to be made. I can't verify any of this information, but I can see that TBW has become a messy black hole for all of us. Please share if you have any other information that is different or contradictory to mine as I have run out of contacts to ask for information.
For some of you, who are in contact with Alvin and his so-called AWI, be careful of what you may get into. If Alvin is honest about his 40K payment and other extras to Mata to buy back AWI, it seems like he has also been crossed by Mata. However, I'd rather not take any of his words seriously as I don't believe that Alvin is less evil than Mata. If anything, Alvin has been there all these years and NOTHING has ended well. I highly doubt Alvin's ownership of AWI as this only came from him; and all AWI has right now is a tiny nameplate at the new Katong office, a few big file cabinets contain (I believe) most, if not all of client files in PAPER (i was shown mine which missed all of the important contracts), and AWI email domain. Whatever he is offering now is to switch your wine/rum investment to a new fancy investment but that must come with your topping-up money. And if you press him about the physical storage of the wine/rum, he would tell you that he had no idea and push all the blame to Mata. How will Alvin use something that he has no idea as collateral for new investment is beyond my comprehension? But I can jolly well see that he is staring at your topping up money. This will go the same for the money that you need to pay him to see your wine/rum that will never happen.
I have been given advice to get court order and apply to the storage company. They may be willing to release the wine/rum to you but bear in mind the possible due storage cost and tax that you may have to pay. Honestly I'm not sure how to get a court order, and above all to get a court order against whom? Shall it be against AWI as its name stands on the contract and TBW has become a vacuum?

Would any of you be kind and knowledgeable to advise? I guess not. This is maybe why so many of us are here today.

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Jul 03, 2016 11:38 pm EDT

whose Bernard?

S
S
stressed_brain
, SG
Jul 02, 2016 9:38 pm EDT

Anyone has the benard email from cwt ?

B
B
Bitten too many times,...
, SG
Jun 30, 2016 1:25 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Learning that Mata may well have exported a very large volume of wine stolen from all of us directly from CWT, and hence was not exposed to the duty cost. Hard however to ascertain whether this happened and is actually correct.

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Jun 27, 2016 10:27 pm EDT

oh no jill, this is unfortunate, so you have not seen your rum?

J
J
Jill Lim
, US
Jun 27, 2016 2:41 am EDT

Dear All
I tried to contact the guy whom I bought Rum from at TBW and he gave me an AWI email to follow up. I emailed to the lady at the AWI and she said the 2 businesses are not related. And that owner at TBW has run away... :(

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Jun 27, 2016 2:27 am EDT

I am not sure about this saga though, have any of you contacted CWT to view the wines?

O
O
OMO1
, US
Jun 22, 2016 1:41 am EDT

Wines lost in CTW storage should be CTW responsibility to inform AWI and the wines owner. Most importantly, these wines are duty UNPAID to Singapore Customs. Isn't it reasonable for both CWT and AWI allow their clients to validate the quantity discrepancy if any so that appropriate actions could be taken earlier with Singapore Customs? Otherwise we could ended up with escaping paying duty issue to Singapore Customs. Clearly, we don't want this happens.
Maybe AWI can advise us with good reason why we can't see our wines by risking us against duty unpaid offense?

D
D
dbaywatch
, US
Jun 21, 2016 8:19 pm EDT

totally agree with your statement, this will be another round of discussion on and on and on. You mean you have not seen your wine after they transfer to CWT? so where is this TBW now? So this Alvin is in charge now?
weird ### happens. so this is never ending,

Learn how the rating is calculated

Write a review File a complaint

Australian Wine Index contacts

Phone number
Category