The alleged scam involves an approach from a person using the name “Rodney Packer” seeking the production of 100,000 flyers to promote a website: www.daikinair.com – which incorrectly claims to be affiliated with the Daikin brand. The request is being made to printers in different states across the country.

The only contact with Rodney Packer or daikinair.com has been via e-mail. Credit card information is provided for payment of the print job (which may also involve distribution of the flyers where printers are able to do this) but, according to Maria Zoras-Christo, general counsel for Daikin Australia, there is evidence in cases to date that the cards have been stolen.

Joe Kowalewski, national communication and technical services manager at Printing Industries said Daikin had referred the matter to the police along with all available documentation provided by printing companies who had already become involved.

He says, “The company is also compiling legal documents to protect its assets and intellectual property.

“Our advice from banks is that any company receiving payment via a stolen credit card is liable to repay the amount credited to them back to the bank or cardholder. In most cases the credit card information would be declined by the bank at the time of processing – after the job had been completed and significant expense incurred by the printing company.”

Prinitng Industries strongly advises that any company which has been approached or is approached to print anything on behalf of Daikin, contact Daikin Australia directly.

Mr Kowalewski said the seriousness of the situation was illustrated when the official website for Daikin Australia – www.daikin.com.au – was attacked and taken off-line. It has now been restored and contains a consumer warning in relation to the misrepresentation of its brand and products.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter