“The Commission also discovered that the images of the furniture they claim to manufacture are in fact not from SA but obtained from suppliers based in countries such as Columbia and Canada. The Commission has confirmed that these images were stolen from other sites like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.

“We call upon South Africans to exercise extreme caution when they transact with Milo Designs as their modus operandi is to advertise the goods and take money from consumers with no intention of delivery.”

Ntaba said it was the supplier’s responsibility to deliver the goods to the agreed place on the agreed date and time.

Consumers are urged to exercise caution when transacting online.

“Anyone who might know the whereabouts of these individuals is urged to notify the commission,” said Ntaba. 

Sowetan did a company search on Milo Designs and nothing came up, which mean the company is not registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.

About a year ago Sowetan Consumer did a story about Manicaa.com, an online company that used Milo Designs’ modus operandi and did not refund its customers.

The company had its business address in Motor City in Midrand, Johannesburg.

However, the location turned out to be an empty parking lot and none of the business owners in the centre knew about Manicaa.com.

The NCC investigated the company and sister entity Karibaa. 

“Manicaa did present themselves to the commission and were formally served with Notices of Investigation for them and Karibaa. They have also since responded in writing to an elaborate questionnaire directed at each of the entities. Investigators are now going through the responses.

“They had indicated that the South Gauteng High Court had appointed a liquidator to take over the liquidation of Manicaa.com. The investigators have requested the liquidation order, whether interim or final. We are still waiting for that order,” said Ntaba.

*Not her real name