Latest news with #Carmo
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Scams, trust issues plague secondhand motorcycle market in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's secondhand motorcycle market continues to grapple with trust issues as buyers face growing risks of fraud and a lack of transparency in transactions. chief executive officer Gil Carmo said unlike the used car segment, the motorcycle resale market remains largely informal and often operates without standardised inspection or certification systems. 'With online classifieds and social media enabling easy access to buyers, fraudsters can post seemingly attractive listings, sometimes priced below market value, to lure in victims. 'The lack of traceable sellers and formal platforms allows such scams to persist, and without physical showrooms or accountability, it becomes difficult to take action once buyers are deceived,' he told Bernama. Carmo stressed the importance of buyer education and awareness, noting that red flags often include listings without warranty or return policies, unverified sellers, and prices that appear too good to be true. 'Although efforts are underway by some market players to introduce structured inspections, verified documentation, and post-sale protections, there is still room for the industry to improve buyer safeguards and overall transparency. 'Buyers deserve peace of mind just as much as a good price, and until that becomes the norm, trust will remain the biggest hurdle,' he said. The CEO highlighted several common scams in the market, including odometer tampering, where high-mileage motorcycles are disguised as low-usage units to fetch inflated prices, a practice that continues to trap many unsuspecting buyers. 'Other scams include illegal modifications, forged ownership documents, and sellers who disappear after receiving upfront payments. 'These bikes may come with hidden reliability issues or unresolved financing status, which buyers often only discover when attempting to transfer ownership,' he said. To mitigate such risks, Carmo said his company has implemented several measures, including a 170-point inspection by in-house mechanics, verification of legal documents, and a six-day return policy with a six-month warranty. 'These steps are aimed at giving buyers peace of mind. We also ensure full transparency by using only company-taken photos and videos for listings, and we encourage test rides so buyers know exactly what they're getting,' he added. iMotorbike is a Southeast Asian online platform that facilitates the buying and selling of pre-owned motorcycles, offering services such as inspections, warranties, and financing to ensure a safe and transparent transaction experience. The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) disclosed that total losses from commercial crimes last year amounted to RM3.11 billion, with 41,701 investigation papers initiated. Former CCID director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf revealed that fraud was the most prevalent crime with 73,240 cases resulting in losses exceeding RM2.45 billion. Of this, online fraud accounted for 35,368 cases involving a loss of RM1.57 billion, as reported by Bernama previously.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rare but ‘catastrophic' bacterial infection behind NSW children's deaths
A rare but highly aggressive infection that surged after the lifting of COVID restrictions probably contributed to the death of two-year-old Pippa White, as well as resulting in the deaths of at least four more children in NSW, an inquest has heard. Associate Professor Kathryn Browning Carmo, acting director of the NSW Newborn & paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), told an inquest into Pippa's death on Tuesday that hers was one of the first 'in a series of cases' of Group A streptococcus (iGAS) the emergency service dealt with over a two-year period. Carmo said NSW was largely 'immune naive' to what appeared to be a more aggressive form of the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes when doctors at Orange Base Hospital called for NETS assistance around 6am on June 13, 2022, hours before Pippa's death. The infection was rare but could lead to 'devastating, crashing and catastrophic' cases of sepsis in children, Carmo said, noting that some children could go from having very little water in the lungs to 'complete whiteout' on scans 'within hours'. 'It was that aggressive … it was an absolutely devastating illness,' she said. An academic paper co-authored by Carmo and read in court showed the NETS team were referred to 77 cases of children with iGAS between November 2022 and February 2024. Four died from the infection. In the previous five years, they had responded to just nine cases.
The Age
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
Rare but ‘catastrophic' bacterial infection behind NSW children's deaths
A rare but highly aggressive infection that surged after the lifting of COVID restrictions probably contributed to the death of two-year-old Pippa White, as well as resulting in the deaths of at least four more children in NSW, an inquest has heard. Associate Professor Kathryn Browning Carmo, acting director of the NSW Newborn & paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), told an inquest into Pippa's death on Tuesday that hers was one of the first 'in a series of cases' of Group A streptococcus (iGAS) the emergency service dealt with over a two-year period. Carmo said NSW was largely 'immune naive' to what appeared to be a more aggressive form of the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes when doctors at Orange Base Hospital called for NETS assistance around 6am on June 13, 2022, hours before Pippa's death. The infection was rare but could lead to 'devastating, crashing and catastrophic' cases of sepsis in children, Carmo said, noting that some children could go from having very little water in the lungs to 'complete whiteout' on scans 'within hours'. 'It was that aggressive … it was an absolutely devastating illness,' she said. An academic paper co-authored by Carmo and read in court showed the NETS team were referred to 77 cases of children with iGAS between November 2022 and February 2024. Four died from the infection. In the previous five years, they had responded to just nine cases.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
iMotorbike kickstarts regional presence, with focus on safety, transparency and customer trust
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia-based online platform iMotorbike is expanding its regional presence, but it is doing so with a firm focus on safety, transparency and customer trust. Co-founder and CEO Gil Carmo said the used motorcycle market in Malaysia, and across much of Southeast Asia, has long been driven by informal sales and unregulated online listings, leaving buyers vulnerable to unclear pricing, unverified sellers and hidden defects. 'We aim to address these problems by offering a structured, professionally managed marketplace for preowned bikes. At the core of its offering is a 170-point inspection process conducted by certified mechanics. This includes everything from engine health and suspension condition to ownership documents and service history. 'People do not just want a bike, they want assurance that it is safe, fairly priced, and would not give them problems a week later. We created iMotorbike to fill that trust gap,' he told SunBiz. He said every listing that carries the 'certified' label has passed this comprehensive check. Buyers can view inspection reports online before making a decision, removing the guesswork and uncertainty often associated with used vehicle purchases. Carmo emphasised that one of iMotorbike's key selling points is its transparent, data-driven pricing model. The platform uses real-time market analytics and historical sales data to ensure that prices reflect true market value, not seller guesswork or inflated markups. 'This benefits buyers, especially first-timers unfamiliar with motorcycle pricing, while also helping sellers justify their asking price with confidence. There is less haggling, less doubt and more trust in the transaction,' he said. In a move to shift consumer expectations, iMotorbike offers a six-day return policy and a six-month warranty on all certified motorcycles, a rare feature in the secondhand vehicle space. Carmo explained, 'If the bike does not meet expectations, whether it is the ride feel or mechanical performance, customers can return or exchange it within six days. We also back all certified bikes with a warranty that covers major mechanical and electrical issues. 'The platform further simplifies the process by bundling road tax and insurance into the purchase, offering buyers a more convenient and protected ownership experience.' Affordability remains a key concern, particularly among young buyers, and iMotorbike addresses this with financing plans tailored to individual profiles, supported by its banking partners. 'Loan options are designed to be accessible, and the added protections, such as warranties and return policies, reduce the perceived risk of financing a used vehicle. Financing a used motorcycle has historically been difficult and risky. We're changing that by not only providing access, but also ensuring that buyers are protected throughout,' Carmo said. Following the company's traction in Malaysia, iMotorbike has begun expanding into regional markets, starting with Vietnam. 'The company has set up local teams and is working with regional partners to align with domestic regulations and consumer habits. While the platform's core model, certified listings, seller verification, secure payments, remains unchanged, iMotorbike customises its approach to fit each market's operational and legal landscape. 'We do not believe in copy-paste expansion. What works in Malaysia might not work in the exact same way elsewhere, so we adapt but without compromising on safety or transparency,' Carmo said. As iMotorbike scales up its operations, it sees tightening regulations, rising consumer expectations, and increasing digitalisation as major trends shaping the industry. 'Our mission has always been to make the used motorcycle space more transparent, accessible and secure. Whether in Malaysia or abroad, that is the foundation we are building on,' Carmo said.
