Massive fraud on 18650s in the Littokala Aliexpress stores!

AS did I.

I think I am turning that $49 into as many 30q or VTC6 cells that I can from a reputable seller

I tossed another $5 in, and got (8) VTC6 from Liion wholesale.
No sense in playing battery roulette, at least now that I am playing with serious amp-draw lights

After ten days, I won a dispute with the liitokala Official Store. I bought fake Samsung 30Q Button Top batteries.

I wrote two reports, describing why I think the batteries are fake. Without reaction. Only after the dispute was opened the vendor reacted with the statement that everything was OK. I have photographed photos and videos. I asked for a refund of 50% of the original price. That’s what I think is a good deal. The batteries are functional, they have the correct capacity. They are not genuine 30Q, therefore they are not suitable for high currents. The seller refused - he said everything was fine and he wrote that I could send back the batteries and get my money back. This is unrealistic because of shipping costs.
He argued that my internal resistance measurement is inaccurate. It is true. But equally inaccurate for all accumulators. For false, the internal resistance is up to three times higher than the original.

I tested the maximum current at Astrolux S41. For all original, the maximum current was higher by about 2 amps. For one battery more, for some less. Fake batteries are also known by other font numbers and letters.

I opened a dispute and documented photographs and videos. Aliexpress has accepted my arguments and will be refunded $ 9. I did not want the whole amount back. I would have less chance of success and it was not quite honest. As I wrote, the batteries have the correct capacity and internal resistance at the level of ten ampere cells. So I have the right battery now at a fair price.

I’m glad Aliexpress decided in my favor. I’m sure I’m right. I do not open unnecessary disputes just to get the money back. The seller made the mistake of not agreeing with me.


Don’t forget to give them your review.

@ Petr J., I think making an offer to pay some amount is honorable. We did receive mid-grade, useable batteries. I offered to pay an amount as well which was rejected by the seller. Upon seeing AliExpress not agreeing (immediately) with the same evidence from one of our forum members, the same as I provided, I started the dispute through PayPal. And again, offered to pay an amount. PayPal decided to pay the seller and refund me. Win-win, maybe.

In principle, the seller lied and should be treated as a thief. In reality, I received useable goods so they may receive something.

PayPal made a business decision not to piss-off AliExpress, a business partner. From your experience, AliExpress seems to be a good market place and I hope they throw out these thieves. But I won't hold my breath.

Thank you for your above and beyond effort to document this issue with Liitokala stores. I hope you find an honest, inexpensive battery supplier!

Knowingly selling counterfeit goods deserves no money, they deserve to be shut down.
What happens when someone puts this in some custom vape mod and the heavy draw blows the cells, taking out some ones teeth, or burning down a home? Maybe some people want to build a pack for another high draw application, and burn the cells. No exuse to still have that store open, selling these cells. In the least, pull the product from the store

I was not successful in my dispute. I uploaded evidence and it was escalated, however, the seller supposedly provided some “official inspection sheet.” Aliexpress ignored my request to see this inspection sheet so I could prove it to be counterfeit. Oh well, you win some and you lose some.

I had very little dialogue through AE. I filed a PayPal dispute and gave them as much info and reasoning as possible…

PayPal never asked me for file evidence although I submitted the link on Lygte's review and comments on 3 vents V's. 4 vents. I hope you paid via PayPal. They can be the better authority in disputes.

Because I got the batteries of some value, I did not want the whole amount back. Though the dealer is dishonest, I wanted to remain honest. Maybe I had the advantage of losing the dispute later than you. Ali already had information from other customers, joined them together. In several similar disputes at the same time, it was clear that this was not a coincidence. To admit, it was my tactic. Wait a while for Ali to resolve similar disputes, not to claim the full price and not to post the ongoing dispute here. Only after the announcement of the result I wrote here.

The vendor has made a major mistake by forging batteries that have a specific positive pole look. He also incorrectly copied the fonts on the battery. If he used a battery with the same positive pole as the original and the same font, nobody knows anything.

The batteries will only be used in devices that have a maximum current of 2C capacity. So up to about 6 amps.

If you get fakes, always dispute and don’t pay a cent. This scamming will go on forever if you let it.

I agree. It is very shameful the way they sell counterfeit goods. I understand if they bought them and didn’t know, but when it’s obviously a fake, and people tell you and show you it’s fake, time to pull the ad down, or change the description

The problem is that any device you buy - power bank, different toys and other electronic devices and the like can be fake batteries. I bought a power bank from a reputable vendor who claimed that Samsung batteries are inside and the capacity is 5200 mAh. The real capacity was 1,000 mAh. I believe the dealer did not know. This is a huge e-shop. There are many products you use and do not know what’s inside. So I will use the purchased batteries, I will remember that I do not know the manufacturer and I will be more careful.

Anker. FTW

AliExpress reviewed my case
They were fair, looked at my video, and pictures and decided in my favor. They went against the sellers counter offer. They do not want to support counterfeit goods, they just need proof that the cells are not as described.

It’s how I wrote. They now know that there are several of the same cases, so they decide for the benefit of their customers.

edit:
Aliexpress has returned the money to my account. Fair behavior.

I have 30 Q’s button tops with two vents/legs purchased from liion wholesale.But I am guessing that’s because liion wholesale welds the button on the 30Q cell.

Yeah, button-tops are just over-wraps of flat-top cells, so unless you unwrap the outer layer and pull off the welded button, then you can’t compare it to a genuine cell.

The fact that I bought these from liion wholesale,I don’t have to go through the trouble of a tear down and be at peace

So guys, I opened a dispute with Aliexpress and attached the test pics above. Look what I’ve got. (it was a table)

Problems with the order Judgement from AE
resistance does not match Valid - -
Print letters problem Valid - -
counterfeit goods Invalid

The seller has provided the authorization file from the brand owner / purchase invoice to proved the item was original Since the seller has provided the authorization file from the brand owner / purchase invoice to proved the item was original, we would like you to provide counter evidences as the official inspection statement from the brand owner. ”

So what are these cells?

Obviously, they are genuine fake cells.