Wednesday 12 February 2025
           
Wednesday 12 February 2025
       
AC users sleeping with bombs in bedrooms
Brand stickers on fake AC compressors
Mahfuz Emran
Publish: Sunday, 17 November, 2024, 5:33 PM

Reconditioned (used) AC compressors were imported from China and brought to Bangladesh by concealing the information. Later it was released as new product from Chittagong port. By pointing a thumb at the principle that no old or reconditioned electronic products other than cars can be imported, the duplicate version of one of the most important parts of AC, ‘Compressor’, ‘Reconditioned Compressor’, entered the country’s market.
It does not end here. Then these used compressors were brought to Dhaka. By keeping it in the godown, the second round of fraud took place. Stickers, seals and tags of famous brands and companies are attached to these compressors used in China. 
Buyers buy all the used and fake compressors at the original price and install them in their AC according to their needs. The result is a serious risk. The person may not have thought that a hobby AC bought by spending thousands of taka for comfort and peace can issue a death warrant for the whole family.
It is feared that counterfeit AC compressors are being sold in the country’s market in the hands of unscrupulous syndicates for a long time. 
Till now, there is no estimate of how many thousands of fake compressors are sitting as time bombs in people’s ACs. The officials of more than 15 importers and sales organizations are involved in these works. They have been committing such heinous crimes day after day sitting under the nose of the administration in the capital itself. Lack of supervision and invisible ability to manage, they become reckless.
The big thing is, AC is no longer a luxury product. Climatic change and abnormal increase in temperature have introduced AC as a daily necessity product among upper class as well as middle class. As a result, the demand for AC has increased several times over the last few years. Especially during this year’s heat wave, people were seen standing in the showrooms to book ACs. However, there are opposite reactions to such conditions. In the past years, there has been an alarming increase in AC explosions in the country. Many people do not want to believe that the very device meant for peace and comfort is causing death. But the reality is that fake AC compressors are playing a major role in causing explosions and accidents.
Who are main importers and distributors 
Media investigation revealed the identity of importers of AC reconditioned (second hand) compressors and the owners of counterfeit compressors with the tag of reputed companies. According to the investigation, at least 16 importers and wholesalers of the capital Dhaka are directly involved in these activities.
The establishments are- Rubel Refrigeration of Jaykali Mandir Road and BCC Road in Wari, MAR Traders, Sejan Enterprises, Masum Refrigeration, BS Enterprises, Rafi Enterprises, Bhai Bhai Refrigeration, Ruhul Amin Refrigeration, Bismillah Refrigeration, Khokon Refrigeration, Munia Refrigeration, Maruf Refrigeration, M/s. Naeem Enterprises, Sajeeb Enterprises of Nayapalton area, Rafi International of Toynbee Circular Road and Accurate Engineering of Uttara.
Apart from this, some famous companies are involved in these transactions. The companies are defying the ban on import of reconditioned compressors and bringing these used compressors from China with false information. Which is being spread all over the country including Dhaka by adopting different steps later. And the compressors used as the main mastermind of the accident are playing a role. At the same time, the financial loss of the customer is happening. It is known that their dealers are all over the country. These fake compressors are being supplied to them at different cities, districts, police stations and even at the union level.
A few years ago, a case was filed in the name of several companies here in Paltan and Wari police stations of the capital for selling fake compressors. However, the case did not survive the violence of the syndicate.
Using fake compressors in name of brands
The compressors used in the country come fully prepared from China. According to the conditions of the country’s importers, there is no ‘recondition’ written anywhere. As a result, it served as a boon to avoid the attention of the port authorities. These older compressors imported in new packages only have the model number written on them. Later, after the goods are released from the port and come to Dhaka, the rest of the work is completed in the godown. There, stickers of different brands are applied according to the customer’s demand and market price.
Domestic brands including LG, Panasonic, Hitachi, Emerson dominate in this field. However, due to high demand among them, LG and Emerson company compressors are the most counterfeited.
In addition, the used compressors are re-welded in the workshop before they arrive from China. These factory-made compressors are cut and reassembled in the workshop after being used once in China. As a result, its quality is seriously affected. Which creates a risk of explosion later.
Counterfeit compressors tricked to buyers
Media’s long investigation revealed that the unscrupulous gang resorted to very clever tricks to trick buyers of fake compressors. They complete the entire process with utmost dedication. In this case several methods are adopted. As the first method, the buyers are lured to sell the same compressor (fake) at a lower price than the price of the original compressor in the market. And while trying to save some money, buyers also step into that trap.
As the second method, the unscrupulous syndicate circle chooses the ignorance of the buyer. Because, 95% of the common buyers do not have the ability to identify the original and duplicate compressors from the outside. This opportunity is taken by dishonest circles. Even with the same price as the brand compressor, they make fake compressors to the buyers. As a third method, brand ambassadors of these fake compressors play a role. The persons in technical charge of various reputed companies, garments, home appliances establish connections between buyers and unscrupulous companies in return for a hefty commission. Many AC technicians also do this.
By capitalizing on the credibility of the customer, while fixing the broken AC, they take the money of the original compressor and install a low-cost fake compressor. This is how thousands of fake compressors are spreading day by day. Not only in the capital Dhaka but also in the entire country, there have been six million fake compressors.
Lure of huge profits
The inquiry found the answer to the question of why used and fake AC compressors are being handed over to customers knowingly and under false pretenses. Basically, importers and traders are greedy for huge profit from selling fake compressors. As a result, the death bomb is being handed over to the buyer. Usually importing a new 4-5-ton compressor costs $380-400 depending on the company. The amount of which is Tk 45-48 thousand in Bangladeshi currency. In contrast, used compressors can be imported from China for only $70-100. The amount of which is only Tk 9-12 thousand in Bangladeshi currency.
Including import cost, port duty, transportation cost, it costs Tk 53-54 thousand to bring the new compressor to the showroom. Which is later sold for Tk 55-60 thousand. And an old compressor costs only Tk 12-15 thousand to bring it to the showroom including import cost, port duty, transportation cost. Which is later sold as new up to Tk 45-60 thousand. In this case, the buyer understands and decides the price. Basically, unscrupulous importers continue to do this day in and day out to drink this honey for a small amount of profit.
Almost 90 pc of compressors counterfeit
That dishonest syndicate has been doing these things secretly and openly for about 15 years. There is no account of how many thousands of compressors they sold during this time. On the condition of anonymity, an AC technician said, when we go to do AC work in homes, mosques, factories, we can understand which compressor is genuine and which is fake. Over the past few years I have seen more and more frequent compressor failures. Only a handful of companies in the country import brand new compressors. However, due to their high price, buyers do not want to buy. They got the low price and installed fake compressors. In this case, many technicians also do this business as agents for the sake of commission. Where an original compressor gives four to six years of service, fake compressors wear out within one to one and a half years. And there is a risk of explosion. From my practical experience, almost 90 percent of repair AC compressors are fake now.
Accidents related to AC increasing
As the demand for AC has increased over the past few years, so have the number of accidents related to AC. The number and number of deaths due to AC explosions across the country is not at all low. On June 15 this year, four members of the same family died in an AC explosion in Bashundhara residential area of the capital. On April 17, a person named Amjad Hossain died due to burns due to an AC explosion in a cloth shop in Savar. On March 28, an AC explosion took place during the Zohar prayer at ChawkbazarEbaidullah Jame Masjid in Barisal city. However, luckily there were no casualties.
Last year (year 2023) on March 4, several people were burnt when the AC of a house exploded in Gulshan Niketan area of the capital. The year before that, on December 21, 2022, two people named Hajera Begum and housekeeper Aryan died in an AC explosion in Mirpur section 13 of the capital. On November 7, the AC exploded during song recording in the recording studio set up in a room on the ground floor of poet and singer SA Shamim Chowdhury’s house in Narayanganj. On July 25 of that year, two people were killed when the AC compressor exploded at Elegant Cassiopeia Fashion Limited in Hotapara Borkan area of Gazipur Sadar Upazila. Both of them were AC repairmen. On June 19, University student Mashroor Ahmed died after being burnt in an AC explosion at Niketan in the capital.
On January 13, 2021, an AC explosion occurred on the ground floor of a 14-storey building in Road No. 93 area of Gulshan-2. However, the worst AC accident in living memory happened in 2020. On September 4 of that year, an AC explosion occurred in a mosque in Narayanganj during Esha prayers. 24 people lost their lives.
The annual report of the Fire Service and Civil Defense itself has also shown an increasing trend in AC-related accidents. According to the report, there were 86 fires caused by AC in 2023, 48 in 2022, 39 in 2021, and 32 in 2020. That is, its amount has been increasing for several years.
But the surprising thing is that till now the investigation of these accidents has not seen the light of day nor has the investigation report been published. Or no measures have been taken to make people aware.
The senior staff officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense Directorate Shah Jahan Shikder commented that the risk of fire increases as a result of using substandard, counterfeit and low-priced products. He told, ‘Our professional experience is that these accidents happen more due to electrical disturbance.’ And there is a tendency among people to use substandard tools. They use various substandard equipment for laying electrical lines and AC. Which later creates a serious risk situation.
He said, many times it is seen that the same product is being used for a long time without testing. This is also not correct. Electronics products should be checked regularly to prevent accidents. We will have advice to common people through you, always take single line diagram for electricity connection. Avoid using substandard equipment. Because, when a company is damaged, all its investments are burnt. Due to the use of substandard equipment, there is a risk of loss of five lakh rupees, even if there is an immediate profit of five rupees.
Importers denying allegations
Import of reconditioned compressors from China is completely denied by most of the importers. They say that new compressors are being imported from China by following proper procedures.
When asked about the complaints, Rubel, the owner of Rubel Refrigeration, said, ‘I cannot say them.’ We are all import companies. All our new compressors. We bought through LC.’
Shafi, the owner of Accurate Engineering, said, ‘We sell the goods from abroad; What else is this?
Import of reconditioned compressors is not allowed as per import policy. Still, when asked how you are doing it, he said, ‘We bought new ones from there. Whether they are used in China or not, I cannot say. We order in the company. The supply is given from there.
Abdul Hannan, the owner of Bismillah Refrigeration, said, ‘We do not bring goods (compressors) with air.’ Bring tax. And whether the thing is good or bad, it is the responsibility of Porte to see. The thing is, I imported it. If things are bad then why did they give up? Looked for them. There are many importers in this country. I bring the same way they bring goods.’
Khalil, the owner of Bhai Bhai Refrigeration, said, ‘I do not import any reconditioned goods, Bhai.’
When asked if DB raided your godown earlier, he said, ‘There was a raid once.’ But no truth is found. Later everyone left.
Mozammel Haque Jewel, owner of Rafi Enterprises, said, ‘This is completely unnecessary. I am on the road now. You call me later.’
Sohan, the owner of BS Enterprises, said, ‘Whoever has told this information has told a complete lie. I am a small businessman. Check with those who have said this. They might do this. I am the smallest shopkeeper in this market.
Siddique, the owner of Sejan Enterprises, said, ‘This is an utter lie. If someone’s compressor is damaged in Bangladesh, we sell it as a spare part. There is no question of bringing reconditioned compressors from abroad. No reconditioned or old goods come to Bangladesh. This is completely false.’
Zubair, son of Rezaul Karim, owner of MAR Traders and Nishat Traders, said, ‘The matter is completely wrong.’ On what basis are you talking? This is not correct.’
Silent role of responsible is increasing courage to commit crimes
Whether reconditioned compressors are being imported and marketed in the country - those who are responsible for looking after this matter are fast asleep. Allegedly, they are being imported and marketed by managing the Directorate of Explosives and Port Authority. Everyone is pretending not to know the matter.
In order to talk about the explosion of the AC, attempts have been made to communicate with the Chief Explosives Inspector SM Ancharuzzaman and the Deputy Chief Explosives Inspector Monira Yasmin on the phone for two days. But they didn’t answer the phone. A message sent to the Deputy Inspector General of Explosives did not elicit any response.
Commissioner of Custom House, Chittagong to know about this. Attempts have been made to contact Zakir Hossain on telephone and Additional Commissioner Mohammad Tafshir Uddin Bhunya on mobile phone. None of them answered the phone.
Chief Controller (Additional Secretary) of the Directorate of Import and Export Control, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam said, the issue of bringing reconditioned items to Bangladesh is not under jurisdiction. Still, it can say NBR and Customs. As such allegations are raised, we will look into the matter seriously.
Assured to take action owners association, mouth of association is closed
Bangladesh Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Owner Sramik Kalyan Parishad General Secretary Abul Kashem said about the reconditioning compressor, the matter has not come to our attention. We will take appropriate action against it if any such evidence is found. We will never agree to what is harmful to people.
An attempt was made to contact Asaduzzaman, president of the 2023-25 session of Bangladesh Refrigeration and Airconditioning Merchants Association (Brama) over the phone, but it was disconnected. On the other hand, when Abul Hossain, president of the 2021-23 session of the organization was contacted over the phone, he said that he is admitted to the hospital.



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