gmt58

I received a "microchip" from someplace claiming to be delivering the chip needed for my Mercedes. They told me I could install it myself or have the dealer do it.

Since most chips are not pluggable and they only provided a hazy picture of were it goes on a circuit board I couldn't find if my life depended on it, I am very suspicious.

Even if I could, I'm certainly not going to install some chip sent by some random person. I've sent an email to my dealer to find out if this is the mysterious Hermes Communications Module. It's a tiny chip (maybe six pins) so I seriously doubt it is the Hermes Module.

But did anyone else get one?

W205C43PFL

Interesting, do you mind sharing with us a picture of it?

The_Judge

Could be some sort of scam. Be careful! I suggest that you do not install it unless and until you get clear information from Mercedes.

Mikey53

Oh go ahead and install it, what’s the worst that could happen?!?! Just kidding, toss it out.

W205C43PFL

Still curious to see pictures but to be honest, I doubt MB will ever mail the chips to you, they will just send it to the dealership and the dealership will notify you and schedule you an appointment to do the retrofit.

gmt58

I can't see any writing on the chip. There really should be markings.

W205C43PFL

Thanks for sharing the picture OP and um that does look suspicious... anything on the other side or even the side?

gmt58

This is the letter. Envelope was written by hand.

gmt58

Can anyone here read Chinese instructions?

gmt58

I can't see anything.

W205C43PFL

Can't either but you could consider using Google Lens to translate it in real time. According to Google Lens, it mentions something about a defective SAM module and applies to vehicles including MBs sold in Taiwan.

W205C43PFL

​​​​​​​Reading a few posts up and the letter you shared with us, did you ever contact this company before?

gmt58

No. I never have. I don't know how they got my name and address. It is weirdly specific that I recently bought a new Mercedes and I'm waiting for some additional feature the dealer promised. But nothing else about it makes sense. Still waiting to hear from my MB salesman.

The_Judge

Two things:

1. Google finds an Arrowhead Electronics in Great Falls, Montana; it does not find a company by that name in Tempe Arizona.

2. Although the English in the letter is better than in the typical scam, I note a few misuses of commas and hyphens (e.g., "Enclosed, please find..." and "micro-chips" and Mercedes-Benz). To me that suggests a foreign writer, not a legitimate company in Arizona.

W205C43PFL

In that case OP you need to trace it and see what companies could had leaked your personal information.

gmt58

Service Manager at my dealer says they have never heard of these guys. Don't install. Again, not that I would (or could given these crappy instructions) have installed a chip from some rando.

If I'm feeling adventurous, I night snail-mail back to say WTF. Or I might just crush the chip and drop the remains in the trash.

W205C43PFL

Chips are valuable right now, should store it for the time being and.....

konigstiger

Advise MBUSA of suspected fraud 800-367-6372

gmt58

Well this is embarrassing.

This was in fact fake. How do I know? Because it was my "friends" that punked me.

While telling my story to a few friends last night, they almost died laughing at me and then admitted that they, in cahoots with someone who wasn't there, had in fact hatched the scheme to bust my ***** over the fact that I paid $80,000 for a car with missing parts.

My other friend was actually due to take a business trip to Arizona and hatched the scheme to address the mail from there. One of my other friend's came up with idea to have all the instruction be written in Chinese. Together they fabricated the whole thing and sent me the letter from Arizona.

They intended to tell me before I contacted the dealership and embarrassed myself, but we didn't end up seeing each other in time. So now I've fully embarrassed myself at the dealership AND online.

Have to admit that was a hell of a prank. They got me, but good.

Sorry if I've caused any consternation on this board. I'll go away and shut up now.

2150john

I really have nothing to add. But I just wanted to comment that this is one of the most complex attempts at a scam I have ever seen! Can't imagine what the payoff for the scammer could be. Quite a conversation piece though.

W205C43PFL

Not your fault at all but why is the letter in a different language? They should at least write it in German to make it more authentic. A lot of chips are provided by Bosch too so it should definitely be German.

It is also not fully MB's fault that they couldn't secure chips given the current circumstances but I do blame MB for canceling the chip orders when competitors like BMW didn't, which allow BMW to have almost a year additional supply of chips and thus being ahead of MB in that regard.

Elvisfan0108

BMW also has a problem getting chips. I asked a salesman. Plus if you configure an X5, their driver’s assistance package has no adaptive cruise control.

W205C43PFL

Didn't say they aren't affected but I was saying they did had a supply of chips left when they didn't cancel the order back when everything first started as I read somewhere, so they were good for at least half a year.

bbexperience

Slow clap to your friends. That is well played.

2150john

​​​​​​​Well, now I know what the payoff for the scammer was. A good laugh! I agree, well played.