Response to Titanium Hoax: You Guys are a Piece of Work!

Here’s some fun and games I recently helped a first-time caller / long-time-listener out with. This person had brought some pots from Facebook supposedly sold by two brothers running a restaurant in Wellington who are ceasing operations for retirement. Rather than sell their equipment to the liquidators, they were selling their tried and trusted stock to the public directly.

It turns out the whole thing was an internet scam, with multiple sites in different countries peddling the same line. The pots turned out to be something different from advertised and shipped from China.

From the economist’s perspective, there are three issues which fascinate me.

How Customer Demand was Generated
The advertising used white old European males to generate perceptions of authenticity and value. All of the advertising was the same story – two white old guys, both experts in their field, conveying the idea that the products were genuine and high quality. What does that say about the role of stereotypes for basing customer demand – they work! The pitch was to a subconscious stereotype of something which we regard as expert and knowledgeable – older white European men. Maybe we collectively associated older, white European males without our grandfathers or something, cloaking their opinions in some aura of trustworthiness, and their work with a high standard of craftsmanship. And two brothers, and not a factory, makes their product “artisanal”.Secondly, what does the corollary mean? The perception that goods from China are inferior quality?
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Deception
When you line all of the different forms of advertising up together, its quite clear that all of the pictures were AI generated – probably created in minutes (seconds?) and replicated multiples times across the internet with subtle variations. The “cost” of plastering the internet with complete garbage is both low, and the potential returns are high.
The Globalisation Nature of the Ruse
These were local websites in different countries created to sell products shipped from China, but through a merchant based in The Netherlands. Someone is doing some very fine juggling to keep all aspects of this transaction outside of a single jurisdiction. If the products don’t turn up, do you sue China (where the goods are physically held), New Zealand Facebook (which sold the front-facing profile of the transaction), The Netherlands (where the “merchant” is supposedly based), or somewhere else completely different we don’t know about, but where you absolutely know you’ll find someone on the end of a keyboard keeping this merry-go-round running.

Anyway, Westpac came through for the reader and permanently blocked the transaction. If the merchant wants to push it, they will have to push the transaction within New Zealand, and under New Zealand commercial law. :

Enjoy the following read 😉

<NAME>
<ADDRESS>
<CITY>

1 August 2026

<PERSON>
Disputed Transactions, Transformation and Customer Operations
Westpac on Takutai,
Auckland CBD, Post Code 1010

Re: Dispute Reference XXXXXXX – XXXXXXX

Dear XXXXX,
As requested in your email of the 30 July 2026, this letter outlines my reasons for wishing to continue blocking the disputed credit card transaction.

The merchant runs an elaborate international kitchenware scam. They proport to sell kitchenware that has a specific geographical origin, an artisanal craftsmen pedigree and development and refinement history which made their products unique and special. It was the product’s backstory and the merchant’s description as “real titanium cookware” that made me purchase the product.

The merchant’s actions have been wholly misleading about the origin of the product, contrary to S(13)(j) Fair Trading Act 1986. My dissatisfaction was immediately and directly communicated with the vendor in emails copied into this letter. Secondly, what was delivered did not conform with the description of sale. I purchased titanium cookware, they delivered essentially stainless-steel products and contravened S(136) Contracts and Commercial Law Act 2017.

If this credit card transaction proceeds, I will have no effective redress against the company, which is why I request the blocked payment continue.

The False Backstory
The purchased kitchenware which is the subject of this dispute was sold online through Facebook by two brothers, Eric and Dan, who were closing their Wellington business which they had operated for 25 years. Eric is an engineer, and he developed the kitchenware. Dan is a chef and together with Eric they had both worked to refine the kitchenware into a high-end titanium product through using it in Dan’s kitchen and improving its design. They were now wishing to retire, so were selling their kitchenware online rather than through a liquidator.

I purchased two products: the Standard Essentials Bundle, and the Titanium Cooking Pot on the basis they are hand made in Wellington, New Zealand by two brothers who were retiring.

The Facebook advertising I responded to is contained in Appendix A of this letter. My communications with the Merchant are contained in Appendix B.

The Deception and Quick Completion of Delivery
I placed an order with the company on 30 April 2026 through one of their Facebook ads. However, I became suspicious of the origin of the product when I received a tracking number indicating the shipment was coming from China, despite their Facebook presence indicating they were a New Zealand based company.

I emailed the merchant directly questioning the product’s origin on the 7 May (see Appendix B) and seeking to clarify the seller’s location and identity and whether the seller actually were two brothers in New Zealand going out of business.

Rather than confirm their origin and identity, “Mark” from the merchant’s “service centre” focused instead on completing the transaction as quickly as possible to secure funds, so leaving my only recourse being through their returns policy. Being overseas based, a refund would be at their discretion and outside New Zealand’s legal jurisdiction. Completing the transaction would also make reversing the credit card payment transaction difficult since they can argue (as they have), their commitments as a merchant have been fulfilled.

On the 8 May I emailed the merchant requesting a full refund believing their marketing and origin to be false and the entire operation to be a scam. I purchased the goods on the basis they are hand made titanium kitchenware developed in Wellington, New Zealand by two brothers who are retiring. Everything I had seen since the transaction indicated Adam’s Cookware was

operating out of China, or

did not, in fact, actually exist.

The AI Generated Images and the Artificial Origin Stories

The merchant documentation supplied by Westpac has revealed Adam’s Cookware is actually a company called “SP Laurent Cuisine”, which has its own website address of http://laurentcuisine.com based in Hoorn in The Netherlands.

Laurentcuisine.com reveals that:

“Laurent Cuisine was founded by brothers Julien and Antoine Laurent, with a simple conviction—a pan should last a lifetime. Every pan we make is crafted from pure titanium. No toxic coatings, no shortcuts, no compromises. Just honest cookware, made for those who truly cook.” (emphasis mine)

And

“We’re closing the shop and selling off the last of our stock with Marc at an exceptional price. We’re selling it ourselves — directly to you.
Each pan below was made the way we always have. No coating. No shortcuts. Pure titanium that won’t warp, chip, or hide anything. Cookware that gets better with every use.We wanted to do it ourselves. That’s why we’re offering them directly to you — you who really care about what you cook with — with a discount of up to 70%.

Once this stock is depleted, the shop will close permanently. Don’t wait.”

Note the website reference to “Every pan we make is crafted from pure titanium”.
I have lined up side-by-side pictures from “Adams Cookware” Facebook presence, where I purchased the two products from, and “Laurent Cuisine”.
The AI fake imagery of “Dan the Chef” can be compared with the chef Laurent brothers known either as “Pierre & Marc Laurent” or “Julien and Antoine Laurent”:

Figure 1: Dan the Chef from Facebook’s Adamcookware.com ad and the “Laurent” Brothers

The artificiality and duplicity of Laurent Cuisine is clearly seen in their website which is not even consistent on the founding brother’s names, stresses honesty as their underlying quality, and advertises their pans as made from “pure titanium”.

Similar sites have been created around the world. For example, https://adams-cookware.com/ and https://smith-titanium.com/

Figure 2: Is it Pierre & Marc, or Julien & Antoine? They’re fed up with being lied to. Especially about their Pure Titanium Pans

Delivered Product Differed from Description

The original New Zealand website “https://adamscookware.com” showing brother’s Dan and Eric no longer exists. It now redirects to “http://laurentcuisine.com”. Laurent Cuisine does not sell a “Standard Essentials Bundle”, nor a “Titanium Cooking Pot”. Instead, they offer a “Ensemble Essentiels Standard en Titane” and a “Casserole en Titane”.

Laurent Cuisine are selling their titanium saucepan and products as actually made from stainless steel.

Figure 3: Laurent Cuisine Hammered Titanium Pan

The New Zealand Adams Cookware site I used, “https://adamscookware.com”, did not advertised their products as stainless steel. What was presented can now be seen in one of the merchant’s other fake websites – https://adams-cookware.com/products/titanium-cooking-pot – shown below:

Figure 4: Adam-cookware.com Titanium Cooking Pot

What was delivered on the 12 May 2026 was not “real titanium cookware” sold by two brothers Eric and Dan who had been in business for 25 years in Wellington as a chef and an engineer, now both seeking to retire.

What I received was instead kitchenware made from “multi-layer steel-titanium”. Rather than “pure titanium” the product was actually made from steel, aluminium, and “304” which is a stainless steel.[1] The titanium component turned out to be a “titanium material layer” on its cooking surface. Titanium “material” does not necessarily mean “titanium” and could be something which only includes titanium.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_304_stainless_steel

The product documentation does not reveal a country of origin but given it was shipped from China, the kitchenware is probably made in China. It is most probably not designed by an engineer called Eric who refined the product in conjunction with his chef brother Dan in a Wellington-based eating establishment which they are now closing because of their looming retirement.

Figure 5: Product Documentation

Figure 6: Not Titanium

Running a World Wide Scam

The merchant runs a series of online shops all peddling the same lie – that the products are titanium kitchenware, local in origin, artisan made, by two brothers who are closing down their business after 25/30 years trading and refining their craft. For example, this is their USA presence:

Figure 7: Smith-titanium.com of the USA – Yet another variant

Adams Cookware, and its Versions are a Scam

Since I transacted with the Merchants online research has revealed their fraudulent activity. They have a history of selling titanium products but delivering stainless steel.

Figure 8: Facebook Adams Cookware Gemini Search

Figure 9: Smiths Titanium Cookware Gemini Search

Figure 10: Adams Cookware Review on Trustpilot.com

Figure 11: Scam tracker for Smiths Titanium – a Adams Cookware Clone

Merchants Actions Contrary to New Zealand Law

Finally, if this credit card transaction was authorised, then I would be denied any recourse to New Zealand legal protection. The merchant’s behaviours are false and misleading, under S(13)(j) Fair Trading Act 1986 as misrepresenting the place of origin of the kitchenware.

Figure 12: Section 13 Fair Trading Act 1986

Secondly, in supplying stainless steel kitchenware instead of titanium kitchenware, the merchant has breached S(136) Contracts and Commercial Law Act 2017 through making a false description of the nature of the products sold, specifically their metallic composition.

Figure 13: Section 136 Contracts and Commercial Law Act 2017

For these reasons, I formally request the credit card transaction in dispute be formally cancelled and not proceed.

Yours sincerely,

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Appendix A: Adam’s Cookware – Wellington Facebook Presentation

Appendix B: Communications with Company

———- Forwarded message ———
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Date: Sat, 23 May 2026, 14:51
Subject: Dispute Reference XXXXXXXXXXX
To: <creditcard_dispute@westpac.co.nz>

Hello ,
Forwarding the email chain with the Chinese company where I ask for a full refund.
They ignored my request and couriered (aramex) the product after a few days of me notifying them that I’d contacted my bank.
I revieved the goods already (see attached). It is not what I ordered – handmade product made by two brothers based in Wellington, New Zealand going into retirement. The product is clearly made in china.
Please tell me what my options are.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cell: +64 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Adams Cookware <info@adamscookware.com>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2026, 01:41
Subject: Re: Order xxxx
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hello XXXXXXXXXXXX,
Thank you for your message regarding order #XXXXXXX. We understand your concerns.
Please note that your order is already in process and cannot be canceled at this stage. Once the shipping process has begun, we are unable to stop or reverse it. That said, you remain fully entitled to return the product within 30 days after delivery if you decide not to keep it. Once the item arrives, kindly contact us and we will guide you through the return procedure. A full refund will be issued upon receipt and inspection of the returned item.
We sincerely apologize for any confusion and assure you that we will support you through the return process to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.

Kind regards,
Mark
Customer Support Team
Adams Cookware
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2026 12:22 AM
To: Adams Cookware <info@adamscookware.com>
Subject: Re: Order XXXXXXXXX

You guys are a piece of work.
You should be ashamed scamming people like this.
But my guess is – you’re devoid of feelings and human decency.
You’re probably 99 per cent robot and 1 per cent human.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cell: +64 XXXXXXXXX

On Mon, 11 May 2026, 00:11 Adams Cookware, <info@adamscookware.com> wrote:
Hello XXXXXXXXXX,
Thank you for your message regarding order #XXXX.
We understand your concerns and your request for a refund. Please note that your order is already in process and cannot be canceled at this stage. Once the shipping process has begun, we are unable to stop or reverse it.
That said, you remain fully entitled to return the product within 30 days after delivery if you decide not to keep it. Once the item arrives, kindly contact us and we will guide you through the return procedure. A full refund will be issued upon receipt and inspection of the returned item.
We sincerely regret any confusion and assure you that we will support you through the return process to resolve this matter.

Kind regards,
Mark
Customer Support Team
Adams Cookware
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Saturday, May 9, 2026 8:30 PM
To: Adams Cookware <info@adamscookware.com>
Subject: Re: Order XXXXX

I want a full refund.
Your advertising is misleading and provided false information.
I’ve already contacted my bank.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cell: +64 xxxxxx

On Sat, 9 May 2026, 20:10 Adams Cookware, <info@adamscookware.com> wrote:
Hello XXXXX,
Thank you for your message regarding order #xxxxx.
We understand your request for a full refund. Please rest assured that you may return the product within 30 days after delivery if you decide not to keep it. Once the item arrives, kindly review it and contact us if you wish to proceed with a return. We will carefully guide you through the return process and issue a full refund upon receipt of the returned item.
We sincerely apologize for any confusion and appreciate your patience.
Kind regards,
Mark
Customer Support Team Adams Cookware
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Saturday, May 9, 2026 7:38 PM
To: Adams Cookware <info@adamscookware.com>
Subject: Re: Order xxxxx

I want a full refund of my money.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cell: +64 xxxxxxxxx

On Sat, 9 May 2026, 19:36 Adams Cookware, <info@adamscookware.com> wrote:
Hello xxxxxx,
Thank you for your message regarding order #xxxxx.
Upon checking, we can confirm that your order is currently in transit. As the shipping process has already been completed, we are unable to cancel the order at this stage. The tracking information may not yet be updated, but you can follow its progress using the link below:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Please rest assured that you may return the product within 30 days after delivery if you decide not to keep it. Once the item arrives, kindly review it and contact us if you wish to proceed with a return. We will carefully guide you through the return process.
We sincerely apologize for any confusion and appreciate your patience.
Kind regards,
Mark
Customer Support Team Adams Cookware
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Friday, May 8, 2026 6:34 AM
To: Adam Tzakelijk <info@adamscookware.com>
Subject: Re: Order xxxxx

Hi Adam,
I would like a full refund of my money please. I believe you’re marketing is providing false information and this is a scam.
I purchased the goods on the basis they are hand made in Wellington, New Zealand by two brothers who are retiring. Everything I’ve seen since indicates this company is a) operating out of China, or b) doesn’t actually exist.
I have contacted my bank and also reported your adverts on Facebook.

xxxxxx
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cell: +64 xxxxxx

On Fri, 8 May 2026, 02:16 Adam Tzakelijk, <info@adamscookware.com> wrote:
Hello xxxxx,
Thank you for your message regarding order #xxxxx Upon checking, we can confirm that your order is currently in transit. The tracking information may not yet be updated, but you can follow its progress using the link below:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We appreciate your patience and are confident your order will reach you soon. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions.
Kind regards,
Mark
Customer Support Team Adams Cookware
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2026 8:58 PM
To: Adam Tzakelijk <info@adamscookware.com>
Subject: Order xxxxx
Hi
Please provide an update on the above order placed April 30.
Im tracking the shipment but there’s been no update since last week.
Im suspicious that this a scam – the tracking number indicates the shipment is coming from China. This doesn’t make sense to me- the advertising says clearly its a NZ based company.
I’d appreciate a quick response.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cell: +64 xxxxxx