OPP WOULD LIKE TO WARN BUSINESSES OF A
HEAVY EQUIPMENT SALES SCAM
(OTTAWA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Rackets Branch, Economical Crime and Corruption, Ottawa Unit, received a complaint from a business owner of an Ontario / Quebec company that buys and sells heavy equipment within Canada and the United States.
The complainant received unsolicited emails advertising heavy equipment for sale in the United States. The email contains information about the equipment for sale at prices lower than market prices. The fraudster offers photos and further information about the equipment and encourages potential clients to contact them via telephone or email. Once communication is initiated, the fraudster sends information “lifted” from legitimate auction or heavy equipment websites.
Once an agreement is made to proceed with the transaction, the fraudster sends the victim an invoice with bank account and wire transfer information in the United States. After the wire transfer is complete, the victim is provided with excuses for lack of communication and the equipment is never received.
The fraudster targets companies and/or individuals who buy and sell heavy equipment through unsolicited phishing emails sent to the companies’ email addresses.
The fraudster operates as:
Dennis Moore
MAQ Trading Inc.
Contact Number: 913-214-0970
Jones Moore
KIT Equipment Trading Inc.
Contact Number: 760-284-1197
Fraud Prevention – How to Protect Yourself
- Beware of unsolicited emails from unfamiliar companies or individuals.
- Remember caller ID spoofing disguises telephone numbers appearing on a caller ID display. This popular tool allows scammers to disguise their calls, as the call will appear to be coming from local or familiar numbers to trick people into answering the phone and trusting the caller.
- Conduct your research online to ensure the business, individual and / or the item being purchased is legitimate.
- Always remember, if an offer sounds suspicious or seems “too good to be true”, it probably is. If you suspect that you may be a target of fraud, or if you have already sent funds, don’t be embarrassed – you’re not alone.
- If you need more information contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or visit their Website: www.antifraudcentre.ca
- If you suspect you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, contact your local police service or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at https://www.tipsubmit.com/.
- If you want to report a fraud, see examples of various scams, or if you need more information, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (formerly known as Phonebusters): www.antifraudcentre.ca or call 1-888-495-8501