The New Scam Paradigm - Hijacked Legitimacy
December 6, 2012
Cgonyou, Dave and Lisa and Dave brought to our attention new solicitations by two companies located in the San Francisco Bay area. Both are legitimate real estate companies and operate using different business names.The names of these going concerns are Realty Power and S&J Statdler, Inc. Both are registered California corporations, both do business as legitimate real estate businesses, owners of both are California Department of Real Estate licensed Real Estate brokers, both have a network of licensed real estate sales associates and both have legitimate office locations.
The way this fraud works is simple. The fraudsters create websites with domains that are closely tied to the actual names of the legitimate business. Legitimate offices are listed on the websites. The name of the broker is listed for additional credibility, along with the California Department of Real Estate license number.
Look over the content in these two supposedly independent companies. Check out the About Us description. Wow! Word for word!
Realty-Power Commercial Services
Realty-Power Contact Page
S and J Stadtler Commercial Services
S and J Stadtler Contact Page
The only catch is the telephone number listed on the contact page on the website does not ring at any of the offices.
The offering letter is pretty much the same as the others we have seen. Here is the S and J Stadtler letter:
S and J Stadtler Offering Letter
We think the telephone rings at an auto wrecking yard in Fremont. At least that is the proximity of the location provided by the carrier.
Finally, the names of the contacts are names taken from the list of sales agents that appear in the California Department of Real Estate records.
Buying a domain, copying the same content into the free templates and claiming legitimacy by using the names of licensed companies and individuals is the new paradigm. Bottom line, be careful about whom you do business with, regardless of the tempting offers that might come your way.
Remember the insightful psychiatrist created by George Schultz - Lucy. She will take the ball away......every single time!