The OPP Anti-Rackets Branch received a complaint from a business owner of an Ontario company that buys and sells heavy equipment within Canada and the United States.
The victim 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 who buy and sell heavy equipment by using unsolicited phishing emails sent to the companies' email addresses.
The fraudster operates as:
Dennis Moore
MAQ Trading Inc.
