Graphic Media Alliance

05/02/2024

Beware of Scammers

Remember a few years ago the scams that were being emailed where a company would ask you to print 50,000 Bible verses or stickers or something, and then ship to someplace in a different country? You were to use their shipping company and they would pay you back for the shipping and the print. You could always tell it was a scam because of the grammar and spelling in the emails.

It has gone to a new level with AI.

A member company within Americas Printing Association Network had received a project request through their website from Anthony Schroeder, a “project broker from Gillies Metal” in New Zealand. The order was for some banners to be printed and shipped to New Zealand. The grammar was good and long story short, the company took the client believing it to be a real company. The member told the "client" that they had to prepay the $12,000 for print and freight and they did. The money was received in their bank account, so they proceeded to pay the shipping company, which was "Swift Transportations".

Soon after, the bank notified the member when the “customer” called back the $12,000 they had paid for the printing and freight, and it disappeared from the member's bank account. Fortunately, the bank was able to get the money out of the scammers bank before they withdrew it. The member didn’t lose any money, just their pride.

Several days later, the member received a call from a printing company that was not so lucky. The Gillies Metal scammers were pulling the same thing on that print company in an entirely different state, and they sent $39,000 to Swift Transportations. When "Anthony" placed the fake order with them, he mentioned that the first member company was over charging and that’s why he was calling this company to order from them. He even was able to give them the name of an employee who he worked with at the first company, which easily made it more believable. Unfortunately, when they reached out to the first company, it was already too late and the damage was done; the second company was unable to get their $39,000 back. 

Avoid Gillies Metal and/or Swift Transportations at all costs!

"Swift Transportation" does exist but not "Swift Transportations" with an S. Gillies Metal in New Zealand exists, but they likely have no idea that they are being used in a scam. It is always a good idea to do research before taking on a new client!