FRAUD ALERT - Don't get scammed.
Optec has been the victim of a fraudulent scam. If you have received an Optec check from any stranger trying to send you money do not try to cash the check. The account has been closed.
Regrettably, our inbound wire transfer account has been compromised by an unscrupulous customer or vendor. This information has been sold and fraudulent checks have been printed. In most cases, the intended consumer victim receives the check by overnight UPS delivery. UPS is now aware of this scam and is attempting to track back to the perpetrators. Please contact UPS immediately if you receive one of these checks.
Variations of the scam include a check being sent from Angel Printing in Modesto, California. The checks may be signed by a Mr. Frank Brown - undoubtedly an alias. The Modesto Police Department has been notified. If you have been the victim of this scam, please help us to build a case against these perpetrators.
Other variations of the scam have included a fictitious nanny service from the U.K., a mystery shopper service, Craig's List purchases, and others. In each case, the intended victim receives an advance check for about $3,000 drawn on one of our checking accounts. These checks are fraudulent and will not be honored.
Update: The mystery shopper service includes an "evaluation" of a local Wal-mart store and Western Union. Note that the Western Union "evaluation" should be a RED FLAG for all intended victims. The perpetrators extract money from their victims by providing a set of instructions to wire money to their co-conspirator in Chicago. (Crooks in Chicago - shocking, isn't it?). By the time the fraudulent check from Optec bounces, these guys have already received the victims money and will likely never be heard from again.
Because the names of the Chicago contacts have fictitious names such as Mohammed Adam and Sana Syed, the Department of Homeland Security is now investigating and is in contact with the Western Union offices in the Chicago area to capture these criminals.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU SEND THE "SELLER" OR SENDER OF THE CHECK ANY OF YOUR OWN MONEY!
As far as we know, no one has fallen victim to this scam and actually lost any money. Hopefully this warning page will help to re-assure you that this is indeed a fraud.
Contact Tina at any of the numbers listed to the left for more information.
Optec is a legitimate company in business for over 30 years. We design and manufacture instruments and accessories for astronomy and visibility science.
