Fake bar-code scam
p2pnet.net News:- You’ve heard of scammers using high-res computer print-outs as fake $100 dollar bills?
Two Portland, Oregon, women and their husbands took the idea stage further by using their home computer to create counterfeit UPC bar codes.
They’d print their home-made codes out, go to a store, slip them over the real codes and sell the merchandise, or return it for refunds or store gift cards that also were sold, says the Associated Press.
The couples have been charged in a price-switching scheme that allegedly defrauded Wal-Mart stores in 19 states of $1.5 million over the last decade, says AP, going on:
“Authorities said they’re still calculating the total stolen from Wal-Mart and two other unidentified retail chains by the four suspects and up to 30 accomplices.”
Sisters Julie Marie Simmons, 35, and Laura Simmons Howerton, 39, and their husbands Michael Poore, 29, and Dewey Howerton, 39, have been arrested, says the story, adding:
“The four were in jail Thursday awaiting a Jan. 5 court hearing. They face from eight to 20 years if convicted on the theft charges. More charges are pending, authorities said.”
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See:-
home-made codes – Two Tenn. Couples Charged in $1.5 Million Scheme Aimed at Wal-Mart Stores, Associated Press, December 30, 2004
January 1st, 2005 at 3:19 am
Now these folks are the real Thieves and Pirates!!!!!!!!!!!! They did this for 10 years????? Some people never learn.
January 1st, 2005 at 4:37 am
Excellent idea.
I wonder how they caught them.
August 2nd, 2007 at 8:42 am
Well they must have got greedy, however i would like to call them and all the barcode swappers modern day robin hoods, steel from the rich and use for the poor, however this is getting a little out of hand. I could understand if you want something but simply cant afford it, but constantly doing this to make a income out of it, just wrong.