There is a scam artist in Winnipeg (and possibly other major Canadian cities) who owns a company called R&D Electronics. He is always looking for drivers or salesmen, and, of course, victims. This is a 2-part report, really.
&As an employee, look out for ads on Kijiji or elsewhere from a guy named Ryan (he never gave me his last name & Ryan is probably not even his real name) who is looking for salespeople or drivers. R&D doesn't have a website, Ryan never gives an email or address, he often calls from a blocked number, BUT he did leave his cell phone number: (204) 230-5393.
He looks for drivers or salespeople who have their own vehicle (in his ads, he specifies he wants a vehicle with more than 2 doors). Then you meet him somewhere near Southdale, but it can be anywhere in the city, like Kildonan Place for example.
He is about 30 years old, had a short beard without a mustache, tall, roughly 6'2", and lean. He wore a toque and puffy black jacket (it was winter) with older jeans and sneakers. He often wore sunglasses too. He carries a shoulder-strap carrier/book bag.
The job itself is dangerous. He offers anywhere from $15 to $30 with bonuses and even covers expenses. He has a storage unit off Higgins Ave, near train tracks. He fills your car/van/truck with electronics that don't have reputable names. He also has special magazines that promote the strange-brand electronics.
After you pick up the supplies, you drive to different parking lots in the city (usually strip malls or large malls, or places like Home Depot) and he drives by people and tries to push electronics on them. He usually targets males between 16-40 years old, usually middle to lower-class.
The problem is that even after nearly a month of working for him, I have none of his information. He claims that what he does is legal, yet he squirms when you ask any details. He says he has a business license, but never shows it. He also has forged receipts for his merchandise so if he is confronted by police, he can show them that he bought the stuff.
&As a customer, you need to watch out for this: 2 males (one described above) driving in a four-door vehicle, usually newer. They approach you in a parking lot and say they are on delivery and were overloaded. The "salesmen" ("Ryan") will say his name is Mike and that they are selling either a 3D projection TV or speakers and amps (McLaran brand or something else that isn't familiar) for cheap, usually between $100-$500. Most of the money is profit, or, if it's stolen, it's all profit.
He will try to force you into an impulse buy, since he is "in a hurry" and "need to get back to work". He will also claim they are from out of town and can't keep it so he's looking to "give someone a good deal".
It has been a few weeks since I left. There was one customer who Ryan asked in traffic who almost ran us off the road. There was also several cases of people attacking us out of anger. Someone got my license plate and called the police, and I have been fighting to stay out of trouble legally all because Ryan used me to cover himself.
When he "fired" me, he texted me that he wasn't getting a good deal from his shipper and is moving to Vancouver. I know this is a lie. He also did all kinds of drugs when we worked and was never coherent or mentally focused.
This is as much as I can remember. To potential employees or customers of R&D Electronics: STAY AWAY! Please use your judgment. If it's too good to be true, it really is.
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