As a medical professional I deal with a number of elderly patients. I am absolutely disgusted that this scam is still taking place.
We need to focus in on this scam and report it immediately to local authorities. Whether you find these systems on *slist or in front of a major electronics store (i.E. BestBuy parking lot) call 911.
It's a serious crime and people are getting ripped off all over the country. I was heart broken when one my patients came in with her husband and the wife started crying telling me that they had bought their grandson this high end stereo system only to find out it didn't work. They spent $800 on it.
I can't believe that there are people out there that are willing to prey on the elderly. One day they will be old to and I seriously believe in karma. What goes around comes around.
Please pass this information on to loved ones especially those that are older that may fall victim to this scam:
The White Van Scam
The typical white van speaker scam involves one or two or three individuals, who are usually casually dressed or wearing uniforms. They drive a SUV, minivan or a commercial vehicle (usually a white commercial van, which may be rented inexpensively) that often displays a company logo. To find suitable targets, the van operators set up their con in moderately-trafficked areas such as parking lots, gas stations, colleges, or large apartment complexes. Alternatively, they may target people driving expensive cars and wave them down. The marks (victims) are usually affluent young men, college students or elderly people.
The operators often claim they work for an audio installer and that, through some sort of corporate error (warehouse operator mistake, bookkeeping mistakes, computer glithc, etc.) or due to the client changing the order after supplies were purchased, they have extra speakers. Sometimes, it is implied that the merchandise may be stolen. For varying reasons they need to dispose of the speakers quickly and are willing to get rid of them at "well below retail" prices. The con artists will repeatedly state the speakers value as anywhere between $1800 and $3000, prices often purportedly verified by showing a brochure or a magazine advertisement. They will usually also have an official looking website verifying their claims.
If the mark declines the offer, the scam artist uses various high pressure negotiation sales tactics. The con artist will almost always lower the price significantly. Some con artist will even suggest that since the customer got such a great deal he should pay a little extra as beer money for his supposed benefactor.
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