Scam, online grifter, business to business, tv infomercial, focus group fee scam
I was contacted by a "Purchasing Director". He offered to produce a commercial and purchase large quantity of my product. He spent over an hour on the phone talking about how my product "caught his eye." At the end of his rant, he casually added they need $700 to pay for the focus group. After declining, he checked with "accounting" and reduced the fee to $350 now and $350 off the first order. I was supposed to overnight a product and enclose a check. I didn't do that. I instead asked for references and his personal profile either on LinkedIn or FaceBook. And, poof, in the wind. Upon looking at google maps, the address appeared to be a warehouse next to an auto body shop. This person is obviously trying to bilk money from honest business people.
Here is part of his email:
The commercials will air nationally a minimum of (500) times in a combination of any or all the following stations: Network Affiliates (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX), Independents (UPN, ION, MyNetworkTV), and chosen Cable Networks. The commercials will air between the hours of 6 A.M. And 12 midnight.
As discussed earlier, before we make an initial purchase order, we need you to overnight samples for the focus group and a check payable to X for the $350 Submission Fee. If we approve your product, X will be solely responsible for all costs of the video production, media buys, fulfillment, wholesale distribution and all other costs involved.
If approved, X will make an opening order. All of X’s purchase orders are paid on a COD basis.
I will call you in a few days and let you know the results of the focus group’s evaluation.
Sincerely,
Senior Purchasing Director
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
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