I am freaked out. I got about 5 missed calls on my phone today and when I finally answered, got a man (spanish name) that identified himself as a customs officer and started asking me questions. He said that an illegal phamacy had been raided and wanted to know about any orders I had now, when the last time I ordered was, if I had children, if there was a husband that they could stay with if I was not there (as in arrested?) I hung up, passed out and he has tried to call back once. I looked up the phone number and it says a landline in Allentown, NJ.
Does anyone out there have any advice or insight for me? I am a basket case.

what and how much did you order and from where?

There have been some scams like this. They tell you that if you send some money to them they can make it go away.

Why don't you post the number the call came from.

You are being extorted. You should ignore it. If he calls again you may want to contact local LE.

The phone number is 609-223-7741

Im doing better, but jeez, I feel like I'm going to puke - still. He did a whole badge number and everything. He left a voicemail saying who he was and that it was very urgent that he talk to me.

I had ordered from Secret Products in the past and they got raided a while back, so it seemed possible.

Any insight at this point will help me. I just know he's gonna call again tomorrow etc.

looks like that number has tryed to call and maybe scam a few people. Do a google search on it

Bump.

This sounds completely bogus to me. I dont believe Customs would be the ones calling you in this situation. If he was legit he would leave his contact information and you would be able to verify that he was actually with Customs.

Oh I think that is just a basic number with voicemail. It is an automated message, you can't even hit 0 to get to an operator. I think it is a throw away number.

If he calls tomorrow, ask him what you can do to clear this up, play dumb.

If he tells you about sending money, get all the info for it, still play dumb.

After you get everything then you can do one of two things. Call the police, let them handle it, which is what is needed to stop these people, but no one ever wants to do that.

Second thing, tell them if they ever dial your number again, you will turn all this info over to the FBI.

Do you really think its nothing? I'm real skittish as to how they got my phone number and knew to come after me about a drug raid etc.

Yup, I think it is the same scam. They have bought customer lists from someone.

Did you ever do business with an OCS, maybe Chris Larsen or someone else that was less than a pillar of the community?

You used to use Chat? That might be where they bought the customer list from.

I doubt customs handle things like this. They're in charge of mail, and if there's a serious problem, they contact law enforcement. And if this is an order from a long time ago, all they might have is a paper trail and no actual evidence that you possess anything illegal.

He said that there had been a raid on an illegal pharmacy and that so far 23 people had been indited (sp?) and asked alot of questions saying that I was being recorded and that if my answers were not truthful, I would be in alot of trouble. Asked my son's age, marital status, when I had last ordered, if I had an order in the works right now, if I had ordered from more than one place etc. then, I told him I had to go (yea, and pass out) and he said that he could give me his number but that it was very important that we talk - I hung up and actually did pass out. My poor son was in a doctor's appointment and was SO worried. I told him my blood sugar was low and he said "well, this is the best place for you to faint, i guess." The dude called back once, I was in the shower, then not again today. By then it was late in the afternoon. His name was Peter Franco. When he left the voicemail he said it was very urgent that I get in contact with him today.

Cops don't call. Tell him you need his agency's contact information so your attorney can handle it and watch how fast he disappears.

If it was me I'd tell him to go pound sand and hang up.

Google the number and go from there. IF that is a legit L.E. person, a legal consult might be in order to help you with what to say or what NOT to say next time. If there was a REAL problem, it would be at the door, not on the phone. They don't call and warn people, they (L.E.) just go visit them.

Stacy is most likely right...if they tell you to send the money for the fine to Nigeria or Uganda, just say ok...sure.
The scams out there are simply amazing. People still get taken with the fake check in the mail that tells them to cash it and send 75% back to them....

Just don't say ANYTHING. If this is legit, which it isn't, nothing you say on the phone can help you. Don't talk to anyone on the phone about anything like this.

Once again, how many times have you heard of law enforcement calling the subject of their investigation to tell them they're in trouble? Never.

I got a call like this once and it's complete BS. If he was with the the US Government he would if you were married, had kids,etc. Ignore it.

Thank you all so much for the reassurance. I felt like it was so real and still feel shaky and paranoid. Sadly, most of us know how it feels to deal with anxiety like this on top of the pain and misery that have brought us to this place to begin with. Its as though there isn't enough actual crime out there... I am hoping for sleep tonight...

What a parasite this guy is, he needs to be dragged across to Mexico (from the gangsters) and shot in the back of the head. He is doing nothing but leeching off of a community which thrive on support from others; scum.

It is obvious that any officer of the law would _never_ interrogate you by phone. We should try trace his number, and have someone break his legs.

Has anyone (or you, though I know youre worried) tried calling this guy? I get REALLY cheap international calls to the US - I'd love to call that number & get him on the phone, and give him a PIECE of my mind!!!!

I did call back just to see who the number was and it said that the person at that ext. wasn't available. I did a reverse phone lookup and it said a landline in Allentown, New Jersey.

LE don't leave voxmail.
They ask to speak directly or visit in person.
I'd change my phone #

This has scam written all over it. I would be more worried about any personal information you gave this person because he could use it to steal your identity, which sounds WAY more likely than it being the law calling you.

Even if he doesn't ask for money to be sent to some far away land, don't give any information and tell him to call your lawyer (and if you don't have one, give him the number for your local automated time and temperature or some other bogus number -- heck, give him a 555 number!)

I just called that number and left a message saying that I was a UK resident intendning to visit the US soon and wanted to get information on importation of certain items such as foosd stuffs and flowers and could he call me back and gave the number of a mobile phone of someone who is deceased (but I can't bring myself to throw away the phone)

If he has to pay to retreive voicemail, which he may, it might be a bit of wease to all phone up and ask stupid customs related questions.

Wow! You are so clever!! He didn't call back today, but I'm not entirely convinced that he won't try again. I'm still a bit edgey.

Relax ...Stare into my Avatar

I mean't of couse, all of us phone up, not just jobusgal.

Come on, have some fun and get dialling. There are so very very many stupid questions you could ask about animal fur and bush meat, alcohol content allowed per grm of perfume, what the duty is on goods bought in from a tax haven, can you bring in a llama?

Get dialling.

Excellent Idea ...Spam the Spammers Phone #

Do you ever spam scam spammers...get then all thinking you've fallen for it but keep asking more and more stupid questions and then saying that you have fallen in love with them and want to be their only one and will they send you money for a ticket so that you can visit them or some other stupid scenario. It's great fun.

I am SO envious of anyone that could pull that off! I am a horrible liar. (not like I lie all the time, but like WHEN I lie, I suck at it!)

Try this when the answering machine kicks in:

(put on old lady voice)

'hello, are you there, I don't know if this is the right nnumbers for customs. I want to talk to someone about Jam, only, you see my cousin in Denmark makes her own jam, it's damson and ever so nice, and we are worreid that if I visit her and bring some back this might be against the law because of the war againgst terror. I mean, if it's in a jar, is that alright, or should it be a plastic container? Anyway, I hope this is the right number, if not could you call me back on (insert fake numer) and let me know. Thanks bye. This is Doreen, by the way, Doreen Mucklebottom from (insert where ever you like)'

Go on, I dare you.

THAT I think I could actually do! Except if he has caller I.D. would he be able to tell?

Can you not block yout ID by dialling a code before the number..it's 141 in the UK i think. DO you have similar in the US. The only people who are immmune to the 141 thing are enforcement agencies. If not, is there a phone box nearby?

You really don't think its legit?

If it was legit, you would've had a visit already (not that I even think they would call you in the first place).

i dont think they would warn you that you are about to get busted why give you a chance to flush what ever you might have for them to find

I don't think it is legit

NO. A real customs officer woould have a voive mail message giving you out of hours info or another contact number.

Doh, I see the number has been removed. Was just about to phone and ask about Crocodile handbags and whether they can be imported.

It is still there.
The phone number is 609-223-7741

Thanks. Not at his desk much is he? Any way left long rambling message about handbags.

OMG! I truly stand in awe of your creative mind! I have to work today later so I'm going to call from there (a business) and ask about shipping some items overseas and if this is who I call because some of its fragile etc etc etc

Mischievous rather than creative I think

Have got mobile switched on ready for his call back......

And the chance of THAT happening?!!

No calls as yet

This board can be so helpful!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing seems to get past the old timers around here!!!!!!

I know! The people on here are so smart and savvy. I was a basket case and absolutely convinced that I was in terrible trouble. I havent posted in a while, but knew exactly where to go for advice and support. I couldn't be more grateful and promise to keep giving updates.

Still no call. LOL

Me neither!

Still waiting

Not very good on customer service are they, these fake customs people.

I feel like a bonehead. I can't believe that people prey on gullible, vulnerable, desperate people (like ME!) I think that if I hadn't cut him off (and keeled over) the money request would have come...at the time it all seemed so real and so possible.

I got the same call from him today... said the same stuff he said to you...I had a little fun with him, I kept telling him his cell phone sucked because I couldn't understand a word he was saying (Some true his phone was so distorted) he said it was because they were recording the the call, told him they can fly to the moon but cant make clear calls while recording? So I hung up 5 or 6 times he then asked for another number he could call (he said it was my cell phone) so I have him a number to some local escort that walks the streets in the area. About 10 mins later he called back mad as hell lol I said look Steve (I kept calling him a different name each time) if you are who you say you are come get me, then we can talk.

Hasn't called back since.. He called on 2 numbers 610-707-1883 and 240-324-3363

I was wondering what the quarantine laws were for stick insects being brought into the US. Perhaps I should try this chap on his other number and ask.

haha He's a mental midget once you have him in the corner. hope he calls back, I've got another number ready for him to call lol

Holy moly you are ballsy! I was terrified, mortified and convinced it was 100% legit! So far there are 3 of us that have been "contacted."

Well I look at it this way....if he was real why in the world would he call me? They just show up, they don't call. So I gave him the number of a local gal that can offer him some Tension release (please don't ask me why I have that number) lol

Oh Pooh, just got skype set up to act out my role as Baroness Audrey Wankerarse requesting information about the importation of live coy carp and the numbers have gone again.

Even had the script ready

The number isn't working?

That's funny Brigid, use one of the numbers I posted I'm sure its the same guy.

The numbers have disapppeared from my screen

strange, I still see it

It's odd on my screen. My laptop is skype enabled so the number automatically comes up as a 'just click to dial' type thing every time a phone number is entered on the screen (here or anywhere else, like email for eg) and then after a while, it disappears.

Happened before so someone kindly reposted the numbers. However, if the mods removed the numbers to stop me making mischief, then fair enough. I respect that.

And the ones he called me from are 610-707-1883 and 240-324-3363

There is another person that has received this type of call a day ago and I believe they used the same number as mine. DIFFERENT name, though. Biz, what name did your caller use?

I really don't remember sorry.. But he was spanish also.

Mine said Peter Franco (?)

hmm, That sounds like it. Can't be 100% because I was just goofing on him mostly.

I searched the internet for all these numbers and most show up on those whois calling sites as a pharmacy-us-customs calls which sounds like someone from one of these places sold the number (or could be them) trying to scare people into sending them money.

Sorry, still no numbers. Maybe they are beng removed from just my page. I can understand why someone a bit wiser might think playing out Geeves and Wooster to fake customs offcers may not be the best idea in the world.

All the numbers posted are still showing on my page. Strange.

Just called all 3 again left some messages for them..all of them have the same cheap generic message service.

Oh more than that. There have been many threads about the very thing. Sadly they have gotten people to send them money or they wouldn't keep doing this.

Are you serious!???!

Oh yes, I have seen serveral threads in the last year or so where these people called others. Some got to the point with them where they told them that wanted them to send money, how much and all the WU information so they could send it.

I don't remember anyone here saying they had sent in the money, but if a scammer is getting money from people, he keeps doing the same scam.

This one is evidently getting some people to send in money since it has been going on awhile and the scam is still the same.

Usually when your in trouble with the Gov/Law Enforcement they wont call you. They either contact with something official through the mail or... If you really screw up someone will show up at your house. I had this guy leavin me messages saying I'd committed mail fraud and to call him. Probably 30 or 40 messages in all, I finally looked up his number and name. Turns out he was a janitor at some federal building in Atlanta. He sounded pretty convincing though. He was dumb enough to give me his real name. I guess he thought if I looked him up I'd just see a government #, he was mistaken though.

I don't know of anyone in the UK that has ever had calls like this.Probably not caught on here yet. If it does, I wish the callers luck because of our more lenient laws with regard to buying from IOPs, people will just call the police. They are going to be far more interested in extorters than whether you've bought some fake* meds on the Internet.

*More articles in the papers about worry of people buying fake medication on the Internet, not so much a worry about them buying, more that they were fake. A study showed that 1 in 7 British adults now bought medication from overseas to bypass having to see their GP, most out of frustration. The fact that people may be 'shopping recreationally' wasn't mentioned.

There are no or very few news articles here about using IOPs for drug abuse being a problem, mainly because the prices prevent that amongst teenagers....and as long as it's not 'harming the children' then it's under the radar.

Just received a call from this number on my mobile, did a search, and was directed here. I never picked up since I didn't recognize the number. It was: 240-324-3363. Maybe I'll have my toddler pick up and ramble to him.

Update: I just tried calling the number back, and got a vm.

Is that not the same number as Biz? Well, know, what a coincidence that two completely separate people get call from the same number.

Can you not block your number in the US with a pre dial code?

I have not received a phone call with from alleged law enforcement, but I do receive almost daily calls from people-who-speak-English-badly claiming they have records from my doctor and it is time for a refill for "my hydro." Well, I have never taken hydro, never had it prescribed, never ordered it. I used to tell the caller that I don't take hydro and then they will say something like, "well, you can have a prescribtion for ....." and they will rattle off names of every drug you can think of. I used to actually question them about how they got my name and cell phone number, but I could barely understand the callers. So now I just say, "No thank you," the second that I realize it is is one if these calls. I believe others have written that they have placed orders and either they received (a) nothing or (b) fake pills. And paid a small fortune for the privilege. Do others get these calls frequently? Unfortunately, they do have my name, address and phone. I was a Chat customer and I suspect that the owners sold customer information, including mine. It is almost never the same person who calls, although the phone number is frequently the same. I stopped really even noting what the number is. These are annoying and constant. Anyone able to stop these call?

Well for what it's worth ...I was a Chat Customer and I don't get any of these Calls! ...But then again ...I did change my Contact info on Chat's Web Site (When I Stopped using them) To Chris Larson's Contact Info....His Address and Phone # that I found on the Internet!!! Maybe that is why I don't get these Phone Calls and the Email Scam $hit!

I received a call yesterday from jobusgals phone number (609-223-7741). My guy gave a different name and he was not spanish. He stressed how honest I must be with him. I also said our connection was bad, and I did not know what he was talking about. He hung up when I asked him "how do I know you are who you say you are" and said I would be hearing from them (Customs) within 72 hours. Very scary.

It's shouldn't be scary, and there is NO NEED for you to worry about calls like this. The calls you SHOULD be worrying about are the ones on your door-step (if you break laws, ordering from BI's etc)

It's still a scam and they want you to wire them thousands of dollars to make a problem that does not exist, go away.

If they call again, act like you want to hear what they say, ask what you can do to take care of it. Write down all the information they give you, make sure they give you a phone number of how to contact them back.

After they tell you all this, tell them you are turning the information over to the police.

Give the police the information. This is called extortion and it is a FEDERAL OFFENSE. They can be picked up for doing this, if they are caught you might can even sue them and get money from them.

These people are not going to stop until SOMEONE REPORTS THEM.

The cops wouldn't call. They would just show up out of the blue, possibly with search warrant in hand. This sounds like a lame attempt at extortion - as in " Send me $5,000 via western Union to <Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Some other Central American locale> and this will all go away....."

The phone - most likely a throw away cell phone. Block out your number (or use a pay phone) and call late at night. I bet a cell company's voice mail picks up.

Google it. It's all over the place. This happened to someone a couple of weeks ago. Just google the number and you will see.

No worries.

I thinked I've skyped this number about 4 times now, each time with either custons realted questions about Bovril and Paecock feathers as well as being a lottrey scammer from Lagos and an lawyer from Mumbai in search of a rightful heir (just need name, address and accunt number etc).

Made so many stupid calls now just to block up their voice mail (in the hope where it's one of those services where you have to pat to get your messages) I can't remember what I've said to each of them. All of them were utter nonesense that went on and on...like this post for e.g.

Brigid you're a real firecracker. So funny!
At least a lot more people know what to expect now.

Again, I stand in awe. You make me laugh out loud every single post!

Well, you guys are making me feel better. Hopefully today I will stop freaking. My reverse searching is showing the number that called jobusgal and me, 609-223-7741 (Allantown, NJ) and one of the numbers that called Biz, 610-707-1883 (Philadelphia)are land lines. The third number 240-324-3363 (Biz and Arizona) is shown as nonexistant which says to me it is a prepaid phone, or a tossable digit number. Has anyone ever heard of an person attempting to extort money from another showing up?

putting myself in the mind of someone who does this disgusting business, a person who extorts money would probably take the most precautions from being caught- some shown in the tactics they imply.

I think someone attempting to threaten you with extortion would go through too much trouble to put themselves in such a dangerous position as showing up at your door. These types are behind-the-scenes, anonymous cowards. They rely on their articulation and the facade of power one's demeanor on the phone can project- much quicker to perfect. In person there are many more technicalities to consider- forging credentials, etc. and those jerks can't just hang up in person, if say, the person you're trying to manipulate decides to call bullsheet.

So if I were to consider the possibility, again there is little doubt that the chances of a F2F arent likely to happen because there would be many more risks for the antagonist. No worries sug.

Yeah, I'd like a F2F with these douchebags.

Love it, new use for the term F2F.

I got called today too from 240.324.3363.

I'm not afraid to call the cops on this a##hole.
If I could just understand more of what he was saying the call was breaking up really bad.

If he calls again I'll be ready.

I think I mus stop taking a bananakin when I get in from work. It makes me do daft things. Now I've phoned one of the numbers as the representative of Free-Call Extortion4U, offering atractive rates and messgae service and gave the contact number as one of the other numbes used.

Please someone stop me.

Just because they taste like banana-flavored Runts candy, does not mean you should eat them as such...

Be careful!

I've known people to eat one-too-many and wake up the next day with a cleanly shaven head.

It's an occaisional once a day dose after a particularly stressfull day. It's draw back is it relaxes me so much that I start to be sort of my old self... a bit of a mischief maker. I think my hair is safe. I have, during realy bad peiods of anxiety taken 4-6 mgs a day, but try to only do that for the shortest time possible. Now I'm in a place where the odd one every now and then when you can feel your stress levels getting out of hand is ok and can ward off full blown panic attacks.

Nothing wrong with being a mischievous type. Seems like I've been causing all sorts of mischief today meself.

Glad to hear you're paying attention to it's effects and the potential pitfalls in using it.

It certainly lowers one's inhibition, that's for sure.

Bananas or no bananas your right for wanting to f with this dude. These are the type of crooks that would steal money from your grandma.

I haven't heard of bananakin's in a long time. I thought they had gone to benzo heaven.

Torrent still make them as Clonotrill-2 and Intas do something very similar called Zapiz-2 which have a minty banana-ry taste and are much smaller and come in regular blisters.

Law enforcement dont call...they knock if they have something concrete

Knowing the area/state you speak of...the number should come out of Newark or Trenton

Feds/Customs will not call to talk EVER...I have experience with them unfortunately

They WILL know E V E R Y T H I N G about you (kids and especially spouse) if it is legit

Never EVER admit to anything on the phone...EVER. This is definitely a scam...scary and cruel...however...bogus.

Ignore it and it will go away...if they smell fear...they will feed on it

Everyone needs to remember...that ANYONE can use something called "caller id spoofing" for free in order to not be traced. My friend actually has an app on his iPhone that does it for free too.

He is able to make my caller ID show anything he wants it to. Go to a site called phonegangster DOT com and do it to yourself for free from the web.

[/quote]

...

He is able to make my caller ID show anything he wants it to. Go to a site called phonegangster DOT com and do it to yourself for free from the web.

[quote/]

That's a cool app. It show how easy it is for some a-hole to scare the heck out of anyone who doesn't understand how easy it really is.

When I received my phone call I was truly frightened but what kept going through my head was all the post from DB.ers I have read through the years that have said...DO NOT EVER ADMIT TO ANYTHING.

I wouldn't even answer the phone, unless I know who it is.

The app really does work. I just used it to play a joke on my wife. The free version only displays the state for the area code you type in but it goes to show you that a phone call usually doesn't mean much in a case like this.

Yeah when he called me it was breaking up really bad also.. what a lamer

Can't wait till he calls again I have a soundboard bookmarked and ready for him...should be fun.

That sounds technical but intriguing. How would one of these 'soundboards work'. I always use Skype to call..would it work wiithh this if I call him?

Am bored and on a day off and doing laundry *yawns*

Anyone happen to catch this story on the home page? Looks like this is happening quite a bit...

More members getting scary phone calls...SCAM!

I load up a sounds board via a web site, one that has some pretty crazy stuff on it, when a caller calls I start hitting off the wall stuff via speaker phone. Some are pretty funny..lol

What accents do these guys have who are calling you and asking for extra money?