by 64057
Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:15 pm
Firstly, let me apologize if this is in any way redundant. I have searched the forums with an advanced search, and found nothing that seemed to hit the mark. I would imagine there are others who have fallen prey to these scams - who are in similar positions, or will be (unfortunately) in the future. Therefore, I have elected to start a new thread - to address specifically the subject of what to do with the evidence, once you are no longer an unwitting mule for this sort of activity. To provide some context for my question, let me describe the nature of my present situation.
I got wrapped up in a reshipping scam, under the pretext of employment, roughly a year ago. I discovered the nature of the operation, after having sent a package that was tracked to me by one of the retailers - who had been defrauded by the supposed "employer," using stolen credit card information. Upon having reason to believe the operation was not legitimate, I immediately ceased my end of the activity and conducted some research of my own: I retrieved the scammer's whois information, for the shell website, from domaintools; I traced the phone numbers on the website to a number of other shell websites, one of which was already known to the BBB for engaging in disreputable conduct; and, I was able to connect one of the phone numbers to a niche website for unrelated content - which actually had an individual's name attached to the domain registry. Upon having established the fraudulent nature of the activity and conducted this research: I submitted reports to the BBB (attempting to bring their awareness to the connection between this website and the one already known to them); to the USPIS (to bring their awareness to the reshipping portion of the scam); to both the local field office of the FBI, and the IC3 (to inform them of the credit card fraud); and the the local police department (to see what they wanted me to do with the evidence).
This brings me to my question. Being as it has been over a year since this activity occurred; and there has been no interest shown in collecting additional information or evidence, or pursuing prosecution - by any of the parties listed above (BBB, USPIS, FBI, IC3, or Local Police); is there a legal avenue available for disposing of this stuff? It would appear that the applicable laws in the United States - pertaining to scams of this nature - would fall under 18 USC § 2315. I have reviewed what information I can find online which is relevant to this statute, but been unable to find any statutory limitations. I am planning to move out of my apartment, and really don't want to take this stuff with me. None of the law enforcement agencies I contacted have shown any interest, and I have considered selling this stuff off - being as it would be equally illegal to dispose of it by any other means, and it would help me to recoup some of the losses I have incurred as a result - but I don't want to commit any additional violations of law (especially if they intend to pursue prosecution at a later date). Is anyone aware of any statute or other provision of law, in the United States, that would permit for me to sell - or otherwise dispose of - the items I have retained in my possession for the past year?
I got wrapped up in a reshipping scam, under the pretext of employment, roughly a year ago. I discovered the nature of the operation, after having sent a package that was tracked to me by one of the retailers - who had been defrauded by the supposed "employer," using stolen credit card information. Upon having reason to believe the operation was not legitimate, I immediately ceased my end of the activity and conducted some research of my own: I retrieved the scammer's whois information, for the shell website, from domaintools; I traced the phone numbers on the website to a number of other shell websites, one of which was already known to the BBB for engaging in disreputable conduct; and, I was able to connect one of the phone numbers to a niche website for unrelated content - which actually had an individual's name attached to the domain registry. Upon having established the fraudulent nature of the activity and conducted this research: I submitted reports to the BBB (attempting to bring their awareness to the connection between this website and the one already known to them); to the USPIS (to bring their awareness to the reshipping portion of the scam); to both the local field office of the FBI, and the IC3 (to inform them of the credit card fraud); and the the local police department (to see what they wanted me to do with the evidence).
This brings me to my question. Being as it has been over a year since this activity occurred; and there has been no interest shown in collecting additional information or evidence, or pursuing prosecution - by any of the parties listed above (BBB, USPIS, FBI, IC3, or Local Police); is there a legal avenue available for disposing of this stuff? It would appear that the applicable laws in the United States - pertaining to scams of this nature - would fall under 18 USC § 2315. I have reviewed what information I can find online which is relevant to this statute, but been unable to find any statutory limitations. I am planning to move out of my apartment, and really don't want to take this stuff with me. None of the law enforcement agencies I contacted have shown any interest, and I have considered selling this stuff off - being as it would be equally illegal to dispose of it by any other means, and it would help me to recoup some of the losses I have incurred as a result - but I don't want to commit any additional violations of law (especially if they intend to pursue prosecution at a later date). Is anyone aware of any statute or other provision of law, in the United States, that would permit for me to sell - or otherwise dispose of - the items I have retained in my possession for the past year?
