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Author Topic: UK camera retailer victim of fraud  (Read 4009 times)

mcfoto

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UK camera retailer victim of fraud
« on: June 13, 2009, 01:20:55 am »

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=862287

Robert White Photographic, a camera dealer based in Dorset, was the victim of a fraud resulting in the loss of four Nikon D3x digital SLRs, four D3 models and four 14-24mm lenses. A D3x camera retails at £6000, a D3 at £4000 and a 14-24mm lens at £1600.

‘We received via fax an official order (or so we thought) from the BBC World Service. The order was similar to orders we had received in the past, details such as the document layout and order number were the correct format and the quantities of stock were not suspicious,’ the company tells BJP. ‘We did not have all of the items in stock and had to order for them. When the goods arrived we contacted the name on the order and as the goods were desperately needed a Poole base taxi was sent to collect the items.

‘We were given a code that the taxi driver would be able to confirm. The order was collected and we thought nothing of the matter until another order arrived. We then called the BBC to confirm the details and they had no record of the order. The investigation unit of the BBC seem to be doing all they could to look into the matter. We have contacted Dorset Police regarding the crime but they were very unhelpful. They state that the crime has technically taken place in London so it is a MET Police issue. They will contact them but we fear that the slow and frankly poor service we received from the Police is too little too late.’..........................

Denis
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Carsten W

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UK camera retailer victim of fraud
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2009, 04:15:13 am »

Quote from: mcfoto
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=862287

Robert White Photographic, a camera dealer based in Dorset, was the victim of a fraud resulting in the loss of four Nikon D3x digital SLRs, four D3 models and four 14-24mm lenses. A D3x camera retails at £6000, a D3 at £4000 and a 14-24mm lens at £1600.

‘We received via fax an official order (or so we thought) from the BBC World Service. The order was similar to orders we had received in the past, details such as the document layout and order number were the correct format and the quantities of stock were not suspicious,’ the company tells BJP. ‘We did not have all of the items in stock and had to order for them. When the goods arrived we contacted the name on the order and as the goods were desperately needed a Poole base taxi was sent to collect the items.

‘We were given a code that the taxi driver would be able to confirm. The order was collected and we thought nothing of the matter until another order arrived. We then called the BBC to confirm the details and they had no record of the order. The investigation unit of the BBC seem to be doing all they could to look into the matter. We have contacted Dorset Police regarding the crime but they were very unhelpful. They state that the crime has technically taken place in London so it is a MET Police issue. They will contact them but we fear that the slow and frankly poor service we received from the Police is too little too late.’..........................

Denis

Sounds like an inside job, either Robert White or BBC. The fact that the documents and the amounts were all as usual is highly suspicious. I wonder if RW has insurance?

The stupid thing is of course that those items can never be resold via the normal channels, as the serial numbers are known. I guess they will bring a fraction of the new price on the black market. The owners will also have to be very, very careful who they let handle the camera, as anyone could just look at the serial number.
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Dick Roadnight

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UK camera retailer victim of fraud
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2009, 06:29:18 am »

Quote from: mcfoto
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=862287

Robert White Photographic, a camera dealer based in Dorset, was the victim of a fraud resulting in the loss of four Nikon D3x digital SLRs, four D3 models and four 14-24mm lenses. A D3x camera retails at £6000, a D3 at £4000 and a 14-24mm lens at £1600.

Denis
There are retailers for whom I have very little sympathy, but they gave me a detailed demo of top pro MF equipment a while ago... I do not think I have ever bought anything from them... we are fortunate to have about half a dozen MF retailers within 3 hours drive.
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bcooter

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UK camera retailer victim of fraud
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2009, 12:18:25 pm »

Quote from: carstenw
Sounds like an inside job, either Robert White or BBC. The fact that the documents and the amounts were all as usual is highly suspicious.


Obviously it was someone that knew the photography biz, because they didn't order 3 digital backs.    That would have taken forever to fence.

Sorry, couldn't help myself, I know theft if a bad thing and nothing to joke about . . .

then again, the perp should be easy to find, he's probably an HY6 or AFI owner just trying to recoup his investment.

Or maybe a new Mamiya user that needed a faster flash sync.

Ok, that's it for tonight.

Everybody drive safely on your way home.

BC

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Graham Mitchell

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« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2009, 12:26:08 pm »

Quote from: bcooter
then again, the perp should be easy to find, he's probably an HY6 or AFI owner just trying to recoup his investment.
Or maybe a new Mamiya user that needed a faster flash sync.

...or one of those people who lurks in photography forums under a false name
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bcooter

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« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2009, 12:45:54 pm »

Quote from: foto-z
...or one of those people ....


You know fotzie, your an interesting guy, but I got to hand it to you for your brand loyalty.

If this lame joke I wrote had said something about the Nikon not having a waste level finder, you'd have been doing the Arsenio, whoop, whoop, whoop, in total agreement, but God help anyone that throws anything negative about the F+H brand of cameras out there, or something non-positive about the larger than smaller sensored back cameras.  (that's kind of funny that we now have a Large Sensor Photography Section)  because we all know the size of the hole in the back of the camera really is important to the worth of a photograph.

Still, there is some truth in all of this silly stuff, as the perps didn't lift the most expensive equipment, they just took something they knew they could sell quickly.

That should tell you something.

But they missed their chance.   If they had lifted 4 sinars/with HY6's they probably would have become Sinar's largest customer.

And before you get your knickers in a twist over that last "joke", I don't know what the Sinar Business is like in Estonia, but I've walked into 4 Sinar dealers on both U.S. coasts and never had one tell me they sold a compete Sinar HY6 system, actually I've never see one where the batteries were charged.

Even you admit if you were predisposed to buy a Sinar system, or HY6 you'd wait because the news is only negative and that news is very limited.

Sinar, F+H even Leaf can clear this up with a public statement, or maybe they can't and that is the real problem.

BC
« Last Edit: June 13, 2009, 12:58:49 pm by bcooter »
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Graham Mitchell

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« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2009, 01:04:46 pm »

Quote from: bcooter
You know fotzie, your an interesting guy, but I got to hand it to you for your brand loyalty.

James, it's a pity you can't take jokes like you make them!

p.s. I'm not as brand loyal as you seem to think - I'll shoot anything with leaf shutters, a WLF, and a rotating back
« Last Edit: June 13, 2009, 01:05:23 pm by foto-z »
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bcooter

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« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2009, 01:07:58 pm »

Quote from: foto-z
James, it's a pity you can't take jokes like you make them!

I'll shoot anything with leaf shutters, a WLF, and a rotating back

Now, that is funny.  Seriously.




BC
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JDG

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« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2009, 01:31:30 pm »

Quote from: foto-z
James, it's a pity you can't take jokes like you make them!

p.s. I'm not as brand loyal as you seem to think - I'll shoot anything with leaf shutters, a WLF, and a rotating back


So you are in the market for an RZ Pro IID with a P65+? :-)
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Steve Hendrix

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« Reply #9 on: June 13, 2009, 01:51:14 pm »

Quote from: bcooter
Now, that is funny.  Seriously.




BC


Ladies and gentlemen, now appearing nightly in the big tent, Bee Cooter!



[attachment=14513:CootCoot...96_copy2.jpg]
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heinrichvoelkel

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« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2009, 03:33:46 pm »

Quote from: Steve Hendrix/Phase One
Ladies and gentlemen, now appearing nightly in the big tent, Bee Cooter!



[attachment=14513:CootCoot...96_copy2.jpg]

Hey Steve, as you are in good mood, may I ask you about the Leaf shutter lenses from P1?
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gavin_stok

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« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2009, 12:16:49 pm »

Bring the topic back on track...

Here's the serial numbers taken from http://nikonrumors.com/2009/06/11/beware-s...umbers-uk.aspx:

D3x 5011228
D3x 5011232
D3x 5011229
D3x 5011223
D3 2082564
D3 2086984
D3 2082270
D3 2080220
14-24mm 264476
14-24mm 263414
14-24mm 261634
14-24mm 263409
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kevinwilson

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« Reply #12 on: June 16, 2009, 12:42:12 pm »

Quote from: gavin_stok
Bring the topic back on track...

Here's the serial numbers taken from http://nikonrumors.com/2009/06/11/beware-s...umbers-uk.aspx:

D3x 5011228
D3x 5011232
D3x 5011229
D3x 5011223
D3 2082564
D3 2086984
D3 2082270
D3 2080220
14-24mm 264476 14-24mm 263414


I know Robert White, as well as all the staff personally. They are a real tight knit concern and all take their work seriously, some of them have been with Robert for years. I am pretty sure, knowing Robert that he will be insured.
Kevin
14-24mm 261634
14-24mm 263409
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