Two men from California were arrested for allegedly trying to scam an investor out of $4 million by offering to sell boxes of hospital masks that they did not have.
According to the FBI, Donald Allen and Manuel Revolorio created a website for a fake company called International Commerce and Investment Group Inc. and claimed they had been in business for the past five years. They promoted their connections with medical institutions and global supply companies while boasting about having a large stock of protective equipment, which is in short supply due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They wrapped and labeled empty boxes, claiming they were filled with protective masks, and posted photos on their website. The pair made contact with an investor in New York and said they had 40 million respirator masks that could be resold for double or triple the $4 million they were asking.
"As alleged in the complaint, the defendants sought to take advantage of the urgent national need for life-saving personal protective equipment through a fraudulent scheme designed to line their own pockets," said Richard Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
After seeing the photos, which appeared to be legitimate, the investor agreed to make the purchase. When Allen and Revolorio asked the investor to wire them the money, he became suspicious and contacted the authorities.
Allen and Revolorio were taken into custody and are facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
"The alleged behavior here is nothing short of a betrayal of fellow citizens -- both those serving on the front lines and the communities who need those essential workers able to safely serve," said FBI Assistant Director Bill Sweeney.
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