Eros (Cara, Second Cup, Swiss Chalet) banned - fraud investigation

[Derek]

A couple people have asked about Eros and why they were banned and their threads removed. It has been removed after we received a call from the police yesterday and at Cara's request a couple days ago regarding a fraud investigation. As far as I know right now, those cards were stolen and have been traced back to eros. Eros has been banned and my guess is that those gift cards have been invalidated.

Hope that helps clarify things. Send an e-mail to forums@redflagdeals.com if you there are any questions.

[kevin1234]

To buyers who got the Gift Card from Eros, i got $4000 cash back from Eros few days ago, he told me the seller who sell him the gift card was actually stolen and he is dealing with the police at the moment. So leave your contact number online he will get back to us.

[Derek]

I believe the gift cards should be invalid now. Please check the gift card balances before buying any Cara gift cards. Probably a good idea for gift cards in general as well.

[Rehan]

FYI, kevin1234 was posting from the same IP address as Eros.


To buyers who got the Gift Card from Eros, i got $4000 cash back from Eros few days ago, he told me the seller who sell him the gift card was actually stolen and he is dealing with the police at the moment. So leave your contact number online he will get back to us.

[mrcwazie]

wow, how many cards did he end up selling?

[umieesa]

Can someone tell me how I can get my money back?? I tried calling his cell but I get no answer...help!!! Should I contact the police as well?? Please any info would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks

[edmonton]

If I am not mistaken, Eros claimed he got the gift cards from his school's event. How come now he admit that he bought it from someone else? If a deal is too good to be true, then it's too good to be true.

To buyers who got the Gift Card from Eros, i got $4000 cash back from Eros few days ago, he told me the seller who sell him the gift card was actually stolen and he is dealing with the police at the moment. So leave your contact number online he will get back to us.

[consumerPI]

I got my cash back from him today. He can't take your calls as the cops have his cell phone. I would post something here using this post???

Can someone tell me how I can get my money back?? I tried calling his cell but I get no answer...help!!! Should I contact the police as well?? Please any info would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks

[LeeBoA]

To buyers who got the Gift Card from Eros, i got $4000 cash back from Eros few days ago, he told me the seller who sell him the gift card was actually stolen and he is dealing with the police at the moment. So leave your contact number online he will get back to us.
This guy got banned?

[LeeBoA]

Wow, this time someones been banned for selling stolen goods... Thats something new.

[Rehan]

This guy got banned? See post #5 above.

[lkn4deals]

well he emailed me and then never followed up to my response

[consumerPI]

Apparently twice.

This guy got banned?

[guest923]

Now I feel good that I catched him on selling stolen cards. I kept asking him about it before but he always said either he gets them from a friend or he bought a lot for a school event but didn't use them. A lot of people were questioning him about his cards way back in Dec. but a lot of people backed him up so it was just endless.

I would like to know how to get in contact with him since my friend still has the gift cards from eros and would like to get the money back. Any info would help. THANKS

[lkn4deals]

http://heatware.com/eval.php?id=26524


his email address is bouncing back...

[lkn4deals]

wow, how many cards did he end up selling?


Well based on the heatware feedback, a minimum of $2000...but I think it's much, much more if you consider that a lot of people don't use heatware...

[umieesa]

I hope this guy does the right thing and gives us our money back.

In any event, eros, if you're reading this please contact me:

umi_eesa@hotmail.com

[Nfiltr8tor]

Eros, Kevin, or whatever nick you're using, I'm out $100 bucks because of you. Email me at nfiltr8tor@hotmail.com and let me know what you're planning on doing.

Is there any way of filing in small claims for class action? I'm sure there's enough of us in here that got ripped off.

[cactus]

Eros, I'm out $300, contact me at cactus2go@gmail.com asap please.

[cactus]

well, before you go filing claims, see if you can sort it out with him first. I got my money back and didn't have any trouble with it.


Eros, Kevin, or whatever nick you're using, I'm out $100 bucks because of you. Email me at nfiltr8tor@hotmail.com and let me know what you're planning on doing.

Is there any way of filing in small claims for class action? I'm sure there's enough of us in here that got ripped off.

[Nfiltr8tor]

Thanks for the advice. He emailed me and I'm hoping everything goes smoothly.

well, before you go filing claims, see if you can sort it out with him first. I got my money back and didn't have any trouble with it.

[consumerPI]

Agreed.

well, before you go filing claims, see if you can sort it out with him first. I got my money back and didn't have any trouble with it.

[obernewtyn]

Hey eros!!! I'm out $120 from the 150 cara cards I bought from you recently. Contact me at nocturnal.ing@ gmail.com soon as possible please.

[umieesa]

Eros, I have all the cards, so please contact me so we can settle. Thanks.

See email address above. :arrowu:

[guest14358]

So does anyone have the update on the stolen cards? Like who stole them and how much were stolen and things like that?

[Da Jin]

Eros, please contact me for the cards I bought off of you. Please email me at kbuysell at hotmail.com

[guest14358]

Do you guys read CHinese newspaper? This was on the World Journal today. I was telling my dad about it and he then he took out the newspapre and showed me. I wonder who stole it...

[umieesa]

Just wondering if anyone else has got their money back from eros? I've tried to call and email him, but no reply. He called last week, but hasn't contacted me again since then. I didn't want to go to the police if he was going to give me my money back, but now I'm starting to feel like I've been screwed again...what should I do????

thanks

[lkn4deals]

so apparently, he worked in a second cup store...

Toronto news

The coffee shop gift certificate becomes the stolen goods to be invalid

[ Newspaper Toronto news ] if you have on-line bought "the second cup of coffee" (Second Cup) the gift certificate, very was possible is has been swindled, because these gift certificates were invalid.
The Toronto police arrested to this month 13th to be in office to "the second cup of coffee" a Toronto branch store staff, because it was a suspect in the larceny shop one batch of values respectively is 50 Yuan, 100 Yuan and 200 Yuan gift certificates. Then peddles these gift certificates through the network, the selling price only is the gift certificate actual value five tenths to most likely. Afterwards store boss discovered in the shop several hundred gift certificates vanish into thin air, not only has found out in the thief, moreover for the reduction economic loss, announced these the gift certificate which robs is completely become invalid.

The Toronto police yesterday reminded the populace to pay attention, did not have on-line to purchase the background unclearly "the second cup of coffee" the gift certificate. The police also announced the related on-line advertisement.

Broadly said that that, "Second cup of coffee" the gift certificate may include Kelsey's in the Toronto area, Harvey, Montana, Swiss the Chalet meal shop use. Every buys 200 Yuan to hit two booklets, buys 1,000 Yuan to hit three booklets, the not expired date, only receives the cash. Intending first orders, latter delivers in the Toronto area ". The police said, if saw the similar advertisement, surely do not have to be swindled.

At the same time, the shop owner also hoped bought the gift certificate visitor to be rapid and it contact.

[guest14358]

HAHA...that's the exactly same article in the newspaper that my dad showed me.

I wonder was it Eros or the girlfriend who worked at the Secound Cup. I wish they would had given out more info in the newspaper.

So will the person who stole the gift cards be sent to jail?

[edmonton]

What kind of translating software are you using? It's so crappy.

[HighFlyer]

scroll to bottom of page

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2359


Arrest - 14 Division

Female suspect, 22

Charge(s): July 13, 2006 – Fraud Over, Theft Over

Arrested and Investigated by Members of No. 14 Division.

Between the period of January 21, 2006 to the present, a female employee of the Second Cup Coffee Shop located at 700 King Street West, activated Second Cup gift cards available at the store, then offered them for sale on the internet for half price. The suspect would then keep the proceeds of the sales for herself. Police were notified and through investigation, suspect was arrested. Charged accordingly. No recovery was made. Investigation is continuing.

5086/89329/21:21

[lkn4deals]

What kind of translating software are you using? It's so crappy.


it says right in the title...altavista

[lkn4deals]

scroll to bottom of page

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2359

I wonder if that's his girlfriend or someone else...if it's his gf, wow...i think someone mentioned that she is at Shulich at York...definitely not a wise move...

[guest14358]

So Eros is not the criminal so who is the girl? Why didn't they put the name on the report? Will Eros get into trouble since he was selling the cards?

[lkn4deals]

story just posted on thestar.com

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&pubid=968163964505&cid=1153519504006&col=968705899037&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News

Gift card scam busted
Jul. 21, 2006. 06:23 PM
TAMARA CHERRY
STAFF REPORTER


A Second Cup employee has been arrested after hundreds of the café’s gift cards were reported stolen and allegedly sold illegally on a Toronto website, police say.

Over several months, the franchise employee allegedly stole the Second Cup Café Cards and activated them in the amounts of $50, $100 and $200, police said.

The employee allegedly advertised the cards on a Toronto website for 20- to 50-per-cent off the original value.

A sample of one of the offers posted on the website advertised that the cards as 20-per-cent off the original price, but there was a catch: Buyers had to make purchases of $200 or more - “Cash Only!!!”

On purchases over $1,000, buyers could receive 30-per-cent off. In addition to Second Cup, the cards can be used at Kelsey’s, Harvey’s, Milestone’s, Montana’s and Swiss Chalet restaurants, the posted ad said.

Cards could be picked up in the GTA, but, the writer of the post warned, “NO lowballing, prices are firm.”

When the Second Cup franchise owner advised police that hundreds of these cards had been stolen and sold illegally, those cards not already redeemed were deactivated.

Police have received calls from people who have bought into this scam, police said, adding, “A large number of people have lost the money they paid for the cards.”

The accused was arrested Thursday and faces charges of theft and fraud over $5,000.

Anyone with information about this case, or other victims who believe they may have purchased one of these cards, is asked to call Det. Leslie Hildred at (416) 808-1404 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (416) 222-8477 or www.222tips.com.

[umieesa]

Just read that article too. So does this mean it's basically hopeless for us who still haven't gotten their money back?

[consumerPI]

Nah, keep trying to call him.

Just read that article too. So does this mean it's basically hopeless for us who still haven't gotten their money back?

[obernewtyn]

I've got a email reply by asking a refund on redflag. But its been days and I haven't got a call from this person. I don't even have his/her number. Said that he will give my money back...still waiting....

[HughG]

i was this guys first trade on RFD.

he seemed like a really nice guy.

Weird i guess

[Aleem]

i was this guys first trade on RFD.

he seemed like a really nice guy.

Weird i guess



He's in jail now. big article about 'Eros' in the National Post today.

It mentions 2nd cup gift cards alot that he scammed people with

[HighFlyer]

big article about 'Eros' in the National Post today.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/toronto/story.html?id=d79a4f63-9fcc-45d9-bd33-ba3e09360977

Police bust gift-card scam

Zosia Bielski, National Post
Published: Saturday, July 22, 2006

The coffee's good -- but that gift card you bought off the Internet might not be. Toronto Police have arrested a Second Cup employee who stole hundreds of gift cards, some worth up to $200, and sold them on the Internet.

The employee, who went by the name "Eros" online, has been charged with theft and fraud, police said yesterday. Over several months, the suspect -- who worked at a franchised Second Cup downtown -- stole "cafe cards" and activated them in amounts of $50, $100 and $200, police at 14 Division said.

"As a cashier, they can activate it and say so much money was tendered onto it, but not really take in a payment," Constable Victor Kwong said. Police had received tips from some of the victims who bought discounted cards online.

Gift cards are good at many Second Cups, Harvey's, Kelsey's, Montana's, Milestone's and Swiss Chalet restaurants -- all operated by Cara, a food service company. A spokesperson for Cara declined to comment yesterday. The company did send a list of stolen card numbers -- which have since been deactivated -- to Swiss Chalets in April, general manager Dawn Chin said.

At her location at King and Simcoe streets, the list has been posted next to cash registers. If a customer attempts to use one of the deactivated cards, staff have been told to confiscate it and apologize.

Eros used a Toronto Web site to advertise the cards for 20% to 50% off the original price, and also arranged meetings with potential customers online.

As early as January, Eros posted offers on the site: "All gift cards are 20% off total purchase have to be $200 or more. 30% off for purchase more then $1,000. No expiry date. Cash Only!!!... NO lowballing, prices are firm. Pick up in GTA area,'' one read.

Const. Kwong said Eros posted on an auction site similar to eBay and Craigslist, but would not identify the Web site yesterday.

Normally, customers put money on the cards using Visa, MasterCard, debit or cash and use them to pay at participating restaurants.

Ms. Chin said only management has access to gift cards at her restaurant, and customers who want to buy a card worth more than $200 have to wait until the restaurant gets authorization from head office.

"Because it's such a big company, a lot of people try to scam," she said. Customers with fake credit cards and unredeemable gift cards come in every couple of months, but Ms. Chin said she has never seen anything this elaborate.

zbielski@nationalpost.com
© National Post 2006

[Rehan]

"Const. Kwong said Eros posted on an auction site similar to eBay and Craigslist, but would not identify the Web site yesterday." Man, RFD is missing out on a whole bunch of free publicity!


:lol:

[consumerPI]

Agreed, I wonder why they did not want to name RFD.

Anyway, it might be a good thing as the site might grind to a halt due to the increased traffic?

Man, RFD is missing out on a whole bunch of free publicity!


:lol:

[yoshim]

Still haven't got any money back from him, though he called me from a private number last week saying he'll paying me back.

I've called police and have been told they'll link me up to the investigation. How they will link everyone up I have no idea.

[consumerPI]

He might be incarcerated.

Also, he told me that he purchased them from a friend who worked at Second Cup.

I guess the cops are saying that it's really him, the same guy?

Still haven't got any money back from him, though he called me from a private number last week saying he'll paying me back.

I've called police and have been told they'll link me up to the investigation. How they will link everyone up I have no idea.

[jm1]

Here's an updated press release from Toronto Police Services that specifically quotes an posting from Eros:

Press release (http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/10361.pdf)

[guest14358]

The article doesn't make sense to me. They said it was Eros who stole the card but refered the person who stole the cards from the store as "SHE". Eros is a guy so do you think it was her gf who goes to Shulich that stold the card then he was selling them?

Didn't someone mentioned that the girlfriend met up with the people who bought gift cards?

I am so confused...

Still want the monye back though

[lkn4deals]

The article doesn't make sense to me. They said it was Eros who stole the card but refered the person who stole the cards from the store as "SHE". Eros is a guy so do you think it was her gf who goes to Shulich that stold the card then he was selling them?

Didn't someone mentioned that the girlfriend met up with the people who bought gift cards?

I am so confused...

Still want the monye back though


Well when I went to buy the cards, I spoke to him on the phone to make all the arrangements (meeting place, amount, discount %), but when I went to meet him, he was there with a woman. She did all the talking (he did not say a word to me, even when I said hello), and she handed me the cards and took the cash in exchange.

[consumerPI]

The cops may look at that as having an accomplice or perhaps 2 arrests?

Well when I went to buy the cards, I spoke to him on the phone to make all the arrangements (meeting place, amount, discount %), but when I went to meet him, he was there with a woman. She did all the talking (he did not say a word to me, even when I said hello), and she handed me the cards and took the cash in exchange.

[Bradjar]

I wish the police took bike theft this seriously.

[guest14358]

I wish the police took bike theft this seriously.

Bike is only like $500 but the gift cards Eros sold were over $5000 for sure.

[TapemanPL]

Bike is only like $500 but the gift cards Eros sold were over $5000 for sure.

theres no logic in that, it was over $5000 total, which is like over 20 gift cards, thats a single bike you're comparing it to, not only are you comparing apples to oranges you're comparing a bushel of apples to a singe orange

[ragin_pyro]

Wow, not that I've done any buisness with people from BST, I just noticed this thread and looked..national coverage and all..so much free publicity that could have been had..hah. <_< so nice to see that one of the articles notes it as a Toronto forum..(well..not sure how many other forums he hit up) but RFD is often referred to as a Toronto forum...

[edgedamage]

I guess I am just nuts because I would not even buy a gift card for a dollar. WITHOUT CHECKING IT FIRST AT THE STORE FOR WHICH IT IS ISSUED!!

[cactus]

Just FYI that most (if not all) of us checked the balance before purchasing it....these cards were deactived a long time AFTER we purchased them. Everything was fine at the time of the purchase, problems happened AFTER the store found out about the stolen cards and took action.

I guess I am just nuts because I would not even buy a gift card for a dollar. WITHOUT CHECKING IT FIRST AT THE STORE FOR WHICH IT IS ISSUED!!

[consumerPI]

Agreed. The 1st couple of meetings occurred at a second cup location where the cashier confirmed the amount.

Just FYI that most (if not all) of us checked the balance before purchasing it....these cards were deactived a long time AFTER we purchased them. Everything was fine at the time of the purchase, problems happened AFTER the store found out about the stolen cards and took action.

[felix]

This is exactly why you should know your seller, check their references, ask for their source, and meet at their home if possible. There were similar cases a while back where people bought fraudulant gift cards only to find out when it was too late. Even if the gift cards are not fraudulant, they could be registered and claimed as lost with balances zeroed if the seller is dishonest.

[kel]

He's in jail now. big article about 'Eros' in the National Post today.

It mentions 2nd cup gift cards alot that he scammed people with

For theft over $5000? I'd hardly believe jailtime is required. You're looking at getting charged and then being home in a couple hours. 2-3 years probation with the record dropped after.

Leave room in the cells for the ones that really deserve it: murderers, rapists and pedophiles.

[OPI]

I still didn't get my money back yet. I e-mailed him but he didn't reply.

Did anyone get their money back recently? Please PM me Kevin (Eros') contact # if you have it.

thanks

[cactus]

You registered yesterday yet you have bought from him before? This happened a while ago.....


I still didn't get my money back yet. I e-mailed him but he didn't reply.

Did anyone get their money back recently? Please PM me Kevin (Eros') contact # if you have it.

thanks

[dmdsoftware2]

Man, RFD is missing out on a whole bunch of free publicity!


:lol:
The wrong type of publicity.

If RFD was mentioned, then you'd have an abundance of criminals start trolling the site.

[Rehan]

The wrong type of publicity.

If RFD was mentioned, then you'd have an abundance of criminals start trolling the site. Exactly. Hence the smiley in my post, cause I was just kidding. :)

[dmdsoftware2]

Exactly. Hence the smiley in my post, cause I was just kidding. :)
oh :) Missed that

[consumerPI]

So....

Tried to use one of the GC's purchased from Eros many many months ago that was still good up until last week, but now it's status is "on hold" as were the ones that were purchased last month or so.

The point here is that the older ones that were purchased seen to be no good now too. A waste of $120+.

This deal is OFFICIALLY DEAD.

[chrisc2]

I bought $200 worth back in Dec/Jan...

Eros, please contact me here OR dkny_120@hotmail.com

[RLP06]

For theft over $5000? I'd hardly believe jailtime is required. You're looking at getting charged and then being home in a couple hours. 2-3 years probation with the record dropped after.

Leave room in the cells for the ones that really deserve it: murderers, rapists and pedophiles.

This is canada, people can do anything. I doubt hes still in jail.

As for room for murderers, rapists and pedophiles, theres lots of room, cus those guys get out in a year... again this is canada, the system sucks, but thats a whole other thread

[consumerPI]

Wow, Police Interview eh?

How did you get selected in the first palce? Did you call them to file additional charges? Or did they call you through RFD?

As much as I want my cash back, I'm not sure that I want to get grilled by the 5-0 about this and how naive it was for me to think that this deal was legit. Sounds like a painfull interrogation and a waste of 2+ hours???

I got a ticket instead of a warning for a burned out headlight last week, so I'm not particularly fond of the cops in general right now - yes this is a totally sepatrate incident, but regardless it was Metro's finest. What happened to giving out warnings? The cop said to get it fixed, show up in court with the receipt and he/the crown will drop the charges. What a waste of taxpayers time/money spent on the judicial system. Wonder why court dates takes so long?

Yes, I am fully aware that they WILL Read this.

Just got back from the police station after being interviewed about "eros". I would suggest others contact them to strengthen the case. The officer said the only hope now is if the judge orders "Eros" to pay everyone back in restitution. Although, I highly doubt I'll ever see my money again. :(

Please contact me if you need the detectives info, or if you have also been scammed because I have some more info.

[rajab04]

sounds like crazy, one guy riped off tons of people at once :!:

[hybrid.09]

I wonder how much cash he made doing this. I don't think he was arrested for long, probably used the money he made to pay for bail lmao.

Sorry to you guys though. Hope you either used your cards, or just well, your screwed.

[consumerPI]

Maybe not enough to pay the legal bills or payoff the cops.

I wonder how much cash he made doing this. I don't think he was arrested for long, probably used the money he made to pay for bail lmao.

Sorry to you guys though. Hope you either used your cards, or just well, your screwed.

[yoshim]

The detective in charge, detective Hildred wants to speak to others who also bought from eros. Can contact me for her email or call 416-808-1404.

She tells me there was someone arrested and it was a she ... so eros might actually be female ... :eek:

[consumerPI]

Was it in person or over the phone?

If in person, what area did you have to travel to? Or did you meet at a Second Cup? :lol:

And most importantly how much time was involved in the interview?

The detective in charge, detective Hildred wants to speak to others who also bought from eros. Can contact me for her email or call 416-808-1404.

She tells me there was someone arrested and it was a she ... so eros might actually be female ... :eek:

[yoshim]

I got my money back. One down, two to go.

And eros was female, as was the girlfriend. Sure had me fooled.

[RFDtrader]

For theft over $5000? I'd hardly believe jailtime is required. You're looking at getting charged and then being home in a couple hours. 2-3 years probation with the record dropped after.

Leave room in the cells for the ones that really deserve it: murderers, rapists and pedophiles.

So does he required to repay the money to the company and the people he cheated?

What about the law protect people from cheating like this?

[Smoked]

To buyers who got the Gift Card from Eros, i got $4000 cash back from Eros few days ago, he told me the seller who sell him the gift card was actually stolen and he is dealing with the police at the moment. So leave your contact number online he will get back to us.

lol nub change your IP atleast... mods ip ban this nub

[consumerPI]

Are you insinuating that Kevin1234 is really Eros? ;)

lol nub change your IP atleast... mods ip ban this nub