New York State’s high prosecutor filed a lawsuit against a fraudulent firm that had allegedly impersonated Brooklyn’s beloved Sahadi’s grocery retailer, and swindled almost $100,000 from unsuspecting victims.
In keeping with state Attorney General Letitia James, the scammers allegedly used a reputation and deal with just like Sahadi Superb Meals Inc., and picked up checks from folks believing they have been coping with the iconic model.
However the victims weren’t coping with the true Sahadi’s grocery, which was established in 1895, and has since change into a staple within the Brooklyn group with their flagship location on Atlantic Avenue, and their enlargement retailer in Sundown Park’s Business Metropolis. (The enterprise turned so beloved that it was added to the New York State Historic Enterprise Preservation registry final yr).
As a substitute, they have been doing enterprise with Sahadi Superb Meals Merchandise Inc. — a reputation virtually indistinguishable from the precise retailer’s dad or mum firm.
The scammers used the shop’s actual deal with, opened up a checking account, and diverted round $100,000 in checks into the illegitimate firm’s checking account.
The lawsuit seems to dissolve the faux companies and cease the string of scams total.
“Fraudsters stealing identities to create fake companies can do real damage to unsuspecting New Yorkers,” James stated in an announcement. “Small businesses and ordinary New Yorkers have fallen victim to this scheme and my office has taken action to shut down these fraudsters.”
“I urge New Yorkers to be vigilant and file a complaint with my office if they believe that their name or address is being fraudulently used.”
The professional house owners of Sahadi’s say they respect the Attorney General’s efforts to guard different Brooklyn outlets from potential swindling.
“This fraud is causing real harm to small businesses,” Pat Whelan, an worker with Sahadi’s Superb Meals stated in an announcement. “We thank Attorney General James for taking fast motion to cease these fraudsters and defend small companies.
Alongside these scams, the AG’s workplace warns New Yorkers to be cautious of mail from the New York Division of Taxation and Finance for companies they don’t seem to be related to.
Attorney General James used the announcement of the brand new lawsuit to ask small companies who consider they’re a sufferer of this fraud to report it to her office.