LOGAN — The Cache County Sheriff’s Office issued a public warning Monday regarding a sophisticated, multi-state online fraud scheme involving the fake sale of tractors and heavy machinery.
According to investigators, the enterprise has been active for several years. Fraudulent sellers post heavy equipment on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or other classified sites, then direct potential buyers to professional-looking websites to complete the transaction. Once a buyer submits payment, the sellers cut off communication and deactivate the website, often leaving a “403 Forbidden” error.
The sheriff’s office identified several red flags associated with the operation. Scammers frequently use disposable websites and mismatched business names, advertising as Keen Heavy Equipment while sending invoices under entities like RA Heavy Equipment LLC, BB Contractor, Mag Heavy, or Risus JT Heavy Equipment.
Suspects also impersonate legitimate corporate executives to gain buyers’ trust. Authorities said scammers frequently use the name “Bryan Holamon” with the email domain bryan@corvusconstruct.com, while a “sales manager” using the alias “Bruce Stewart” often serves as the primary point of contact.
Victims’ funds are typically directed to out-of-state bank accounts, including locations in San Francisco. The money is then wire-transferred multiple times through different banks or converted into cryptocurrency to obscure the digital trail.
To prevent fraud, deputies advise buyers to follow several safety measures:
- Inspect in person: Never wire money or send cryptocurrency for equipment that has not been personally inspected or verified by a trusted third party.
- Verify the source: Do not rely on contact information provided in an email. Independently look up the company and call its official, verified phone number.
- Question payment methods: Be highly suspicious of requests for wire transfers or cryptocurrency, especially if the bank’s location does not match the purported business location.
Anyone targeted by the scheme or with information about the entities involved is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or Cache County Sheriff’s Office Detective Neibert at 435-755-1048, referencing case number 26-C2666.