San Francisco Tile Showroom Lost $200K in Cargo Fraud

Galleria Tile, a San Francisco showroom, falls victim to a sophisticated cargo fraud scheme, losing nearly $200,000. Fraudsters impersonated AECOM, using fake paperwork and logistics companies. The company processed two high-value shipments before the goods disappeared. The criminals used falsified W-Nine forms, credit references, and convincing LinkedIn profiles. The victim, Claudia Visona, grew suspicious and hired a private investigator. The investigation revealed trucks still delivering to the same storage facility, with drivers claiming they were hauling freight for AECOM. Visona realized she had been duped after the voices on the phone did not match the identities on the LinkedIn profiles. The case gained traction after another victim called emergency services, leading to an arrest and an FBI investigation. Visona is now listed in the FBIs victim portal, as multiple suspects have been federally indicted in a broader investigation involving hundreds of victims and millions of dollars in stolen cargo. This type of theft by deception is a rapidly growing form of cargo crime.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.