Tech Com, Inc. operates under the guise of 4.5 year old Computer Equipment Dealer and may sell some legitimate systems. Delivery of equipment may be non-existent, except in cases of inspections, at which time equipment is delivered and later removed. Equipment cost ranges from $25,000 to $75,000.

The individuals involved in this scheme have a better than average working knowledge of the equipment leasing industry and its credit / funding processes.

We were introduced to the vendor initially via a Lessee who contacted us from our web site. The Lessee indicated they also found Tech Com via the Internet. They ultimately used Tech Com for their computer equipment purchase, which we financed.

A company by the name of Tech Com, Inc. is verified with the State of CA - Dept of Corporations, also 4.5 years old, however this company CEO and agent, as well as city of operation is not Costa Mesa. The Tech Com registered with the State of CA has been notified. Tech Com is listed in D&B, however, limited information is provided. And the vendor profile we have is limited.

Tech Com clients are located in CA and most recently Maryland. When asked how Tech Com generates a large volume of business in Maryland the response was "a friend is referring the deals." This Maryland business, a dozen new applications in one week, is what raised our suspicion.

Most Lessee businesses were not listed with D&B. The one or two that were had only developed a file with D&B in the last 6 months. Most businesses applying for financing were existing but used an unknowing individual and his her SS# and represented this person as the owner of the business. In other cases, the contact was the true owner and the businesses were newer, however the vendor and lessee schemed to provide a 5 year "time in business" history.

As you read you may find loop holes, inconsistencies or unexplained accusations. Remember, we are not able to provide every detail in this forum. This is only an overview. However, we are able to address each area of contention with substantial evidence one on one. If a group wants to conduct fraud in our industry it is difficult to stop and this method is difficult to uncover. However, we think we have.

Common Denominators:

All Lessee applicants completed the vendors application. All Lessees point of contact were individuals other than the Guarantors (PG). The vendor was always the go-between (liaison) on each transaction. When these three factors stand alone or are combined, are not uncommon, they are definite indicators of potential fraud, especially when the mode of operation is consistent on every applicant.

There was a common inquiry on most TRW's from a real estate / mortgage company. This inquiry is not noticeable on an individual TRW, however, when it appears on 11 out of 12 TRW's it is more than a coincidence.

Bank and loan references (CA and MD) given on 10 of 12 applicants were at the same bank. That is highly unlikely. This false phone number for the bank rang to an individuals home from 9-5, and after hours was forwarded to the real bank. The supposed bank branch phone number was confirmed with the bank headquarters as a non-existent bank phone. The same female who gave references on all these bank ratings used 3 different aliases and always asked for the business name and acct #, as to verify which ratings remained for her to respond to. The ratings response were mostly "Mid-5figure" and "open for five years." This same bank phone # was used for a second bank rating, a different bank. This is where the process got sloppy, the female stated that the 2 banks had merged. Further investigation indicates the 2 banks have NOT merged. Some bank references were forwarded to bank representatives cell phones to obtain a reference. When employment verification on these bank representatives was conducted it was discovered that no such person existed.

Trade references were directed to private (direct) phone lines and appeared to be friends (co-conspirators).

Faxed bank ratings and trade references from different banks and trades have been received from what is easily identified as the same fax machine.

Letters of explanation from different Lessees for various credit issues have been generated from what is easily identified as the same computer / printer, based on its layout and format.

Copies of Drivers License's from different Lessee's have been generated from what is easily identified as the same copier, based on a common "streak" on the copies.

Employment on TRW's varies from business name.

Lease documents returned via UPS overnight with generic labels, when tracking number traced to origin, all packages sent from common address for different Lessees

Individuals presented as PG's were located via 411 information, contacted at home and had no association of Lessee business or finance request. These individuals have since contacted their local police.

Fake Drivers Licenses are used.

4 new vehicles were viewed at the Vendor's location just last week. A new Mercedes, Lexus and 2 Range Rovers - so new they did not even have license plates yet.

We received a call from a former employee with a "tip" that we should not be doing business with Tech Com.

One Lessee who's transaction funded has since changed his phone # and does not return calls.

Office space Lease for one Lessee "A" is actually under the name of another applicant (lessee "B"). And it appears that the Lessee A works for Lessee B at Lessee B's other out of state office. confusing ?

We have forwarded this information to funding sources that we know have funded transactions with this vendor and a few have had other submissions from other brokers with the same vendor, so we are not the only broker being victimized. It appears that Tech Com is working the system via numerous reputable brokers.

Obviously, there is more evidence and facts available. We have included a sample of our information in an attempt to make other brokers and funding sources AWARE and to educate on some of the ways fraud is conducted.

If you have any other knowledge of this vendor please share it with us. In the event you have information / evidence that may be helpful in prosecution please contact: Inspector Sheila Cannan - Costa Mesa, CA Police @ 714-754-5294 or Detective Tim Leverette - Baltimore, MD - Police @ 410-396-2400