Fake OLCC SPYGATE SCAM posted on bbq

Submitted By: nehalembayexperience@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Hey bbq’ers. The following post is from May 03, 2024 on bbq. The second part is from the OLCC.
Beware of this scam and the scammer James K.
Submitted By: jamesk3nn3r@aol.com – Click to email about this post
I’m looking for a few individuals that would be willing to participate in a investigation that I’m conducting for OLCC
(No I’m not affiliated with OLCC)
I’m acting independently
The olcc has asked me to go into a few bars
and collect video evidence of “overserving” and impaired driving.
You will be paid to sit in a bar and collect video evidence
(Don’t worry the cameras are covert)
If you would like to tap into your “spy” abilities
Email me for more info

Good morning Mr. Reid,

My name is Mark Smith. I am the Regional Manager for OLCC who oversees Inspector operations in your area. Your email was forwared to me. I wanted to say, we really appreciate you bring this to our attention. OLCC has no contractors or anyone working on our behalf in your area. In fact, I’m not aware of anyone doing any work like this for OLCC anywhere in the state. We have not asked anyone to look into bars in your area, as this person states.

We do have inspectors who may be operating in your area doing typical compliance checks. However, if we were to conduct an audit operation or an undercover operation like this person is describing, we wouldn’t use a contractor or ask a private person to do it. We would be doing it with our own, duly employed, state certified, and sworn Inspectors who are trained to do this. Additionally, we will not “covertly” record anyone with hidden cameras. It should be noted, depending on reasonable expectation of privacy, recording someone without their knowledge may be illegal and is simply not something OLCC engages in. In fact, we have internal policies which prohibit our employees from recording without another person’s knowledge. So, it stands to reason, we would not be asking a private person or company to do that on our behalf.

I can’t be sure with the information provided but given the nature of the very anonymous looking email and the ask to contact this person, I would be concerned this may be scam. Again, I don’t know that for sure, but this may be something you might want to make your local law enforcement aware of. OLCC’s authority is limited to regulating OLCC licensed premises, meaning we enforce rules attached to licenses issued by OLCC. We have some limited law enforcement authority, but it is limited to liquor related crimes such as Furnishing Alcohol to Minors. Therefore, someone who may be committing a crime such as illegally recording or impersonating a government official, would need to be addressed by a law enforcement officer.

Again, we really appreciate you bringing this to our attention. I will be letting our local inspectors know about this so they may keep an eye out. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email me or call me at the number listed below.

Very Respectfully,

Mark Smith

Regional Manager

Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission

503-872-5209

mark.smith@oregon.gov