** UPDATE : There are at a minimum 7 fake Grand Lodge Facebook pages running this same scam. I am getting calls, messages, and texts, some from people I know, asking when their product will be shipped. I sadly have to tell them they’ve been scammed. The total money paid to the scammers so far is just over $10,000.
I noticed one of my products on various Grand Lodge Facebook pages yesterday and also started getting kudos messages from brethren that my item was shared. Great – right? Well, sort of.
Let’s unpack this.
Step 1: Post a product image on an automated bogus Facebook page.
The Facebook page with the name “Grand lodge of kansas AF& AM” and also “Grand lodge of Kansas AF & AM” (note the lack of attention capitalization and spacing) shared one of my products. This happened across multiple fake Grand Lodge Facebook pages. This triggered many page followers to say “I want one!” This is fantastic, right? Well, it would be if they actually bought from me. The page admin then DM’d each of the commenters with the intent to lead them into sending money without anything in return. Pay close attention to the Facebook pages you join. Pay attention to the spelling. The overt use of the word ‘Kindly’ is also a dead giveaway. And for heaven’s sake. If it’s littered with Illuminati comments and posts, then it’s not a recognized or moderated Facebook page and its sole purpose is to scam you and the other followers.
Step 2: Wait for the Mason to take the bait and send them a DM.
I saw this happening and immediately began posting a link to the real product at Fossil Bluff.com. There was no way I would let them all be scammed, right? Also, they would in the future associate my brand with a scam that occurred. Not good for brand growth! The thing is, I make these. No one was placing any orders. Any payments the Admin scammer received were never placed at my online store. I would understand if they did a markup and then placed an order, but no orders were being placed. This meant they were keeping the money and running.
It didn’t take long for the Admin to ban me from the group/page. Not to worry. I have a dozen other Facebook Accounts. I switched and began sending my own DM’s to the brethren interested in the product. That one got banned too. So, I continued. Here is what I sent:
“Hi- I’m reaching out to you directly as the actual creator/maker of the Masonic Shadowbox. They are available here: https://www.fossilbluff.com/shop/square-compasses-tri-lux-shadowbox/ The Grand lodge of Kansas AF & AM is a bogus GL of Kansas FB page and they are scamming followers. They are asking for payments from CashApp, Zelle, Venmo and PayPal and will not ship anything to you. Do not send them any money. This product is ONLY available at my website or my Etsy Shop. Fraternally, Tom McGuire PM GLoTX.”
At the same time, while logged in as a different user, I posted a comment “I want one!” Moments later I was in a chat with the site Admin.
A long-convoluted conversation ensued. I added urgency that I needed it quickly and sent a working mailing address. I wasn’t sure how adept the Admin was at sussing out a double agent.
Step 3: Take the money and run!
The Admin eventually sent their PayPal email address and requested the payment be sent via ‘Friends and Family.” For those of you who aren’t aware of sending money via PayPal via that method, it translates to, there is no buyer protection and once the money is sent you can’t get it back. When I finally said I found it on Etsy, the Admin banned that account also.
Another page follower I was in contact with was told the product would be $350. Wow.
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