Scams Using Fraudulent or Manipulated NFA Registration Documents

[243winxb]

Advisory

Scams Using Fraudulent or Manipulated NFA Registration Documents

June 5, 2015

TO ALL FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEES (FFLs) AND FIREARM PURCHASERS

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is advising the public to be aware of fraudulent National Firearms Act (NFA) tax registration forms being used to sell NFA firearms. Some individuals are presenting altered NFA Form 4’s to prospective buyers in order to obtain a deposit, but never deliver the firearms.

A typical scam starts with a perpetrator (seller) claiming ownership of an NFA firearm through an altered Form 4, and then contacting an FFL to see if that FFL is interested in purchasing the NFA firearm. If the FFL expresses interest, the seller then requests that the FFL pay a percentage of the money upfront via cashier’s check and the remainder of the money after the ATF Form 4 paperwork is finalized. All communication is done via email. If the fraudulent documents are printed, they appear to be rough scans of an original approved ATF Form 4. However, if the documents are viewed on a computer screen and are magnified, it often becomes evident that various sections have been altered.

To avoid this scam, FFL’s and individuals should be aware of the following:

• The seller usually communicates via email.

• In box 1 (Type of Transfer), the tax stamp should be legible with a precise area for the serial number of the weapon to be hand written. The tax stamp has proven to be the most effective way to detect a fraudulent form. The perpetrators often paste a serial number over the serial number on the stamp. Upon closer inspection, it is often possible to detect the outline of the fraudulent serial number.

• In box 3a (Transferor), if the firearm was previously transferred from an FFL, the name of the FFL is often misspelled. A simple internet query for that FFL may assist those who suspect a scam.

• If applicable, box 7 (Transferor’s FFL) will contain the Federal Firearms Licensee number which should be verified through the FFL eZ Check system. FFL eZ Check is a free service, available on the ATF website at www.atf.gov/content/firearms/firearms-industry/applications-FFL-eZ-check. If you have general questions regarding the FFL eZ Check system, you may contact the Federal Firearms Licensing Center at 1-866-662-2750.

If you believe you have been contacted by an individual utilizing fraudulent NFA forms, or have otherwise come in contact with a fraudulent or manipulated form, please contact your local ATF field office as soon as possible for assistance. A list of local field offices can be found at http://www.atf.gov/content/contact-us/local-atf-office.

From ATF

 

[pjeski]

Found one of those on sturm. It didn't take much of an examination to determine the form 4 was chopped.

 

[Midwest]

What is the deal with Tax Stamps being sold on eBay? I assume when some sells their NFA item, that Tax stamp is no longer valid and it can be sold on eBay?



.

 

[pjeski]

Stamp collectors (philatelists) collect them. The $5 AOW stamps are worth more than the $200 stamps.

 

[barnbwt]

"Stamp collectors (philatelists) collect them. The $5 AOW stamps are worth more than the $200 stamps."
Also the guys buying FNH 'gen 1' trigger packs & solvent trap kits, I'm sure

It's funny; I thought for sure this thread would be about the comprehensive hack of the ATF database for NFA registrants. Whoever swiped that data, you can be sure they'll be up to no good with it. Still downplaying the breach, I'm guessing.

Either that, or the scam would involve the ATF having no record of your issued stamp in their database (tin-foilers assert the hack is cover to tied up 'loose ends' in the MG registry prior to Hollis v Holder inquiry)

TCB

 

[Jim K]

One hopes that NFA firearms owners keep the applicable transfer papers and tax stamps. I have heard stories about BATFE being unable to confirm registration for one reason or another; I have never known personally of such a case, but the owner's documentation would be proof of registration in any case.

Jim

 

[Ryanxia]

pjeski - the AOW is still a $200 stamp, just that it's only $5 to transfer to another individual.

barnbwt - Do you have a source on the data breach? I did a couple searches and didn't come up with anything.

Seeing as how all the e-file applications are only getting PDF documents sent back as confirmation of their tax stamp, one would assume there will be loads of people starting to photoshop for their own gains. While most of us aren't that stupid, if someone is already playing without paying, why not have a chance at some forged paperwork holding up to a cursory inspection.

 

[Midwest]

Do you have a source on the data breach? I did a couple searches and didn't come up with anything.

Unconfirmed...... yet said to be persistent according to the article


http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/2015/06/an-unconfirmed-but-persistent-rumor.html



" In addition, this writer has been trying for the past week to follow up on persistent rumors that the ATF's national machine gun registry, the NFRTR (National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record) was hacked at about the same time and the entire record downloaded by the same people as the OPM attack..........
......The Chinese Communists now have a list of the names and addresses of every single owner of a full-auto weapon in the country. A more powerful argument against national registration of firearms of any kind could not be made. Presumably if the ChiComs can carry off such a hack, any reasonably sophisticated criminal gang these days could accomplish the same thing. "

Can anyone confirm or deny the story????
.

 

[barnbwt]

Nothing confirmed on the hack, yet, but the rumor seems both persistent and plausible. Word is the registry was hacked along with all the OPM background check data. I think Sipsey's 'broke' the story, so much salt should be taken, but the ATF has neither confirmed nor denied anything.

TCB

 

[Mike OTDP]

It would not surprise me. It seems the Department of Defense is the only group in the Federal Government that takes information security at all seriously.

 

[pjeski]

pjeski - the AOW is still a $200 stamp, just that it's only $5 to transfer to another individual.

While it's true that to build an AOW on a form 1 is a $200 stamp, to transfer one on a form 4 is a $5 stamp. It's smaller and red instead of blue/green and it's worth more to stamp collectors.

 

[Midwest]

While it's true that to build an AOW on a form 1 is a $200 stamp, to transfer one on a form 4 is a $5 stamp. It's smaller and red instead of blue/green and it's worth more to stamp collectors.

Here is an AOW Stamp

.

 

[Ryanxia]

While it's true that to build an AOW on a form 1 is a $200 stamp, to transfer one on a form 4 is a $5 stamp. It's smaller and red instead of blue/green and it's worth more to stamp collectors.

Gotcha, misread it.