Description

These scammers represent themselves as Paul Richard on Facebook deceive online shoppers by setting up fake websites and ads to offer eye-catching deals on various leather, purportedly artisanal handcrafted items. The image of a retiring craftsman in a white beard and glasses impersonates a legitimate business and person in the United States, who is providing discounts on items before he retires and closes his workshop after 27 years. On the website, this narrative continued, explaining why the bags are being sold at a purported discount. The website indicated that this was an American workshop, when, for instance, it states, "If you’re outside the USA and have fallen in love with one of my bags, I’m happy to ship it to you." In the ads that are posted on Facebook and in their comments section, it is continually promoted as American-made. The website is currently hollowed out of any images of the products. There was a clock for Black Friday sale, and then the one you currently see on the website for the "last Christmas sale." Now, it is apparent to me that the image of so-called Paul Richard is AI-generated, as well as probably the narrative and the whole website. But the company, this image, narrative and its poor, counterfeit products are reproduced under other websites with updates deadlines for sales. Timeline of the scam in my case. Nov. 28, 2024 See Paul Richard advertisement on Facebook feed. Paul Richard, hereafter, “the company” or “Company” Nov. 29, 2024 I order 3 bags via website for $289.97 Dec. 7, 2024 Notice part of order in transit from China by YunExpress Dec. 8, 2024 Notice part of order in transit from China by YunExpress Dec. 18, 2024 1 of 3 bags delivered by Piggy Shipping Dec. 18, 2024 Notify company that one bag due to arrive, did not arrive Dec. 19, 2024 Second bag of 3 delivered Dec. 23, 2024 Third bag of 3 delivered Dec. 29, 2024 I notify Company that we are unsatisfied with the bags due to their poor quality, citing their return policy of "no questions asked" guarantee, wish to receive a full refund Dec. 29, 2024. Notify credit card company of dispute and request hold charge Dec. 30, 2024 Company offer a replacement with additional cost Dec. 30, 2024 I reply: “We want a full refund. Tell us the address. We will mail the bags back to you.” It is assumed the Company is based in the United States, as consistent with the image and narrative that the website and ads perpetuate. Dec. 31, 2024 I reiterate my want for return and refund, after no reply from the Company, citing policy, "Satisfaction Guarantee -- ... If you don't love it, return it for a full refund -- no questions asked." Jan. 1, 2025 Company offers replacement without additional cost Jan. 1, 2025 I reiterate for third time want to return/refund, requesting address Jan. 6, 2025 Message implies that the Company takes no responsibility for returns, and customers are responsible for return shipping costs. Company’s message discloses several additional details on their “return policy,” which are never provided on their website, nor at the time of transaction. Shipping address to: Company name: Wang Maoqin Street address: Lane 1177, Jianlan Road, Meixu Street, Yinzhou District City: Ningbo Zip code: 315100 Province: Zhejiang Country: China Jan. 6, 2025 Copy-and-paste that separate reply to main email thread; replies come with different email addresses Jan. 6, 2025 I submit complaint to Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office, requesting assistance Jan. 7, 2025 Company replies, in separate email from address: “To address your immediate concern, we are willing to accommodate your request for a full refund without requiring you to return the items to our return address.” Jan. 17, 2025 Company inquires about recent chargeback, in separate email from address, asking, “Would you be able to let us know about any issues with the product you received? In addition, if there’s any physical defects with the product, pictures/videos would be great as well.” Paul Richard contests the hold-charge on the grounds that bags were received. Do not issue refund.