We never thought we’d be writing a blog like this, but here we are. At Clear Choice Technical Services, we pride ourselves on integrity, customer service, and secure leasing transactions. But even the most cautious businesses can fall victim to deception. And today, we’re sharing a story that we hope will protect others from becoming the next target.
The Fraud That Cost Over $106,000
On April 18, 2025, a complex scam led to the theft of 19 Xerox Altalink C8230 copiers, valued at a total of $106,714.80. The fraudsters impersonated a global brand—PepsiCo—and executed an elaborate scheme involving:
- A fictitious but convincing website, designed to mirror PepsiCo’s legitimate corporate page
- Email communication from spoofed domains, resembling official PepsiCo addresses
- Use of real employee names and titles, making everything look completely authentic
- An address posted online that was already tied to previous scams, unbeknownst to us
Using real legal entity information linked to PepsiCo, the scammers gained lease approval from PEAC Solutions. As a result, our team was greenlit to order and deliver the 19 devices from Synnex distribution..
Unfortunately, everything seemed legitimate, until it was far too late.
What Went Wrong
Our equipment was delivered to what appeared to be a valid warehouse location at 720 Whittier Street in Bronx, New York. Upon delivery, the delivery team was told directly by a real business owner at the address that PepsiCo didn’t exist there and had no affiliation whatsoever. The red flag was obvious, but no further verification was made.
Instead, the delivery was left curbside, and shortly after, a box truck arrived, loaded up the machines, and vanished.
We didn’t discover the fraud until weeks later, when we followed up on payment. At that point, the damage was done.
Active Investigation in Progress
We immediately filed a Grand Larceny report with the NYPD, and we’re cooperating closely with law enforcement to recover the stolen property. The Port Authority has been notified and is monitoring for overseas shipments of Xerox devices.
We’ve also flagged all serial numbers with Xerox. If any of the machines are:
- Registered for use
- Brought in for service
- Covered under a service agreement
…they will be flagged, and action can be taken.
Here’s Where You Come In
If you’re in the market for a copier or you know someone who is, please help us spread the word.
These devices may end up on resale platforms, in second-hand electronics stores, or with third-party brokers. If someone unknowingly purchases one of these machines, they could face legal trouble and financial loss. We’re publishing this blog post to help prevent more victims of this scam.
Stolen Equipment List: Model and Serial Numbers
All 19 machines are Xerox Altalink C8230 color copiers.
Below are the serial numbers of the stolen devices:
- ZRE677891
- ZRE677081
- ZRE677443
- ZRE677393
- ZRE677786
- ZRE677890
- ZRE677755
- ZRE677960
- ZRE677963
- ZRE677802
- ZRE677803
- ZRE677177
- ZRE677462
- ZRE677186
- ZRE676937
- ZRE677899
- ZRE677994
- ZRE677977
- ZRE677986
If you encounter any of these units, do not buy or service them. Instead, immediately report the sighting to the NYPD or contact us directly.
Lessons We’ve Learned
No one likes admitting they were scammed. But this post isn’t about embarrassment. Instead, it’s about awareness. This wasn’t a simple case of identity theft. It was a layered, methodical operation that slipped through many layers of security, including a major equipment leasing company.
We’re working with law enforcement, Xerox, and other industry professionals to tighten our security protocols and prevent this from happening again.
Our Commitment to Clients and Partners
Trust is everything in our business. Whether you’re a small local business or a Fortune 500 company, we take every step to ensure that your leasing experience is:
- Secure
- Transparent
- Reliable
We’ve already implemented new safeguards to ensure every order undergoes deeper verification checks, especially when a new corporate entity is involved.
Please Share This Post
This is more than just a company announcement, but this is a public service. You may not need a copier today, but someone in your network might. By sharing this blog post, you could help someone avoid purchasing stolen equipment or falling for a similar scam.
Let’s keep each other informed. Let’s stop these scams in their tracks.
Have Information? Contact Us.
If you have any information about the missing equipment or have come across one of the listed serial numbers, please reach out immediately – (866) 620-2287 – Ask for William Robson.
📧 sales@clearchoicetechnical.com
📍 Visit us at www.clearchoicetechnical.com
You can also report tips directly to the NYPD Grand Larceny Unit.
Detective Anna Carrasco
Criminal Enterprise Investigation Section
Business Integrity Commission
Main Phone: (718) 542-4771
Cell Phone: (917) 865-3873
We’re not the first company to be targeted by this kind of fraud. Sadly, we won’t be the last. But by being open, proactive, and collaborative, we can make it harder for scammers to succeed.
Thanks for reading, and please share.