Check Fraud Scam Warning
Public Notice from Koford Media
Koford Media is issuing this public awareness notice regarding a fraudulent check scheme targeting web developers and small agencies. This page documents verified events to help prevent financial loss and protect other business owners.
Information Used in the Scheme
The individual contacting us used the following details:
Name Used: Joaquin Gomez
Claimed Business: Gomez Tapas Restaurant
Claimed Location: Houston, Texas
Address Provided: 8111 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055
Phone Used: 713 519 4963
Email Used: joaquingomez26@outlook.com
Original Form Submission IP: 185.120.147.15 located in Romania. The IP location did not align with the claimed Texas restaurant ownership.
What Happened
Koford Media was contacted to build a website for a new restaurant allegedly opening in Houston. The individual stated:
- A budget of 5000 plus
- An investor would issue payment
- A check would be mailed via USPS
- There was urgency due to a grand opening
A physical check was mailed to our office. The check was:
- Issued by a third party investor
- For the full project amount
- Unable to be verified by our bank
- Flagged as fraudulent
When asked about the full amount being sent, the response was:
"My investor might have sent the full amount deliberately since the deadline is fast approaching."
This wording matches a common check overpayment fraud structure.
No funds were deposited. No loss occurred.
How This Type of Scam Works
This is a classic overpayment check scam.
The structure typically follows:
- Scammer claims to be opening a business
- Claims an investor is funding the project
- Mails a check
- Often sends full or excess amount
- Requests funds be forwarded to a vendor or contractor
- The original check later bounces
- The victim is responsible for the loss
In this case, the check was verified before deposit and identified as invalid.
Red Flags Identified
- Foreign IP while claiming United States restaurant ownership
- Generic business story with minimal verifiable proof
- Third party investor sending funds
- Overpayment explanation
- Pressure to communicate by phone
- No legitimate Google Business listing
- No verifiable business registration
- Inconsistent urgency
Another business owner later reported being approached using similar details. This indicates a repeat pattern.
Koford Media Policy Update
To protect our clients and our business operations:
- No mailed paper checks
- No third party investor payments
- No redistribution of funds to vendors
- Electronic verified payment methods only
- Funds must clear through legitimate banking channels
We strongly encourage other agencies and freelancers to implement similar safeguards.
If You Have Been Contacted
If you were contacted by someone using the details above:
- Do not deposit mailed checks
- Do not forward funds to third parties
- Verify business registration through official state databases
- Contact your bank immediately if you received a suspicious check
- Report the incident to FTC, IC3, or USPS Inspection Service
About Koford Media
Koford Media is a North Carolina based web development and digital strategy agency specializing in:
- Custom website development
- SEO and local search strategy
- Brand positioning
- Technical builds from scratch
We work with real businesses and verified partnerships.
If you are a legitimate business seeking professional website development, visit:
Stay Tuned
Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post breaking down this check fraud nonsense in detail. We will be exposing how these scams operate, how they target agencies, and how to shut them down before they cost you thousands.
Stay sharp. Stay protected. Stay ahead.