Coin Show Dealers Targeted by Organized Crime Groups

Numismaticcrimeinfo

Coin dealers across the nation have become the latest victims of organized crime, facing targeted attacks following their attendance at coin shows. In light of the recent criminal activity within the past ninety days, the Numismatic Crime Information Center is issuing a warning to coin show dealers and promoters to remain vigilant and take proactive security measures.

Reports received by NCIC in the last 90 days show a spike in brazen thefts indicating a disturbing pattern: after dealers participating in coin shows have fallen prey to orchestrated criminal activities. NCIC has been closely tracking the recent spike and analyzing similarities in coin show related offenses that have occurred across the country. Currently NCIC is assisting law enforcement agencies in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, Alabama and Tennessee.

"Organized crime groups have been identified as the perpetrators," remarked Doug Davis, Founder and President for NCIC. These incidents have not only resulted in substantial financial losses for dealers but have also posed significant safety risks to dealers and collectors alike.

The aftermath of such incidents extends beyond mere financial loss. Many dealers report emotional distress and a sense of vulnerability, fearing for their safety and the security of their businesses. The impact reverberates throughout the entire numismatic community, eroding trust and tarnishing the enjoyment of what is otherwise a cherished hobby.

NCIC is working closely with law enforcement agencies who are actively investigating these crimes and providing additional investigative resources and expertise, recognizing the need for swift action to apprehend those responsible and stem the tide of criminal activity targeting coin dealers.

"We are committed to working closely with law enforcement and numismatic industry partners to address this alarming trend," affirmed Doug Davis. "Together, we must remain vigilant and resilient in the face of these challenges, preserving the integrity of the numismatic industry."

In response to these developments, organizers of coin shows are urged to prioritize security arrangements and provide a safe environment for dealers and attendees. Additionally, coin collectors are encouraged to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity to authorities promptly.

The numismatic community stands united in condemning these reprehensible acts and remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting the joy of numismatics while safeguarding the well-being of its members.

NCIC encourages dealers and collectors to sign up for free email crime alerts at www.numismaticcrimes.org to stay informed of current criminal activities, trends, and patterns within the numismatic industry.

Doug Davis
817-723-7231
Doug@numismaticcrimes.org

tcollects

I'll say it till I'm blue in the face - we need to set memorably vicious traps every show

edit: and punishments must be coin related to show we're more nuts than they are, like sleep deprivation with blaring David Lisot videos until they spill the beans on their fellow bandits

lermish

@tcollects said:
I'll say it till I'm blue in the face - we need to set memorably vicious traps every show

edit: and punishments must be coin related to show we're more nuts than they are, like sleep deprivation with blaring David Lisot videos until they spill the beans on their fellow bandits

That's Harsche!

(Patent pending @tcollects )

CaptHenway

I remember one time when I was leaving an ANA show with the gang from work, as we were getting into our pre-arranged ride at the curb outside the convention center I noticed a man fairly nearby photographing us getting into the car. We immediately called Bob Bruggerman and gave him a description of the guy but he must have seen that we had spotted him because by the time Bob got there the guy was gone. THis was maybe 20 years ago.

RiveraFamilyCollect

Sounds like dealers need to have a passenger riding shotgun from now on.

johnny9434

Good to know and will pass the info on, thanks for the post to

Creg

Customers must be careful too.

goodmoney4badmoney

@RiveraFamilyCollect said:
Sounds like dealers need to have a passenger riding shotgun from now on.

A shotgun riding passenger

Jacques_Loungecoque

Thanks, Doug. I think I can speak
for all of us when I say that we sincerely appreciate the work you and your organization do.

We’ve had it good for a long time and unfortunately that breeds complacency. We need to step up our game. A solid offense, or the ability to back one up, is the best defense. A few ‘examples’ later things become clear to these thugs.

We need to band together and be prepared for anything, everything, anyone, at any time, especially around shows and when traveling. We also need to look out for the old timers. They’re the ones who have been keeping this industry alive and we owe them our, (slightly more 😉), youthful capabilities.

I have a good idea who’s behind this. The same subhuman filth who are committing myriad organized and large scale theft, robbery, fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes across the country.

giantsfan20

For a company that advocates about coin crimes, why does the website on the right side of page have lists of foreign casino website listings.

Makes no sense.

https://numismaticcrimes.org/category/ncic-report-bulletins/

pruebas

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:

I have a good idea who’s behind this.

Do tell.

I’m sure law enforcement would love to know.

logger7

Thanks for the updates, Doug, and hopefully dealers will get more and more prepared for the next attempt on their hard-earned property! Once we lose respect and control over what we have worked for, what kind of a civilization do we have left? I'd hope that the law enforcement community would be even more cooperative and that a network of private detectives for hire could participate in locating stolen property.

lermish

@pruebas said:

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:

I have a good idea who’s behind this.

Do tell.

I’m sure law enforcement would love to know.

I like @Jacques_Loungecoque so I don't say this to bait him but if he shared his really unfiltered thoughts on this he would be banned immediately.

Jacques_Loungecoque

@lermish said:

@pruebas said:

@Jacques_Loungecoque said:

I have a good idea who’s behind this.

Do tell.

I’m sure law enforcement would love to know.

I like @Jacques_Loungecoque so I don't say this to bait him but if he shared his really unfiltered thoughts on this he would be banned immediately.

Agreed. 😉

PeakRarities

This is great, i left a very lucrative industry for a low margin industry and now im being targeted by the sinaloa cartel

DocBenjamin

Difficult environment for carrying high value merchandise.

alaura22

Maybe it will slow down once they stop the catch and release nonsense

RobertScotLover

Everyone one of us should be licensed to carry

MsMorrisine

the new thing is at least one stolen car, if not two, with multiple guns all pointed at you (taken from crime descriptions of other types, like a successful armored car robbery)

you quickly realize it's not like the movies

PerryHall

@RobertScotLover said:
Everyone one of us should be licensed to carry

There are now 37 states with "constitutional carry" laws where you can legally carry a concealed gun without a CCW license as long as you can legally own that gun.

Cougar1978

Don’t let it out of site when traveling. Airports can be dangerous. Once in bourse room keep cases locked, especially if leaving table. Never, ever let somebody reach in your case. When taking inventory from and to car from bourse - one trip / looking 360 degrees (coast clear?).

knovak1976

I wear an extra large LOOSE shirt with a heavy duty fanny-pack around my waist….where I keep my coins (holds about 12 slabbed ones nicely that are wrapped in lens cleaning cloths for protection)…when attending shows. My backpack is just for looks….😉

dsessom

Stepping up security, and/or adding police presence would help deter some thefts/crime. Of course, this is also an added expense for event promoters but well worth it to keep everyone safe. Although I am former law enforcement, and do carry most of the time, I would be very reluctant to fire at bad guys on a bourse full of people unless my life was in danger.

jesbroken

Never drive home from a show. Always drive to the nearest police station and pull in to park. That way anyone following you will be on camera. Wait 5 minutes and leave by a different street. I feel this would prevent some of the robberies at home or at break stops on the way home. JMO
Jim

jesbroken

Also, I wonder if a registered and bonded delivery company might deliver your goods to you in an unmarked vehicle.
Jim

FredWeinberg

I used Brinks for almost every coin show I went to –

rarity7

I was followed home from a show a few months ago. Definitely a rattling experience, especially when I went back to the cameras (thank you Tesla) and realized he'd been on my tail for almost 2 hours (from Sacramento back to SF). I called 911 to report and they instructed me to go to the nearest police station, which I did, but of course the guy following me saw that and vanished as soon as he saw me turn down the street w/ the station. 911 operator said they needed to prioritize safety (which is why they directed me to the station) but I'd MUCH have preferred to have had a cruiser meet me (and him) en route. I'm sure the car or plates or both were stolen (beat up Mercedes w/ temp tags).

I also went back to my cameras at the show and found the guy scoping the show floor.

I am now TRIPLE extra safe when leaving shows -- making a few random exits, some U-turns, and basically doing whatever I can do to make sure nobody's on my tail.

The only solace I can take is that these guys, from what I'm gathering from the police and other dealers I've spoken to, are NOT looking to pull a stick-up or home entry -- they're just sending 10 tails out to follow 10 dealers and waiting for the one (or two or three) to leave their car to grab a snack or bathroom break on the road home and make an easy 2-minute grab-n-go on their inventory.

...for now.

--Noah

RiveraFamilyCollect

I hope they catch the follow home crew.

DocBenjamin

@rarity7 said:
I was followed home from a show a few months ago. Definitely a rattling experience, especially when I went back to the cameras (thank you Tesla) and realized he'd been on my tail for almost 2 hours (from Sacramento back to SF). I called 911 to report and they instructed me to go to the nearest police station, which I did, but of course the guy following me saw that and vanished as soon as he saw me turn down the street w/ the station. 911 operator said they needed to prioritize safety (which is why they directed me to the station) but I'd MUCH have preferred to have had a cruiser meet me (and him) en route. I'm sure the car or plates or both were stolen (beat up Mercedes w/ temp tags).

I also went back to my cameras at the show and found the guy scoping the show floor.

I am now TRIPLE extra safe when leaving shows -- making a few random exits, some U-turns, and basically doing whatever I can do to make sure nobody's on my tail.

The only solace I can take is that these guys, from what I'm gathering from the police and other dealers I've spoken to, are NOT looking to pull a stick-up or home entry -- they're just sending 10 tails out to follow 10 dealers and waiting for the one (or two or three) to leave their car to grab a snack or bathroom break on the road home and make an easy 2-minute grab-n-go on their inventory.

...for now.

--Noah

Or a 40 minute EV recharge. Sometimes an old Chevy V8 is a plus.

air4mdc

@rarity7 said:
I was followed home from a show a few months ago. Definitely a rattling experience, especially when I went back to the cameras (thank you Tesla) and realized he'd been on my tail for almost 2 hours (from Sacramento back to SF). I called 911 to report and they instructed me to go to the nearest police station, which I did, but of course the guy following me saw that and vanished as soon as he saw me turn down the street w/ the station. 911 operator said they needed to prioritize safety (which is why they directed me to the station) but I'd MUCH have preferred to have had a cruiser meet me (and him) en route. I'm sure the car or plates or both were stolen (beat up Mercedes w/ temp tags).

I also went back to my cameras at the show and found the guy scoping the show floor.

I am now TRIPLE extra safe when leaving shows -- making a few random exits, some U-turns, and basically doing whatever I can do to make sure nobody's on my tail.

The only solace I can take is that these guys, from what I'm gathering from the police and other dealers I've spoken to, are NOT looking to pull a stick-up or home entry -- they're just sending 10 tails out to follow 10 dealers and waiting for the one (or two or three) to leave their car to grab a snack or bathroom break on the road home and make an easy 2-minute grab-n-go on their inventory.

...for now.

Please don’t think for one minute that these thugs won’t pull a stick-up or home invasion/burglary. I don’t care what the police and other dealers state. Are the police checking with the thugs to see what their modus operandi with be for stealing from coin dealers/ collectors. They don’t have a clue, in all due respect. Bottom line, be safe and plan for an escalation in these type of crimes and more sophistication in the way they are carried out.

Jacques_Loungecoque

Higher clearance vehicles with 4x4 would be beneficial in these circumstances. You get a much better vantage point to look down into suspect vehicles and the ability to go where other vehicles can if SHTF. Plus that 4x4 can push a stopper vehicle out of the way. God forbid you gotta shoot it out, you wanna have every degree of a downward field of fire.

Sad to have to think like this. But I assume every robbery would end in my death. “No loose ends.” So worst case I’m taking them with me.

Creg

This—



—might make them think more.

CRHer700

Not related, but I thought that it's funny that a few months ago a woman in Florida was arrested for painting the word "police" on her car and putting a siren on the top. She said that she had no idea that it was wrong.

seatedlib3991

@rarity7. Kudos for being self aware. The police are a great tool but paying attention to your surroundings and perhaps having a plan of action help a great deal. Glad you are safe. James