Fraudsters target Calgary storage container company in 'sea can scam'

Ascam that targets customers looking to rent or buy shipping containers almost victimizeda Calgary man, but a bit of due diligence saved him fromlosing $2,800, saysbusiness owner Lucas Griffin.

Griffin's company, Secure-Rite Mobile Storage, has been caught up in the so-called "sea can scam"that has seen a dozenvictims in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia lose nearly $70,000 in recent months.

"It's just a new city with the same scam," said Griffin.

The address for Secure-Rite's Calgary locationis being used on a websitethat offers shipping container sales and rentals under the name "Class Sea Cans."Phone numbers on the site are using area codes for Ontario, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, but little else is known about the company.

"It's using an existing facility a legit, bona fide companyas just one more piece in their scam to build trust and make it look like there's something there when there is not," said Griffin.

CBCNews has tried to contact thecompany but hasn't heard back.

• Fraudsters across Canada taking in 1000s of dollars a day in shipping container scam

The close callin Calgary has been reported to police, who confirm a complaint was filed.

Griffin says it may not seem like a big deal, but for him and his industry it is.

"People might say, well, they used your address, buddy, get over it."

"It's just one part of a very intricate scam that hurts consumers, hurts business and ultimatelyhurts our country," said Griffin.

He says he spoke with the owner of a shipping container and storage company in Nova Scotia who wasimplicated in a similar scam where someone actually paid the fraudsters.

Griffin says he was told her online reviews and reputationwere negatively affected.

"She's like, 'my reputation went from likefive star, superstar to, man,I've got to rebuild my brand again.'"

Griffin says if the Calgary customer forwarded the money to Class Sea, his company could have faced the same type of backlash.

CBCNews knowsof 12 people who say they'velost a total of almost $70,000after paying for shipping containers they never received in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. The Kijiji ads were linked to two "companies" Box Containers LLC and Big Max Containers.

It's unclear whether the two operations are connected, but both falsely use addresses forlegitimate companiesto make themselves look credible.

Griffin says he's also alerted his industry association group, which has members across North America.

The National Portable Storage Association toldCBCNews earlier this month it is very concerned about the scams.

"It goes against everything we have done to build trust and integrity with customers and communities around the world," said Mark DePasquale, the group'sCEO.

Griffin says that's why it's important peoplehear about this fraudulent activity.

"I believe we can keep pushing this person from city to city until there's no cities left for them to operate out of,"he said.

He says his company is taking steps to get its address removed from the Class Sea Cans' website. But as of earlier Friday, the northeast Calgary locationwas still being displayed.