A Mount Pearl small business owner fell victim to a scam recently and is cautioning others to stay alert during the holiday season. Claudia Fimbres, the proprietor of Mamacita Latin Kitchen and Market, recounted how she unwittingly registered for a phony seasonal market, costing her $150.
Initially intrigued by a Facebook post in November soliciting vendors for a holiday market at Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios on December 6 and 7, Fimbres contacted the poster. She was asked to pay $100 to secure a booth and received an event pass via email. Subsequently, she was requested to send an additional $50 for a license fee and later $40 for parking.
Growing suspicious, Fimbres decided to withdraw from the event and requested a refund after receiving no response. Upon contacting the legitimate Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios, she discovered that the post was a scam, mimicking a genuine event named Merry Makers Market happening concurrently at the same venue.
Daniel Rumbolt, the executive director of Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studio, noted that scammers have previously exploited their name and events for fraudulent purposes but never on such a significant scale. They identified multiple fake posts in various Facebook groups that copied the design and imagery of their authentic event posters.
Despite the setback, Fimbres was generously invited by the Merry Makers Market organizers to participate in the legitimate event after learning of her unfortunate experience. She expressed her frustration over the situation, emphasizing the importance of promoting her business and building a presence at such events.
In response to the incident, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) advised business owners to exercise caution while making payments to unfamiliar entities and report any suspicious online activities promptly.