Scammers Hit Darien Liquor Store With Fraudulent Purchases: Cops

DARIEN, CT — Scammers bilked White Bridge Wines & Spirits out of more than $500 worth of high-end tequila last month in what Darien police are calling fraudulent credit card purchases.

The thefts began on June 13 when a man called the Tokeneke Road store for a curbside pickup order, according to police.

"The caller gave a credit card number, which was declined," Darien police said. "A second number was given, which went through for the purchase. The purchase was for a bottle of Don Julio 1942 valued at $312.99. Shortly thereafter a female identifying herself as the cardholder’s daughter arrived and took possession of the bottle."

Later that same day, the same man called wanting to place an additional order.

"The order was for [two] bottles of Clase Azule Plata costing a total of $206.30 and the male used a different credit card," police said. "Again the same female came to the store and took the items. The complainant noted the zip codes given for the two credit cards were different."

On June 14, the same man called the store again wanting to buy more high-end tequila, but believing a scam may be afoot, store personnel hung up without taking the order.

"The caller made numerous additional calls to the store, which the complainant did not answer," police said. "On July 4th, the complainant received a notice from his credit card processing vendor indicating that the above two transactions were fraudulent."

Two days later, the store reported the incidents to the police.