ATF Email

[QB]

That certainly was a strange email. It's "unprofessional" format/wording made it appear to be a scam to me but I guess it wasn't. If I received the email it would have freaked me out and don't think I would have called the guy without first consulting with an attorney. But then again, I've been accused of being paranoid about these types of things.

[sneedb82]

I was waiting to see what Tim Frazier thought about this as well...

At first, I thought it was a scam. Looking as well, verified he was indeed at the SA office. All I can say is that unless you're in the SA area, that a field visit could be not a great expense they're willing to take when a phone conversation or email will suffice. And since we all have heard horror stories about the BATFE, it is indeed nerve wracking to receive something like that in an email.

I don't think it would hurt to find or talk to an attorney friend to give him the heads up about it, and see if he'd be willing to assist without retainer until further information is divulged.

That's just my opinion.

[frazzled]

Just got this from the ATF in email:

Greetings to all in this email. My name is Special Agent Christopher Benavides and I’m with the San Antonio Office of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
I am currently involved in a criminal investigation with Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding an individual you may have had telephonically, electronic, and/or personal communication with either late last year or earlier this year. You most likely had dealings with him through the website, http://www.texasguntrader.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. You might know him as “Jesse” or “Jesus” or “Chuy”. He lives in the valley and had a (956) area code when calling him or he calling you.
We acquired your email address and some identifiers on who you are through legal law enforcement means, but would like to speak with you either over the phone or in person regarding this person of interest in our case.
I can assure you that everyone receiving this email is not any Federal or state trouble with the advertisement or selling of any firearms on this website to this individual. We are interested in knowing if actual sales had occurred with him and it could actually assist us further on our investigation.
I understand this is Memorial Day weekend and we will be by the pool and doing the BBQ thing, but when time permits this weekend or early next week could you please either email me back that you got this or call me next week so I can take a little bit of your time to pick your brain about this individual?
I thank you for your time and look forward to speaking with you.
My office number is (210) 805-2727 if you want to verify who I am. My cell number is (210) 825-4339. Thanks again and God Bless America.
Christopher Benavides
ATF Special Agent
San Antonio Field Office
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
******* NOTICE: This electronic transmission is confidential and intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail and destroy this message in its entirety (including all attachments).

I googled the numbers and they are indeed ATF. I called him and he said they had arrested the guy and wanted to know if anyone had sold him their guns. He said he was a legal resident but was making straw purchases with gun money. I told the agent I hadnt sold him anything because the guy was very cagey on the phone so I declined the sale. He thanked me and hung up. Anybody else ever run into this?

Why assume this is from the ATF at all? This looks like some form of fishing (phishing I believe is the correct term) where a swindler is just see who he can get a response from and then get information.

Edit: I see you googled. It still smells fishy that they would send an email. Look it up in a phone book just to be safe.
I would not have replied.