FBI Interested in Large Prepaid Cell Phone Purchases

WTRF-TV ^ | 8/3/2006 | Sarah Kapis

[Ready2go]

FBI Interested in Large Prepaid Cell Phone Purchases Posted 8/3/2006 06:06 PM

Store clerks in Grafton say people have been coming into their stores and buying several phones at a time. Story by Sarah Kapis Email | Bio

Folks at the Dollar General in Grafton say in the past few days, several men have come into the store attempting to buy large numbers of prepaid phones. However, store policy only allows a customer to buy two phones at a time, in fact, they are locked away from the general public.

The clerks say after they were in the Dollar General, the men went to the Grafton Walmart to try to purchase more of the phones.

Grafton police found one man during a traffic stop. They say he had hundreds of prepaid phones in his car.

There is no word on what the men planned to do with the phones or why they bought so many, but the incident was later turned over to the FBI for an investigation.

The owner of Country Roads Communications says the allure of the prepaid phones is the freedom that come with them. However, the FBI is not ready to say that the phones are being used for illegal or criminal purposes.

"Prepaids are hard to track, so they're used alot for illegal operations," said Vince Cafazza.

"We are aware that there are a number of purchases throughout the state. Large purchases of trac phones. We are interested in the purchases because they are unusual," said Dan Caldwell, FBI special agent. "We also understand that a number of the larger stores in the area are aware of the purchases. We are not aware of any criminal activity associated with the purchases at this point."

Caldwell says if you notice someone trying to buy large quantities of these type of phones, you can contact your local police or the FBI.

[A CA Guy]

I think between drug dealers, regular criminals and terrorist it is at the point where no phones should be unregistered anymore.

You can buy a hundreds and they will all be registered to you.
As long as you are not trying to sell them off in the gray market of facilitating criminals or terrorists, I agree with you, there would be no issue.

[A CA Guy]

They were mostly for people from camp Casey no doubt.

[Toby06]

Do you want terrorist using unregistered untraceable phones to kill USA citizens MAN?

Hell no, but is it in any way proper to severely limit the freedoms of law abiding citizens of the USA because of a miniscule potential?

I like my untraceable phone. I have an abusive ex who would go so far as to buy my phone records from the phone company and torment those I call. They are not UNtraceable, just difficult. If the feds had a reason, and a warrant, they could track anything they want without otherwise restricting the civil liberties of American citizens.

[UCANSEE2]

"Why aren't people more worried about pager? "

These two men didn't try to buy a large quantity of pagers.

[A CA Guy]

This isn't even a conservative/liberal issue. I think this is getting into a national security issue.

[Toby06]

Note the articles never say whether they are Muslim or of Middle-East origin or anything like that.

Or PA bubba redneck Jimmy Spencer types.

[UCANSEE2]

"That's government interference."

Concerning seatbelt laws. You need to talk to the insurance agencies, and the crooked politicians who take bribes to do their bidding.

[Candor7]

I am getting a TROLL whiff here, but it must be my imagination. Anyone who would ZOT a troll must be fascist.<p.

[Candor7]

I am getting a TROLL whiff here, but it must be my imagination. Anyone who would ZOT a troll must be fascist.

[Tokra]

I am getting a TROLL whiff here, but it must be my imagination.

BINGO!

[divine_moment_of_facts]

"I have bought several hundred tons of ANFO in my life, and have never been investigated. Why wouuld/should I get investigated for buying phones?

You just don't get it, Toby. Stay safe.

[Toby06]

I agree 100% with you there, just like lowering the DUI levels to 0.08

[UCANSEE2]

"So calling you a nanny-stater wouldn't be out of line, huh? "

I never had the federal government bother me about something that anything that I was not responsible for giving them reason to bother me.

Those who cry "why doesn't the government just leave me alone" are usually the same ones who want the government to give them a $2000 check because they were somewhere near New Orleans during the hurricane.

[A CA Guy]

There is no way at this time that a tool for criminals and terrorists should be made available like this.

It should be no issue for people to register these pre-paid phones with legitimate IDs of who bought them.

If terrorist, drug dealers, criminals are found in possession of phones, then let those who helped facilitate them go to jail. That would be a good thing IMO.

[Paul Ross]

Or PA bubba redneck Jimmy Spencer types.

The same omissions...followed by knowingly false insinuations were spread by the MSM in the Jewish Center assault that killed 6 in Seattle last week. They were wrong. It was a Muslim wack-job.

So for you to lamely go off on profiling suggest much more about you than those who want to simply get to the bottom of things:

[Steve_Seattle]

Where is Grafton?

[Steve_Seattle]

"Folks at the Dollar General in Grafton say in the past few days, several men have come into the store attempting to buy large numbers of prepaid phones.

Did the police release any description of the "several men"?

[Toby06]

LOL, I was in New England when that happened.

[r9etb]

Where is Grafton?

In WV, 'bout 80 miles south of Pittsburgh.

[Steve_Seattle]

Thanks.