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.

[Toby06]

A think a hundred pre-paid cell phones in the back of your car is a tad suspicious... don't you?

A hundred ham hocks in the back of your car is kind of odd too, but nobody's GD business. I am not siding with terrorists, but this is America, land of the free, and all that. I want the damn government to leave me the hell alone.

[LIConFem]

"I think someone has a problem with Authority. ;)"

Yeah, that's it... I have a problem with authority. Ya got me...

[Dubya-M-Dees]

Wal-Mart has state of the art security monitoring systems. Any given store has at least 50 or more cameras including parking lot cameras. The next time you go into one, look up. You may be surprised at what you see when you actually look for it.

[FreedomCalls]

A think a hundred pre-paid cell phones in the back of your car is a tad suspicious... don't you?

Suspicious of what? Sounds like he is a capitalist -- purchasing a large quantity of something legal in one place and reselling it in some other for a higher price. Is capitalism a "suspicious activity" now?

[Toby06]

First, why does the guy have a couple hundred pre-paid cell phones in his car? Do you do that?

I don't do that, but then again it's noone's goshdang busines what the hell I do. Since when is making a friggin phone call illegal?

[divine_moment_of_facts]

If it wasn't investigated I'd bet you'd be among the first to blame the government.

[FreedomCalls]

No matter what way you cut it, the news article failed to inform the public that such phones are used as remote detonation devices for IEDs, improvise explosive devices.

They are also used to talk to people in a different location. In fact, I would suggest that 99.9999999% of all cell phones are used in a perfectly legitimate manner.

[Ready2go]

"Are you suggesting that if pre-paid cell phones were never invented, the Madrid bombings wouldn't have taken place? Don't you think there are a few thousand other ways to accomplish the same thing?

I'm hearing (reading) a lot of the same arguments the anti-gunners use to justify the criminalization of firearms possession."

Mercies LIConFem;

I'm just saying folks need to be alert to their surroundings. To be watching for objects left in crowded places that could be detonated. Sheesh...I love my pre-paid phone, and I'm not going to use it for evil, but others have.

[pageonetoo]

The price WalMart sells those things for, with time included, is so cheap that an enterprising big city guy can make a good buck standing on a corner hawking them with a keystone. I see commerce first, before I see conspiracy!

[Toby06]

I think someone has a problem with Authority. ;)

Since when is buying a phone and making a damn call illegal? This is America. Life, liberty and the pursuit of whatever the heck you want without government interference.

Where do you propose the level of governmental interference begin/end? Why don't they just outlaw all phones anyway, like Castro, et. al.

Oh yeah, i did catch the wink, btw.

[FreedomCalls]

Just curious, as there are some 11 or so Egyptian 'students' currently unaccounted for.

How many unaccounted-for Mexicans are there in the US?

[r9etb]

If it wasn't investigated I'd bet you'd be among the first to blame the government

Right in one, sir.

[hophead]

There is a small town called Grafton WV.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

I know WalMart has topnotch security (especially around the high end electronics dept where I would think phone cards would be sold). Maybe that is why the 'purchasers' went to the Dollar General first...much less secure, possibly no cameras, and then had to resort to obtaining their phone cards at the WalMart. Just posing that as a scenario...

[blam]

"I suspect that there's a lot more to the story than is being reported here. One is left to wonder whether you've really thought through the potential implications."

Maybe swarthy looking guys with foreign accents, huh?

[pageonetoo]

Foprgot: This post sponsored by your local shell game!

[divine_moment_of_facts]

If it's just Capitalism then they have nothing to fear, correct?

[Toby06]

If it wasn't investigated I'd bet you'd be among the first to blame the government.

I don't blame the government, I blame the bad guys. Not that anyone who buys prepaid phones is necessarily a bad guy. I'm willing to take some security risks rather than lose freedoms. I do believe in strong borders however.

Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin

[LIConFem]

"First, why does the guy have a couple hundred pre-paid cell phones in his car? Do you do that? "

'Course not. I barely use the one cell phone that I do have (and it's not pre-paid). But that's not the point...

Maybe there is a lot more to this story, and if so, fine. But based solely upon what was written in the article -- someone purchasing large quantities of a legal product -- I see no justification for an FBI investigation.

I could be wrong, of course. But with all the nanny-staters out there (even in Conservative circles), somone has to sit on the other side of the fence on occasion.

[Centurion2000]

Any man with hundreds of prepaid cell phones in his vehicle should be arrested and investigated immediately for potential terrorist connections.

And you call youself a conservative? This is the stuff of fascism.