TABC investigates retail extortion scam

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) investigators have partnered with US postal inspectors to investigate an alleged extortion scam involving multiple TABC-licensed companies.

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission investigators are looking into a suspected extortion scam

The TABC was first made aware of the suspected scam in October when a letter was sent to retailers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area stating a third-party observer had witnessed violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Code at that retailer’s establishment.

The letters continued to blackmail recipients that the alleged offences would be reported to the TABC unless the business owner or operator agreed to pay US$500 using an anonymous cash-card payment.

The TABC stressed the letters are in no way connected to the trade body and the agency only investigates complaints from “verifiable sources”.

Any retailers who receive similar letters suspected to be connected to the scam are encouraged to contact their local TABC enforcement office of the US postal inspectors immediately.

“TABC values the partnerships we’ve built over the years with our retailers, and when there is an attempt to extort the holder of a permit of license, we take the matter very seriously,” said chief Robert Saenz, TABC chief of field operations.

“Our Special Investigations Unit will be working closely with the US postal inspectors to get to the bottom of this.

“Mailed threats such as this fall under the federal government’s jurisdiction, which means these culprits could face federal charges when caught.”