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Vicodin Addiction Fueled by Bold New Internet Scam

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Recently, an individual with a Vicodin addiction relayed the following story about buying Vicodin online via an Internet pharmacy:

Because he had purchased Vicodin and OxyContin online in the past, this individual (who will be referred to as “Paul”) had his name and phone number on the call lists of several online drug suppliers.

Internet scamsOne day, a representative from one of those companies called Paul and offered him 90 Vicodin ES for $400. As an added bonus, the caller stated, this addictive product could be shipped via overnight carrier with no questions asked. It was a lot of money, but Paul really felt like he needed the pills. His other online vendor had recently closed shop and hadn’t been heard from in weeks.

Paul was suspicious, as always, of the “hard sell” attitude of this new pharmacy, but his mind was put as ease when they told him that he could simply pay once the medication arrived. This type of “cash on delivery”, or C.O.D. order seemed safer to Paul than paying upfront. If the package didn’t come, or wasn’t what he wanted when it arrived, he could simply send it back and keep his money.

It seemed to be a no-risk situation, so Paul placed his order. He was told to expect the package in two days, so he went down to the bank and purchased a cashier’s check for $400.

Days passed and Paul’s order didn’t arrive. He tried to call the company several times, but was unable to make contact. He was disappointed, and stressed because his supply of Vicodin would soon run out, but at least he didn’t lose any money.

pillsThen, a week later, he got a call from the pharmacy. They told him that there had been some problems with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and that the company could no longer process C.O.D. orders. The representative told Paul that if he was willing to send a wire transfer via Western Union that they could arrange for the package to arrive the next evening.

This event gave Paul pause. He didn’t have a relationship with this company, and for the most part, once money has gone through a Western Union transfer (especially to the Dominican Republic as the company had requested) there is no way to get it back. But Paul was almost out of Vicodin and he dreaded the inevitable withdrawal symptoms that would occur once he ran out.Soon, he was willing to take the chance.

He sent the money and immediately could not track down the company. He was in a panic for two days when the representative finally called him. They explained that the wrong package was sent out and was being held at an undisclosed location. There were actually over 300 pills in the order instead of the original 90. As a way to “make good” on the problem, the rep said that if Paul would wire another $300 to the company he could have ALL the pills at a low price.

Now all kinds of warning bells were going off in Paul’s head. This had to be a scam, right? But the customer service rep swore up and down that it was legitimate – and that he SO appreciated the faith Paul had put in them and that he fully knew how important this medication was to him.

Again, yes, once again, Paul trusted them and sent the money. He had now spent $700 plus the Western Union fees. He waited for his package the next day.

But the next day came and went and no Vicodin arrived. Paul called and called but could reach nobody at the company. He left kind messages and rude messages. He simply BEGGED for someone to contact him!

Then he received a remarkable call. An “FBI agent” called Paul and told him that his package had been confiscated and that he was placing charges. Paul was terrified. The agent said Paul would be going to jail. Then, almost by accident, Paul looked at the phone number on the caller ID. The area code and prefix seemed so familiar….and then it hit him. This was a representative of the pharmacy! They never planned to give him his medication – and this was their out.

Paul began to notice all kinds of holes in the agent’s story. The “agent” couldn’t mention what department he worked for or provide a badge number. Paul decided to play along for a bit. Then the “agent” delivered the final insult: he told Paul that all charges would be dropped if he could send a Western Union of $3,800 to settle his case out of court. The only other choice was jail.

So not only had these people stolen $700 from him, they had the nerve to run another flimsy scam hoping to prey upon his fear of going to jail and never seeing his family again.

Once Paul had heard enough he hung up. He had lost his money and his dignity and that was enough for one day.

Online Vicodin scams and phone-order Vicodin scams like this one occur often. Have you had a similar experience? Let us know. And if you’re struggling with Vicodin addiction, contact a drug rehab program in your area and get the help you need today.

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