If you’re offered a second-hand dive computer that is in mint condition in the USA and possibly Canada, there is a strong probability that it may have been stolen.
Recent reports have emerged about an organized crime group that is using stolen credit cards to purchase high-value dive computers from dive stores.
Blue Planet Scuba in Washington, DC reported on Twitter that they had lost over $4,000 in Garmin dive computers. They also said that two other local shops were targeted, one losing computers worth over $10,000.
The theft is a big blow for the dive shops, which, once the fraud is discovered, have to return the money and are left with a big hole in their pockets and no dive computers.
Below you can find the details of stolen devices from three stores. If you are offered any, please notify local law enforcement.
- Shearwater Teric Black #70AEC420
- Shearwater Perdix #33409A09
- Shearwater Perdix AI #33409A7E
- Shearwater Teric Black/Silver #2EA388B8
- Shearwater Teric Black/Blue #60445B44
- Shearwater Transmitter #250880
- Shearwater Transmitter #221628
- Shearwater Teric Black #70AEC420
- Shearwater Perdix #33409A09
- Shearwater Perdix AI #33409A7E
- Shearwater Teric Black/Silver #2EA388B8
- Shearwater Teric Black/Blue #60445B44
- Shearwater Transmitter #250880
- Shearwater Transmitter #221628
- Shearwater Transmitter #249444
- Garmin Descent #5WJ000545
- Garmin T1 transmitter #5QW015243
- Garmin Descent #5Wj000543
- Garmin T1 transmitter #5QW015252
- Garmin Descent MK2S #6K4000501
- Garmin Descent MK2S #6K7004169
- Garmin T1 transmitter #5QW0137622
- Descent Mk2i Titanium #5WH005963
There is an organized crime group hitting local dive shops and purchasing dive computers using stolen credit cards. They took us for over $4000 in Garmin dive computers and have hit at least 2 other dive shops in the area, one which lost over $10,000!
— Blue Planet Scuba (@blueplanetdc) December 2, 2021
Source: https://www.deeperblue.com/be-on-the-lookout-for-stolen-dive-computers/