September | October 2019 | Ignitemag.ca | 21 September | October 2019 | Ignitemag.ca | W hen Nalina Williams, managing director of Platinum Hospitality Group in Toronto, received a website inquiry to plan a one-day Toronto medical conference, she passed on it because something didn’t sit right. But a planner friend later contacted Williams about the conference, asking if she wanted to do it because she had a scheduling confl ict. Williams acquiesced and emailed the client, Dr. Jason Byrd of Cynosure Health, a US-based non-profi t that provides consulta- tion to the health industry. He sent an RFP and she responded with a detailed proposal. A week later she was told she had won the business. She sent a contract: “They signed it and sent it right back.” She then proceeded as usual: “I did research, got a hotel. He even booked a site inspection.” While Williams doesn’t sign vendor contracts for clients, she did agree to pay deposits using a $20,000 cheque from Byrd. The education pro- gram required that medical equipment be rented in Canada. She received an urgent message from Byrd that the company needed $8,500 to secure the rentals. She transferred the money using the vendor information Byrd supplied. Soon after the money was transferred, the $20,000 cheque bounced. The medical supply company didn’t actually exist. The recipient of the $8,500 was a private individual who couldn’t be traced. Williams was out $8,500. She reported the incident to the police. They took a statement but offered her little hope of recovering her losses. While Dr. Jason Byrd and Cynosure are real and reputable, they didn’t know who Nalina Williams was. Marsha Chan is the chief administrative offi cer at Cynosure Health, a non-profi t health consultant organization based in California. She says they began hearing from Canadian planners who were suspicious about inquiries they had received from “Dr. Jason Byrd” in 2018. “The actual Jason Byrd, who’s a board member at Cynosure, is actually a lawyer,” she says. Cynosure has reported the situation multiple times to Google since the imposter uses a Google account—but they have not responded. Cynosure also notifi ed authorities in the US and Canada. CanSPEP and Ignite have posted alerts on their websites and Facebook pages. Multiple planners have reported being contacted or scammed. Angie Van Wingerden, event director at ITM Events in Ottawa, received a general request, also from Dr. Jason Byrd, through her company’s website in June. She promptly received an RFP, to which she responded. While she was awarded the business, red fl ags went up when he told her that “going forward, funds would be made available” and she would pay vendors from those funds. She called Cynosure and spoke to Marsha Chan. “She informed me that they understand there is someone fraudulently represent- ing Jason Byrd.” Van Wingerden says the experience has taught her to follow her gut. “Something didn’t feel right. The language in the email was not well put together.” She says she has also strengthened her follow-up procedure regarding leads obtained online. As for Williams, “I feel awful to be scammed like this after 21 years in the industry. He knew the lingo and he clearly understands how the industry works.” That’s why she’s speaking out and encourages other to do so as well. “I feel it is important to help protect other planners.” PLANNERS B E W A R E WHILE THE INTERNET CAN BE A GREAT SOURCE OF LEADS FOR THIRD.PARTY PLANNERS, IT HAS A DARK SIDE. Here’s how to protect yourself: × Never accept a large cheque to pay vendors. × If you do get a cheque from the client to pay vendors, have the bank hold it for fi ve days. × Verify the contact person’s employ- ment with the company they claim to represent. × Insist on a phone call or in-person meeting. × Do not sign contracts or make payments on behalf of clients. × Verify email addresses. × Ask for client references. If you do fall victim, contact authorities and share your story with colleagues. A scam targeting Canadian planners illustrates the need for diligence with new clients
