Sergio Sanchez President of the Professional Currency Dealer’s Association presented a $1000 donation to Doug Davis Founder and President of the Numismatic Crime Information Center at the recent Memphis International Paper Money show held in Memphis, Tennessee on June 18-20, 2010.

“The work being conducted by the Numismatic Crime Information Center is a tremendous asset to the numismatic industry and law enforcement”, said Sanchez. “The crime alerts, e-mails, and newsletters sent out by NCIC are important resources that provide dealers and collectors with current information related to numismatic crime”.

“We are pleased to have PCDA as a sponsor and partner in our efforts to combat numismatic crime”, said Davis. “The support of PCDA allows us to continue providing educational and investigative resources to collectors, dealers and law enforcement across the country and around the world”.

Dealers and collectors should visit Numismaticcrimes.org and sign up to receive free crime alerts and newsletters. Anyone wanting additional information on NCIC can contact Doug@numismaticcrimes.org or call 817-723-7231.

The Numismatic Crime Information Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation working to coordinate initiatives between law enforcement and the numismatic industry in “Targeting Numismatic Crimes around the World”. The success of NCIC depends on the financial commitments from dealers, collectors and the numismatic industry. All donations are tax deductible.

Los Angeles, CA - On Friday April 2, 2010 the Numismatic Crime Information Center was called by Los Angeles Sheriff”s Dept investigators to assist in identifying a victim of a potential burglary or robbery. While on the phone a known felon was attempting to sell rare Chinese gold coins valued at $95,000. The suspect was arrested and ten gold coins were confiscated. Doug Davis, Founder/President of NCIC , provided the investigators with a local numismatic expert who authenticated the coins which had been sold in a Sotheby’s auction in 1996. A victim was later located who did not know the coins had been stolen.

“The success of this investigation was the direct result of the information and resources provided by the Numismatic Crime Information Center”, said Det. Lord of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

Pantego, Texas - The Central States Numismatic Society has donated $2500 to the Numismatic Crime Information Center. The donation will help fund an educational program designed to educate law enforcement about numismatics and numismatic crime.

The Numismatic Crime Information Center as part of its strategic plan will launch the new program during the early part of 2010. The program is designed to educate police officers at the local level.

“We are extremely excited to have the Central States Numismatic Society support NCIC”, said Doug Davis, president of NCIC. “The participation of organizations such as CSNS is critical to our success in combating numismatic crime”

The Numismatic Crime Information Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation working to coordinate initiatives between law enforcement and the numismatic industry in “Targeting Numismatic Crimes around the World”. The success of NCIC depends on the financial commitments from dealers, collectors and the numismatic industry. All donations are tax deductible.

The Major Crimes Division of the Ohio Attorney General’s office has asked the Numismatic Crime Information Center for assistance in evaluating a large proof set collection in order to determine the level of charges to be filed against an identified suspect. “The lead investigator in the case was glad that a resouce like NCIC is now available to assist law enforcement during the investigation of coin related offenses”, said Doug Davis Founder/President of NCIC.

Investigators with the Ontario County Sheriff’s dept in the state of New York has requested the assistance of the Numismatic Crime Information Center in a $24,000 residential burglary. The loss included over 850 proof sets, silver bars and rounds. NCIC provided investigators with key information related to a potential suspect and assigned a Law Enforcement Numismatic Expert Network member to the case. The investigation is ongoing.

Dealers and collectors should be aware of the new way criminals are stealing cars. You walk to your car, unlock the door and get inside. You start the engine and shift into reverse. When you look into your rearview mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into park, unlock your doors and jump out to remove the paper that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjacker appears out of nowhere, jumps in and takes off with your car and valuables. If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later and be thankful you read this article.

Shreveport Louisiana Coin Club Donates to the Numismatic Crime Information Center

Pantego, Texas - The Louisiana Shreveport Coin Club recently donated $500.00 to the Numismatic Crime Information Center during the Texas Numismatic Association’s annual May coin show in Fort Worth, Texas.

Shreveport Coin Club board member Richie Self presented the check to Doug Davis Founder / President of the Numismatic Crime information Center.

“The Numismatic Crime Information Center provides a tremendous resource for the numismatic community and I hope other clubs who are financially able will donate to this important cause”, said Self who owns and operates American Coin & Collectibles in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The Numismatic Crime Information Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation working to coordinate initiatives between law enforcement and the numismatic industry in “Targeting Numismatic Crimes around the World”. The success of NCIC depends on the financial commitments from dealers, collectors and the numismatic industry. All donations are tax deductible.

For more information about NCIC, please visit www.numismaticcrimes.org or e-mail Doug@numismaticcrimes.org

Surveillance Equipment Inadequate in Coin Shop Burglaries

During the past several months the Numismatic Crime Investigation Center has assisted in the investigation of several coin shop burglaries in the state of Texas. In each case the quality of the recorded video was inadequate for law enforcement investigators to use for evidentiary purposes.

Dealers utilizing video surveillance as a crime prevention strategy should periodically evaluate their system to determine its effectiveness in identifying criminals during the commission of an armed robbery, burglary, fraud or theft. Surveillance video footage from a properly designed and maintained system can provide invaluable information during a criminal investigation.

The following information should be considered when maintaining a video surveillance system: • Identify current and future needs based upon operational requirements. • Maintain files on all video surveillance equipment. • Sketch out a floor plan to determine strategic camera locations. • Install/evaluate cameras at entrances and exits in order to provide clear views of anyone entering or leaving the business. • Provide video coverage to monitor areas where transactions and interactions occur between employees and customers. • Provide video coverage in safe and vault areas. • Consider ceiling mounted dome cameras for overall views of shop. • Evaluate/Test recording medium to insure adequate quality to identify offenders. • Make sure images produced are in a format that your local law enforcement agency can use. • Check system on a daily basis for clarity and proper operation. • Develop a retention schedule for stored data. • Train employees on system operations • Develop a maintenance schedule conducted by a qualified technician.

The benefits of maintaining a quality system is minimizing the risk of illegal activities, enhancing a safe working environment and providing law enforcement with recording medium good enough for identification and prosecution.

The Numismatic Crime Information Center is a 501(C) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to serve as a national and international resource for collectors, dealers and law enforcement in the education, prevention and investigation of crimes involving coins, paper money, tokens, medals and related numismatic items. The success of NCIC depends on the financial commitments from dealers, collectors and the numismatic industry. All donations are tax deductible. Numismaticcrimes.org.

Pantego, Texas - PCDA President Sergio Sanchez and Board Members presented a $1000 check to NCIC President Doug Davis at the Lyn Knight Currency auction held December 10, 2008 in Lenexa, Kansas.

“We are excited to have such a prestigious numismatic organization support our efforts in the area of numismatic crime”, Davis said. This generous donation will help fund a numismatic expert network for law enforcement across the country.

NCIC is the world’s leading resource on numismatic crime investigations and was created to give law enforcement and victims a free and easy to use system to fight numismatic related offenses.

“NCIC maintains the largest database of numismatic crimes and provides dealers, collectors and law enforcement with the data, tools and resources to assist in addressing the complexities of a numismatic investigation”, said Davis who has over 25 years experience as a law enforcement criminal investigator and a recognized expert in numismatic investigations.

NCIC assists victims during the investigative process and provides law enforcement agencies with technical and investigative support in order to develop effective case strategies and successful outcomes.

The goal of NCIC is, simply, to provide support and create new and enhanced resources for law enforcement and regulatory agencies to use in the fight against numismatic crime- a fight that must involve not only all levels of law enforcement in this country and abroad but also the entire numismatic community.

The Numismatic Crime Information Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to serve as a national and international resource for collectors, dealers and law enforcement in the education, prevention and investigation of numismatic crimes. All donations are tax deductible.

For more information about NCIC, please visit www.numismaticcrimes.org

Collectors and dealers should be cautious when responding to ads from newspapers or even online ads placed on popular websites such as Craigslist.

Several victims in the North Texas area have been robbed when responding to classified ads placed on Craigslist. Although hundreds of these transactions take place all the time and are legitimate, some can turn out to be a scam or robbery.

Tips When Buying Online or Offline

1. Meet in public places.
2. Never take a large amount of money.
3. Never go alone if possible.
4. Take a friend or business associate with you and have them stay in the car or in close proximity.
5. Use your phone and keep the line open when meeting a stranger.
6. Never enter a location if someone yells for you to come in.
7. If available use your cell phone camera to document any suspicious circumstances.
8. If you are suspicious about something being wrong leave immediately.
9. Once you have left the location write down the description of the person and location including vehicles.
10. Always be aware of your surroundings.

Pantego, Texas - Over 250 investigators from across the country and Canada attended the International Association of Property Crime Investigators Conference held at the Gold Coast Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20-23, 2008.

Doug Davis a recognized expert in numismatic investigations and founder of the Numismatic Crime Information Center presented a breakout session on the Investigation of Numismatic Crimes for law enforcement. The two hour presentation provided law enforcement officials with an overview of numismatic investigations and the data, tools and resources provided by the Numismatic Crime Information Center.

The conference provided the opportunity to educate a large diverse group of criminal investigators in the investigation of numismatic crimes, Davis said.

Lt. Michael Broberg of the Columbus, Ohio Police Department said, “the session on numismatic crime investigations was eye-opening and wished he had known about the resources of NCIC during an investigation of over $250,000 in coins and bullion last year”.

The presentation at the IACPI conference is one of many initiatives of NCIC in bridging the gap between law enforcement and the numismatic community.

NCIC authorities were notified by the Federal Bureau of Prisons that escapee David Posey has been arrested by the Alexandria Police Department. Posey had been serving time for mail fraud related to thefts from coin and paper money dealers. The arrest was prompted after an individual recognized Posey’s picture on the NCIC website and contacted NCIC officials. “This incident clearly shows the important role NCIC will play as a centralized resource and tool within the numismatic community”, said Doug Davis President of NCIC.

NCIC President Doug Davis has been invited to present a training session on numismatic crimes at the National Property Crime Investigations Conference & Expo to be held August 19-21, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hundreds of federal, state, local and provincial law enforcement investigators assigned to property crime investigations will be in attendance. The training session will identify the complexities of a numismatic crime and provide law enforcement investigators with the data, tools and resources to enhance their investigation, Davis said. The invitation to address this national conference is a major step in NCIC’s committment to network with law enforcement and the numismatic industry to combat numismatic crime.

The Tarrant County Texas District Attorney’s office has requested the assistance of NCIC to evaluate approximately $400,000 in coins, currency and bullion which has been stored in the property room of a local law enforcement agency for two years. The property was recovered and confiscated from two burglary suspects who were convicted of the crime.

Detectives with the Haltom City, Texas police department have requested the assistance of NCIC to inventory coins recovered during the arrest of a burglary suspect. The coins consist of gold bullion, assorted mexican 8 Reales and miscellaneous type coins. The coins are in coin flips and 2x2’s with some identified by NCIC staff as dealers who attend shows in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Numismatic Expert Network

In order to assist law enforcement on the local, state, federal and international level the Numismatic Crime Information Center has developed a numismatic expert network to act as an educational resource tool during the investigation of a numismatic crime.

Once a numismatic offense has occurred and reported NCIC will provide the designated investigating agency with the nearest qualified network member. The use of a numismatic expert at the initial phase of an investigation will enhance the investigator’s ability to develop effective case strategies to insure a thorough and effective investigation.

Dealers and collectors interested in participating in the numismatic expert network should download an application and forward to NCIC at P.O. Box 14080 Arlington, Texas 76094.

Reporting Numismatic Crimes

NCIC provides victims with a central location and convenient and easy way to report crimes and suspicious activities within the numismatic industry. All relevant information and data received by victims and individuals about numismatic crimes are used to conduct the following initiatives:

• Analyze trends and patterns in the wide spectrum of numismatic crime.
• Identify through data analysis criminals and organized networks engaged in numismatic crimes.
• Evaluate intelligence and lead information to identify criminal activity and forward to the appropriate local, state, federal or international law enforcement agency.
• Conduct analytic data assessments of criminals by geographic area, type of criminal activity, and methodology.

Information obtained, compiled and indexed helps to anticipate, analyze, prevent, or monitor potential criminal activity directed at or affecting the numismatic industry.

Victim Assistance

Numismatic crimes can often be devastating to collectors and dealers. In some cases it can mean the difference in a comfortable retirement or the destruction of a successful business. NCIC has developed resources that provide the framework for conducting competent, and productive numismatic investigations.

Victims of numismatic crimes are often frustrated and in many instances feel that law enforcement is not doing enough on their specific case. NCIC addresses this problem through several initiatives during the investigative process.

• NCIC representatives will contact victims reporting a crime or suspicious criminal activity.
• NCIC will alert the appropriate law enforcement agency with jurisdiction.
• NCIC will provide the investigating law enforcement agency with a detailed numismatic crime investigative checklist.
• Major crime reports will be placed on NCIC’s web page immediately upon notification.
• Assist in the expeditious dissemination of information within the numismatic community and law enforcement.
• Provide technical case support to law enforcement.
• Assist in developing investigative strategies.
• Provide investigators with names of numismatic experts within their jurisdiction.
• Acts as a liaison between victims, law enforcement, prosecutors and judges.

Due to the complex issues involved in handling a numismatic crime, the victim often finds themselves on an emotional roller coaster. It is important for crime victims to know that they are not alone and help is available. You may contact our offices, via telephone or e-mail for direct victim assistance.