Several nurseries in the Phoenix metro area are investigating a series of suspected fraud cases involving phone orders for large ficus trees that were later found to be purchased with stolen credit cards. In multiple incidents, suspects allegedly used vehicles with trailers to pick up thousands of dollars’ worth of trees before the transactions were reversed.
Law enforcement agencies across different jurisdictions are reviewing the cases, though no single suspect has been publicly confirmed as tied to all reports.
Scam
According to nursery owners speaking to Arizona’s Family, the pattern involves a customer placing a phone order for ficus trees, paying with a credit card, and arranging for same-day pickup using a black SUV and trailer.
In several cases, the transactions initially appeared legitimate. However, days later, the payments were reversed after banks identified the credit cards as stolen, leaving businesses without both the product and the payment.
Gilbertorder
One of the reported incidents occurred at AP Nursery in Gilbert. Manager Chris Colvin said the business accepted a phone order for ficus trees because it appeared to be a valid sale during a slower period.
Surveillance footage from June 2 showed a man arriving in a white T-shirt and loading approximately 40 ficus trees onto a trailer attached to a black SUV.
The nursery later learned the payment had been reversed due to credit card fraud, resulting in an estimated loss of about $5,000.
Pattern
Other nurseries have reported similar experiences. Arizona Wholesale Growers said a man used an alias connected to a landscaping business when placing a phone order for ficus trees. The order was also paid by credit card and picked up shortly after.
General manager Shawn Cox said surveillance video appeared to show the same individual returning to load trees into a trailer. That nursery reported losses of about $2,100.
Cox also said he had heard of as many as eight nurseries in the Valley potentially affected by similar incidents, although this figure has not been confirmed by authorities.
Industry Impact
Nursery operators say the financial loss goes beyond the immediate transaction. Mature ficus trees can take more than a decade to grow, requiring ongoing water, care, and maintenance before they are ready for sale.
Business owners described the impact as particularly difficult because the product is both high-value and physically difficult to recover once it leaves the property.
Whittfill
At Whitfill Nursery, owner Matthew Whitfill described a ficus tree as a long-term investment of time and resources. He said the loss of such trees represents years of work rather than just a single sale.
He also noted that the individuals involved often present themselves as legitimate landscapers starting new businesses, which can make the transactions appear credible at first.
Investigation
Authorities say each case has been reported to local police departments based on where the transactions occurred. Because of the different jurisdictions involved, multiple agencies are reviewing separate reports.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that at least one fraud case is awaiting assignment to a detective.
As of the latest reports, investigators had not publicly identified a suspect or confirmed the final destination of the trees.
Distribution
Officials have not determined what happened to the stolen ficus trees after pickup. One theory mentioned in reporting suggests they could be resold through online marketplaces or used in private landscaping projects, though this has not been confirmed.
Business Response
Nursery owners across the region are now sharing information and warning each other about high-value phone orders, especially those involving new customers and large same-day pickups.
Industry operators say they are reviewing internal procedures to reduce risk, including verifying billing information, requesting identification at pickup, recording vehicle details, and delaying large orders when fraud is suspected.
The series of reported incidents has raised concerns among Phoenix-area nurseries about vulnerabilities in high-value phone sales, particularly for products that are difficult to trace once removed. Investigations remain ongoing as authorities work to identify those responsible and determine whether the cases are connected.
FAQs
What is the scam involving nurseries?
Stolen credit cards are used to buy ficus trees that are picked up and later charged back.
How are the trees collected?
Suspects allegedly use SUVs with trailers to pick up large orders.
How much have nurseries lost?
Individual losses range from about $2,100 to $5,000 per incident.
Are police investigating?
Yes, multiple agencies are reviewing reports across jurisdictions.
Have suspects been identified?
No confirmed suspect has been publicly identified yet.
