'Harlen Wheatley' Imposter Sells Whiskey For Months Through Fake Facebook Accounts

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Wednesday, 30 July 2025 at 17:02Bottle Raiders
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Sazerac has filed a lawsuit against a scammer active on Facebook. He tried to swindle unsuspecting whiskey lovers out of their money by selling ‘Van Winkle-bourbon’ on the socialmedia platform.
FAQ
  • How did the scammer deceive bourbon fans on Facebook for months?
    By impersonating the identity of Harlen Wheatley, master distiller at Sazerac.
  • Why is Van Winkle-bourbon such a beloved target for fraudsters?
    The whiskeys are often produced in limited quantities.
  • What is Sazerac demanding in the lawsuit against the fake account?
    Compensation and stop to all illegal activities.

Months-long scam on Facebook

The scammer created multiple Facebook accounts pretending to be Harlen Wheatley, master distiller at Sazerac Company. Through these accounts, rare and expensive bottles of bourbon and American whiskey were offered. It is unclear if the bottles sold are real or copies of the originals.
Among the bottles sold were rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbons, highly sought after by collectors, sold at inflated prices to unsuspecting buyers.

Whiskey catfish taken to court

Sazerac discovered the fraud and issued several cease-and-desist orders demanding the scammer stop these illegal activities. Afterward, the fake accounts changed their profile pictures.
Instead of Harlen Wheatley, they showed a lawyer from Louisville, who was not involved in anything. Eventually, Sazerac filed a lawsuit against the scammer.

Serious accusations

The scammer is being sued for trademark infringement, illegal alcohol sales, false advertising, and more. Not only did the scammer illegally use the bourbon maker’s name, but Sazerac also alleges improper whiskey storage. There are even concerns that some bottles may be fake or stolen.
The company seeks damages, a ban on the use of Sazerac’s brands, removal of the fraudulent accounts, and reimbursement of legal fees through court.
The amount of compensation requested is unknown, and it’s unclear if or when the case will go to trial. These proceedings often take time.
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