Restaurant Owner Claims Family Member Is Behind Scam

It is not unusual to see Morris Williams greet all his customers with a big smile as they walk into Mo’z Barbecue in the 4000 block of Fred Wilson in Northeast El Paso.

Williams said it is his customers who have turned his business into a success. He now fears that could all change because of what he is calling a scam, allegedly orchestrated by his own brother.

The restaurant owner says his brother, 52-year-old Mark Williams, is using the establishment’s name to scam residents out of cash.

“He goes around and he asks for $24 because my truck is broke down somewhere. I have a 2002 GMC pickup. My Denali is running just fine,” said Morris.

His brother then sends his victims to the barbecue restaurant where he tells them Morris will pay them back.

“It’s unbelievable the amount of stories he’s told,” said Morris.

In the past week and a half, Morris said, at least a dozen people have walked into his restaurant claiming he owes them money.

ABC-7 found out Mark Williams is currently on parole.

A spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Justice said he was in prison for more than two years for possession of a controlled substance.

He was released in 2008.

Morris said he has filed a police report. The El Paso Police Department said they had nothing on record.

The business owner said not only is this alleged scam hurting his pocket, but it’s also hurting the reputation of his restaurant.

“Enough is enough and there has to be some consequences for his actions,” said Morris.

If you have been a victim of a scam, you can file a police report or call the police department’s non-emergency number at 832-4400.