And this the reason y i not mess with fly by nite cue makers .u get got fast....
Cheated out of $1100
- Thread starter dooziexx
- Start date
Having used the USPS for a fraudulent transaction constitutes a federal offense: wire fraud, I think, a term left over from the 1800's. Contact the law enforcement branch of the USPS, called the U.S. Postal Inspector's Office. They'll definitely appear on the culprit's doorstep armed with a firearm, a badge and a warrant. Just have your receipts and proof of purchase handy although the procedure may take awhile.
Twice I have used the USPI's office and they worked for me.
Twice I have used the USPI's office and they worked for me.
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msnumismatist
Registered
For what it's worth...
I work in an investigative capacity and have to deal w/stuff like this daily. Based on what I've read you should have a good chance of at least finding/prosecuting the guy (if the cues don't arrive in late fashion). Since you used a money order and mailed it via USPS you can turn to the Postal Inspectors. These guys can be the greatest, but you will need to be persistent w/them so that your case doesn't get pushed back in the pile. Since 9/11 all of the branches of Fed. L.E. are pretty wrapped up. The bad news is that even if they catch them, you probably will not see any money for months/years. I would personally exhaust every avenue OTHER than prosecution unless teaching them a lesson is more important than the money. Good luck and update the board so we can all hear the end result.
I work in an investigative capacity and have to deal w/stuff like this daily. Based on what I've read you should have a good chance of at least finding/prosecuting the guy (if the cues don't arrive in late fashion). Since you used a money order and mailed it via USPS you can turn to the Postal Inspectors. These guys can be the greatest, but you will need to be persistent w/them so that your case doesn't get pushed back in the pile. Since 9/11 all of the branches of Fed. L.E. are pretty wrapped up. The bad news is that even if they catch them, you probably will not see any money for months/years. I would personally exhaust every avenue OTHER than prosecution unless teaching them a lesson is more important than the money. Good luck and update the board so we can all hear the end result.
fast larry
Banned
Re: For what it's worth...
I hate to hear stories like this, it just scares the hell out of everyone and then nobody trusts nobody. When I sell on my website everything goes through pay pal, on ebay, I have their buyer protection plan plus I pay for square trade which doubles your payout should I defraud, they go into extensive background checks of me and I have to tell them everything. You won't see a crook using them or posting their banner. It is an imperfect system frought with danger. Any one who wants a escrow I say ok, just do not deal with total strangers or newbies. Good luck people. Ask for phone numbers of people you can call to verify the guy, I have sold stuff up to $5000, I can give you these people to call who say yes, send the money, the stuff comes in. When you have that, references, then you have a good shot of being safe. Do your homework, check these people out for any big money transactions.
msnumismatist said:
I hate to hear stories like this, it just scares the hell out of everyone and then nobody trusts nobody. When I sell on my website everything goes through pay pal, on ebay, I have their buyer protection plan plus I pay for square trade which doubles your payout should I defraud, they go into extensive background checks of me and I have to tell them everything. You won't see a crook using them or posting their banner. It is an imperfect system frought with danger. Any one who wants a escrow I say ok, just do not deal with total strangers or newbies. Good luck people. Ask for phone numbers of people you can call to verify the guy, I have sold stuff up to $5000, I can give you these people to call who say yes, send the money, the stuff comes in. When you have that, references, then you have a good shot of being safe. Do your homework, check these people out for any big money transactions.
Metzger said:
Still havent received the cues. I told the guy repeatedly to go find out where the package is since it is insured and Im sure the post office can track it. He claims that the cue were delivered and says Im scamming him. I asked him to provide proof of delivery but he hasnt. I talked to a States Attorney guy yesterday and he told me to file a report with my local police and also with the police where this guy lives. Not sure what else I could do at this point. I could hire someone to beat the crap out of him but it would probably cost me more than $1100.....
msnumismatist
Registered
If you have been communicating w/him via e-mail, take the e-mails with you when you file the reports. If you have a phone number for the guy, I would call him one last time and very nicely tell him that he is leaving you w/no choice but to file a police report. Give him a chance to save face by saying something like, "if there was a mistake I understand, but we need to get this resolved and you aren't giving me an alternative." If he actually has the cues maybe he will reconsider; if he has the money (or a decent job) he might pay you back. Once you have exausted these options (and documented everything from start to finish) go ahead and file the reports. Just understand that once you take that step getting the cues/money gets more complicated. If you have a good homeowners ins. policy you might want to call them to see if they will cover any of you loss. When you go the police route be prepared to hear this from both departments, "the crime actually occurred in X, you need to talk to them" or "the crimie actually occurred in Y, you need to talk to them." One reason that internet/mail crimes go unresolved so frequently is because the local law enforcement agencies sometimes don't understand the jurisdictional laws for these 'new' crimes so the natural reaction is to refer you to the other agency. Don't let that intimidate you. Be persistent. I can promise you that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Good luck.