View Full Version : Documentation of an online theft with multiple victims


Pages : [1] 2

Gage Luce
October 12th, 2005, 02:57 PM
im selling a sony vx700 i aquired from a friend, for 150 bucks or best offer i need to sell it asap cause i am moving back to phoenix arizona i am currently in boise idaho it is in working condition all though i lost the battery and charger (the vx1000 battery and charger does fit it) great for a back up camera and second angles soooooooo thats partly why i am selling it so cheap its a 1ccd mini dv camera for those of you who dont know if you are interested

send email to Gage805@gmail.com or leave a message on here

Alecks Purifoy
October 16th, 2005, 01:19 PM
e-mail sent!

yay!

Tommy Haupfear
October 16th, 2005, 02:58 PM
Great price on a solid built cam!

Here is a pic of a VX700 I found on Google. The VX700 is on the left and the VX1000 on the right.

http://www.pressroom.sony.net/global/mile/images/1995_09_DCRVX.JPG

Alecks Purifoy
October 16th, 2005, 03:05 PM
im a huge fan of the vx-1000 i shot with one many a moons ago...

so the vx-700 is a single chip?

Gage Luce
October 16th, 2005, 08:55 PM
if you are interested, please Message me on AIM my sn is GageLuce and if you have msn add me GL805@hotmail.com, i need the money by thursday cause i need to buy a plane ticket for it back home i am currently stuck in boise idaho!! and i hate it here and yes the vx700 is a single chip it is in fine working condition

Gage Luce
October 16th, 2005, 10:28 PM
Item Is Sold!!!!

Gage Luce
October 18th, 2005, 07:59 PM
well the person that was gonna buy it doesnt have the money, so its still with me and i have lowered the price to 120 so if you are interested please please please....reply its a 1chip mini dv camera, it has only a charger....thats why im selling it cheap a battery you can buy on ebay for pretty cheap 20 bucks or so....i need the money super bad im supposed to fly to phoenix on thursday and dont have enough for my ticket its in fine working condition, i had it for about 3 months and filmed with it very little...then i got a vx2000 and the vx700 just sat around and i havent used it since so instant message me on aim GageLuce if you are interested

Jon French
October 19th, 2005, 12:00 PM
Ill take it, email me at jonfrenchvideo@yahoo.com and we will work out the payment deal

Jon French
November 4th, 2005, 10:29 AM
Hey you ever going to send that camera to TRi? or are you just going to keep his money?

Alecks Purifoy
November 4th, 2005, 02:45 PM
wait a second,

i bought this camera for 150 and ive been waiting...

their better be a good explanation for this

i smell bullshit.

Alecks Purifoy
November 4th, 2005, 02:50 PM
still haven't received....

Chris Hurd
November 4th, 2005, 07:28 PM
Alecks, when I am back in my office this weekend, I will be contacting you about this and we'll see if we can get this situation resolved.

Chris Hurd
November 4th, 2005, 07:30 PM
Alecks, please contact me about this by email... chris at dvinfo.net

Alecks Purifoy
November 5th, 2005, 12:34 AM
e-mail sent Chris, thanks for your concern

Chris Hurd
November 5th, 2005, 08:57 PM
Hey you ever going to send that camera to TRi? or are you just going to keep his money?For Jon French:

Who or what is "TRi" -- please contact me by private email, chris at dvinfo.net as I am investigating this. Thanks in advance,

Jon French
November 6th, 2005, 11:50 PM
TRi is my friend who sent him money for this camera two weeks ago. He will be contacting you soon.

Chris Hurd
November 7th, 2005, 06:45 AM
Thanks Jon, I have heard from him. Looks like there were two victims of this scam. Perhaps we need to send our Goon Squad to pay this guy a visit... and just a reminder to our members, never ever use Western Union to send money. When a seller insists on a wire transfer, that's your first indication that something fishy is going on.

This guy claimed that "he needed the money fast for an airline ticket," well that is his emergency not yours, that is his problem which has no bearing on you. I think we need to revise our policies regarding this forum... thinking about restricting "for sale" items to those members with over 100 or so posts and several months of membership.

Jon French
November 9th, 2005, 08:48 AM
I know on alot of boards you have to have over 50 posts to post in forsale. 100 is pretty high, I'm on the board a fair amount and I have no where near that. I told him it sounded kind of fishy. You wouldnt happen to be able to give us his address would you?

Ryan Baker
November 9th, 2005, 10:11 AM
I can appreciate the effort being made to protect members. But requiring 50 or 100 posts would be limiting to me when I want to sell an item.

I've been a member since March 2004 and read nearly every day. However, I usually only login when I'm going to post a reply. My posts are few, but I try to help when I can and not waste peoples time when I can't.

Some members would get credit for a 'bump' or an 'off topic post' where I just try to keep my mouth shut.

Aren't there other solutions to this problem?

Alecks Purifoy
November 9th, 2005, 10:47 AM
im glad i sent him the money pay-pal....

but now im dealing with their endless red tape

im pretty disappointed now, i was looking forward to that cam...

Alecks Purifoy
November 9th, 2005, 03:07 PM
I don't want what happened to me to happen to other DV info users. But also i don't want any kind of for-sale restrictions either...

Buyers should just use more common sense than i did....

Steve Olds
November 9th, 2005, 06:40 PM
Hey I will be laid off here in Missouri in Dec. Need help on the goon squad? I have a set of wheels if you need a wheel man!!! I hate to see this happen seems you can't trust some people these days.

Alecks Purifoy
November 10th, 2005, 12:00 AM
he gave me a bunk phone number that i just tried calling....

and the address is likely not his.. but their are 5 people with "Luce" with a last name in Bosie who will be receiving a letter from my lawyer... who lucky for me is my brother.

150 dollars doesn't sound like a lot of money, but it is to me... I just got an opportunity to shoot a documentary and wanted to do so with this VX700. I guess thats the reason i jumped on it as quick as i did. This was such a blatant scam... i feel so had.

Any help tracking this punk down would be much appreciated!

And help finding me a solid camera would be nice too!

Thanks for the support every one...

Ill keep the community posted

Jon French
November 10th, 2005, 12:32 PM
If you find out his location and everything let us know so we can get my friends money back also.

Mike Teutsch
November 10th, 2005, 01:02 PM
Alecks,

What happened to you should never happen to anyone, especially here.

What kind of documentary are you ready to film? Maybe I can help,as I have extra cameras. I'll email you. Best of luck in finding this guy and I'm ready to fly there and help you bring this guy to justice.

Mike

Edit: Your email is not available, so email me. Mine is working fine.

Mike

Lorinda Norton
November 10th, 2005, 02:08 PM
Shoot, I live just fifteen miles from Boise. If ya need anything, Alecks, let me know!

As for a "goon squad," I could round up some help in a heartbeat!! ;)

Alecks Purifoy
November 10th, 2005, 02:30 PM
Wow, thanks a lot guys!

Here is an update on the legal side... of course this is if pay-pal doesn't refund me.

It looks like when ever I find him we can take him to small claims court or request restitution via subpoena. But if this address ends up being bunk, and because I live in a different state, I will go ahead and push for federal fraud charges. If he is a minor his parents will have to fill his place for any of these charges, and things will get messy... very messy. If the fraud charges are pressed, we will be able to take this to civil court or make a state claim.
Im very lucky to say my older brother is a lawyer... and hopefully he can help lay the justice upon this douche-bag

Of course this can all be avoided if he just gives me my 150 dollars back. I could relay use it.


Thanks again for the help, and i made my e-mail available for the forum users.

Alecks

Mike Teutsch
November 10th, 2005, 03:54 PM
Shoot, I live just fifteen miles from Boise. If ya need anything, Alecks, let me know!

As for a "goon squad," I could round up some help in a heartbeat!! ;)

Goon Squad, sounds good to me. I've been called that before, or was that Moron? Oh well, always looking for any excuse to go to Idaho to see my lovely friend Lorinda!

Mike

Alecks Purifoy
November 10th, 2005, 06:41 PM
When i yell "Goon Squad! Assemble!" will all of you guys interconnect to create a gigantic XL1 shaped robot that shall thwart the evil doers of DV INFO?

Alecks Purifoy
November 11th, 2005, 02:17 PM
Maybe you guys can stick him on your buddy list

his aim is GageLuce

he blocked me, of course, but i assume he still signs on occasionally

Lorinda Norton
November 11th, 2005, 02:43 PM
Not sure about that robot, Alecks, but there are lots of us here who don't take kindly to "evil doers." :)

Besides the five you found listed in Boise there are many more in the other connected towns. Want me to call down the list and ask if he's related before that letter hits 'em? Or would that be tipping him off? Lol! ;)

Alecks Purifoy
November 11th, 2005, 02:50 PM
hahhaha, oh the goon squad how i love you

im letting pay-pal go thru their little process and if i dont get refunded i will switch gears to the legal side

Ryan Reyes
November 11th, 2005, 06:50 PM
Sorry to read about this situation Alecks.

Unfortunately, I don't think paypal will refund you. I was in a similar predicament where I paid via paypal and the seller never sent the item. I went through the entire paypal claims process, and the seller was found at fault. So I was waiting to get a refund, when paypal told me they couldn't refund me because the seller's paypal account was empty. It's obvious he was smart enough to withdraw his funds before the process was over.

Sorry, don't mean to add to this already sad story.

I hope it all works out for you.

Alecks Purifoy
November 11th, 2005, 11:29 PM
Im prepared for the bad news, i didnt buy it on ebay so im not protected by their buyers safety policy or what ever

Steve Olds
November 13th, 2005, 12:53 PM
People get burnt on ebay also. I dought ebay would help if you had been burnt on a scam at ebay. I could be wrong.

Kin Kwan
November 13th, 2005, 10:46 PM
Haha I can't believe this. I actually 'bought' the camcorder from him, too. It's been about 4 weeks and still no cam. I did have luck reaching him and his roommate by phone the day he was supposed to send it out, but of course the line hasn't been working since then.

I knew it was kind of fishy from the beginning, but I was able to talk to him through AIM and on the phone, so I was convinced to lay down the $130. I guess I was spoiled by the fact that I've seen a lot of people buy/sell on this board with no problems (myself included). I also agree that we need some sort of rules regarding the selling of this stuff on the board.

I still kept his emails, phone #, address, and the pictures he sent me of the camcorder. If ya'll need help in getting this guy, let me know on how I can help.

Chris Hurd
November 14th, 2005, 05:59 AM
So now we have a third buyer involved? Did anybody else have contact with the seller? This incident gets nastier by the minute, it seems.

Steve Olds
November 14th, 2005, 01:32 PM
How about his ISP? I was told at one time this could be used to track a person down. Call the computer police.

Alecks Purifoy
November 14th, 2005, 09:00 PM
Thats not a bad idea steve, but i would have to contact his ISP and i have no idea who his ISP is.

Aanarav Sareen
November 14th, 2005, 11:38 PM
Thats not a bad idea steve, but i would have to contact his ISP and i have no idea who his ISP is.
Chris should have his IP address and you can track it back from there. If you need any help, please let me know. I have done a lot of this (greedy hackers!)

Chris Hurd
November 15th, 2005, 05:40 AM
I will forward the IP information and anything else on this guy to Alecks... he really needs to be caught. I feel like our reputation is at stake here. In a way I got burned too.

Jon French
November 15th, 2005, 05:59 PM
If you would be nice enough to forward that information to me also I would appreciate it.

Alecks Purifoy
November 15th, 2005, 05:59 PM
As of 5:59 PM Central

he is on-line on aol instant messenger as Gage Luce

Alecks Purifoy
November 15th, 2005, 09:59 PM
I was able to contact him on aol instant messenger today thru a third party and eventually firsthand.

Here is a transcript thru the intermediary

matt: alecks purifoy says "dude i found out ware you live, i contacted your isp. Its possible i can press federal charges. Remember my brother is a lawyer, he has your address too... its not a big deal if you just send my money back ill forget about this whole thing." he wants you to unblock him to sort out your issue.

matt: he says. "150 dollars is more than enough to go to civil court for since im out of state i could drag this farther than i think you understand .... if i dont get my money back soon expect a letter from my laywer, we will be contacting your parents as well"

GageLuce: tell him that i couldnt get his money out of paypal, and his camera is coming he is just gonna have to wait til i get paid on friday tell him im sorry for the inconveinence and that i didnt mean for this to happen i would have shipped it if i got the money out but i never could get it out

GageLuce: oh and not this friday i get paid but the 25th is my first check and ill send it express shipping that day

matt: can you unblock him and contact him via aim. he would like to discuss the issue with you.



He did get ahold of me... here is that transcript..



Connecting to GageLuce…

GageLuce: yo man

Alecks: allright dude

GageLuce: sorry bout all this you camera is on its way

Alecks: their is a level of uncoolness

GageLuce: i just never could get the money out of paypal

GageLuce: yeah i understand

Alecks: and you have surpassed it

GageLuce: i never meant for this to happen dude

Alecks: what about the other people who paied for it

GageLuce: no one else paid for it

GageLuce: they said they wanted it and were gonna send the money and never did i never got any other payments from another soul and i swear to god

GageLuce: bear with me til the 25th and iull ship it out thats the best i can do man

GageLuce: cause i dont get paid til then

Alecks: Kin Kwan

GageLuce: i have no idea who the f*** that is

Alecks: Begin quote from DVinfo"Haha I can't believe this. I actually 'bought' the camcorder from him, too. It's been about 4 weeks and still no cam. I did have luck reaching him and his roommate by phone the day he was supposed to send it out, but of course the line hasn't been working since then.
I knew it was kind of fishy from the beginning, but I was able to talk to him through AIM and on the phone, so I was convinced to lay down the $130. I guess I was spoiled by the fact that I've seen a lot of people buy/sell on this board with no problems (myself included). I also agree that we need some sort of rules regarding the selling of this stuff on the board.
I still kept his emails, phone #, address, and the pictures he sent me of the camcorder. If ya'll need help in getting this guy, let me know on how I can help."
"TRi is my friend who sent him money for this camera two weeks ago. He will be contacting you soon." EndQuote"
(their is a long pause)
6:15 PM

Alecks: dude this could be a big deal for you....

Alecks:like huge.

GageLuce: nah dude he never sent shit i remember that dude and i talked to him about it before you, he said he was going to send it i waited and waited til the last minute and i couldnt wait anymore i needed the money to get home

Alecks: like triple felony

Alecks: i bought another camera allready

GageLuce: aight well i can still send this one to you

Alecks: just transfer the money back to me on pay-pal

GageLuce: your getting the camera ill send it out

Alecks: why did you give me a bunk phone number?

Alecks: i didnt give you a bunk phone number

GageLuce: that was my phone number til it got shut off

Alecks: this is sooooo sketchy

GageLuce: i have been phoneless and computer less for almost a month now

GageLuce: my computer got a virus

GageLuce: i have been using the library computers dude

Alecks: just send my money back

GageLuce: it wont be til i get paid

Alecks: send me the money in paypal you cant get out

GageLuce: dude when you did that shit to my paypal it froze it i cant use it at all

Alecks: do the resoluion thing, its their for a reason,
explane your self and refund me
seriously, its easy

Alecks: you might want to explain your self on DVInfo
6:30 PM

Alecks: well..im expecting 150 to pop up in my pay-pal any min
GageLuce has gone offline.


Well.... still no 150 in my paypal

Kin Kwan
November 15th, 2005, 10:58 PM
"GageLuce: nah dude he never sent shit i remember that dude and i talked to him about it before you, he said he was going to send it i waited and waited til the last minute and i couldnt wait anymore i needed the money to get home"

Hmm....his story would sound believable but he's lying right there. On the day he was supposed to ship the camera off to me, he was supposed to call and tell me the tracking number and I would give him the reference number for the money, but he never called. (This was arranged the night before and I even called him to confirm that I sent the money) I ended up calling him that night and his roommate picked up saying that Gage sent the camera off in the morning. I told his roommate to tell Gage to call me back, which he never did. When I tried calling the next day, the line was already cut off.

Jon French
November 15th, 2005, 11:33 PM
I don't think this kid has any idea how serious this situation is. I mean granted $150 isnt to much but through all three of us he is up to $450 maybe more cause of shipping.


and also alecks could you send me the info on him(address, phone number, ect.)

Chris Hurd
November 16th, 2005, 07:32 AM
Alecks, could you ask your brother to contact me please, or send me his email address. For Jon I will forward that IP info hopefully tonight to you and Alecks (been very busy around here lately, sorry for the delay).

Steve Olds
November 16th, 2005, 07:34 AM
A good con man can always make a bad thing sound like everything is working out for the good. "The check is in the mail" That is how they work and do it so good. It is always someone else that is causing problems, and they are always on your side trying to make things right but PayPal or what ever he can come up with to stall you he will use. Like get paid next week, Pal Pal frooze my money or what ever. I work with a guy just like this and they live this way all day long and BELIVE in them selfs and make it work so good. The stories will get better and better. next he will be sick or in a car wreck some reason to stall while he runs to cover tracks. Hang on! Good luck Steve

Alecks Purifoy
November 17th, 2005, 01:07 AM
Ill find out if i get my refund on friday, it looks like i wont the dispute on pay-pal.....

if i didnt, no new cam for me for a while. and a law suit for him.

Alecks Purifoy
November 19th, 2005, 02:36 PM
he bailed all of his money out of his pay-pal account....

im so pissed, i wanted another camera so bad.

F*** this kid, and every thing he stands for.