Sorry to hear about your transaction. I am new to photography and spend quite a bit of time looking at the for sale forums for extra lenses. I have lost a lot on 1 big internet transaction in another hobby. The guy ended up filing for bankruptcy and I didn't get anything back.
I live in Chicago, so if there is anything I can do to help, just let me know.
Hi Fred,
Firstly, I should thank you and others who are taking care of this great site, which is uniqe and very comprehensive in many aspects of photography.The community that you have attracted, is very professional and trustworthy.
I have previously purchased from members on this forum, and will do so without hesitation again, and would not allow the act of some illfated individual(s), tarnish the highly regared reputation of your site,your conviction, and well deserved trust among it's members.
I hope that those who lost the battle will eventually win the war and recover their loss.
I would also vote with others for the forum to be open and alive.
The Classified Forum is the best out there! Please don't remove. I have had good success and I see many others getting great deals. This section of your site rocks! One bad seed should not spoil it for the rest of us.
jason
jacobb wrote:
Creator
It was a side note. Someone on the other post mention it. I am a college student and am trying to get into photography. I was just posting an idea because it would be nice, not neccessary. I do not blame anyone for this. I have tons of proof that this "Tony Bacon" scammed me. I am not the only person, there were two other that got scammed as well. I just hope that I can get this guy.
Jacob Bongiovanni
Jacob-
I was sorry to read about your bad luck with the D60. I've also been following your efforts to track down the seller. I'm a bit curious what you intend to do should actually find him. It's clear he meant to defraud you - this isn't a case of him simply being out of touch or a bad emailer. In which case, I think your only legal recourse would be to take him to small claims court. Unfortunately, I have a feeling he's not going to show up to anything like that, either, and getting him to pay a judgement will be just as difficult.
I'm certainly not trying to discourage you, I just hope you have some sort of plan in mind just in case you do find him. If you know of a lawyer (family member, friend, old college buddy) who can spend 30 minutes on the phone with you, it may save you a lot of frustration down the line. Remember: you're already out $900, it's up to you decide how much more time and money you're willing to spend to try and recoup that.
I wish you the best of luck, and if there was anything I thought I could do to help you, I would!
-Alex
Edited by ToutSuite on Jul 05, 2003 at 07:34 AM GMT
QUATTRRO88 thanks for the offer to help in Chicago. You are the man.. Please bring that guy down and we will be happy as we do not like crooks. Please post picture of scene once you are done.
With the high profile of internet fraud these days (note: "profile" vs. high rate of incidents), even local police are very interested in the prosecution of these criminals. It sounds like several on this forum got taken; if it's a multiple offense, the local police will definitely be interested. Get together and take your case to the locals; it makes for good headlines for them.
The local police can subpeona PayPal and find where the money went once it was in the crook's PayPal account. Likely, it went to his bank account; with that (and his SSN), it's relatively easy for the police to find his address and employment.
Been lucky here, only one case of a bad deal and that was over a model number, not fraud. However, my rules: if over $100, only pay by credit card (even if using PayPal) and/or COD (however, that's still risky, as the crook could send a rock-in-the-box). Less than $100, I'm willing to take the risk.
Mancuso,
I just filed a formal complaint with the FBI yesterday night. I have filed a complaint with paypal and am trying to get his location in Chicago. I will definated late you know if I get him. Thanks for all the feedback.
Jacob Bongiovanni
Sounds like you are on the right track, I saw that someone posted the internet fraud FBI website earlier, which is a good starting point. You may also want to contact the appropriate authorities in Illinois (see website below). If you need anything picked-up/dropped off at a local police station, feel free to email me.
Now Fred has entered a warning against fraud - great effort.
Any news on tracking Bacon? Secret service agent of FBI might be active already. I hope you keep us posted to see how we could react in case it happens to others of us.
It is very sad that things like this happen. Ebay has become a nightmare and a game where you can win or easily loose. Ebay, in spite of warnings by the Federal Goverment has not done anything to solve the problem of frauds. Since they bought Palpal they could not care less. They are making their money and they could not care less about the problems consumers are having.
This is a nice forum Mr. Miranda and the majority of those here are very honest photographers and transactions take place daily without events. Useless to say that communication among members is excellent.
Do not let an isolated incident spoil the forum.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.
Addendum: I like the idea of registering the credit card to participate.
Fred Miranda wrote:
PS: I'm considering terminating this board...
Please don't do that, if at all possible. I don't know your legal liability, but it shouldn't be very much since you clearly absolve yourself and do not charge for the service. Although you can be scammed anywhere, including here, I think the ability to view posting histories, etc. of the people selling, see past transactions, plus being a "smaller" board (then some, anyway) makes it less of a target for scammers. All of this makes it a better place then many for buying and selling; of course no where (not even your local dealer) is proof against scammed, but I would hate to see this forum go. I have sold two things through here and it is one of my first choices to buy used equipment; especially since some of the active members have a little, errrr...."equipment churn"
I got taken by Bacon as well. I've done a bit of investigation work, but haven't finished up yet.
Also: DO try to reverse the charges via Paypal. Pay pal tells me that if you do not recieve the goods, you do not pay. Call and talk to their fraud group.
The original number I had for him was (312) 315-8115.
The guy might be still frequenting this site to see what you guys are up to in your investigations. I would not be leaving open specifics on how you are going after him. PM each other. Drury
Thank you for stating what should have been so obvious.
I hadn't thought of that before.
I still think of this forum as a little community of like minded people.
But, as this situation has sadly pointed out, it has been invaded by at least one who doesn't share the values of most of us.
Now it occured to me he may try, or have tried other methods as well.
I received an email from someone, I just figured to be a concerned fellow photographer, asking me what I was doing to get this guy.
Stupid me, not wanting to be rude, told him.
It was probably just a well wisher, but it could have, very well, been Tony. After all, new email addresses are very easy to come by.
Unfortunately, I deleted it so I can't ask if the others who were taken by this guy received one as well.
I, for one, won't be posting any more updates, unless, of course, I can say I got my money back.
Fraud is not going to go away. However, the lesson learned here is two things:
1. Never make transactions to unknown sellers like this using paypal account only with bank account funds or by using a bank routing number.
2. Never make transactions to unknown people especially when they are unverified.
3. Always make online payments using a credit card only unless you absolutely are sure the other person is legitimate (i.e. past history of good transactions, verified member, etc...)
Credit cards are 100% protected against fraud even when used through paypal. Simply call the credit card company and stop payment.
I know its a real bummer that you lost out on the deal, but in every instance i see of this, the participating buyer always seemed to overlook very obvious warning signs.
I'm in the process of chasing this guy too. I would not share the details here as this guy maybe still reading this forum. Email or PM me if you like to exchange ideas of getting him.
Just sent you PM coolmib. I'd like to get an email thread going with all (4? 5?) of us that got taken. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]
I second jsandfort on this. I recently did business with Jim Baker on these forums, and ended up with an excellent product at a great price. I am in the '95%' of honest transactions, and hope to have many more. It would be a shame if the entire FS/WTB board went down on account of one fraudulent poster.
Are you sure they have files on anythinh or do they just make us believe it as we watch tv anf movies>? 
