Dennis7423 Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 All- This is model related, and I just need to vent a little bit, and ask for some assistance/guidance. At our local hobby shop this past weekend (Colpar's Hobby Town in Aurora, Colorado), I had a gentleman visit the table, along with a friend, who have purchased kits from me before. I've seen them many times, and we always have cordial conversation. He purchased one kit from my using cash ($70 for a Tamiya 1/48 F-4B), and wanted to also purchase an additional Tamiya 1/48 F-4B ($70). He did not have cash in hand for the second one, but there were other options available. I did not have my PayPal Here card reader with me, so I elected to log into my PayPal using my cell phone, and I created an invoice to him for the second F-4B kit. He advised he would create a PayPal, and then pay the invoice. I had him place his own e-mail address into the invoice, and I confirmed with him afterwards that it was correct. He said that it was. The invoice was sent, and he left with the kit. He later returned to the table and "purchased" a Hobby Boss 1/48 MV-22 kit ($80), and I sent him an additional invoice for the second kit. We enjoyed some cordial conversation, and then he walked away to enjoy other vendor tables. The event ended, and I packed up to go home. This was Saturday. By Monday, I had not received payment on the invoices, and had not heard from him. I then sent an e-mail to the e-mail address provided, and asked if he was having trouble paying the invoices, and if he was, that we could make other arrangements. I got a reply from my e-mail advising that he did not know what I was talking about, and had no idea what an F-4B was. I sent another reply asking if this person had a friend who built model airplanes that may have used his e-mail address, and I did not get any reply. The two invoices were then cancelled by the receiver (at the other e-mail address). I located a video from the swap meet, posted by one of the employees at the swap meet, and I was able to grab some screen shots of the male, and the friend he was with. I sent one of the screen shots to the e-mail address I had, and he replied, saying he had no idea who the male was in the photo. I've replied, asking him to confirm that this person did not have permission to use his e-mail address for a transaction, and that he could not use his likeness for a transaction. Still awaiting a reply. My next step is to go to the hobby shop and ask the staff if they recognize the male and know who he is, and to ask them to retain video surveillance from the swap meet at the time of the transaction at my vendor table (it's all under video surveillance). If the staff don't know him (and they seem to know all the regulars pretty well, myself included), I plan to go to the local IPMS meeting and ask around. I'm hoping to resolve this without getting law enforcement involved, but it's headed in that direction. He's looking at fraud charges, based on the information I've received from the fellow on the other end of the e-mail address. And, in case anyone is wondering, I am a cop, a Detective actually. Just didn't expect to be doing any "work" on my own issues. Am I wasting my time? Worthy pursuit? I just hate being taken advantage of. And I am confident I can find this guy using appropriate means. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA MikeC, BiggTim, TAG and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 Seems appropriate to me. For $160+ I would definitely pursue all the avenues you have outlined. D.B. Andrus, scvrobeson and kalashnikov-47 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 Yep, I'd pursue it, big time. D.B. Andrus and Out2gtcha 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggernut Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 Yep, get the cops involved. Video evidence is your friend. LSP_K2 and Out2gtcha 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daywalker Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 I would pursue it too (I'm not a cop, but respect you all). Chances are, if he did this to you he's either done it before and/or will do it again. Hopefully you can find him and put a stop to it. LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 I cant believe he used a real email actually. I thought he would have just made one up, then played stupid later if found out. Guess I wouldn't make a very good criminal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted November 9, 2021 Share Posted November 9, 2021 Good luck Dennis. Out2gtcha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggTim Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 I love the fact that he picked the perfectly WRONG person to rip off!!! Go get his arse, Dennis! D.B. Andrus and Uncarina 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weebles Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Hey neighbor, thanks for sharing your story. I also support finding this guy. Sure sounds like he set you up. If he does it to you, he'll do it to others. He probably has done it to others. If we can help, let us know. Dave Uncarina 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Dennis, First, thanks for sharing this. It’s bad news but gives us a heads-up, and I agree completely that using the resources you can to prevent this from happening to others and hopefully recovering your losses is the way to go. Keep us posted my friend! Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradG Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Just wait for the next swap meet, he'll be there almost guaranteed. LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxim61 Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 I'd pursue him using the Police. Something to remember is, never trust anyone when it comes to selling etc. No money , no honey. I hope you get the kits or the money from the dirtbag. LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis7423 Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 Fortunately folks, we have some resolution! He was at the swap meet with a friend, and we've seen them there several times over the years. Done several transactions. I had hoped that this was a misunderstanding, and not an intentional act (Several years ago, we had someone walk away with a Tamiya F-4J kit without paying for it, so these things do happen). His friend who was with him is a member here at LSP, and has reached out to me, assuring that his buddy is a standup guy, and is going to get us in touch to sort things out. Won't need to get the police involved (other than myself?), and I'm going to recoup my funds. Additionally, he gets to enjoy his kits! Everybody wins. Love this community. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA Fanes, TAG, Panzerwomble and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Molitor Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Good news to read Dennis. I was inn the camp with the rest until I read your last post. Keep us informed how it ends. BiggTim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzerwomble Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 (edited) Cool beans, glad this is getting resolved ....although slightly let down that there will be no "Dirty Harry" type response coming along ..... Edited November 10, 2021 by Panzerwomble TAG, LSP_K2 and BiggTim 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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