Scammers, you WILL be Caught

[TJP]

WARNING! Off-site contact information posted. Most scams occur off-site. Please contact members directly via EpicNPC chat. We do not investigate disputes if you communicate off-site.

Yesterday, I had the great displeasure of being scammed on Sythe.org. Sythe was down at the time, so when I did my background check on the user, I did not find results.

I bought a guide for $8, only to have the user sign off immediately after sending him the cash. Let me give everyone a time frame. I sent the payment at 10:30PM last night (EST). I went to bed at 12AM, woke up at 6:30AM, went to school, had practice until 5PM. (All Eastern) Within the two hours last night and the two hours this afternoon, I was able to find out the following information:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Parent's Names[*]Facebook Page[*]Highschool[*]Address (Confirmed within a 2mile radius of highschool location)[*]Landline Number[/list]

His name shall remain confidential, but I had a little call today and he easily refunded me within 10 seconds. Here is the MSN conversation that ensued shortly after:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Me says: (6:28:32 PM)
Hi

Scammer says: (6:29:28 PM)
u get it ?

Scammer says: (6:29:33 PM)
im gonna get u guide

Me says: (6:29:34 PM)
Yes.

Scammer says: (6:29:38 PM)
will u re-pay

Scammer says: (6:29:39 PM)
after i give

Me says: (6:29:43 PM)
Get me the guide.

Me says: (6:29:46 PM)
Let me tell you something kid.

Me says: (6:29:53 PM)
This is serious.

Scammer says: (6:29:58 PM)
sorry abuot that y-day my computer was being weird

Me says: (6:29:59 PM)
This is fraud.

Scammer says: (6:30:05 PM)
i had a virus and it was saved onto notepad

Scammer says: (6:30:09 PM)
and i had to re-set my computer

Me says: (6:30:11 PM)
Bud, you have multiple Sythe accounts.
Scammer says: (6:30:12 PM)
i lost all my documents

Me says: (6:30:17 PM)
I will give you the BOD

Scammer says: (6:30:20 PM)
BOD ?

Me says: (6:30:20 PM)
and allow you to resend it.

Me says: (6:30:24 PM)
Benefit of the Doubt.

Scammer says: (6:30:26 PM)
ok

Me says: (6:30:27 PM)
But let me tell you something.

Me says: (6:30:32 PM)
If I don't get the guide.

Me says: (6:30:36 PM)
I will have the police involved.

Me says: (6:30:39 PM)
and NEVER do this again.

Me says: (6:30:51 PM)
I was able to track you down, I even know what highschool you go to.

Scammer says: (6:30:54 PM)
ohk. ill get back to you. i have to go. like i said

Me says: (6:30:57 PM)
The internet is not a safe guard.

Me says: (6:31:01 PM)
Do you understand?

Scammer says: (6:31:17 PM)
yep . hwo did u get al my info though

Me says: (6:31:22 PM)
That's for me to know.

Me says: (6:31:23 PM)
Get me the guide.

Me says: (6:31:28 PM)
Email it to ***Censored***

Me says: (6:31:35 PM)
That's all you need to know.

Scammer says: (6:31:44 PM)
ALRIGHT
</div></div>

Moral of the Story:

If you think it's worth scamming, do realize the repercussions. With his location and information, I could've contacted his local police and filed a police report with evidence of his scam. He could've been charged with a FELONY at the age of 16. What is more detrimental would be his life after and possibly even in Highschool. Jobs and College Applications just don't meet requirements when there is a criminal record attached.

Internet Scamming vs. Reality:

Internet Scamming IS serious, and should be thought of as such:

Would you take $10 out of someone's pocket? Someone you never knew?
-Most would say No.

Now what difference does it make if there is a computer involved?
-None. As you can see, the internet leaves a really heavy footprint. I was able to dig up about 40 pages of google references to this very same person, with about 25+ forums he is registered to. Thanks to the help of a Sythe admin, I was able to pinpoint a location with two of my original options, without any breach of the privacy policy over at Sythe.

Above all, the interaction is horrible. Once I reminded him of our deal from yesterday evening, I could hear the shiver up his spine. Everyone knows that feeling: desperation, anxiety, helplessness, powerless, guilty.

Don't become one of these people. Although I don't like doing it, I will do whatever it takes to seek justice, and in this case, I had it easy.

 

[hamish123212]

All for 8 dollars ?

u did all that for 8 dollars ?

 

[TJP]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hamish123212</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All for 8 dollars ?

u did all that for 8 dollars ? </div></div>

Stealing is stealing. It is wrong. And he has done this to countless users, so the $5-$10 does add up.

Imagine what I would do for $100.

 

[hamish123212]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hamish123212</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All for 8 dollars ?

u did all that for 8 dollars ? </div></div>

Stealing is stealing. It is wrong. And he has done this to countless users, so the $5-$10 does add up.

Imagine what I would do for $100.</div></div>

Yea , i admire your detrmination

over 8 dollars

, GL with what ever it is your doing to get justice

 

[TJP]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hamish123212</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hamish123212</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All for 8 dollars ?

u did all that for 8 dollars ? </div></div>

Stealing is stealing. It is wrong. And he has done this to countless users, so the $5-$10 does add up.

Imagine what I would do for $100.</div></div>

Yea , i admire your detrmination

over 8 dollars

, GL with what ever it is your doing to get justice

</div></div>

For now, it will just most likely stay at this. I may escalate it to his parents, and I have asked Paypal to escalate his account for investigation, but I personally don't want to pursue police in the matter. Even if it is a slap on the wrist, any little possible charge could really be harmful to him. I think the fact that he knew what I was capable of because of his scam was terrifying enough.

Funny part is that he said on the phone that his computer came down with a "virus, and that he had to format the drive right then and there to fix it - thus wiping all text documents"

 

[hamish123212]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hamish123212</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

All for 8 dollars ?

u did all that for 8 dollars ? </div></div>

Stealing is stealing. It is wrong. And he has done this to countless users, so the $5-$10 does add up.

Imagine what I would do for $100.</div></div>

Yea , i admire your detrmination

over 8 dollars

, GL with what ever it is your doing to get justice

</div></div>

For now, it will just most likely stay at this. I may escalate it to his parents, and I have asked Paypal to escalate his account for investigation, but I personally don't want to pursue police in the matter. Even if it is a slap on the wrist, any little possible charge could really be harmful to him. I think the fact that he knew what I was capable of because of his scam was terrifying enough.

Funny part is that he said on the phone that his computer came down with a "virus, and that he had to format the drive right then and there to fix it - thus wiping all text documents"

Sounds pretty dodgey dude , yea i think going 2 the police over 8 bucks is a bit extreme , but talking 2 his parents is what id do , just so there aware of what is happening inside there house.

 

[dudedafool]

Don't listen to hamish, TJP.
Really admire what you did, and grats on scaring the hell out of him, haha!
Doing what you did, hopefully, will him the error of his ways and he won't continue to do this at life and possibly make him a contributing member of society.

 

[TJP]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dudedafool</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't listen to hamish, TJP.
Really admire what you did, and grats on scaring the hell out of him, haha!
Doing what you did, hopefully, will him the error of his ways and he won't continue to do this at life and possibly make him a contributing member of society.</div></div>

I had a follow-up chat with him today. He is a young kid, and after having talked with him, I came to the conclusion that he began scamming because others have scammed him out of over $100. I gave him a few tips on how to deal with only legitimate people, as well as asked him to refund those he has scammed in the past. While I cannot confirm the results, he has promised not to commit any more scams. If I do catch him, I will talk to his parents and possibly police enforcement.

His card has been used.

 

[atraill]

Banned - failed to resolve scam thread - http://www.epicnpc.com/scammers/448007-atraill-bought-leveling-services-but-never-paid.html

Job well done!

Got what he deserved, hate that people believe they can use the internet to steal in safety.

 

[Ace Logan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dudedafool</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't listen to hamish, TJP.
Really admire what you did, and grats on scaring the hell out of him, haha!
Doing what you did, hopefully, will him the error of his ways and he won't continue to do this at life and possibly make him a contributing member of society.</div></div>

I had a follow-up chat with him today. He is a young kid, and after having talked with him, I came to the conclusion that he began scamming because others have scammed him out of over $100. I gave him a few tips on how to deal with only legitimate people, as well as asked him to refund those he has scammed in the past. While I cannot confirm the results, he has promised not to commit any more scams. If I do catch him, I will talk to his parents and possibly police enforcement.

His card has been used.</div></div>

Good job.

Unfortunately, this is how a lot of scammers start it seems.

 

[hamish123212]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ace Logan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dudedafool</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't listen to hamish, TJP.
Really admire what you did, and grats on scaring the hell out of him, haha!
Doing what you did, hopefully, will him the error of his ways and he won't continue to do this at life and possibly make him a contributing member of society.</div></div>

I had a follow-up chat with him today. He is a young kid, and after having talked with him, I came to the conclusion that he began scamming because others have scammed him out of over $100. I gave him a few tips on how to deal with only legitimate people, as well as asked him to refund those he has scammed in the past. While I cannot confirm the results, he has promised not to commit any more scams. If I do catch him, I will talk to his parents and possibly police enforcement.

His card has been used.</div></div>

Good job.

Unfortunately, this is how a lot of scammers start it seems.

</div></div>

Yea , that what it seems.

 

[blightted]

At least you are not like the Repo man for GeneCo = ], some humanity is def needed, and you showed it.

 

[TJP]

Well, unluckily for him... I found out that he is doing this again under a different user. So I guess all there's left to do is file the police report. Guess he's just a scammer for good.

 

[dudedafool]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, unluckily for him... I found out that he is doing this again under a different user. So I guess all there's left to do is file the police report. Guess he's just a scammer for good. </div></div>

You should probably give the landline a phone call and have chit chat with some parents if he still lives at home as well as the police.

 

[TJP]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dudedafool</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, unluckily for him... I found out that he is doing this again under a different user. So I guess all there's left to do is file the police report. Guess he's just a scammer for good. </div></div>

You should probably give the landline a phone call and have chit chat with some parents if he still lives at home as well as the police. </div></div>

Yep, I'll wait until my vacation is over...

 

[dudedafool]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dudedafool</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, unluckily for him... I found out that he is doing this again under a different user. So I guess all there's left to do is file the police report. Guess he's just a scammer for good. </div></div>

You should probably give the landline a phone call and have chit chat with some parents if he still lives at home as well as the police. </div></div>

Yep, I'll wait until my vacation is over... </div></div>

Hawt, where are you vacationing at?

 

[TJP]

Florida with my team for some practice

.

 

[dudedafool]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Florida with my team for some practice

. </div></div>

What's your Pong team name

 

[TJP]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dudedafool</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Florida with my team for some practice

. </div></div>

What's your Pong team name

</div></div>

Haha, more like tennis .

 

[maskofdj-Account closed]

Nice what part of florida eh

 

[TJP]

Orlando

 

[maskofdj-Account closed]

enjoy im about 3 to 4 hours south of orlando

 

[blightted]

Nice my pals live in west palm...I am going to be living out there next month = ]

 

[TJP]

Funny thing is, I'm not too very far from the scammer himself lives. Thinking about paying him a visit.

 

[dudedafool]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Funny thing is, I'm not too very far from the scammer himself lives. Thinking about paying him a visit. </div></div>

That would be veryyyyyy youtube worthy!

 

[blightted]

You should most def get a video of it.

 

[maskofdj-Account closed]

That would be funny , Just be careful

 

[dudedafool]

Mask, you should go with TJP, you guys can dress as Team Ramrod.
That would bring lots of giggles to this forum board!

 

[maskofdj-Account closed]

That would be funny, yes. But I dont have a good car to drive to orlando lol

 

[DarkDeserter]

With a bit of commonsense and interwebz knowledge, you can easily do this to a person. I've managed to do it to a couple of people, it's always quiet funny. So many variables when you do try to do this though... although having access to some certain things (as staff do) I'm sure it makes it easier ._.

 

[dudedafool]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DarkDeserter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With a bit of commonsense and interwebz knowledge, you can easily do this to a person. I've managed to do it to a couple of people, it's always quiet funny. So many variables when you do try to do this though... although having access to some certain things (as staff do) I'm sure it makes it easier ._. </div></div>


He found this out before being a mod, and last I checked you don't put any real personal info when you create an account besides your name and age.

 

[TJP]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dudedafool</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DarkDeserter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With a bit of commonsense and interwebz knowledge, you can easily do this to a person. I've managed to do it to a couple of people, it's always quiet funny. So many variables when you do try to do this though... although having access to some certain things (as staff do) I'm sure it makes it easier ._. </div></div>


He found this out before being a mod, and last I checked you don't put any real personal info when you create an account besides your name and age. </div></div>

I don't have access to IP addresses, and I only asked the Sythe admin if the kid lived in the US versus Canada (my two guesses - Canada because he had some sort of huge Canadian soccer obsession) ... Since it was such a general question, he was able to answer without violating their privacy policies and I found him

.

 

[btraill]

WARNING! Off-site contact information posted. We do not investigate disputes if you communicate off-site.

Data mining doesn't require a PhD. Nor does it usually require much start-off information. Merely an e-mail can easily be found attached to a Facebook account, then, leading to a full name, school, phone number, etc.

It's all logic. As probationary moderators of this site, we don't have much access. Even with said access, we can't abuse it.

 

[Melter]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hamish123212</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All for 8 dollars ?

u did all that for 8 dollars ?</div></div> Hey Thats enough for a Subway Sandwich!

lmao

 

[DarkDeserter]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
It's all logic. As probationary moderators of this site, we don't have much access. Even with said access, we can't abuse it.</div></div>
Bscly what I said. I figured you guys would have some normal moderation rights.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dudedafool</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
He found this out before being a mod, and last I checked you don't put any real personal info when you create an account besides your name and age.</div></div>
Read the posts below yours. Epic fail @ being a smart [censored].

 

[TJP]

ok fair is fair u got me
I got hacked out fo my only account and wa spissed and did soemthign stupid
can I jsut return his account and be done?

Another one bites the dust...

This story had a silver lining as the person made a silly mistake that he has corrected.

However, I was able to get his lifestory in the search.

Don't let this be you . I will find you .

 

[TJP]

Almost forgot this one! This one goes back to April 17th... one of my most fabulous AIM archive trophies...



I got some lovely information on this kid... address, neighbors, mother; all the goods!

 

[TJP]

This one gave me a lot of crap on May 17th...

This is what I woke up to on the 18th...



As always, the usernames are kept anonymous for identity purposes.

 

[TJP]

I will be taking a small number of requests at a time to help users find scammers' contact information, along with any information I can uncover. I will require any and all information that you currently have on a user, and will ask that you give me patience as this is volunteer work and it does take time in most cases.

Please IM me for more information.

Thanks.

 

[RoyalPowerleveling]

Banned - scammer

TJP, if possible contact me on AIM when you're available. That $155 sent to that kid somehow got through to him, despite the dispute. I'd LOVE to find out more about him.

Thanks.

 

[TJP]

Please shoot me IM requests to my AIM with some template-style text including any information you have:

Name:
Location:
E-mail Address:
Aliases:
Telephone Numbers:

etc. etc.

Include anything you think is valuable to the hunt!

Thought I might include this while I'm here as well...

I was recently able to help another user build up evidence for a police report he may choose to file on his or her own time... however, as I will not disclose exact details for privacy concerns, I do want to make it clear that not only was I able to find out who and where this person lived... I was able to find out who his wife was, his three children, and had enough information to give the police no trouble in convincing a judge a warrant for his arrest.

 

[Yamz]

I don't see your AIM listed anywhere.

 

[TJP]

Hey Yamz, I'm sorry this is so late. My AIM is found by clicking the little AIM icon under my name/feedback score.

Just wanted to update on some news that I got today. I was able to help a user track a scammer who presented an entirely fake identity and location. Needless to say that Europe is not very fond of internet scamming. More information in a few days.

 

[Iamdone]

I really don't think the police will take it seriously over 8$ .I know that if the ammount involves 3000$ I think you can get the FBI involved regardless of where in the world.That's why russian scammers don't deal with anything more than computers etc.
But anyway good luck with him.

 

[Iamdone]

Btw after reading all of this I can really tell you that what your saying is wrong.
Law officers don't get involved over wow accounts trust me.
I have a similar story that happened to me I bought a stolen account of a british loser I wired him 300 euro for it.
I played the account for a week before it got recalled by the original owner.
I got everything on him.Everything.I had his name and number so I just worked from there found his work phone found out he got fired earlier.Got his ID his fiancees ID and their current address.
Afterwards you come to realise that there really isn't much to do.Filled a police report they didn't take it seriously saying that it was out of their jurisdiction.(no ****) .
So unless I was willing to go on a badmouthing his name there really is nothing to do.
Sure in the US you got it easy if someone scams you out of 400$ and he lives in Florida might as well go there as a vacation and to find that sorry ***.

PS: I emailed his ID and his fiancees ID to about 500 people back in the time but they were really losers they didnt care one bit.
Anyway just my 2 cents.

I suggest filling something with IC3.ORG if enough people file complaints they might take it seriously.

 

[TJP]

Actually, you'd be surprised about what the authorities get involved in. I recently had someone IM me that he had filed a police report and had the police walk to the scammer's door and finally kicked him into gear to resolve the situation. No, they wouldn't waste their time when there is more important stuff to do at the time, but they certainly look at the main perspective that we see: someone bought a product, virtual or not, and paid; and received a faulty good or none at all.

Saying they don't get involved over WoW accounts would mean that they never get involved in eBay sales as well, since it is a very similar auction environment. No, it might not be a few thousand dollars, but if someone can file a police report for not getting a $5 keychain over eBay, they certainly can for handing over $400 for an account they never got.

As for international boundaries, that's more tricky and beyond my knowledge. I don't claim to know any international pursuits other than an IC3 report an possibly an internet crime clause that makes internet crime (scamming, phishing, etc.) illegal no matter what borders you cross with data.

As for my personal story, I wouldn't have filed a police report on the kid for $8. I said I could but it was much easier just speaking to his parents and getting the refund.

 

[Albert Wesker]

Banned - accessed another members account - jollieanneaux

Criminally, there isn't much you can do unless they have done it to a bunch of people. Usually it doesn't become a big claim either unless the dollar amount exceeds 1k+. The main reason is simply due to that a detective has other larger cases he needs to handle.

Civilly however there is a lot of things you can do to people who scam you. Only reason people don't do it in our industry is the cost, and time you have to put into actually doing it.

 

[TJP]

Criminally, there isn't much you can do unless they have done it to a bunch of people. Usually it doesn't become a big claim either unless the dollar amount exceeds 1k+. The main reason is simply due to that a detective has other larger cases he needs to handle.

Civilly however there is a lot of things you can do to people who scam you. Only reason people don't do it in our industry is the cost, and time you have to put into actually doing it.

^ Good explanation.

 

[workinghardbee]

I hate the scammers so much , they should be sent to hell

 

[GUniTPimp]

Banned - spammer - http://vbforums.mmobay.net/scammers/397848-scammer-gunitpimp-3.html

Well after reading your story TJP i dont know if i should laugh or cry but then again there is 320 million americans , a great deal of thoose is bound to be inbred retardet ****s, sorry but yes thats how i feel.

And when it comes to internet crimes like fraud with virtual items, there is nothing the police can do really, not in Denmark anyhow and not in other parts of the world either, the item is virtual, the seller does not have to by law save any emails or whatever he might have sent to the buyer with the informations regarding the account he bought or whatever.

So personally, the internet is like candy to professional online scammers, you can't stop them and never will be able to, and BRAVO TJP you caught a kid who doesn't have any experience in scamming and thats why you found all his information.