I think I just got robbed..

[Amigamia]

Seriously, the correct thing to do is to contact *your* local police with all the info first.  They will call the appropriate police dept. in his/her area and will likely open a case.

Cool! I will do that, but for now I am going to try pick the item up (I'll ask a friend who lives closer) and if things go sour from there then I'll contact the local police.

[dreamcast270mhz]

Every craigslist sale page has anti-scam warnings plastered all over it

While I agree Moneygram and such is bad, using shipping w/ paypal is fine, as you have a record of everything you need to have someone who scams you nailed!

Sorry AmigaMia about the scam, next time use Paypal if you ship it, and what you should do is complain to the cops in Chesapeake, the VA cops don't put up with the crap this guy pulled. Good Luck

[Jose]

From the data that you have on him get the contacts of other members of his family and talk to them about it. Don't say he robbed you just mention he's taking too long to post the item and you plan on getting justice to take action if he is dishonest.

Hold on on physical retaliation or at least don't post in forums that you plan to do it, otherwise you might just get caught and then you're the one having problems with justice, even if you just plan on robbing him as he did to you.
Having someone or a bunch of friends pick it up for or with you is a good idea.

You should also consider that the guy could be watching these same forums:)

A few years ago a group of guys here on this site, including me, lost more than 300€ on an A1200 PPC card that was sold by some german guy to apparently a whole bunch of persons, probably around 10! We discussed the thing in the forum and someone ended up contacting the local police. IIRC the response came up almost a year later (maybe more, can't remember) and the authorities simply stated that he already had other problems with justice and they couldn't do anything about it. Completely frustrating.

[djrikki]

Open the phone book, find a pen and write down a pizza take-away near him and a taxi company.  Ring the pizza take-away place up, choose some really expensive food from the menu and give his name and address for delivery.
Wait half an hour, ring the taxi firm and book him a taxi somewhere.

Rinse and repeat.

[amigaksi]

Karma can be a bitch so legal action, no need.  The cost of something like that is more than your $50.  Chalk it up to the way it goes or if you know ninjutsu, silently sneak into his home one night and get your $50 back.  Or do something worse.  :hammer:

These crooks will get it 3 fold in the end as karma can be a tough cooky on those that are asses.

tj

Well, you get exactly the same pain back (not 3 fold) as karma is pain-exact.  Whatever suffering you cause to others comes back to you in the same exact amount of pain.  And consequently, you have to let nature and law take care of him and not take law or karma into your own hands to get back revenge as that builds up yet another reaction for you to suffer in the future.  Whatever suffering you cause back to him, you have to suffer that back as well although he will only suffer because he also deserves it.

[Lando]

Seriously, nobody's going to rob you and risk a fraud conviction and a criminal record for $50.  They could make that working a couple of hours in McDonalds.  It's risk vs reward.

It's probably just lost or delayed in the mail and the guy can't be bothered chasing it up for such a small amount of money.

[Amigamia]

Seriously, nobody's going to rob you and risk a fraud conviction and a criminal record for $50.  They could make that working a couple of hours in McDonalds.  It's risk vs reward.

It's probably just lost or delayed in the mail and the guy can't be bothered chasing it up for such a small amount of money.

True! That's a possibility. Believe me, I have thought of several reasons for it but what does it take to say it? He never replied saying: I sent it, It's in the mail, or whatever. I paid him and it all stopped. How can I assume that it is in the mail when he never confirmed it nor I have received the unit. Come on!! I must be smarter than that and not be so naive either.

I haven't done anything yet. I am trying to send a trusted friend who lives closer so I can secure the item first. If my friend goes there, knocks on the door and then I still get denied what is mine, then it will be the confirmation that I got robbed and proceed accordingly.

[mpiva]

Hold on on physical retaliation or at least don't post in forums that you plan to do it, otherwise you might just get caught and then you're the one having problems with justice, even if you just plan on robbing him as he did to you.
(

  Even if you don't plan to do it, it isn't wise to post ideas of physical retaliation in the forums.  On the off chance he gets robbed or vandalized by someone else through some random act of violence, you wouldn't want some investigation to find your joking posts and take them seriously, making you the primary suspect.

[Amigamia]

Wow this gets even more interesting. Now a friend of mine who lives about 60 miles from Greensboro is not answering to my question about going physically there to pick it up. On the other hand I actually found this guy on Facebook. Thinking that he wouldn't reply on Facebook either, I contacted two of the people who had his last name. I got a hold of his sister in law and his own brother and these are the responses:

Sister-in-law:

"i do not know how to contact him. sorry."

Brother:

"Vince,

He has a Facebook page as well. I don't really talk to him all that much and don't want to be involved in this. If you feel he has scammed you or has acted in an illegal manner, I suggest you take it up with the police.

Good luck in resolving this."

What an amazing family scam!!  All for $70 and an old Amiga 500.

Who's up for a reward? Who wants to be a bounty hunter?

[ffastback]

Wow this gets even more interesting. Now a friend of mine who lives about 60 miles from Greensboro is not answering to my question about going physically there to pick it up. On the other hand I actually found this guy on Facebook. Thinking that he wouldn't reply on Facebook either, I contacted two of the people who had his last name. I got a hold of his sister in law and his own brother and these are the responses:

Sister-in-law:

"i do not know how to contact him. sorry."

Brother:

"Vince,

He has a Facebook page as well. I don't really talk to him all that much and don't want to be involved in this. If you feel he has scammed you or has acted in an illegal manner, I suggest you take it up with the police.

Good luck in resolving this."

What an amazing family scam!!  All for $70 and an old Amiga 500.

Who's up for a reward? Who wants to be a bounty hunter?

I would not view this as a family scam.  How many dudes would readily suggest you call the police on their own brother?  It sounds more likely to me that these folks know he is a bit shady and don't want to be involved.  Would you want to call your brother about this if he was the type that probably steals from your wife's jewelry box when he is over for Thanksgiving dinner every year?

[ffastback]

Open the phone book, find a pen and write down a pizza take-away near him and a taxi company.  Ring the pizza take-away place up, choose some really expensive food from the menu and give his name and address for delivery.
Wait half an hour, ring the taxi firm and book him a taxi somewhere.

Rinse and repeat.

And then the poor pizza parlor and cabbie are out money.  How does that help?

[ffastback]

@Amigamia

Did you contact the police in his town yet?  If it is a small town they might actually bother to take a ride over to his house to inquire.  Even if they don't do anything it might help the next guy he rips off.

[Argo]

Did you file a complaint with eBay? Start the dispute process?

[Amigamia]

I would not view this as a family scam.  How many dudes would readily suggest you call the police on their own brother?  It sounds more likely to me that these folks know he is a bit shady and don't want to be involved.  Would you want to call your brother about this if he was the type that probably steals from your wife's jewelry box when he is over for Thanksgiving dinner every year?

HUH? What are you talking about? I didn't call the police on his own brother. I figured I would find another way to relay the message to him since he is not acknowledging my calls/emails. I kindly asked the brother to relay the message that I want my Amiga 500. Sounds like this person has a bit of a shady background if his own brother doesn't want to deal with it and is suggesting to call the police. I didn't know this until today which confirms that this guy is a scammer but a poor one because he left info about him all over internet.

[Amigamia]

@Amigamia

Did you contact the police in his town yet?  If it is a small town they might actually bother to take a ride over to his house to inquire.  Even if they don't do anything it might help the next guy he rips off.

Do you really believe that the police is going to knock on his door? Come on! Get real!

[Amigamia]

Did you file a complaint with eBay? Start the dispute process?

Unfortunately it was done via eBay. It was a purchase from craigslist via MoneyGram. Was only $70 but a double robbery because it was an Amiga computer.