I recently replied to a "For Sale" posting of a S&W Model 632UC revolver in the classified section of the Ruger forum. After numerous PM's, I sent the seller, Christopher Blackmon (AKA VictorLouis) a USPS money order in the amount of $450 via certified mail on 10-7-25. The payment was signed for on 10-11-25 and the USPS has verified that the money order has been cashed. After I sent numerous text messages & PM's through the forum, nothing but radio silence. The local (destination of payment) police & sheriff's department, plus the USPS postal inspectors have told me there's nothing that can be done. I consider the $450 the cost of tuition. JMHO & YMMV
ANOTHER SCAMMER STRIKES
- Thread starter Martyk
- Start date
Is this person on here? Where is this person located?
Tom S.
Staff member
It was most likely the same person who took over VictorLouis's ID here. We banned him and the real VL changed his password here, but doesn't appear to have changed it elsewhere.
Ok, thanks Tom. I have no problem trolling the scammer elsewhere. I'd like to know where the OP sent the letter. In theory if he wanted to take it to the limit, he could contact the local police dept to where the M.O. was sent, and he can also contact the post office and file charges of mail fraud.It was most likely the same person who took over VictorLouis's ID here. We banned him and the real VL changed his password here, but doesn't appear to have changed it elsewhere.
The local authorities said there's nothing they can do. I would think mail fraud would be a federal thing. $450 is 16 cases of beer. That's a crime right there.
Stories like that is why I'm still thinking about wanting to buy an M-24 here. I don't know anyone here and no one knows me either so the thought of taking the chance of getting taken is pretty daunting. I have read the rules but still being pretty cautious.
Rick
EDIT:
I meant to say know personally
Rick
EDIT:
I meant to say know personally
The real VictorLouis is a looooooooooong time member, since the infancy if not startup of this forum, and one of the original mods I believe.
Of course you can never be too careful, especially with the dawn of AI.
Of course you can never be too careful, especially with the dawn of AI.
SAFireman
Member
This is hands-down the best forum for sales. I have been around since 2008 and haven't had anything like that happen.
Yaworski
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It's not that "there's nothing they can do" it that there's nothing that they are willing to do. If you had been buying a case of Korans, they'd be all over it.
offrdmania
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Its strange that the post master wont do anything. That was the whole point of the Postal money order, to be backed and investigated by the USPS in case of fraud. I guess they no longer back them. My suggestion is to go higher than the local post master. Contact the postal police since your local police dont have jurisdiction since its a federal facility.
erikpolcrack
US Veteran
Years ago, while I was stationed overseas, a Harrisburg, PA area gun shop owner closed down his business, absconding with several of my guns I had on consignment with him. I contacted the Harrisburg ATF office, exchanged details and info with them, and was ultimately told there was nothing they could do. Similar answer from the local sheriff, although he said he knew the guy and would chat with him about it if he happened to run into him. When I returned from overseas, I tracked the guy down at his new business location. He promised to give me the guns back from his storage unit, which he never did, and ultimately told me to forget it because his lawyer told him he was free and clear because he had declared bankruptcy and I had not made a claim wth the bankruptcy court. One of many "Thank you for your service!" moments I'll remember right along with the little old ladies who patted my hand and kissed my cheek.
Yaworski
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I'm vindictive. Odd things would happen to his car, his front lawn, his storefront.
Here he is: He's on FB 
According to a USPS Postal Inspector I spoke with from Chicago, since the letter was delivered to, & signed for, by the addressee, and the money order was cashed by the payee, there is no reason for the Postal Inspectors to open an investigation. The fact that the merchandise wasn't provided, isn't a concern of theirs. The way I understand it, had I been solicited via the USPS by an entity to send funds for goods, and the goods were not provided, the USPS Postal Inspectors would investigate. Sounds convoluted? Yes, I agree. I also reached out to the local police & sheriff's department in the locale where the funds were mailed to. No dice. It's gotten to be more trouble than it's worth. The scumbag made off with $450, I consider it tuition. I'm hoping the money is used to buy drugs & they get a hot one. R.I.P. P.O.S. 
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PMs not good.
You need a picture of the guy with the gun anc today’s paper or something that proves they actually have it.
A phone conversation.
If they refuse, then something is fishy.
If I’m selling and someone asks me for some kind of evidence because of a trust issue, I won’t have any issue at all with it.
gjgalligan
Member
Not to mention his face.....
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I’m thinking Molotov cocktail
Goldstar225
Member
MartyK I throughly understand your frustration. During my career I dealt with this issue many times. The problem for the local agency is not that they can't do anything, it's that it will be an exercise in futility and resources. Based on your complaint and any evidence you can provide (copies of the MO and correspondence) they can seek a warrant (in my state it would be a misdemeanor) for him. The problem lies in the fact that you would need to personally appear for the trial at your expense and maybe more than once (defense attorneys like to get continuances). If you are unwilling to do this the detective assigned to the case has expended time that could be used to work other cases. It sucks, I know. As one example we had one couple that repeatedly ripped people off on craiglist sales from out of state. After several complaints we did start having warrants issued. We would arrest them then the charges would be dropped when the victim didn't show for trial. They didn't stop their thieving but did start having their western union payments sent to a store outside our city.
Chicago! That says alot. Just like California where it is legal to steal up to $1K ( and more).According to a USPS Postal Inspector I spoke with from Chicago, since the letter was delivered to, & signed for, by the addressee, and the money order was cashed by the payee, there is no reason for the Postal Inspectors to open an investigation. The fact that the merchandise wasn't provided, isn't a concern of theirs. The way I understand it, had I been solicited via the USPS by an entity to send funds for goods, and the goods were not provided, the USPS Postal Inspectors would investigate. Sounds convoluted? Yes, I agree. I also reached out to the local police & sheriff's department in the locale where the funds were mailed to. No dice. It's gotten to be more trouble than it's worth. The scumbag made off with $450, I consider it tuition. I'm hoping the money is used to buy drugs & they get a hot one. R.I.P. P.O.S.
You can legally write the loss off on your taxes FWIW.
austintexas
Member
I like Bank checks. My Bank says their checks are insured against loss, being stolen, destroyed and fraud.
SWCA 892
SWCA 892
But as in this situation, there isn’t any fraud as relates to the payment. It will be cashed by the correct person for the correct amount.
A few years ago there was a company that would hold the funds until the gun was delivered, don’t know if they survived, gun people are more cheap than they are afraid.
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It's up to each of us to keep our passwords updated, and DO NOT reuse the same ones. Use a password manager, and I find that my life has become a lot easier to manage.
https://smith-wessonforum.com/help/account-security/
Also, I highly recommend not using untraceable methods to buy things from people you've never met.
If someone says I have something via PM, BIG RED FLAG. Report them for it, better safe than a high tuition bill.
https://smith-wessonforum.com/help/account-security/
Also, I highly recommend not using untraceable methods to buy things from people you've never met.
If someone says I have something via PM, BIG RED FLAG. Report them for it, better safe than a high tuition bill.
Worth a shot, so to speak.
https://www.google.com/search?q=i+w...AuMrgH7wHCBwUwLjEuMcgHBQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
https://www.google.com/search?q=i+w...AuMrgH7wHCBwUwLjEuMcgHBQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
Its not stolen or fraud if its sent to the intended person who then processed the check in his/her account, or against it. Fraud would be almost unprovable.
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Jim Watson
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Wow. I have bought one pig in a poke gun and it was quite satisfactory. Sad to read of yet another fraud.
RobertK3026
Member
Stories like this is why I won't buy any firearms online, if I can't see it or handle it money will never change hands.
I hope things will work out for you.
I hope things will work out for you.
According to a USPS Postal Inspector I spoke with from Chicago, since the letter was delivered to, & signed for, by the addressee, and the money order was cashed by the payee, there is no reason for the Postal Inspectors to open an investigation. The fact that the merchandise wasn't provided, isn't a concern of theirs. The way I understand it, had I been solicited via the USPS by an entity to send funds for goods, and the goods were not provided, the USPS Postal Inspectors would investigate. Sounds convoluted? Yes, I agree. I also reached out to the local police & sheriff's department in the locale where the funds were mailed to. No dice. It's gotten to be more trouble than it's worth. The scumbag made off with $450, I consider it tuition. I'm hoping the money is used to buy drugs & they get a hot one. R.I.P. P.O.S.
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