Ripped off

A

alaskavett

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I hope someone on here can help. I need some expert advice on how to proceed with this. In late May I made a "deal" on ARMS LIST for a Colt Police Positive with a man in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I sent the cashiers check to him on 29 May and for the last 3 weeks he will not respond to phone calls or e mail. I know others have had this problem on other sites, but how do you proceed from here. I really do not expect to ever see the gun or the $ at this point. I just want to stop this clown from repeating his actions to others. Do I contact the postmaster or the police in PA? Any advice or help on this would be appreciated. What a lesson to be sure. Thanks in advance. Kyle
 
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Wow - sorry about your problem. Until someone jumps in - I did jump over ARMLIST. Take a look at ARMLIST - Frequently Asked Questions and scroll down to Q: What should I do if I've been scammed? and Q: Can ARMSLIST help if I've been scammed? and at least start that process.
 
You have his address. Google "Police (zip code)" and call them. Explain the situation and tell them you would like to file a theft report.
Ask them if they would help get the Post Office involved since it's also mail fraud.
Ask them if they would help get the FBI involved since it's Interstate sales of firearms.

OR if they would kindly pay the guy a visit you just want to complete the transaction instead of doing all the paperwork.

I took these steps on a similar situation involving EBay. It was a small town and the local police visited the guy. The cop had my cell number and called me from the guy's house and put him on the phone. After I heard a host of lame excuses I told him that if I received the object within 48 hours, I would not pursue it any further.

Worked for me.
 
Not to "rub" it in at all...but next time use US Post Office MO's. That way if you are ripped off, the USPS postal inspectors get involved right off the bat. They are some of the best assets out there for this type of fraud.

How did you pay for the cashier's check? Withdrawal, cash, debit card etc?

Bluejax had some good suggestions...........
 
Sorry about your problem, I hope you get it resolved.


FWIW, I've sold a few guns on ArmsList, and always put in the ad, FTF local only with valid Ohio drivers license. Don't know how well that would work in your area.
 
Sorry to hear of your problem

Bluejax has some good suggestions.

As to USPS money orders, they are no better or worse, nor do they carry more "clout" than any other money order.

Postal inspectors do not "spring" into action if something was paid for with a USPS MO.
 
Rule3 said:
Sorry to hear of your problem

Bluejax has some good suggestions.

As to USPS money orders, they are no better or worse, nor do they carry more "clout" than any other money order.

Postal inspectors do not "spring" into action if something was paid for with a USPS MO.
Click to expand...

Maybe in your experience, I've seen good results out of the postal inspectors. We can always count on you to be a contrarian on any subject.

Here's a link, since you mailed it you can still report it and ask for help here.

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx
 
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My suggestion would be to use something like PayPal from now on. Yes you are charged fees, but being able to get your money back if the transaction doesn't work is well worth t to protect my money. Heck, I'll even pay the fees myself if I need to. I don't even mind waiting or the key to deposit in the sellers bank account. It's just better to be protected IMO.


-ep
 
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I'll bet your screwed...

My pal bought some ham radio gear from a joker in Washington state...like $1060 worth of stuff...the guy just flat ripped him off!

He used a postal moneyorder too..but the police in the town in Washington won't do anything..police here won't do anything...post office would do nothing...when the thief himself answered the phone..he as much as said he ripped my pal off..and nothing he could do(short of fly to washington state and whip some butt).

Seems there is no legal means of or any legal authority to recover product or money if you send funds across state borders and get ripped off...the only thing I could see that my pal could do was file a civil suit in Washington state..and fly back and forth for court dates!!
 
StatesRightist said:
We can always count on you to be a contrarian on any subject.

Here's a link, since you mailed it you can still report it and ask for help here.

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx
Click to expand...

You posted a statement, I disagree with what you said.Take it however you want.

Fact a USPS MO is no better than any other.

From the web site you posted. It says nothing about the use of a USPS MO.

"Although the Postal Inspection Service cannot resolve routine business disputes between companies and their customers, it can act against a company or individual if there is a pattern of activity suggesting a potential scheme to defraud. Completion of this form is voluntary, but the more information that you enter, the better the Postal Inspection Service may be able to help".
 
Wanted a python from amslist ohio, seller wanted postal m.o. sent by express mail. I followed his instructions but also started to research "sniperman 333". Found out this was a scam after i sent the m.o. I was very lucky that the postal clerk was able to contact the carrier in Kentucy and retrieve my m.o on it's way to delivery. A close call and a lesson learned. Never send a m.o. by priority mail. Local police were no help. Filed as many complant forms as i could find. Never heard any more on this issue. Verify seller before proceeding with any deals.
 
I will be the first to admit that I may have missed out on some deals, but unless the seller is a long time forum member, I will not do business with any seller who does not have a brick and mortar store and will accept an American Express credit card. Better safe than sorry.
 
Rule3 said:
You posted a statement, I disagree with what you said.Take it however you want.

Fact a USPS MO is no better than any other.

From the web site you posted. It says nothing about the use of a USPS MO.

"Although the Postal Inspection Service cannot resolve routine business disputes between companies and their customers, it can act against a company or individual if there is a pattern of activity suggesting a potential scheme to defraud. Completion of this form is voluntary, but the more information that you enter, the better the Postal Inspection Service may be able to help".
Click to expand...

I take it exactly as you meant it. You have a pattern, many have noticed it.

Fact the USPS has fraud investigators, Joe's Money orders do not. That fact by itself makes your whole statement obtuse. By why bother with logic, it's Rule3 land. Shoot back whatever you want, I'm done talking about this with you.
 
StatesRightist said:
I take it exactly as you meant it. You have a pattern, many have noticed it.

Fact the USPS has fraud investigators, Joe's Money orders do not. That fact by itself makes your whole statement obtuse. By why bother with logic, it's Rule3 land. Shoot back whatever you want, I'm done talking about this with you.
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I ain't getting in the middle...but my pal talked to the post office about his $1060 rip-off...they didn't do anything at all.

If you do know how to get a postal inspector to help..let me know!!!...I would seriously like to see my friend get his money back!
 
Stevie said:
I ain't getting in the middle...but my pal talked to the post office about his $1060 rip-off...they didn't do anything at all.

If you do know how to get a postal inspector to help..let me know!!!...I would seriously like to see my friend get his money back!
Click to expand...

1. Call the local PD in the area it occured, ask them to get the postal inspectors involved.
2. If 1 does not work, go online and file a complaint.
3. I've always had the best luck with a face to face request, I'm not sure where you live in OK, but there's an office in Ft.Worth, it's a little bit of a haul, but for that much dinero worth the effort.

Here's the link for filing online.

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/

Good luck to you and your buddy.
 
Get in touch with the Attorney General of the offender's state. It took a while but I eventually got satisfaction from a scam artist in Florida. I recovered all costs including interest, postage, fax fees to AG, etc.

By using the US Mail, this is now a federal offense.
 
StatesRightist said:
I take it exactly as you meant it. You have a pattern, many have noticed it.

Fact the USPS has fraud investigators, Joe's Money orders do not. That fact by itself makes your whole statement obtuse. By why bother with logic, it's Rule3 land. Shoot back whatever you want, I'm done talking about this with you.
Click to expand...

Good. Once again you have made a statement with no basis in fact. So perhaps read and learn rather than make anecdotal statements.

Sure they have fraud investigators but in their own statement, quoted above, they are not there to investigate trivial transactions (in the millions) between a buyer and a seller on some forum or flea bay. So just mailing something can become Mail Fraud, It does not need to be a USPS MO. Western Union or American Express are not "Joe's Money orders"

Perhaps read this:

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/MailFraud/MailFraud.aspx

Mail Fraud

"U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate any crime in which the U.S. Mail is used to further a scheme--whether it originated in the mail, by telephone, or on the Internet. The use of the U.S. Mail is what makes it mail fraud.

If evidence of a postal violation exists, Postal Inspectors may seek prosecutive or administrative action against the violator. However, if money is lost through a fraudulent scheme conducted via the mail, Postal Inspectors lack the authority to ensure you receive a refund and can't require that products, services, or advertisements--on the Internet or elsewhere--be altered.

Postal Inspectors base investigations of mail fraud on the number, pattern, and substance of complaints received from the public. The Postal Inspection Service will carefully review the information you provide. We may share the information with other agencies when there is a possible violation within their jurisdiction.

If you feel you've been victimized in a fraud scheme that involves the U.S. Mail, submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. "
 
StatesRightist said:
1. Call the local PD in the area it occured, ask them to get the postal inspectors involved.
2. If 1 does not work, go online and file a complaint.
3. I've always had the best luck with a face to face request, I'm not sure where you live in OK, but there's an office in Ft.Worth, it's a little bit of a haul, but for that much dinero worth the effort.

Here's the link for filing online.

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/

Good luck to you and your buddy.
Click to expand...

But you claim the postal inspectors spring right into action... now he has to call local police to get the postal inspectors to act?
 
CBA44 said:
But you claim the postal inspectors spring right into action... now he has to call local police to get the postal inspectors to act?
Click to expand...

Reading Comprehension is a wonderful thing, try reading it again, there were three different ways suggested. ...and I never used the words spring into action. Thanks for playing.

Have you and Rule3 every been seen in the same room at the same time? Just curious.
 
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