Another Scam - Watch out !

[Thejoker301]

Hi Everyone ,

me again.

Got scammed again. And this time by a known scammer.

I did not know he was known. Just checked the list at the vets section and he was there.

Name is Matthew Durant. Email : mjjd1958@gmail.com

I actually got a warning about the guy way back. But as I sold him a laser I was sure he is just fine.

Now had a custom build lined up for him.

And the Arcane I sent him was not working so good so he also told me he is mailing it back so I can fix it.

I got the first package from him. Had a host in there he wanted me to build a laser into it.

I made a heatsink from him. And just did not had time to work on the build for him just yet.

Now the Arcane package was in Israel. I went to take the pack from the post office and it was opened by customs. I opened the pack and nothing was inside.

I did not sign for the package and filled a report about it. Also later on gave a the post office a few calls. But never heard back. Means it was probably lost.

Now Matt was updated every week or so about it.

Now last week he contacts me. Asking about the second laser. I told him I will be abkle to finish it by sunday.

On monday he emailed me , and asked again. Told him I was not able to finish it. I know I promised , but just did not had time to.

And now , I get an email from him saying I did got the first pack and that I am a scammer. At this point I entered the following code in the israel post website : LC440865156US

As you can see here : Delivery Tracking - Israel Post

It never said I got it. Because I did not.

Now matt says he got some inside source from Israel customs saying I did got the pack.

At the end he asks me ( not directly , but you can understand that ) to refund him for $400. $200 for the last one , and $200 for the one I did not finish yet.

I told I will refund him for $200. But I see no reason to refund him for the last one as I never got it back.

After a few emails , he now says to me that he got someone on youtube to make a video about me and my website. And told me the guy will contact me and take my side of the story.

Now comon people ! again ? what am I a blackmailers magnet. I just feel fraustrated.

And to be totally honest with you , I did feel scared a bit. My website is important to me. And this guy treat to ruin it by posting a video about it.

That feeling made me pay him $400 this morning. $200 which I do owned him and $200 for the laser that I never got.

And I am going to send his stuff back today too.

I am just shocked. Never had this happened to me. And now a bang after bang. Got it twice in a row in one month.

I am stopping to make custom builds from now on. only custom builds that will be made totally by my own are okay. Not someone sending me a host and I making it inside of it or something simillar. That just complicates things.

Who knows , maybe he did not even put the Arcane inside ? but I will never know. And I lost $200 so I do not really care.

Stay safe people ! :beer:

 

[NightExplorer96]

Don't worry joker, thanks for letting us know. You're a good guy, I'll never understand how some people can take advantage of others!

-Alex

 

[VisibleGreen]

Yeah the threats seem really unnecessary. How much time does it take for you to usually finish a build? A month or so? Do they know this when they contact you?
Scammers or not they certainly seemed enraged enough to make these childish threats. Your location doesn't help you either.

 

[Reiign]

Damn dude that sucks. You have such good prices as it is. Its people like this that will drive away the members who go above and beyond. Can you inbox me your paypal. I dont have a lot in their but i would love to make a donation just to say thanks for what you do. You have literally gone out of your way for me with my questions numerous times.

 

[RYDorDIE278]

Eitan! you are too kind!
I think you need to get ready for these types Of fools!
Be ProActive Not ReActive! i understand reputation is important but who says we wont make 20 Positive to every one negative video made! weve got your back if it comes to it!

Thank you For Keeping LPF informed

 

[starlight]

Sorry to hear about this so soon after the last time.
This fool makes a video I'll also make a YouTube video in your favor Eitan.

Super sorry to learn the list of dangerous people is off limits to most members? Why the hell is the vets section determined by post count not time on the forum? What does the word vet stand for!! Hell a new member could post enough be a vet in a month but memebers like me who have been around over 5 years can't see the important stuff. This list should be viewable by all. Probably time for me to take another break for a few years from this place frustration is building.

 

[grainde]

Sorry to hear about this, again...

Just a suggestion, the more you advertise the fact that you got scammed and payed your way out of threats and trouble, the more people will think you are a great target. Hey this guy pays, perhaps we can extort some money too...

I realise you want to keep your customers happy, but you really dont need to help these a***oles.

One question I have is why are you refunding him $ 200 + $ 200 and resending the host? Wasnt the second $ 200 for the host and the build?

My advice would be to ignore these often idle threats, you can always deal with it should they actually try anything. Your reputation here is extremely well deserved and so I really dont think a silly video from some teenager (and known scammer) will do you any harm.

Hope things run a little smoother for you in 2015! :beer:

P.S if you have any supplimentary info on this Matt guy, pls feel free to send it for the list.

@Starlight

Super sorry to learn the list of dangerous people is off limits to most members? Why the hell is the vets section determined by post count not time on the forum? What does the word vet stand for!! Hell a new member could post enough be a vet in a month but memebers like me who have been around over 5 years can't see the important stuff. This list should be viewable by all. Probably time for me to take another break for a few years from this place frustration is building.

We have collected a lot of personal information addresses, emails, names etc and didnt want to risk this info being public. We also didnt want the list being accessible to the scammers themselves, as it would make their lives easier - They could just check the info and use alternative credentials...

The vets section is determined by both time and no. of posts, so dont worry a noob with a very high post count wont get in there for a year. There is also a rep (and I believe history) check too :beer:

 

[mortuus]

Wow he sucks, i wouldnt refund money to a scammer if you didnt get the laser back, it sounds just he is the badguy here not you and i doubt he would destroy your nice reputation here by positing a video, only a idiot believes whoever post a video and talks shit about someone i mean anyone can do that..

 

[starlight]

@Starlight



We have collected a lot of personal information addresses, emails, names etc and didnt want to risk this info being public. We also didnt want the list being accessible to the scammers themselves, as it would make their lives easier - They could just check the info and use alternative credentials...

The vets section is determined by both time and no. of posts, so dont worry a noob with a very high post count wont get in there for a year. There is also a rep (and I believe history) check too :beer:

Who is "we"? The vets section says 1000 post nothing about rep, time on forum etc. I've been around a long time and not allowed in the special club. Some days I wonder why I still support the big ego's around here

 

[grainde]

Haha I dont think you can really say big egos...The vets section is really not all its made out to be. :crackup:

"We" referred to those who have been scammed in the past and who have spoken out; Vets and Non-Vets a like - no discrimination there.

The criteria for entering the vets section are:
1. min. 1 year membership
2. + 1000 posts
3. Positive rep

Although you meet two of the above, you are only at +500 posts and hence are still not eligible. If you feel that strongly about it, either post more, or speak to a Mod/Avery.:beer:

 

[starlight]

Although you meet to of the above, you are only at +500 posts and hence are still not eligible. If you feel that strongly about it, either post more, or speak to a Mod/Avery.:beer:

no thanks I'm not going to be a post whore just to join this club. This definitely seems counter productive to all by preventing the majority or long time good standing members from seeing a list of potential risks. piss poor criteria to inclusion if you ask me.
Where is the bong toking smiley I hate beer ?

 

[grainde]

Fair enough, though posting junk just to up post count is frowned upon...I was actually thinking more along the lines of useful and constructive threads such as build, or mod threads. Anyway guess we've derailed this enough. Sorry you dont like beer.

 

[Thejoker301]

Thanks for the support everyone !

About the money ,

It is easy to say , I will not refund a scammer etc ... But when you are in that situation it is hard to decide.

I refunded him for $200 on the second laser which is the custom one I was building for him. He sent me a host and I made a heatsink for it.

And $200 for the laser I never got back. That is my loss here. $200 for nothing I got back.

Now the very funny thing is when I got here in the morning before posting it , I saw his name on the scammers lists ... how stupid am I lol ?

The thing is , I know you guys will back me up. But it makes you feel bad. And I refunded him just for getting it off me.

I will stopp doing it. I am goimng to change the way I work with people.

Custom builds will be built only if the person want me to complete the build from the ground up. Do not want to mess with packages lost any more.

And yes , when buying the custom laser they know it takes time. Shipping is not much actually. Takes 10 days to arrive to the US now.

Regular builds takes around 10 days to complete. As I get many orders per day that is the situation I am in.

I also learn in the university , so I can not build everyday. I got only 2-3 days a week to work on lasers. And these holidays here and overseas are crazy. Working non stop to get stuff done.

These guys probably see me as a target like you said ^^ ... But I am going to change. Hopefully they will not come back to me again.

Thank you again Everyone ! Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukkah !

 

[Reiign]

You should also consider blocking their ip range from re entering your site.

 

[sinner]

Looks like i was a bit careful and i didnot deal with the person, Its the same guy who scammed "scumbagathiest" for $350 and a Laser.. and he was persistant to get two envy hosts from me which i obliged on my own terms so i donot run the chance to get scammed.

@Eitan: you're way too honest a seller , and we respect you for just that.

 

[Thejoker301]

Looks like i was a bit careful and i didnot deal with the person, Its the same guy who scammed "scumbagathiest" for $350 and a Laser.. and he was persistant to get two envy hosts from me which i obliged on my own terms so i donot run the chance to get scammed.

@Eitan: you're way too honest a seller , and we respect you for just that.

Yeah that is that guy.

And I did work with him as he ordered lasers from me before.

First transaction was back in May. He bought a 2W 445nm from my website. Then in July ordered the Arcane which he said he shipped. And was lost probably.

I just need to be more though with these guys. And change my way of dealing with them.

Thanks for the support Sinner ! :beer: