Scam Busters
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We have listed Scam update reports, and articles that have resulted in Mail Fraud charges and prosecution concerning people on our Caution List, as well as others that are not listed on Traderlist. Some Scam articles were found on the internet, or in our newspapers. If you have an update on the arrest of one of our Bad Traders, please let us know. If you find a Scam article, and would like to contribute to this page, please forward the article, and location or link to where you found it. Send to pedger10@charter.net. Put "Scambusters" in the subject line.

___

Friday, January 27, 2006

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2005/nov/10/ndn_naples_man_considered_mobster_in_sentencing_of/

Naplesnews.com
eBay case prompts warrants against two
By Chris W. Colby

Investigators have obtained arrest warrants charging two former East Naples residents with organizing a scheme to defraud more than 500 eBay users in what authorities described as a massive scam in which they put electronic items up for bid, received payment and never sent the purchases.

Alisher Mardonov, 34, and Shanoza Khakimova, 31, formerly of 1765 Courtyard Way, No. 205, are believed to be in a country between Moscow and the Ural Mountains, near Russia, according to a press release the Collier County Sheriff’s Office issued Thursday.

The pair are Uzbekistan natives who left their East Naples condominium in mid-December after hundreds of eBay users filed criminal complaints with the Collier Economic Crimes Unit. Since shortly after the investigation began, detectives have said they wanted to find the pair only for questioning.

However, since then they amassed enough evidence to take the case to the Naples State Attorney’s Office, which asked a judge to sign the arrest warrants stating there’s probable cause to believe they committed a crime.

The eBay users, who are from across the United States and Canada, paid between $200 and $500 in cashier’s and personal checks to the seller, who listed the items under the username Alisher71. The items were mostly digital cameras and iPods that were intended by the would-be buyers as Christmas gifts.

“I’m thrilled they have arrest warrants for them. It kind of validates what we’ve been through,” Michelle Simmons, a Binghamton, N.Y., resident who lost $249 on a bid for an iPod, said. “I’m just glad there are going to be consequences. I want them to face consequences.”

According to the press release, investigators also executed search warrants and seized about $7,000 from two bank accounts held in Mardonov and Khakimova’s names. The bank is holding the money until it receives a court order to release it.

“Disposition of these funds will be determined by court process in the case,” according to the press release.

A charge of organized fraud carries a prison sentence of between five and 30 years, depending on the monetary amount involved. The arrest warrants don’t set a bond amount for the two, who are believed to be married. If they’re arrested, a judge would decide whether to set bond.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the couple may be in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, an area about 500 miles from Moscow. Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Stephanie Spell said the FBI and U.S. Secret Service are investigating ways to apprehend Mardonov and Khakimova.

“It’s a very complex process involving extradition treaties,” Spell said.

The FBI can obtain what’s called a warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. And the couple’s names are entered into state and federal crime indexes that are accessible to Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, Spell said. If either travels outside Tatarstan or if documentation relating to them comes to the attention of Interpol, investigators may be able to track and arrest them.

Then the process to extradite them to the United States to face trial would begin.

About a month before he was believed to have left East Naples, Mardonov told his landlord the couple needed money. They had tried to bring their two children to the United States from Uzbekistan but failed because federal officials denied their youngsters’ visas.

The landlord said Mardonov told her he needed to hire an attorney and get his children’s cases into federal immigration court in Miami, an expensive process.

The Sheriff’s Office began investigating after customers realized their purchases weren’t coming and began filing reports. eBay suspended the Alisher71 account.

Spell said she doesn’t yet know the amount of money the pair is accused of taking. The best estimate is between $15,000 and $20,000, so the $7,000 seized would account for less than half of what the buyers lost.

EBay has anti-fraud protection, but the money customers can receive is limited and subject to fees, according to the online auction service’s Web site.

Danielle Hillix-Stange, a Kansas City resident who also bid on an iPod, said some of the victims, who have organized on the Internet and threatened a class-action lawsuit, received letters from eBay indicating they’d get money back. None have. So their hopes are in the hands of investigators.

“It’s good to know they have been working on this and haven’t swept it under the rug. But I’d feel better if I got my money back,” Hillix-Stange said.

© 2006 Naples Daily News and NDN Productions. Published in Naples, Florida, USA by the E.W. Scripps Co.
November 29, 2005

Mineola, NY

A woman was charged Friday with a felony count of scheming to defraud after she allegedly sold $27,000 worth of clothing and other items on the Internet, but never delivered the goods, a prosecutor said.
Full Story:
http://1010wins.com/topstories/local_story_308132840.html

October 22, 2005

Maryanne Chisholm GUILTY on all 58 counts!

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=local&story_id=102205a4_chisholm
and
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/dailystar/98951.php

--This person's Caution Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/AmericanaCouture.html

*Note: The verdict stems from indictments against Maryanne Chisholm for fraud with another company..Safari Media. The Chisholms both still face probable indictments for fraud with their new company..Americana Couture.


April 12, 2005

Chisholms get jail time in fraud case.

A judge says the Tucson couple hid assets so they could 'maintain an extravagant lifestyle.....

Tucson Citizen www.tucsoncitizen.com (business section)

Complete Story:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=business&story_id=041205d1_chisholms

---
Note from mediator, Pat.
Our readers will remember these are the people who had Traderlist removed from the internet for two months last year by threatening me and our web hosts with lawsuits. This sentence concerns bankruptcy fraud. The Chisholms still face federal indictments.

--This person's Bad Trader Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/AmericanaCouture.html



March 11, 2005
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7432555/

Spammer sentenced to 9 years

First felony spam case in U.S.

Jeremy Jaynes remains out of prison pending appeal.

The Associated Press
Updated: 8:39 p.m. ET April 8, 2005

LEESBURG, Va. - A man convicted in the nation’s first felony case against illegal spamming was sentenced to nine years in prison Friday for bombarding Internet users with millions of junk e-mails.



Mar 9, 2005 7:30 am US/Eastern
Subject: Alexis Levine

(1010 WINS) (MINEOLA) A Farmingdale, Long Island woman has been arrested for Internet fraud. Nassau District Attorney Denis Dillon says 25-year-old Alexis Levine sold many items over e-Bay. She would cash the checks and never ship any merchandise.

D-A Dillon says Levine advertised musical instruments, cell phones, computers, theme park tickets and other items. She would deposit the payments into an account at the Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union.

Dillon says there are 14 victims from whom his office has gotten complaints.

The victims were from as far away as Oregon and British Columbia, to as close as Burlington Connecticut. Dillon says Levine has been charged with scheming to defraud. She could get up to four years in prison.



February 10, 2005

Arizona Star article concerning the guilt of Mark and MaryAnne Chisholm of Americana Couture  for other charges not related to the Traderlist fraud complaints.

http://mobile.azstarnet.com/altds/PDA/metro/60772.html



February 1, 2005

New Jersey Daily Record Article concerning Seth and Wendy Lutz.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/news/articles/news9-beanie.htm



August 23, 2004 (This was just sent to Traderlist today)
Press Release
For Immediate Release
February 10, 2003
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Southern District of New York

Two Men Arrested in Conspiracy to Sell Over $200,000 Worth of Fake Louis Vuitton Handbags via the Internet

JAMES B. COMEY, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MIN ZHU and QIUHUI HUANG were arrested Friday and charged with selling more than $200,000 worth of fake Louis Vuitton handbags to hundreds of victims across the country through auctions on the Internet auction sites eBay and Yahoo!. Searches conducted Friday at the two Staten Island homes where ZHU and HUANG were arrested and three other locations netted over 50 handbags, dust covers, boxes, and sales documents bearing the counterfeit trademark “Luis Vuitton,” as well as records of Internet auctions and correspondence from numerous victims.

ZHU and MIN were each charged in separate Complaints with conspiracy, mail fraud and criminal trademark infringement.

According to the Complaints, the fraudulent activity came to the attention of the FBI and the United States Postal Inspection Service ("USPIS") when victims contacted the Internet Fraud Complaint Center ("IFCC") saying that they had won auctions advertising "genuine" Louis Vuitton handbags on the Internet auction sites eBay and Yahoo!, had been directed through e-mail correspondence to mail checks to one of numerous addresses in Manhattan, and had subsequently received handbags in the mail bearing the Louis Vuitton trademark.

According to the Complaints filed against ZHU and HUANG, however, most of the victims realized due to the inferior materials and shoddy construction of those bags that they were fake. The Complaints charge that many of those victims brought their bags to Louis Vuitton personnel, who confirmed in each case that the victims's handbag was a fake that was neither manufactured nor sold by Louis Vuitton.

According to the Complaints, the FBI and USPIS investigated the Manhattan addresses to which the victims had been directed to mail their payments and determined that each was a mailbox at an outlet of the commercial mail drop service Mailboxes, Etc., that had been opened by ZHU, HUANG, or other members of the conspiracy. The Complaints charge that during surveillance, agents saw HUANG pick up mail from several of those mail drop boxes, and that the rental agreement for one of the boxes led agents to a Staten Island Post Office where ZHU maintained another mailbox. According to the Complaints, the manager at that Post Office advised agents that he had repeatedly seen men matching the descriptions of ZHU and HUANG pick up mail delivered to that mailbox and mail Priority Mail boxes from the Post Office, and that on one occasion a box sent to the mailbox used by ZHU had split open, revealing a large number of expensive-looking handbags.

The Complaints allege that agents acting in an undercover capacity also purchased two handbags through Internet auctions held by individuals using aliases associated with the scheme. Investigation of e-mails sent by those individuals led to the identification of two Staten Island residences where ZHU and HUANG were ultimately arrested. During surveillance at each of those locations, the Complaints charge, agents saw HUANG transporting packing materials and Priority Mail boxes containing fake Louis Vuitton handbags and taking those boxes by car to the Staten Island Post Office for delivery to victims of the scheme.

If convicted of the conspiracy, mail fraud and criminal trademark infringement counts charged in each Complaint, ZHU and HUANG each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the crime.

Mr. COMEY praised the investigative efforts of the FBI and the USPIS and said the investigation is continuing.
Assistant United States Attorney ANDREW C. DeVORE is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
____
August 24, 2004
This message was provided by a victim who said the accused have now been found guilty, have been given prison time, and as part of probation, would have to make restitution.

March 9, 2004

Woman gets jail time in beanie baby case

Nancy McKenna: Bears remain in custody

By Art Peterson
STAFF WRITER

Nancy McKenna was sentenced Friday in Lake County Circuit Court to jail and probation, and ordered to pay partial restitution, but her hundreds of Beanie Babies will remain in custody, at least for another week.

Associate Judge John Phillips, in sentencing the 48-year-old Winthrop Harbor resident, said state law prevents him from requiring restitution for all victims, but expressed hope that McKenna would voluntarily re-pay all of the slighted customers.

Phillips earlier found McKenna guilty of one count of felony theft, but not guilty of many other theft, computer and wire fraud charges.

McKenna had sold Beanie Babies through her former store, Nana's, in Zion, and over e-Bay auctions on the Internet. The electronic shopping place drew many complaints from customers who said they paid for, but never received, their then-trendy plush bears.

McKenna contends she sold more than 12,000 Beanie Babies and failed to ship only 200 to 250. After she had failed, for many months to heed warnings of Winthrop Harbor police and reimburse the victims, police seized several hundred of the little bears.

Prosecutor Patricia Fix suggested Friday that the Sheriff's Department be allowed to hold an auction for the bears being held in custody, with proceeds used to pay back victims. Phillips said that could not be done without the state acquiring the bears through forfeiture, and Fix said that can't be done "at the present time."

Phillips said the bears will be held until both sides agree whether or not an appeal will be filed. He set a hearing for March 12. If there will be no appeal, the bears will be released to McKenna for sale.

Phillips said he is limited to being able to order McKenna to pay restitution to six victims, a total of $1,156. He ordered that payback to be completed within 18 months.

Fix had recommended that McKenna be ordered to pay back 56 victims at a total of more than $4,500. Defense attorney Ralph Strathmann had recommended that McKenna be ordered to pay back only one customer $799.

Phillips also sentenced McKenna to nine months of periodic imprisonment, with all but the first 45 days stayed, pending successful completion of the remainder of the sentence. She can be released only for work and treatment.

She must also serve 24 months of intensive probation and perform 175 hours of public service work.

McKenna must avoid any Internet sales or purchases, as well as alcohol or controlled substances. She must maintain full-time employment.

Phillips cited a concern for drug use in her household, where her three grown children have lived recently. Two daughters were arrested on drug charges during a police search in McKenna's home for Beanie Babies. One is still in jail and McKenna is taking care of her children.

McKenna said "I'm sorry it came down to this. I tried hard to run a business. For a long time I had many happy customers. I didn't mean to defraud anyone."

She blamed the problem on a health problem and a co-worker.

"I don't buy it," Phillips said, adding that McKenna "took in money, placed orders on the data base and did shipping. She kept the money and didn't ship Beanie Babies."

03/06/04

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/city/w06beanies.htm

--This person's Bad Trader Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/NancyMcKenna.html



February 4, 2004

UPDATE on RICK PARRIS

On 2/4/2004, the defendant, RICHARD K PARRIS, pled guilty to the charges listed below. As a result of the guilty plea, there will be no trial involving this defendant.

Number of

Charges Description of Charges Disposition

22 Mail Fraud - Frauds and Swindles Dismissed w/o Prejudice
1 Mail Fraud - Frauds and Swindles GUILTY
1 Trafficking in counterfeit goods or services Dismissed w/o Prejudice
1 Trafficking in counterfeit good or services GUILTY

The Court ordered defendant, RICHARD K PARRIS, to serve the following term of imprisonment: 24 months.

Upon release from confinement, the defendant shall be on supervised release for the following term: 3 years.

The court ordered restitution to be paid.

It is important for people who were involved in this case to know that just because the court ordered restitution does not meant the defedant will make restitution payments. In the event restitution payments are received from the defendant, the funds will be distributed by the Clerk of the U.S. District Court.

The US Attorneys office is very appreciative of all of those victims that followed through with all the paper work. Without their help, the case would not of had a successful conclusion.

Thomas B. Heffelinger of the US attorney's office for the District of Minnesota.



January 10, 2004

Update on Nancy McKenna. She was found guilty on FRIDAY people need to contact Patricia Fix at 847-377-3000 as she is going to try to get restitution on February 20th. There are several articles online, one at the News Sun in Waukegan and the daily Herald. You can find them on Google.
----------
Felony theft verdict in Beanie Baby case

The hundreds of Beanie Babies held as evidence in Lake County Circuit Court likely will get their freedom Feb. 20, the same day their owner, Nancy A. McKenna, will be sentenced for theft.
McKenna, a 47-year-old Winthrop Harbor resident, was found guilty of felony theft Friday by Associate Judge John Phillips, but not guilty of computer and wire fraud charges.
The conviction on the Class 3 felony carries a maximum sentence of two to five years in prison, but is also probationable.

McKenna had sold Beanie Babies through her former store, Nana's, on Sheridan Road in Zion, and over e-Bay auctions on the Internet. It was the latter that drew many complaints from customers who said they'd paid but never received their bears.

McKenna, through defense attorney Ralph Strathmann, blamed her former business partner, Martin Bachler, who now lives in Springfield, Mo., for mishandling funds. Bachler blamed McKenna. McKenna and Strathmann contend the matter was a failed business; prosecutor Patricia Fix called it an Internet scam.

The bench trial was conducted over six days of court time, spanning several months. Fix, chief of the Cyber Crimes Division in the state's attorney's office, had said McKenna was "200 to 300 orders behind" in bear shipments to high bidders from e-Bay, and "$10,000 to $20,000 behind" in account payments. McKenna contends she had shipped more than 12,000 of the trendy bears and failed to ship only 200 to 250.

Phillips said he reached his finding, based on "observations of the demeanor of witnesses and judging their credibility," and reviewing contents of "boxes and boxes and boxes of exhibits and Beanie Babies."

Prosecutors failed to prove the computer fraud charge beyond a reasonable doubt, Phillips said. They would have had to prove that McKenna not only had access to a computer, but also created an "artifice" (a trick) to defraud customers. The e-Bay portion of the business was handled by Bachler, Phillips said, "although at the direction of Nancy McKenna."

Prosecutors failed to prove that McKenna had devised a scheme to defraud at the time of the wire transactions, Phillips said, although McKenna kept "detailed records and spreadsheets on the filling of orders."

The theft conviction was based on one customer, a woman who had paid $799 for Beanie Babies but never received the bears or a refund, Phillips said.

McKenna had placed the $799 into an account only she controlled, Phillips said. "From that account, she paid herself much more" than what was owed the victim.

Even though McKenna was told by police, beginning in late 2000, to ship bears or pay refunds, the victim is still bear-less and out $799, Phillips indicated. "Three-and-a-half years later, it is still not done. Her (McKenna) excuses are not believable."

After setting the date for sentencing, Phillips ordered McKenna "not to be involved in retail sales or any kind of sales over the Internet." Strathmann said she is employed as an inventory checker for a large company.

Phillips said he will keep the evidence, including boxes of documents and Beanie Babies, in his office until sentencing, when a decision will be made on disposal. The small mountain of paper and plush toys takes up about one-eighth of his office space, Phillips said.

01/10/04

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/top/w10beanies.htm



October 20, 2003
Update on Jeffrey Diller

Tarentum man who allegedly bilked more than $18,000 from people using the Internet must refund his victims' money, but he won't go to jail.
Federal prosecutors say Jeffrey Diller claimed to be selling Beanie Babies and Rolex watches on auction sites, but he never sent the promised goods to the buyers.

Diller, 34, will spend six months on house arrest and serve five years of probation.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031020/lo_wtae/1838500

September 9, 2003
Update on Dawn Mowinski or Dawn Hodge or DMH Services

South St. Louis woman is charged with Internet auction fraud Reporter: Kara Kaswell, News 4

(KMOV) -- A south St. Louis woman is being charged with Internet auction fraud that has reportedly touched dozens of victims in the U.S. and even overseas.

"She probably was one of the more creative con artists," says assistant circuit attorney Scott Ingram.

Ingram is talking about Dawn Hodge of Company DMH Services. Hodge assumed the identity of an acquaintance and claimed to peddle TVs, Beanie Babies even laptop computers on sites like eBay.

Katherine Blumenthal and her husband who worked for a French company were victimized in the amount of $20,000.

Fed up with being taken by Hodge, consumers started filing complaints with the Internet Fraud and Complaint Center.

Victims also began striking back launching a Web site posting warnings about doing business with Hodge. Police served a warrant at Hodge's home seizing computer discs and printouts as evidence of the yearlong scam. Meantime, Blumenthal and her husband learned a hard lesson professionally.

Hodge is charged with six felonies including money laundering and stealing. Auction fraud has become today's new crime trend. The Internet Fraud and Complaint Center referred more than 48,000 complaints to police just last year. Consumer losses total $54 million.

The lesson from cases like this is to never pay up front. Prosecutors say always try to check out a seller before sending money.


May 2003
Man Pleads Guilty in Internet Auction Fraud

A Minnesota man has admitted defrauding about 1000 customers through an Internet sales business.

Twenty-year-old Richard Parris of Minnetrista has pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit Beanie Babies, North Face jackets and other items on the Internet. He also admitted that he didn't deliver some of the merchandise that customers ordered.

Parris pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods Friday in a federal court in Minneapolis. He had been indicted on 24 counts last February.

Parris admitted that he operated under eleven different Internet addresses and screen names while soliciting customers through eBay and a Yahoo auction site and by direct solicitation.

Authorities say Parris defrauded customers in the United States, Canada and Great Britain of more than $120,000.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

--This person's Bad Trader Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/CollectibleLiquidations.html 

May 16, 2003
Message filed by Internet Fraud Mediator, Pat

Four indicted for online auction fraud
Friday, May 16, 2003

By Torsten Ove, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20030516ebayfraudreg5p5.asp

Four men have been indicted in federal court in Pittsburgh as part of a nationwide crackdown on Internet fraud called "Operation E-Con" that will be announced today in Washington, D.C., by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Three of the indictments involved local men charged with selling items online that they didn't own and had no intention of delivering. They used eBay and other Internet auction sites.

A fourth man from Germany is also under indictment here because some of his victims live in the federal court's Western District of Pennsylvania.

The indictments name as defendants Rajit Duggal, 26, of Monroeville; Keith B. Condon, 19, of the North Side; Jeffrey Alan Diller, 34, of Tarentum; and Mario Koch, 30, of Ingolstadt, Germany.

The U.S. attorney's staff would not discuss the cases in detail, but the indictments indicate the men repeatedly sold items online that they didn't own and then had payments sent to various addresses.

None of the men was connected with any of the others, but all are being prosecuted as part of Operation E-Con.

According to the indictments, Duggal, sometimes using the name "Michael Booker," sent e-mails to eBay customers and offered to sell items such as cameras and sound systems. Customers paid him through the "Paypal" online payment service and delivered checks to an address he established at Mail Boxes Etc. on Mall Boulevard in Monroeville.

Duggal defrauded customers from across the United States from October 2001 through June 2002, according to the indictment. Ronald James Wiest of Cottage Grove, Minn., for example, paid for a $629 Sony digital camera kit that he never received.

Condon and Koch pulled similar schemes, according to the grand jury.

Diller began his operation in 1999, prosecutors said, when he advertised Beanie Babies and Beanie Baby cards online and had customers send payments to an address on Cambridge Street in Harrison. When customers complained about not receiving their merchandise, police investigated, but Diller fled and disappeared.

In 2000, he resurfaced using a new Internet name and a new address for payments at the same Mail Boxes Etc. used by Duggal. When customers complained again that they weren't getting their items, the charges say, Diller put them off by saying he was sick.

--This person's Bad Trader Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/JeffreyDiller.html



May 14, 2003
Message filed by Internet Fraud Mediator, Pat

I just received the following message from  Postal Inspector Hathcock concerning the fraudulent activities of Angie and Tim Moore from Memphis, Tennessee. Please continue to check www.traderlist.com/AngieandTimMoore.html, www.traderlist.com/BadTraderNewsflashes.html, and the Message Board at www.traderlist.com/Caution_May2003.html where I will post further information and links to Press Releases as soon as they are available.

Traderlist wishes to thank anyone who has helped us to keep track of the Moores during the last three years, and we are pleased that justice will be served. If anyone sees the Moores ANYWHERE on the Internet after today, the Tennessee Authorities want to know.
----------

"Angelia and Timothy Moore were indicted May 13, 2003, they were indicted on

nineteen total counts. These counts consisted of 18, USC 1341, Mail Fraud,

18, USC1029(a)(2), unauthorized access devices 1028(a)(7) theft of identity.

18, USC 1344, Bank Fraud,18, USC 1343, Wire Fraud. To date we have 163

victims and over one hundred thousand dollars in losses. Angelia and Timothy

Moore were arrested today and the initial appearance before the U.S.

Magistrate is at 2:00 P.M. today.

I will send you a copy of the press release this afternoon."
-------
May 14, 2003 3:41 p.m.

U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Western District of Tennessee

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 14, 2003

NATIONAL TAKEDOWN EVENT

Indictment Returned in Internet Crime "Beanie Babie" Investigation

MEMPHIS-

Terrell L. Harris, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, in participation with a national takedown event to highlight Internet crimes, announced that a federal grand jury returned a 19-count indictment charging a husband and wife, Angelia K Moore and Timothy A. Moore, with conspiracy, mail fraud, and identity theft in connection with an Internet business that was operating out of their private residence in Memphis, Tennessee.

In detailing the conspiracy and mail fraud charges, the indictment states that the Moore's were buying and selling Beanie Babies and other merchandise on the Internet. The indictment charges that the Moore's would use various alias and fraudulent representations to induce numerous individuals to send money in payment for merchandise only to fail to provide the buyer with the merchandise. In other instances the indictment charges that individuals actually received merchandise only to be disappointed that it was of a different quality and quantity than they had ordered. The indictment further states that the Moore's would induce other individuals to send them merchandise and then fail to make payment. The indictment states that the Moore's, through personal contact, lulled their victims by claiming extreme medical emergency pertaining to themselves or their immediate family, or that some other recent and catastrophic misfortune had occurred preventing them from being able to execute payment or delivery of goods as promised. The indictment further alleges that the Moore's would use the personal information of their customers, from Internet auctions or otherwise, to obtain money and things of value and to open numerous Internet auctions. This personal information included individuals' personal check information, bank account information, and credit card information. The indictment alleges that the Moore's defrauded more than 163 individuals and were unlawfully enriched approximately $100,000.

Angelia K. Moore is named in all nineteen counts. Timothy A. Moore is named in eight counts in the Indictment. The Conspiracy count carries a maximum possible penalty of not more than five years, not more than $250,000.00 or both. Each mail fraud count carries a maximum possible sentence of not more than twenty years, not more than $250,000.00 or both. Each count charging fraud in connection with an unauthorized access device carries a maximum sentence of not more than ten years, not more than $250,000.00 or both.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U. S. Attorney Rao Oliver will represent the government.

Note: Charges brought against a person through an indictment are accusations only. That person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

--The Moore's Bad Trader Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/AngieandTimMoore.html



April 1, 2003
Traders_name: Jay Nelson

Jay Nelson of Gilsum, New Hampshire, is a bad trader on eBay and Yahoo. Over 1,700 "known" victims. Dunno if he listed beanies, because the article says he kept changing the items he listed for "sale" in order to keep ahead of the feds.

Gilsum man sentenced in one of largest internet auction frauds
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A Gilsum man has been sentenced to 6-1/2 years in federal prison in one of the largest internet auction fraud investigations by postal inspectors.
Jay Nelson, 35, pleaded guilty last July to mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and identity fraud in a case that involved more than 1,700 victims, the U.S. attorney’s office said Monday.
Nelson was charged with conducting on-line auctions on e-Bay and Yahoo auction websites, receiving payments from winning bidders,but failing to deliver any merchandise. The U.S. attorney’s office said he attempted to avoid detection by changing the merchandise he supposedly had for sale and creating hundreds of on-line identities,screen names and e-mail addresses.
In addition, he used fictitious identities for nonexistent previous buyers to establish a record of customer satisfaction, authorities said.
He was arrested in January 2001 and released on bail, but fled in February and was indicted on a charge of bail jumping.
While free, he bought and sold gold coins, and also used the names and credit card accounts of additional victims to make unauthorized purchases and to conduct more auction scams, authorities said.
In July 2001, an alert coin shop owner in Kissimmee, Fla., recognized Nelson’s photo on the Postal Inspection Service website after learning about the case from a radio talk show and an MCNBC article. He informed authorities, and when Nelson returned to the shop to sell gold coins, he was arrested.
He pleaded guilty last April to bail jumping and was sentenced to a year in prison. The latest sentence will be served in addition to his time already served.
© 2003 Geo. J. Foster Company
March 13, 2003
Important Message filed by Mediator, Pat

Alex Johnson has been convicted of spamming Traderlist, among many other charges. You may remember that he sent out thousands of emails telling recipients that Traderlist sold their email addresses. (Not true, but the spam was believed by many traders, and this caused Cindy and I to receive hundreds of emails in two days.) The following message was just received from Detective Sergeant Rollin, Investigation Services Fraud Unit:

From: Rollin, M.
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 2:33 PM
Subject: Fraud Convictions - Christopher Alex Johnson

Dear Traderlist (Cindy, Pat)

Good news! Today, 13 March 2003, Christopher Alex Johnson entered pleas of guilt on 35 separate charges in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada. Charges included possession of credit card data, fraud and attempt fraud of merchants in Sault Ste. Marie using stolen credit card data and use of such data. He was also convicted of "Spamming" Traderlist by interfering with the lawful use and operation of property to wit Traderlist.com. He also plead guilty to possession of computer passwords enabling him to commit the offence of possessing credit card data, possession of property obtained by crime to wit: user id's and passwords from Paypal.com. He also was convicted with bail violations concerning his flight from outstanding charges in Ottawa, Ontario.

Johnson has been convicted and sentenced to a period of 11 months incarceration (jail time) with a 2 year period of probation to follow. Because he has been in custody since his arrest he was credited with pre sentence time and will serve an additional three months from this date. The judge emphasized deterrence in his sentencing and placed Johnson on probation for 2 years after he is released from jail ( and this will start after he has served all his time as he is still facing numerous fraud charges in Ottawa yet to be heard). His probation order included reporting to a probation officer, making financial restitution to merchants defrauded (over $4000.00) AND he has been ordered not to use, possess or access in any way any computer (as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada) and is barred from any access or use of the internet what so ever. To quote the judge "he is out of the computer business". We do not expect him to abide by these conditions and any evidence of him returning to the internet will be pursued vigorously.

I expect Johnson to be transferred via the correctional system back to Ottawa shortly to face numerous fraud charges stemming from fraudulent internet trades. I expect he will be convicted there as well.

Thank you for all of your assistance with this investigation. Your information helped in getting one of the few convictions in this country for "Spamming" as a type of mischief to property. The service you provide is invaluable - please commend everyone involved! You have my utmost appreciation! Please feel free to post or disseminate this information.

Respectfully,

Monique Rollin
Detective Sergeant
Investigation Services Fraud Unit
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service
(705) 949-6300 ext: 340
fax: 759-7358
m.rollin@ssmps.org

--This person's Bad Trader Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/AlexJohnson.html

February 7, 2003

Rick Parris Arrest:
Message filed by Minnesota Postal Inspectors.

"We finally arrested Mr. Parris yesterday afternoon. Below are links to stories in the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press."

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3638981.html

http://www.startribune.com/stories/468/3639124.html

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/5124866.htm

More Information:

Parris was arrested Thursday in connection with that and similar Internet auction transactions. He is accused of defrauding nearly 1,000 customers of more than $120,000. He pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon. His attorney, Katherine Menendez, said she couldn't comment further.
Prosecutors allege that from April 2000 to December 2001 Parris offered brand-name jackets, rare Beanie Babies and other items on e-Bay or Yahoo auction sites. But they say he either didn't deliver the goods or sent customers fake brand-name items he bought from sources in China or the United States. He is indicted on 24 counts of mail fraud and two of trafficking in counterfeit goods. According to the indictment, Parris used 15 Internet addresses and screen names, such as Milleniumbeanies07@aol.comand winterwear7@aol.com. He sold to customers in the United States, Canada and Great Britain, the indictment said, and when buyers complained, he falsely told them he would send out their items soon or said he had already sent them. In at least one case, prosecutors allege, he forged a rebate check to a disgruntled buyer. In some cases, he said certain Beanie Babies for sale were in "mint condition" and sold them for $20 to $50 or more, according to the indictment. Jackets were listed as authentic, new and straight from the factory.

Mr. Parris's Bad Trader Page: http://www.traderlist.com/CollectibleLiquidations.html

Please see update in May, 2003


L.A. Man Charged with Scamming eBay Buyers
Wed Dec 4, 1:29 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Los Angeles man was charged on Wednesday with defrauding eBay buyers on six continents in what prosecutors called one of the largest Internet auctions scams uncovered.

Chris Chong Kim, 27, was charged with four counts of grand theft and 26 counts of holding a mock auction for allegedly failing to deliver the high-end computers and computer parts he sold on his eBay business site, Calvin Auctions.

Kim was scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was arrested on Tuesday and was jailed in lieu of $400,000 bail. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 24 years in prison.

The criminal complaint against Kim listed losses of $453,000 to 26 U.S. customers, eBay Inc. and Bank of America Corp.

Los Angeles County prosecutors said Kim had been selling computers, laptops and other equipment for two years through Calvin Auctions. In April, he allegedly stopped shipping products but continued to sell on eBay until his business was shut down two months later.

The online auction house received more than 170 complaints from customers around the world. Their losses ranged from $1,900 to $6,000 each, prosecutors said.

Yahoo link to article: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021204/wr_nm/crime_ebay_dc_3



OCT. 22, 2002

Yukon Woman Accused Of Selling Fake Beanie Babies Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson says a Yukon woman has been selling fake beanie babies on the Internet.
The woman's attorney says his client is a victim.
Edmondson says Shellie Brassfield was selling 50 cent imitations of the collectible toy for 75- to 100-dollars and has filed a civil lawsuit against her. Some authentic beanie babies are selling for up to two-thousand dollars on Internet auction sites.
Brassfield attorney Jack Pointer says Brassfield thought she was selling authentic beanie babies after buying them from another person online. Pointer says people who bought the toys were repaid and Brassfield offered to take back the merchandise. Edmondson disagrees, saying customers claim Brassfield won't return their e-mails and wouldn't accept a request sent by certified mail. http://www.ktul.com/showstory.hrb?f=n&s=60450&f1=loc&f2=loc&z=0


This Person's Bad Trader Page:
http://www.traderlist.com/ShelleyLindley.html

April 5, 2002

A 16-year-old Wisconsin boy with a near-genius IQ has been charged in a juvenile petition with stealing account information from about 200 America Online members to go on an Internet shopping spree.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the teen used a hidden computer program that sent him the e-mail addresses of people in AOL chat rooms. The program would automatically send customers e-mail messages allegedly from AOL telling them to re-enter their credit card numbers, telephone numbers, addresses, PIN numbers, passwords and screen names because of a system problem. About 200 AOL users fell for the scam. Authorities said the kid purchased drug paraphernalia, a computer monitor, speakers and a scanner, a DVD player, a video camera and a pair of Air Jordan basketball shoes totaling more than $1,600. They said he told investigators that his victims should thank him because "I was teaching them a lesson."
AOL periodically cautions its more than 34 million customers about Internet fraud and warns them not to give out their passwords or credit  information.

March 25, 2002

Raj Trivedi -Trivedi Infosys. has been sentenced. Please click on the link for more information.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20020323-9999_1b23trivedi.html

February 28, 2002
Update on Nick Johnston , Aurora, Colorado

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1002,53%257E431035,00.html



January 25, 2002
Update on Ben Quan or Billy Brier or Doctor Perry Holiday May also be Kenny or Francine
Andrews, Keri Hoffman, Tami Mahoney

Milford, MA 01757
Emails: doc-holiday@mediaone.net , bargenoutlet@webtv.com, Mooshii@mediaone.net,
ID - mooshii, doc-holiday77

**Arrested and charged with Larceny...ordered to pay restitution by the District Court in Wareham, MA**
If you have sent this individual money for an auction please contact . Your name will be added to the list of victims which will be given to the Federal Postal Inspector.

Detective Gilbert Cabral gilbert_cabral@warehampolice.com

January 23, 2002
The Herald
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Canada

N.B. woman admits to Beanie Baby fraud

BATHURST, N.B. (CP) - A grim-faced New Brunswick woman pleaded guilty in provincial court Tuesday to defrauding would-be Internet buyers of Beanie Babies, the much-coveted plush toys.

In 1999, police started getting angry complaints that Raymonde Leaman, of Bathurst, was selling Beanie Babies for upwards of $500 US per toy through an Internet auction site - but not delivering the goods.

Source: Reporter Melissa Friedman for CBC Radio
http://www.herald.ns.ca/stories/2002/01/23/fCanada.html

December 24, 2001

Judge Barnes ordered Karen C. Keaton, 32, of Dierks (aka Karen Thompson) to serve five years of probation
and, during that time, to pay back $8,400.81 to customers who sent her money after participating in a supposed
internet auction.

Source: SW Times
--This person's Bad Trader Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/KarenThompson.html

December 13, 2001 (New Updates posted on Jan. 22, 2002 on his bad trader page)

RAJ Trivedi-RAJ Software/Trivedi Infosys, Inc. was arrested yesterday. Please click the following link for the news story.

http://www.click2houston.com/hou/news/stories/news-112530320011213-061223.html

If you have not yet submitted your complaint to me to forward to the authorities, please do so immediately.
Internet Fraud Mediator, Pat

December 12, 2001

www.traderlist.com/ConnieOlson.html

Beanie Baby Con Woman Accused of Identity Theft

THE SUN HERALD
By ROBIN FITZGERALD

BILOXI - A woman who served time in federal prison for not delivering Beanie Babies she sold on the Internet is now accused of stalking and stealing the identity of the investigator who helped send her to prison. Connie Marie Olson, 34, and her mother, Sandra Ann Olson, 56, are being held by the U.S. Marshal's Service on charges of making threatening or harassing phone calls to Robert Kay.

http://web.sunherald.com/content/biloxi/2001/12/11/pageone/it_1211_federal_charges.htm

September 4, 2001

Update concerning Dave Kopp from Det. Jeff Taylor:
jtaylor@mckinneytexas.org
Date: 9/4/01 4:50:06 PM

"Just wanted you to know that Kopp plead no contest in court today."

Jeff Taylor, Detective, McKinney Police Department

--This person's Bad Trader Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/DaveKopp.html

August 15, 2001

If you are a victim of Nancy McKenna, Winthrop Harbor, IL. 60096-1738 please contact: Sgt. Vepley - Winthrop Harbor Police Dept. 847-872-2131. Nancy has been arrested and remains in jail after a 20 count arrest warrant was issued.

Email addresses she used: nanasbbs@aol.com, Nanasbeanys@aol.com, picturefile111@aol.com, nanas-bbs@aol.com

July 31, 2001

US charges five in Web auction scams

LOS ANGELES -- Five people, including a former member of the old Los Angeles Rams football team, were named in three indictments charging they sold items through Internet auction sites and then failed to deliver the goods to waiting buyers.
The unrelated federal fraud indictments announced Tuesday alleged that the defendants swindled approximately 180 people out of nearly $100,000.
Complete Story
Bad Trader Page:
http://www.traderlist.com/J.Noble-IssiahNikon.html

July 2, 2001

Subject: various and many--Vanessa Tomsett-Michigan

Vanessa Tomsett has finally been sentenced. She previously pled guilty to mail fraud in Detroit federal court. The contact at the U. S. Attorney's office is Sandy Palazzolo, phone 313-226-9510.

Griffin was sentenced on June 22, 2001. She received 5 years probation, with electronic monitoring for the first 12 months, and was ordered to pay $19,843 in restitution.

--This person's Bad Trader Page--
http://www.traderlist.com/Vanessa.html

June 27, 2001

US District Court Judge Charles Kocoras sentenced Steven Cross to 15 years in prison! 39 year old Steven Cross pled guilty to 3 counts of mail fraud in March. Steven walked off with $275,000 within an 18 month period promising to deliver Beanies and Pokemon cards!

Article published in The Chicago Tribune

May 26, 2001

Beanie Baby scam leads to arrests
By KELLY BROWN
Eagle Staff Writer (Texas)

Federal indictments have been returned against three members of a Madisonville family accused of setting up online auctions and selling Beanie Babies and other merchandise they never supplied or even possessed.

The 10-count indictment charges Sharon Baptiste, Heather Paxton and Craig Paxton with taking in about $20,000 from some 300 victims across the United States and Canada during 1999.

Each is charged with nine counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carry a combined maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Court documents allege that Baptiste and her son-in-law, Craig Paxton, set up auctions over the Internet on Yahoo and on eBay. Baptiste and her daughter, Heather Paxton, opened mailboxes in College Station where they had the checks sent for the items they never intended to provide, according to police.

College Station Det. Paul Price and FBI agents based in Bryan began investigating the case in September 1999 after a man from Illinois complained that he had participated in an online auction and never received his goods.

College Station Sgt. Chuck Fleeger said scores of others complaints followed the initial grievance after the man sent out an e-mail notifying other participants about the potential for a scam.

“People were buying mainly Beanie Babies, but also computer hard drives, computer games, video games and video cards,” Fleeger said. “The auction site would offer low prices and people would bid, then send in their money without ever getting their stuff.”

It is a federal crime to use the Internet for illegal purposes involving transactions across state lines.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, but means that there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Susan Dryden, deputy director of public affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice, said the indictments were a part of a national effort by the FBI and the Department of Justice to investigate Internet fraud.

Tagged Operation Cyber Loss, the inquiry resulted in charges being brought against about 90 people nationwide. The offenses include fraud by wire, mail fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and intellectual property right violations.

May 24, 2001

A Clermont, Florida couple has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Houston on charges of operating an Internet fraud scheme involving the sale of nonexistent classic cars. Timothy Wayne Steinmetz, 28, and his wife, Rhonda Sue, 29, operated a Web site advertising classic Ford Mustangs for sale. Their company, Ears & Gears Restoration Inc., also listed Mustangs for auction with eBay. After cars were sold or auctioned, customers sent money by wire transfer, as instructed, but never received their Mustangs, the indictment alleges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cedric Joubert said he knows of at least 13 victims nationwide. The two victims listed in the indictment live here and wired money from Houston.

Joubert said the accused received at least $100,008. Each could get five years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

May 23, 2001 - Message from Internet Fraud Mediator, Pat

Please go to this link to read about the FBI Nationwide Fraud Crackdown!

http://www.ifccfbi.gov/strategy/wn052301.asp

February 1, 2001

Memphis Police made one of the largest Internet fraud busts in Shelby County history Thursday. This scam surfaced through the web site "Angie's Beanie Barn". Angie Moore's victims say instead of sending beanie babies, she claimed she couldn't because she had either brain cancer, a leg tumor or a bite from a poisonous spider.

Investigators say Moore swindled thousands of dollars from dozens of customers, by offering beanie babies over the Internet. The case got so intense that even the U.S. Postal Service became involved. "We have tons and tons of victims who mailed in checks through the U.S. Mail and they have not received their beanie babies," says U.S. Postal Inspector Katrina Chalmers.

Action News Five was on the scene Thursday morning as police led Moore, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, out of her house. Police confiscated four computers and more than a thousand beanies from Moore's house. They say her operation was advanced, and it took a long time to bust.

An out-of-state victim called Memphis Police for help seven months ago. But, as Sgt. Ron Willis says, Memphis Police had never handled an Internet fraud case before. "Internet crime is something that we're not familiar with and we are trying to learn how to deal with and how to investigate."

Victims say Moore used dozens of different e-mail addresses, user I.D's, fake or fraudulent names and home addresses. She kept selling beanies even after she was banned from E-Bay and several popular beanie web sites. Charges are pending, and for now, Moore is out of business.

Angie Moore's Bad Trader Page

Source: Memphis WMC-TV 5  - article

January 24, 2001

Cathleen A. Lamb, 41, a former Waukesha County Sheriff's Department dispatcher was charged Tuesday with taking money for Beanie Babies and Pokemon cards that were promised on the Internet but never delivered.  She was charged with two counts of theft by fraud. Each count carries a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine.

According to a criminal complaint, Waukesha police said Lamb told them she received $400 to $500 from about 10 Internet transactions but never delivered the merchandise to the buyers. Some of the buyers were from as far away as England.

Police said Lamb used her daughter's name as the person to whom buyers should send their money, the complaint says.

Police said Lamb told them she fraudulently sold Beanie Babies and Pokemon cards through popular Internet auction sites because she was desperate to raise money for a family matter, the complaint says.  Lamb told police she owned the collectible toys that she offered in the online auctions, but she acknowledged never delivering them, even after cashing checks, the complaint says.

Lamb was arrested last July and resigned from the Sheriff's Department. Efforts to contact Lamb, who is believed to be living in Milwaukee, were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Police said there were at least six complaints posted on the Yahoo! auction site for an e-mail address linked to Lamb, some of them describing the seller as a "scam artist."

There are steps consumers can take to protect against online auction fraud, said Glenn Loyd of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

He said people should verify the seller's identity and address, pay by credit card so they can challenge the charges with the credit card company if the merchandise doesn't arrive, and use an escrow agent to protect the money until the merchandise arrives.  "You should use a certain amount of skepticism when doing business over the Internet, and remember that the farther away the rip-off occurs, the harder it is to remedy."

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By: Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel staff

January 18, 2001

Lucille Liscomb, 35, of Goodyear, Ariz., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud through an on-line auction service run by the Yahoo! Web site.  

An Arizona woman who defrauded almost three dozen people in bogus Internet auctions for Beanie Babies and computer equipment must serve 30 months in prison, a federal judge ordered Tuesday.  

U.S. District Judge Robert James also ordered Liscomb to pay fraud victims restitution totaling $20,189.  Liscomb and co-defendant Gregory Campbell instructed high bidders in the auctions to send payments for merchandise to one of six post office boxes in several small Louisiana towns, including Columbia, Fort Necessity, Baskin, Archibald, Mangham and Sterlington. They obtained payments from 33 customers in the United States and overseas, but the items were never sent.

Liscomb and Campbell have been in federal custody since they were arrested Aug. 31. Campbell will be sentenced Feb. 20, according to U.S. Attorney Bill Flanagan.

Source: The Advocate Online - Louisiana

Bad Trader Page: http://www.traderlist.com/GregCampbell.html

December 27, 2000

U.S. Department of Justice that Vanessa Griffin (aka Vanessa Tomsett, aka aka aka) has pled guilty to mail fraud in U.S. District Court in Detroit, MI. All victims have been asked to submit a statement by January 17, 2001, in advance of her sentencing on February 22, 2001. The statement is specific, and you can obtain the form from Ms. Sandra Palazzolo, Victim Witness Coordinator, 211 W. Fort Street, Suite 2001, Detroit, MI 48226. Telephone (313) 226-9510; FAX (313) 226-4609. Please take the time to do this, because the sentence will be based on the total damages (losses). There is a very slight chance you will receive any restitution, but perhaps we can keep this scam artist away from a keyboard for awhile.

Vanessa's Bad Trader Page

December 26, 2000

George Arthur Cruz of Artesia, Calif., was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with 13 counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering, FBI officials said. (Also know as Richard Cortez) is accused of defrauding some 40 eBay members out of about $76,000 by auctioning items such as laptop computers and camera equipment on eBay but never delivering them to bidders.

Last week, federal officials indicted Hen Ben Haim of Encino, Calif., in a similar case. Haim (also know as Shay Albaz) is accused of defrauding more than 200 eBay members out of about $32,000. He faces up to 75 years in prison if convicted.

Source: CNET News.com
By Troy Wolverton

December 15, 2000 - Update

Bogus Beanies offer real comfort to those at shelter
Confiscated  COUNTERFEIT BEANIES donated by state

NEWARK, Ohio -- At the Center for New Beginnings, no one scoffs at the lowly, lumpy stuffed animal.   "We give every child who comes here a stuffed animal, and the first night, they absolutely must have it,'' he said.

So Gano was quite pleased -- and not a bit offended -- when Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery arranged for the delivery last week of 300 counterfeit Beanie Babies to the Licking County shelter.

They don't have the little "Ty'' manufacturer tag, and an expert collector, perhaps, could look into the faces of the plush purple bears and find flaws.

That's OK. The folks at New Beginnings don't look too harshly on imperfection.

The toys were confiscated from Brenda R. Theos and her sons, Shawn and Chris. Montgomery's office filed a civil action against the Newark family in February, in what was the attorney general's first suit involving e-commerce.

The Theoses sold the toys via eBay, an Internet auction site, passing them off as authentic collectibles. Complaints soon began filing in from throughout the country -- some from as far away as Ireland -- about fake Beanies.

Licking County Common Pleas Judge Gregory Frost on Sept. 18 ordered Theos and her sons to repay $16,400 to 45 duped buyers.

"It just seemed a shame to throw them away,'' Beougher said. "We wanted to take a little good from a bad situation.''

So far this year, Gano said, 133 children have lived temporarily at New Beginnings, a secure building in downtown Newark, roughly 30 miles east of Columbus.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch
By:   Rita Price

Brenda Theos Bad Trader Page

December 13, 2000

RALEIGH -- A Franklin County woman faces 23 criminal charges amid allegations she sold Beanie Babies on the Internet but never delivered the toys, police said.

Freda Horne Roberts, 36, of 519 Rick Boone Road in Franklin County, was charged Tuesday in Wake County with obtaining property by false pretenses, a felony, according to arrest warrants. After turning herself in, Roberts was released on an unsecured bond, meaning she didn't have to pay any money. She is seriously ill, according to a judge's note filed with court papers. Roberts is accused of stealing about $4,000 total.

Allison Roberts Bad Trader Page

Source: The News & Observer Pub. Co.
By: Steve Myers; Staff Writer

December 5, 2000

DuPage County - Paul Hrdlicka, 26, of Vista Avenue, Woodridge, and John Carroll, 45, of MacGregor Road, Lockport, were arrested and charged with forgery.

In an undercover operation at a Willowbrook banquet hall, where legitimate Beanie Baby trading, buying and selling was occurring, police officers bought nearly 530 counterfeit Beanie Baby tags for $5,900, more than $10 a tag.

"Consumers should be very cautious when making purchases of trademarked goods, especially during this holiday season," Birkett said.

Hrdlicka has been released from the DuPage County Jail on $10,000 bond and  Carroll has been released on $5,000 bond. Both men are to be arraigned Jan. 2. Forgery carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.

Source: Chicago Tribune Company
BYLINE: By Art Barnum, Tribune Staff Writer.

October 17, 2000
Update on Susan Erhard/SashaDrake

October 10, 2000
Update on Brenda Theos and Sons
 From The Columbus Dispatch

NEWARK, Ohio
A Newark woman and her two sons have been ordered to repay $16,400 to buyers of fake Beanie Babies sold over the Internet. Judge Gregory Frost of Licking County Common Pleas Court ordered the restitution Sept. 18 as part of a suit brought by Ohio Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery against Brenda R. Theos and her sons Shawn and Chris.

Frost also suspended $70,000 of a $75,000 civil penalty provided the Theoses abide by the court order, which permanently bans them from using the Internet to sell merchandise.

Stephanie Beougher, a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office, said the restitution goes to 45 people who purchased the stuffed toys from the Theoses. They operated out of an apartment at 212 Buena Vista St. in Newark.

The Theoses sold the toys via the eBay auction site. The court order stems from a complaint brought by Montgomery's office in February, the first filed by the state against an Internet vendor.

Brenda Theos Bad Trader Page

August 14, 2000 - update

Trish Snyder was sentenced to a year in jail, suspended. She is on probation for 36 months. The only actually jail time she will serve is 10 days to be served over the next 5 consecutive weekends. Her fine is 750.00 + 100.00 for the appointed attorney.
I called the courthouse to get this info. The number to the courthouse is 1-435-586-7440.
Trish Snyder Bad Trader Page

July 03, 2000 - update

Craig Levi pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud in federal court in
Williamsport, PA. on friday June 23, 2000. The article that appeared in "The Express" (Lock Haven, PA) stated that Levi had defrauded people of more than $240,000. As part of the guilty plea Levi has agreed to provide assistance in the prosecution of others involved in these scams.

Update: June 8, 2000

Lansford was sentenced in the Western District of OK. Judge Leonard gave a "very stern" lecture to Lansford about the damage she has done, etc. Judge Leonard commented that he has never received as many victim impact statements as he has on this case, so thanks to everyone who sent in a statement.

Lansford got the max she could get for this crime, 18 months. Lansford's attorney requested that she serve the last 6 months of her sentence in a halfway house, which was denied. Judge
Leonard ordered restitution of $24,951.53 which is the total identified loss. Based on Lansford's financial status and the fact she will be in federal prison for the next 18 months, this will be a while in getting to the victims. She will make payment to the courts and they will forward to victim.
ChristineLansford, (aka..ChristineHutton,Jennifer Hutton,& Tamela Smith)

June 23, 2000 - update

Craig A. Levi, 36, of McElhattan, pleaded guilty Friday in US District Court in Williamsport to 12 counts of wire fraud and agreed to cooperate in the prosecution of a co-defendant.  In charges filed in Williamsport and an indictment handed up in federal court in Johnstown (Pa.), the government accused Levi of defrauding more than 60 people throughout the United States and at least one in Europe, out of more than $240,000.
The co-defendant, Frank Richard Nickens of Williamsport, is in custody in Louisiana.
Source - The Express - Lock Haven, PA

June 3, 2000

Sheila Voshell was arrested on felony theft charges last week in Washington.

Prosecutors allege Voshell was selling Beanie Babies over the Internet and failing to provide the items after customers had already sent her cash.

Voshell also had outstanding warrants out of Nez Perce County in Idaho.
She's scheduled to be arraigned this month

Source: Spokane.net News
Sheila Voshell Bad Trader Page

May 23, 2000

Jeff David Stark, 29, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. He scammed victims out of $30,000 after notifying them they were winners of the auctions. He also defrauded Washington Mutual Bank of more than $32,000 by using aliases to open accounts, depositing checks drawn from closed accounts and then withdrawing funds.   He may face up to five years in prison, and a $250,000.000 fine, along with paying restitution to his victims.

He also used the names "Timothy Dolan," "Mark Pilger" and "Jeff Williamson" to open auction accounts at eBay.com and Yahoo! so he could post false advertisements for collector Barbie dolls and electronic and computer equipment.

Authorities said victims whose claims have not been cataloged can e-mail the FBI at
seattle@fbi.gov.

Source:  Peter Lewis  - The Seattle Times Company

Steven Cross, 36, of Chicago has been charged with 10 counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud for scamming collectors out of $275,000.  He offered discounts on Pokemon and Beanie Babies products was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday.

Cross was arrested in February, and is being held without bond. Each count in the indictment carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Source: Postnet

March 20, 2000
Update on Susan Drake/Susan Erhard/Sasha

March 9, 2000
Vanessa Tomsett/Alias/Alias/Etc - Bad Trader Page
Message from Federal Postal Inspector

Vanessa Tomsett has just been indicted! The following message is from Federal Postal Inspector Bob Lane (RMLane@uspis.gov). He is looking for all victims of any Michigan scams. Your help is greatly appreciated. You can read more about Vanessa and her many aliases at www.traderlist.com/Vanessa.html Thanks!
-----------
From:U.S. Postal Inspectors
Detroit,MI

If any one has experienced a bad trade or loss associated with the following addresses,please provide me with your name and type of loss you have experienced and the amount of the loss. This case goes back to early 1998 so please check your records. Please indicate what address was used, what name was used. Please provide a phone number for contact.

34550 Bridgeman
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48335

1296 Desiax
Bloomfield Hills,MI 48302

P.O. Box 1215
Novi,Michigan 48736

P.O. Box 530023
Livonia,Michigan 48153

P.O. Box 240381
Orchard Lake,Michigan 48324

P.O. Box 584
Keego Harbor,MI 48320

29209 Northwestern Hwy. #634
Southfield,MI 48034

6689 Orchard Lake # 349
West Bloomfield,Michigan 48322

20700 Civic Center Drive
Suite 350
Southfield,Michigan 48076

This information is requested so that we can update our records and accurately reflect losses at the above addresses. Even if you have emailed me in the past, please email me again so I can update the record.

Thank You,

Robert M Lane
Postal Inspectors
Detroit,MI
RMLane@uspis.gov

March 7, 2000

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- James R. Denlinger Jr. was charged with receiving $46,701 from more than 200 customers from North Carolina to California and not providing the beanbag toys.

District Court to 15 felony counts of fraud. He faces a maximum of five years in prison for each count of wire and mail fraud, a $250,000 fine for each count and three years of supervised release. He was scheduled to be sentenced May 22.

Among the people who lost money were Michael Schultz of Winston Salem, N.C., who sent $1,400 for a Billionaire Bear from Denlinger, according to court records. Carmen Manzana of Fontana lost $2,110 when she ordered several Beanie Babies from Denlinger.

Denlinger ran the scheme out of his home in Mission Beach between September 1998 and January 1999. He continued his operation from Sonoma County, where he also pleaded guilty to a Beanie Baby Internet scam in state court in December. In that case, Denlinger is believed to have cheated online shoppers out of $60,000.

Source: The Sacramento Bee (SacBee)
James Denlinger's Bad Trader Page

Update: May 23, 2000
James Denlinger has been sentenced to a year in federal prison. He is required to pay $47,000 in restitution to his victims.  Denlinger won't be able to use the internet, e-mail
or a home computer for three years after he gets out of prison, unless he’s granted a court approval.

March 4, 2000
Joe Kelly (Reed) Bad Trader Page

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Three men were charged Thursday with orchestrating a $20,000 Internet scam in which customers did not receive the Beanie Babies they purchased online, prosecutors said.

The Philadelphia men placed ads on America Online falsely advertising the sale of ``retired'' or discontinued Beanie Babies, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. At least 12 people answered the ads, some requesting dozens of the stuffed animals for between $10 and $70 each.

The customers sent money orders or electronically wired payments of up to $5,000, according to the federal indictment. The men sometimes failed to send any stuffed animals or sent a damaged or cheaper dolls, prosecutors said.

Samuel Miletto, 30, who prosecutors said masterminded the plan, was indicted on 19 counts of wire fraud. He faces up to 105 years in prison. Joseph Reed, 31, and Louis Lloyd, 34, were each charged with one count of wire fraud. They both face up to five years in prison.

Beanie Babies normally retail for about $5, but versions that have been retired command high prices from collectors.

Source..Yahoo News

Feb. 22, 2000
Linda Armstrong's Bad Trader Page

Linda Armstrong, 39, allegedly sold hard-to-get Beanie Babies through the eBay and Yahoo! Auction sites and collected payments without sending the promised items.

Armstrong, who used the name "Momandguy" on eBay and Yahoo, specialized in "pre-selling" the popular tiny plush toys before their official release date, promising to deliver them later.

Most winning bidders paid between $45 and $110, hoping to get items like Flitter the Butterfly, Groovy the Bear and Chipper the Chipmunk, but some paid more than $500, Margliano said.

She was arrested at her Channahon home Monday afternoon and charged with four counts of theft by Internet. Two of the counts are felonies because of the amounts involved.

Armstrong was being held on a $20,000 bond in the Will County Jail. Her four children were turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services, because her husband, a truck driver, was out of town.

Source: Chicago Sun Times
BY ART GOLAB SUBURBAN REPORTER

Feb. 16, 2000
ChristineLansford, (aka..ChristineHutton,Jennifer Hutton,& Tamela Smith)
has been arrested and charged with fraud. The following is a message from the Federal Postal Inspector who is handling her case.

Subj: RE: Christine Lansford
Date: 2/9/00 6:44:10 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: EMEllis@uspis.gov (Ellis, Eddie M)

Yes she has been charged and arrested. She is out on a $10,000 unsecured bond with restrictions on the use of the Internet. Trail is scheduled for March. If she pleads there will be a sentencing at a later date. I will let you know of any changes.

She was sentenced to 18 months in jail, and was also ordered to pay back everyone.

Feb. 15, 2000
Brenda Theos and sons Chris and Shawn

Ohio sues to block Web fraud
State accuses family of selling counterfeit toys through Internet auction

BY NATHAN CRABBE
Special to the Beacon Journal

COLUMBUS: Just days after hacker attacks temporarily disabled eBay, Ohio's attorney general filed a lawsuit alleging a Newark woman and her two sons used the Internet auction house to sell counterfeit Beanie Babies and other collectibles. The lawsuit comes as federal officials try to educate consumers about Internet fraud and a Cincinnati lawmaker proposes registering online vendors with the state.

Brenda Theos and sons Shawn and Chris are accused of using Internet sites, including eBay.com, to sell collectibles that were either fake or never owned.

The lawsuit is the first time the attorney general has sued someone for committing Internet fraud, said spokeswoman Jennifer Detwiler.

The lawsuit alleges the Theoses used ``shill'' identities to post false comments about their products on the site and also changed their own user names to prevent past fraud from being associated with them. ``They were misleading others to believe they had a good reputation,'' Detwiler said.

Neither the Theoses or eBay could be reached for comment. Detwiler said the attorney general's office received more than 30 complaints about the Theoses. Many accused them of never mailing collectibles, including Beanie Babies and basketball trading cards, for which
they received money.

Article found in the Ohio Beacon Journal Online

Feb. 15, 2000

NEWARK, N.J. (AP)
Mohammad Kheiralla and Hani Kheiralla Bad Trader Page

Two Beanie Baby vendors are accused of defrauding customers after 41 consumers complained to New Jersey officials about not getting the plush collectibles they bought in online auctions.

The state announced Monday it has sued two Warren County men who operate the Beanie Stars store in Hackettstown, accusing them of failing to deliver the toys to winning bidders, or failing to send them within the required six weeks.

Winning bidders on the eBay auctions had to pay in advance, in one case $618, the state Division of Consumer Affairs said.

Mohammad Kheiralla and Hani Kheiralla auctioned items on eBay since at least May 1999 as ``nada400'' and ``beaniestars,'' the lawsuit said. They could not immediately be reached for comment. Their store phone was busy Monday afternoon. Their attorney, Abe Jaloudi, said Monday night that his clients were sorting through their records to determine which customers didn't get merchandise they ordered. Jaloudi said the brothers have served 5,000 to 10,000 customers, and authorities have only given them names of five who were dissatisfied. He said the brothers "would be more than happy to ship the items or refund the money.''

The state is seeking restitution to consumers and fines of up to $7,500 for each violation.

Jan. 4, 2000 with update on March 20, 2000
Ontario, Oregon
Susan Drake/Susan Erhard/Sasha Bad Trader Page

Susan Drake was arrested this week for the crime she has committed. The District Attorneys Office is completing the processes. Sgt Rick Esplin will be going through his case report and will try to separate out all the beanie babies and buddies in hopes to place the property with the rightful owners.

We will keep you informed on our progress. Sgt Esplin is off duty until this weekend, therefore this process will not start up until after the first of the year.

Thanks
Sheri Smith
Ontario Police Dept
posted Jan. 4, 2000

Update: Mar 20, 2000
Message from Sgt. Esplin:

I'm Sgt. Rick Esplin with the Ontario Police Department in Oregon. I have been working on the theft of several Beanie Babies/Buddies since October 1999. Susan Drake has been found guilty of the theft, and as a result part of her punishment is that she has to pay to have your Beanies shipped back to you.

I will need ONLY the following from each of you. Your complete address with zip code. (If you live in the UK , Canada or Germany, please type your address the way it should look when I send it), and the exact description of your property (Babies or Buddies or in some cases, Pillow Pal) It is important that I know if they are Babies or Buddies. Also, I need to know if they were in some kind of kit.

Some bad news. Some of you will not be getting your property back. For this I am sorry. I did the best I could under the circumstances. Those of you who do not get any property back will be compensated by Susan Drake for the loss of your Beanie Babies/Buddies. If you do not get your property back and receive no money from Drake then you will need to contact the Malheur District Attorney in Vale, Oregon. They are in charge of seeing that restitution is paid. (email: davictims@malheurco.org)

Thank you for your patience during this investigation. I didn't get a chance to speak to alot of you as I didn't have access to the internet until a week ago.  If you have any questions let me know.

Sgt. Rick Esplin
email: rickesplin@yahoo.com

P.S. Please send only the items I requested. Thanks

Jamison T. Piatt, RR4, Box 28, Shickshinny, PA. agreed to pay $600.00 in restitution to 9 customers and additional restitution to anybody filing a claim to the PA. attorney general within 90 days for failing to deliver Pokemon cards advertised on EBay. He also agreed to deliver $2,238 worth of cards to 38 consumers and pay $2,000 in penalties and investigation costs.

December 17, 1999
Scranton Tribune

Joann Fraser, from San Diego pleads guilty to taking 58-thousand dollars from two women and failing to deliver promised Beanie Babies. Fraser, who runs an online business, advertised the stuffed animals at a discount. Diana Peterson of Illinois had sent her more than 21-thousand dollars for a pair of rare Number One red Beanie Baby bears in April. And Karen Chambers of Michigan sent more than 36-thousand dollars for the same pair and other items. Fraser couldn't deliver because she didn't have the bears in stock.She faces a prison term of up to three years and eight months in prison.

November 22, 1999
Yahoo News Article - State of California

Trish Snyder of Cedar City, Utah was arrested on second degree felony theft charges.
Email address she used: Tascd@netutah.net

Information received from Detective Holm:
I have also received information that Ms. Snyder has allegedly sent some threatening e-mail. If you receive any e-mail from Ms. Snyder or someone saying they are Ms. Snyder, please forward it, along with any attachments and headers, to me at hdave@cedarcity.org. Also if you receive any phone calls, mail, etc. please notify me as soon as possible.

I appreciate everyone's cooperation in this investigation. You can reach me at 435-586-2956.

David Holm
Detective Sergeant
Cedar City Police Dept

Trish Snyder Bad Trader Page

Craig Alan Levi of Pennsylvania, is prohibited from conducting further business. Craig Levi is also known as Todd Roberts, Jack Lambert and Frank Miller -- doing business as Calevi, Inc., P.O. Box 139, Campground Rd., McElhatton, Clinton County, and 1738 East Third St., Suite 200, Williamsport, Lycoming County.  Other defendants include Becky Ann Levi, Frank Nickens, Penn Central Brokering, Inc., owned by Craig Alan Levi.

They are to pay full restitution to the victims, and pay civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and $3,000 for each violation involving a person age 60 or older. They are to also pay costs of investigation.  - August 18, 1999.

-Yahoo news article

May 4, 2000 - update

Some victims lost money around Christmas responding to his Yahoo Auctions for "Thomas the Tank" items. He used the name xlr8balou, or balou@blazenet.net. If anyone else has been scammed by Frank Nickens of Pennsylvania, contact Agent Supervisor Thomas Creehan, Office of Attorney General, 171 Lovell Ave., Ste. 202, Ebensburg, PA 15931, 814-949-7900. Mr. Nickens has been indicted for Fraud by Wire and is a fugitive.

June 23, 2000 - update

Craig A. Levi, 36, of McElhattan, pleaded guilty Friday in US District Court in Williamsport to 12 counts of wire fraud and agreed to cooperate in the prosecution of a co-defendant.  In charges filed in Williamsport and an indictment handed up in federal court in Johnstown (Pa.), the government accused Levi of defrauding more than 60 people throughout the United States and at least one in Europe, out of more than $240,000.
The co-defendant, Frank Richard Nickens of Williamsport, is in custody in Louisiana.
Source - The Express - Lock Haven, PA

Glen Brown of Maryland, pleaded guilty to felony theft by scheme.

He was sentenced to serve 8 years in the Division of Corrections and suspended all but 4 years. He was ordered to make restitution to all victims.  - August 16, 1999

Glen Brown Bad Trader Page

Timothy D. Vollbracht, 34, of Minneapolis was given 1½ years in prison and fined $150,000 for conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The Judge ordered him to pay $11,221.77 to the fraud victims. He smuggled counterfeit Beanie Babies into the U.S. and sold them over the Internet.

Amy T. Vollbracht, 27, also known as Amy Hamilton, will be on probation for three years and is to perform 50 hours of community service for  her part in the smuggling operation.

The scheme operated for 10 months beginning in April 1998.

- written by Margaret Zack - Star Tribune - August 6, 1999

James Richard Denlinger Jr., from California is finally arrested. - July 29, 1999
There are over 100 victims that he scammed out of $200,000.00.  He faces 7 counts of computer fraud, and one count of setting up a alse auction Web site.

James has gone by many alias names....pezzer@hotmail.com,  tomrich01
Runner74@aol.com, Happy93991@aol.com, Runner7056@aol.com, NCLAUS33@aol.com,surfsd97@aol.com, kimesq@aol.com, beanloren@aol.com, SprtzPalac@aol.com

Please read arrest article written by Randi Rossmann by clicking on the link below.
 
James Denlinger Bad Trader Page

Update: Dec. 11, 1999
Article written by: Clark Mason - Press Democrat Staff Writer

As part of the agreement reached with prosecutors Friday, Denlinger pleaded guilty to five felonies and will be allowed to serve his sentence concurrently with any prison time he is given in a related federal case pending against him in San Diego. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 3. It is anticipated that Denlinger will get a three- to five-year federal prison term.

Defense attorney Robert Beles of Oakland said Denlinger is being made an example of what happens to people who defraud someone on the Internet "because everyone wants to feel safe buying on the Internet. This is the Year of the Internet, maybe the next year, too. It's burgeoning. It's a massive section of American commerce.''

Update: March 30, 2000
Mircea Aileni Bad Trader Page

A federal grand jury on March 15 indicted Mircea Aileni on charges of Internet mail fraud, U.S. Attorney Saul A. Green said in a written statement. The indictment was sealed by court order until Wednesday.

Aileni allegedly advertised computer components and hard-to-find Beanie Babies stuffed animals on Internet services including Yahoo! and America Online without intending to ship them to buyers, the statement said.

Consumers answering the ads were instructed to mail payments to Aileni at addresses in Illinois, Oregon, Ohio and Massachusetts. The addresses belonged to commercial mail receiving businesses that in turn forwarded Aileni's mail to similar businesses in Michigan, where Aileni obtained buyers' payments and order forms.

''Consumers who inquired about their orders received short responses with false information or promises of refunds that were never received,'' the statement said.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Attorneys in Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm's High Tech Crime Unit have been authorized by the U.S. Attorney's Offices for both the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan to bring cases in both state and federal courts, Green said.

Each count against Aileni is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

By Associated Press, 3/30/2000

--------
Mircea Aileni of Michigan was arrested on April 16, 1999.

He has gone by many alias names.. Lackey2B@aol.com; Cartagina9, Lakey2B@aol.com, Beaniedealr@yahoo.com,  pokey0810@aol.com, fluffypie9@aol.com, skm2773@aol.com, hubs269@aol.com.

Mircea Aileni Bad Trader Page

September 29, 1999

The husband of a woman accused of cheating Barbie collectors through an Internet auction site turned himself in Tuesday, claiming he was to blame. “I’m willing to take responsibility for my (expletive) up,” Stephen Wilson said in a phone interview before turning himself him. “It’s not my wife’s fault.”

His wife, Malynda Fenstermaker, was arrested Thursday after a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s detective began investigating her dealings on the Internet auction site eBay.

At least five people reportedly paid Fenstermaker between $500 and $600 for collectible Barbie dolls through the Web site, but never received the dolls.  Fenstermaker was charged with three counts of grand theft. With tears in her eyes, the woman pleaded not guilty to the charges via video arraignment in Victorville Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.

Wilson walked into the Hesperia sheriff’s station at about 10:45 a.m., ranting about the case and bleeding from superficial cuts on his wrists. Paramedics wrapped the man’s wounds and investigators interviewed him. Wilson was then arrested for grand theft, but his confession did not clear the way for his wife’s release.

“There are too many inconsistencies in their stories,” Sheriff’s Spokeswoman Karen Morgan said. “As far as we are concerned, they are both involved.” Morgan said Fenstermaker told deputies she mailed the dolls, and Wilson told them he did.

Wilson said he told his wife he mailed the dolls but never did. “She really didn’t do it,” he said. “It was my responsibility.” Wilson said he used the money to buy methamphetamine, which he has been abusing for about five months.

Wilson said he waited to turn himself in because he hoped the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office would not file charges against his wife. Wilson was booked into the Victor Valley Jail after his arrest.

Source: www.vvdailypress.com
By SCOTT VANHORNE - Staff Writer
Kristina Wells contributed to this report.

September 29, 1999

A Hesperia woman reportedly swindled at least five people out of their money by advertising dolls on a popular Internet auction site and never delivering the goods, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Detective Paul Reid began investigating Malynda Fenstermaker, 24, after a woman from Illinois complained she had paid the suspect $526 for a Harley Davidson Barbie doll through the Internet auction site eBay.

The woman sent numerous e-mail messages to Fenstermaker after she did not receive the collectible doll, but the suspect did not refund her money. “(The buyer) kept getting excuses until finally (Fenstermaker) didn’t respond,” Reid said.

Then came similar complaints from women in Northern California and other states, including Pennsylvania and North Carolina. “All of these ladies say their checks were cashed but they never got their dolls,” he said. “I haven’t come across anybody she actually delivered the merchandise to.”  The prices of the dolls ranged from $500 to $600 each.

Reid said Fenstermaker told him the dolls had been lost in the mail, but she could not provide any receipts. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office filed felony grand theft charges against Fenstermaker Monday. She is currently being held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Kevin Pursglove, senior director of communications for eBay, said customers who feel they are defrauded should contact local law enforcement and the company.

Any other victims can contact Detective Reid at the San Bernadino County Sheriff's station in Hesperia at (760)947-1539

Source: http://www.desertdispatch.com
By SCOTT VANHORNE - Staff Writer

Vanessa Tomsett of Bloomfield Hills/Farmington Hills/Orchard Lake/Livonia, Michigan was finally arrested. - April 1999

Vanessa has gone by many alias names.... Denise Griffin, Denise Tomsett, Mitzie Griffen, The Memory Secretary, Amy Miller, Carolyn Jacobson, and "Art Memories", John Peterson, Gabriella (Gabby) Swanson, J.F.Mccarty, Jennifer Mccarty, Laura Nelson, Carol Crawford, Frances Long, Evelyn Parker, Karen Silverton, Lindsay Jacobs, V & L Gift Baskets, and Thomas Randall.

Vanessa was arrested and is out on bail with the condition that she not deal with beanies.
Unfortunately she has been found at least twice on different auction sites with different names and email addresses and continues to scam.

Vanessa Tomsett Bad Trader Page

Jerry Bruce arrested in Internet Beanie Scam

Jerry Bruce from Fort Worth, Texas was arrested on suspicion of theft of $1,500 to $20,000. During the search, they found no beanie babies. Customers wrote checks to Jeremy Brice, and then he altered them to Jeremy Bruce to cash them.
Star-telegram - April 15, 1999 Complete Article: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/doc/1047/1:METROC/1:METROC041599.html

July 2, 1999 update - Jerry Bruce pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to two years in prison for a felony charge of theft of more than $20,000.
Star-telegram - July 2, 1999

Jerry Bruce Bad Trader Page

Donna/Dawn Steele - dsteele@rock107mail.com/dsteele@briefcase.com

Lisa Ann Bonner of Lake Ariel, Pa. was arrested April 8, 1999 on theft charges. She is also identified as Donna/Dawn Steele. The article states that she was charging $15.00 plus $3.20 postage for beanies she had no intention of sending to buyers. There were 19 victims from 12 states.   Scranton Tribune -  April 9, 1999

Donna/Dawn Steele Bad Trader Page

Update: December 3, 1999

Lisa Ann Bonner, 32, pleaded guilty on Oct. 14 to two counts of theft by deception, and was sentenced to wear an electronic monitor for 15 days after she ran a Beanie Baby scam over the Internet.  She is also to perform 100 hours of community service and to pay a $300 fine.

Wayne County President Judge also sentenced her to pay $1,085.75 in restitution to her 19 victims and she must get a full- or part-time job within the next 30 days.

Ms. Bonner told Judge Conway that she was very remorseful for what she did. She said her family had been going through bad financial times. She said she has lost her car, is losing her house and that her daughter tried to kill herself. She asked Judge Conway to be lenient.   "I knew I made a mistake," she said. "I tried to fix it."

Scranton Tribune

Couple pleads guilty to Beanie Baby scam - April 9, 1999

Timothy D. Vollbracht, 34, and Amy T. Vollbracht, 27, also known as Amy Hamilton from St. Louis Park, MN. pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. They smuggled hundreds of counterfeit Beanie Babies into the United States from China to sell over the Internet. They made more than $160,000 selling these counterfeit beanies within a ten month time frame.

- Star Tribune  

Mike Goldberg - suomi8@email.msn.com/gretz99@4link.net

Mike Goldgerg was arrested by this department for two counts Grand Theft and one count Petty Theft in regards to the stop payment and NSF checks used to purchase Beanie Babies. Any questions call 714-754-5261, Mel McMinimy.

Costa Mesa Police Dept - crime_analyst@worldnet.att.net
March 16, 1999

Michael Kozun Goldberg/Donna Kozun Bad Trader Page

The Baltimore County Police Department (Computer Crime Unit) seized nearly 300 Beanies from Michelle Woodward on March 10, 1999. Included in the seizure was the recovery of my three Clubby Beanies, as well as the Maple Beanie which Michelle was supposed to send me in trade. If you sent Michelle Woodward of 24 Walden Cypress Ct. Baltimore, MD 21207 either Beanies in trade, or a Money Order in payment for Beanies you never received, please contact the following individual ASAP:

Detective Byrd (DByrd50483@aol.com)
Computer Crime Unit
Baltimore County Police Department
700 E. Joppa Rd., 11th Floor
Towson, MD 21286-5501
Tel: 410-887-8042
Fax: 410-887-8097

Michelle's boyfriend answered the door at the time of the seizure of the Beanies, and indicated that Michelle was out of town on business for the next few weeks. While the Baltimore County PD was able to seize the Beanies, they were unable to serve the warrant on Michelle, but will continue to attempt to do so. The message here is simple. Mail Fraud is a crime. - March 10, 1999

Michelle Woodward Bad Trader Page

On-line dealer of Beanie Babies charged with fraud

Allison Lenkiewicz, age 21, was charged yesterday in Superior Court in Elizabeth with scamming 35 Beanie Baby collectors out of $1,700 by accepting their orders but failing to deliver the goods.  She was charged with third-degree theft by deception.  Allison said this was all a big mistake since she had cashed checks with the expectation shipments from a local store would supply the Beanie Babies. She closed down her website, and plans to apply to enter a probation program and make full restitution.
If accepted into the pretrial intervention program, she would not face jail time and her record eventually would be cleared. She would have to complete some form of counseling, which typically could last about a year.

New Jersey Online © Copyright 1999 -  March 11, 1999

Joseph Scarmack, 24, of Pennsylvania, is accused of mail fraud.   The federal grand jury alleged that Scarmack advertised on the Internet that he had rare Beanie Babies for sale. Eight people ordered the toys and paid Scarmack $200 to $635 for them. He received a total of $2,586 but never mailed the toys. Scarmack could be sentenced to five years in prison if convicted of mail fraud.

Cleveland  © The Associated Press, 1999 - March 11, 1999

David Plank (PLANKIE69R@aol.com)

David Plank admitted to all the charges against him and must pay restitution and serve time in a detention center. On Jan 21, 1999 David Plank pled guilty to 16 counts of petty theft, and was sentinced to 30 days in a juvinial detention center, he was also placed on 1 year probation, and he is being held responsible for any restitution, plus court costs.
- February 1999

David Plank's Bad Trader Page

We received this letter from the Arizona Fraud Task Force to post:

January 25, 1999

RE: KELLY RAE JOHNSON (AKA: KELLY WATSON, KATIE JOHNSON /
MICHELLE FOSNAUGH
4316 NORTH 20th AVE- # 2, PHOENIX, AZ 85015, 1702 W. CAMELBACK.
STE: 13-352, PHOENIX, AZ 85015, P.O. BOX 27291. PHOENIX, AZ 85015

On 1-22-99. members of the ARIZONA TELEMARKETING FRAUD TASK FORCE executed a federal search warrant at 4316 north 20th Ave., Phoenix, AZ and interviewed Ms Johnson and Ms Fosnaugh concerning the internet trading of Beanie Babies. The interview of the two women disclosed that they had received numerous collectibles and had sold them at a discount. Very few collectibles were recovered during the search and those which were recovered, were in questionable condition and not identifiable as to the original sender.

Both Johnson and Fosnaugh agreed to discontinuing their practice of trading and receiving collectibles with out payment or equal trade to the senders. Their "Web TV" was seized, incident to the search warrant.

The information gained during the search will be provided to the United States Attorney's Office at Phoenix, AZ, for consideration of criminal prosecution.

If anyone else has a complaint regarding the above individuals which has not been previously forwarded to the task force, please write a complaint letter and copies of any E-Mail to the Fraud Task Force at P.O. Box  16150 Phoenix, AZ 85011.

Kelly Johnson Bad Trader Page

Kelly Williams - doctorbean@aol.com, beans2298@aol.com, clawsfor@aol.com, hullaratime@aol.com, pepsiluvr55@hotmail.com, Tobnrts@angelfire.com

Kelly Williams was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida for scamming many from all over the country, and a lady in Florida out of $19,000.00. She also has charges against her in Atlanta, GA. from where she started her scamming operation.  She could face up for 5 years in jail, and a $250,000. fine.  - February 1999

Kelly Williams Bad Trader Page

Update: March 7, 2000

Final Results of Beanie Baby Fraud @ Big Ridge Road, Biloxi MS

On February 7, 2000, Connie and Maynard Olson were sentenced to serve 18 months and 21 months incarceration They both were ordered to pay a combined restitution of $9170.Any victims that will be receiving restitution will be notified by the Federal Court. Not all victims identified will be receiving restitution. The Postal Inspection Service is closing this case, any and all evidence received will be retained with the closed case file and or destroyed.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

Sincerely,
R.A. Kay
Postal Inspector

Update: August 10, 1999

Maynard Olson, and his daughter, Connie, each pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.  The Olsons are scheduled for sentencing Oct. 19. They each face a  maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of  up to $250,000.  They are being held in the Harrison County jail. They've
been held there since March, when they were arrested in Kansas after missing a scheduled arraignment date in Biloxi in July 1998.

newspaper article  - The Sun Herald

----------

April 7, 1999
Update from the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office
From: Kay, Robert A  (RAKay@uspis.gov)

Subject: Case Status

Connie and Maynard Olson, 15304 Big Ridge Road, Biloxi MS Beanie Baby Fugitives.

On or about April 1, 1999, Connie and Maynard Olson were arrested in Olathe, Kansas. A Federal Magistrate Judge ordered the Olsons' detained to the custody of the US Marshall's. They are scheduled to be transported to The Southern District of Mississippi within the next thirty days. When they arrive a trial date will be scheduled.

In the event you are needed to testify as witnesses you will be contacted by me or the Assistant United States Attorney that is handling the prosecution. If there has been recent telephone number and or address changes please notify this agent.

As details unfold you will be notified.

----------
Subject: 15304 BIG RIDGE ROAD, BILOXI, MS
Author: Robert A Kay <RAKay@uspis.gov> at INTERNET
Date: 8/3/98 3:23 PM

On May 1,1998, a search warrant was executed upon the residence 15304 Big Ridge Road, Biloxi, MS. Numerous pieces of evidence was recovered at the residence.

On July 21, 1998, a Federal Grand Jury true billed a twenty count indictment for Connie and Maynard Olson. Connie and Maynard Olson did not appear or their arraignment and are currently fugitives.    newspaper article       - August 3, 1998

Connie Olson Bad Trader Page

since April 3, 1999