**Warning to all scammers**
09-27-2003, 07:25 AM
#1
3.0 BAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 21,479
**Warning to all scammers**
There is a way to get caught and it does happen. Don't think you are safe just because you are behind your computer screen.
DRYDEN MAN FACES FRAUD CHARGES
by Kimberly Dutkiewicz
staff reporter
DRYDEN TWP-- A dozen people from around North America may be victims
of an internet scheme involving a Dryden man.
Authorities allege Aaron David Syts, 21, advertised online as a car
parts distributor, collecting money for merchandise he never
delivered, and never had.
Several out-of-state complaints filed last fall led Sgt. Bob
Gottschalk of the Sheriff's Department to begin a months-long
investigation, which resulted earlier this month in criminal charges
being issued by the prosecutor's office.
Assistant Prosecutor Geoffrey Stuart said Syts was charged with felony
computer fraud, using a computer to commit a crime, and larceny by
conversion of between $1,000 and $20,000. The charges stem from
incidents in March 2002. Stuart said the list of victims could be even
greater and more charges could be issued.
Syts was arraigned Sept 15. Magistrate Gregory Wise released him on a
$25,000 personal recognizance bond.
On Friday, Syts was back in court for a preliminary conference before
District Judge John Connolly. His next court appearance is Oct 10.
Syts' attorney, Richard Nash, had no comment at this time.
Gottschalk, who handles computer crime for the Sheriff's Department,
said Syts posted advertisements on a Web Site for Diamond Star
Motors-- DSMTrader.com .
Syts, Gottschalk said, listed for sale turbo chargers, exhaust
systems, fenders, mirrors, body braces and other high-performance
parts that make cars handle better and go faster. The majority of the
parts were for essentially the same model of car, marketed as the
Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser and the Mitsubishi Eclipse.
People wanting to purchase car parts contacted Syts by e-mail,
Gottschalk said. The order would be placed, with payment required up
front. Syts allegedly received the money at his home.
"He asked them to either give him a credit card or send a certified
money order before the order would be sent," Stuart said. "They would
send money, and nothing would be received."
The lone Michigan victim-- a Clare man-- claims he ordered, and paid
for, $425 in merchandise. He never received the parts, Stuart said,
nor did he get a refund. Similar complaints came from British
Columbia, Texas, Virginia, Utah, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, New
Jersey, Colorado and Arizona.
When they didn't receive their merchandise, Gottschalk said people
started calling and e-mailing Syts.
"Everyone had either spoken to him on the phone or sent e-mails
requesting a refund or the parts," Gottschalk said. "He'd tell them he
didn't have the parts, that they were back-ordered. They never got
anything back."
Gottschalk said Syts never had the car parts. None were found in
August, when deputies and Dryden Township police searched his home.
Authorities did seize Syts' computer and business records.
Complaints have been filed with the Attorney General's office and the
Better Business Bureau, according to Gottschalk. Notices from both,
he said, were found among documents seized. More information regarding
any investigation, violation or action was unknown at the deadline.
"People would just like their money back," Gottschalk said. "They
certainly would like an example made (of Syts) so that this will not
happen again."
"It's our goal to collect restitution for all the victims," said
Stuart.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at
664-1801 or the prosector's office at 667-0326.
_______
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
DRYDEN MAN FACES FRAUD CHARGES
by Kimberly Dutkiewicz
staff reporter
DRYDEN TWP-- A dozen people from around North America may be victims
of an internet scheme involving a Dryden man.
Authorities allege Aaron David Syts, 21, advertised online as a car
parts distributor, collecting money for merchandise he never
delivered, and never had.
Several out-of-state complaints filed last fall led Sgt. Bob
Gottschalk of the Sheriff's Department to begin a months-long
investigation, which resulted earlier this month in criminal charges
being issued by the prosecutor's office.
Assistant Prosecutor Geoffrey Stuart said Syts was charged with felony
computer fraud, using a computer to commit a crime, and larceny by
conversion of between $1,000 and $20,000. The charges stem from
incidents in March 2002. Stuart said the list of victims could be even
greater and more charges could be issued.
Syts was arraigned Sept 15. Magistrate Gregory Wise released him on a
$25,000 personal recognizance bond.
On Friday, Syts was back in court for a preliminary conference before
District Judge John Connolly. His next court appearance is Oct 10.
Syts' attorney, Richard Nash, had no comment at this time.
Gottschalk, who handles computer crime for the Sheriff's Department,
said Syts posted advertisements on a Web Site for Diamond Star
Motors-- DSMTrader.com .
Syts, Gottschalk said, listed for sale turbo chargers, exhaust
systems, fenders, mirrors, body braces and other high-performance
parts that make cars handle better and go faster. The majority of the
parts were for essentially the same model of car, marketed as the
Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser and the Mitsubishi Eclipse.
People wanting to purchase car parts contacted Syts by e-mail,
Gottschalk said. The order would be placed, with payment required up
front. Syts allegedly received the money at his home.
"He asked them to either give him a credit card or send a certified
money order before the order would be sent," Stuart said. "They would
send money, and nothing would be received."
The lone Michigan victim-- a Clare man-- claims he ordered, and paid
for, $425 in merchandise. He never received the parts, Stuart said,
nor did he get a refund. Similar complaints came from British
Columbia, Texas, Virginia, Utah, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, New
Jersey, Colorado and Arizona.
When they didn't receive their merchandise, Gottschalk said people
started calling and e-mailing Syts.
"Everyone had either spoken to him on the phone or sent e-mails
requesting a refund or the parts," Gottschalk said. "He'd tell them he
didn't have the parts, that they were back-ordered. They never got
anything back."
Gottschalk said Syts never had the car parts. None were found in
August, when deputies and Dryden Township police searched his home.
Authorities did seize Syts' computer and business records.
Complaints have been filed with the Attorney General's office and the
Better Business Bureau, according to Gottschalk. Notices from both,
he said, were found among documents seized. More information regarding
any investigation, violation or action was unknown at the deadline.
"People would just like their money back," Gottschalk said. "They
certainly would like an example made (of Syts) so that this will not
happen again."
"It's our goal to collect restitution for all the victims," said
Stuart.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at
664-1801 or the prosector's office at 667-0326.
_______
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
09-27-2003, 03:23 PM
#3
0.0 BAR
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 0
Re:**Warning to all scammers**
Also I think that when buying online get it from a source that you have used ebay, forums, etc. If you go on ebay and the guy has a fair amount of nrgative feedback or it's a newer comer regardless of how ggod of a deal it is don't buy from them. Also I have found buying stuff from people on forums get someone who you seeing posting alot just not some guy who pops up selling all kinds of stuff for way less then it's worth. I'm just saying from personal experince and buying stuff online all the time and have yet to be burned.
09-28-2003, 11:09 AM
#9
3.0 BAR
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,828
Re:**Warning to all scammers**
Do you guys know this place?? http://www.mp3playerstore.com/
Well a friend of mine got screwed by the owner of on of these places...the one settled in Canada.
He never got his LCD monitor...he bid on it on ebay he e-mailed the guy afterwards and the guy just said to ---- off etc.. and he called and the same thing...Any Canadiaans willing to kick sum scammer but?
Well a friend of mine got screwed by the owner of on of these places...the one settled in Canada.
He never got his LCD monitor...he bid on it on ebay he e-mailed the guy afterwards and the guy just said to ---- off etc.. and he called and the same thing...Any Canadiaans willing to kick sum scammer but?
