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[Knighthawk]

Hey all. 
I just want to say thank you to everyone who was there at the end of last Dreamation and the crap that went down with me.  I also want to thank everyone for the post-incident support.  I never really realized exactly what kind of support I'd receive from the staff...you guys are so much more to me than convention buddies now...you're family...and I never really realized what that'd be like till this incident. 
Thank you to everyone who's been helping me.
I want to give a special thanks to the following people:
Jeff Mach
Vinny
Avie
Dean
Dave McBride
Tim
Julie
Paul
Jess & Tim O'Brien
Mandy Gray
And more than too many people who I have vague recollections of being there, but I can't clearly recall.  Everyone, your support and help...it means more to me than you'll ever realize.

Thanks again, and love to everyone.

-Dave "Knighthawk" Simpson
www.realmofconfusion.com

[Knighthawk]

Ok, so here's the deal. I got a call from a guy named Brian Lewis. His phone # is 773-499-9892. The guy tells me that I need to send him money via Western Union to him in Chicago, IL, and that the password on it is "my favorite color" and "red" as the answer. Apparently this guy has found my computer, external HD, and my WACOM...now considering how I've blanketed the internet with ads regarding this situation, I'm pretty sure I'm getting scammed. Can anyone help me to track this guy down?

[LucasJamison]

Well, obviously, never send money like that. There's a bunch of ways to respond to this.

If he's really got your stuff, he's kinda obligated to let you have it back - free. I mean, he doesn't have to absorb the shipping costs, but SOMEONE has to still do CoD shipping these days. The western union is a bit shady, but there're tons of people who moneygram or whatever all the time - there's a lot of legit transfers going on every day. Even if you have a publicly posted award, he can't rightly expect to collect BEFORE you get your stuff back.

If he's a dick about it, and is asking for a reward or ransom up front and refuses to do otherwise, then you know you're out the stuff anyway - just call the cops in Chicago. Maybe also the feds - they may blow you off, but it's not like it costs you anything to report it. Interstate wire fraud, or whatever this might fall under, is a federal thing, so you never know, the guy might just go down for it. But probably not.

You try one of those cell # reverse look-up sites yet? They charge like 30-50 per search, whether or not the records are much good, but it's probalby cheaper than getting taken in a con.

[Mark]

Call Western Union.  If the guy doesn't have your computer then it's wire fraud.  If he does, and that's pretty unlikely, then it's extortion.  Either way it's a crime.

[Knighthawk]

I already called the cops in Chicago and Lombard (it's the city the phone comes up as...though it's a chicago areacode).  I got assurances from police, that if the guy is legit that there's no problem with abiding by his request to not have "posession of stolen goods" charges filed against him.  And yeah, it's been brought to my attention that this is a federal matter because the theft was in NJ, the guy bought it in NY (or so he claims) and that he is now in IL, so all over the place it's a fed matter.  I've talked to Woodbridge and South Plainfield cops, as well as an amazing officer from Lombard (Officer Viva).  Seriously, everyone, even Verizon, as much as they're legally allowed, have been really amazing.  I'm hoping that at the least the people who ripped Dean and I off are caught.

(paragraph removed by moderator) Apparently South Plainfield is closing in on them...that makes me thankful.  Maybe if they catch the bastards I can hit them with a civil suit for lost property!

[Knighthawk]

Dear Forum & Moderators:
Apparently some of the remarks I wrote in the previous posting were offensive, and I honestly didn't mean them to be interpreted as such.  I am not mean spirited, close-minded or otherwise, and I am immensely, and unspeakably sorry that anything I wrote was taken ill or in the worst ways possible.  I realize that words spoken cannot be undone, and those written doubly so, and I'm sure that some respect has been lost, both for me, and my plight, but I assure you all that this was the furthest thing from my intent.  In the future I will do my best to keep a much tighter reign on my speech, my typing, and myself in general.  I realize this isn't the first time this forum has spoken to me about such impropriety, and I thank you all for your leniency. 
I really do love and care for everyone here, and wish to continue to thank everyone for their help and support through one of my darkest hours.

That said and done, I hope everyone had a better Valentine's Day than I did...


-Dave

[Avie]

We love you Dave and it's over.  Let it go and forgive yourself?  :-D

[Knighthawk]

I'll work on it ^_^

BTW, you might find this funny, the guy in Chicago hasn't just called me.  He's trying this scam with a pair in Seattle as well! I just got off the phone with them, and they're going to call the police in Illinois to file their own report.  I think we may have stumbled upon something else!  Who knows, maybe this break-in is going to lead to the takedown of a fraud ring!  Or so I can hope!

Yeah...been watching too much Law & Order lately.

[Salvius]

I'll work on it ^_^

BTW, you might find this funny, the guy in Chicago hasn't just called me.  He's trying this scam with a pair in Seattle as well! I just got off the phone with them, and they're going to call the police in Illinois to file their own report.  I think we may have stumbled upon something else!  Who knows, maybe this break-in is going to lead to the takedown of a fraud ring!  Or so I can hope!

Yeah...been watching too much Law & Order lately.

If nothing else, maybe it is a good basis for a new RPG 

>>>Vinny

[Knighthawk]

Scammers: The Rip off

ROFL!  I think John Lavalee would love that...I'll have to slip that one to him.

[TheonlyShamus]

Scammers: The Rip off

ROFL!  I think John Lavalee would love that...I'll have to slip that one to him.

Thats as good as Pimp: The Backhanding

[Knighthawk]

Yeah, it's definitely up there.

[Knighthawk]

Oh, so new update, because i think we could all use a good laugh at this point: I got a call from "Clyde" "Brian's" brother. Apparently they're ready to ship my stuff, but they're waiting for my money.  This guy called me yesterday from 773-368-3743.  I can't find anything on this #, but I figure maybe some of you more tech savy guys might have a clue.  I'm also trying to figure out how to find out a way to track cell-tower connections and tracing.  Any thoughts?

[kilo11]

http://www.reversephonedetective.com/searchresults.php?p=773-368-3743


try this

                                    joe

[Knighthawk]

yeah, I can't seem to find anything beyond that anywhere online