This statement that OSO will not give up info that might help track the guy down is disturbing to me, especially if there was a police report filed. If I am following the thread correctly several people or at least one other person was taken by this guy through the OSO classifieds, so why don't they help. I know it is naive but often Ian and I will pay up front or a ship a part without money first because the deal was done via OSO.

Chris, I don't mean to suggest you were wrong, because my husband and I could have easily had something like this happen to us, but the thread has got me thinking of ways to avoid this without having to drive or fly cross country before buying something. Perhaps OSO owes it to us, but I think they should do more to insure the identity of the person that advertises a high ticket item is on the up and up. What about asking for a copy of a drivers license number or passport, have it faxed before excepting an ad for anything over $500.00 or $1,000.00. Us buyers should also get in the habit of doing something like that as well, or have a someone check it out for you. I realize that there might be a way of fabricating a license but it will still weed some of the fraud stuff out.

Did OSO give a reason they would not help, that's why I miss the old days when Steve was around, ten to one, he would have helped. Good luck, Donna

OSO, now or then, would not have helped someone, especially against an advertiser. The only option would be a court order for the ISP. Most likely the police will say that it is a civil matter and not press fraud charges, this is what happened in my case against a then oso advertiser, now just a member, which among other things involved purchases a pair of engines. Paid in full for them but then never received them.

Hiring an attorney is expensive, probably at least $1,000.00 or more. The guy is already out a bunch of money and something tells me, that like I, he does not have money to burn.

OSO is not Craigs list or Ebay, it's a forum based on membership, albeit it has changed and many of us gave up paying when things changed, be it it is still more of club, than about selling items. I think when the intention of the seller seems to be to committ a fraud, then OSO hould help however they can. Didn't OSO/Steve help when Gino go taken for money with Big Scotty.

Am I missing something about the fact OSO will not help. Don't you need a cc or paypal account to place an add, can't info be gotten from that.

Was your deal in the classified section or with someone that had a banner ad.

I asked for the IP and registration info for the as placer several times and here were the responses

The IP was not traced. It was removed with the listing.
On Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 9:22 AM, Christian Kentling <[email protected]> wrote:
Do you have the IP info from the poster so it can be back traced?

Thanks


Hi,

No we don't since we removed the listing.
On Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 9:28 AM, Christian Kentling <[email protected]> wrote:
Well dang… Thanks I appreciate it. Do you have any of the registration info from when they registered to post the listing?

From: OSO Info [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 11:28 AM

In the classified it says call Kenny offshore.
310.280.4464

I did not see what payment method was required to place an ad, but I would assume either visa or paypal, can't they give that info to the police or FBI or whoever else this rip off scheme has been filed with. I would also think the authorities if they were trying to solve this would have asked for that info already

I agree with Griff. That is very fishy. I would've never done it if I was there. Wonder why

Full Ride scholarships

Easy scholarships

Strange scholarships

Hero scholarship

They were a paid advertiser. They had a banner and still are a popular member. OSO office has a copy of the judgement for 80k, still have not seen a dime.

hi there,

Just to inform you that we have taken down these ads and we have IP banned this guy. We do not have any private information on this person , but even if we had ,we are not legally allowed to share such things on the boards. The best thing is to contact the police , who can contact paypal if they have to -and work with them on tracking him down.

Good luck and keep us posted on any updates!

you say you IP banned him, then why does the email from OSO state that the IP address was gone when the ad was pulled.

If you/OSO wanted you could set the rules anyway you want when accepting a classified ad, you could write in the contract or whatever the classified advertiser signs or sets up prior to running an ad that if there is reasonable proff that the ad was intended to defraud then you will turn over any and all personal information on the advertiser to the person that lost money. Possibly it would nip the fradulent classifieds from being posted. Like I posted earlier this is not ebay or Craig's list, this is a forum based on members with a hobby and I think you owe the board a little bit more protection in this type of matter.

I also feel that it is differnt when working with business advertisers, I think you cannot police them the same way since their ads are more general and does not cover one patricular sale like a classified ad does.

i got screwed also from him i did a wire transfer and never got the motors.

I cant hardly beleive the response this has gotten!!! Thanks so much to you all for your positve comments and ideas!!! The power of this thread shall go as far if not further than I imagined, It was my very first thread I started on this board and I have never commented on anyone elses, I am a newbie on OSO and I did this on a whim, hoping someone would take interest in following it, and low and behold it worked!!!!!!! I cant thank all of you enough, this case is far from over, I just cant belive how well this seems to be working I am in debt to you all, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!:kiss::drink:

As I suggested, the IP address is direct line to him ... Get the police to get warrant for the IP and track him like a hungry bloodhound.

Looks like a bunch of folks got ripped off by this scum bag and with the success he's had here ... he WILL BE BACK to strike again! This must be stopped here.

You are welcome :) and BTW ... Welcome to OSO dude! Not many have come here, phucked with one of our own, and gotten away with it Scotty Free ... (pun intended :D )

Chris

He wont be getting very far at all. There is a warrant out for his arrest in this matter. If all goes well, he will get hung out to dry in the legal system!

Please let us know how it goes, I wound up getting a thread deleted over your situation. I would like OSO to change their policy regarding the classified section so that they would give more protection to buyers who are often members. But instead of hearing what the membership had to say, they asked me to delete it my thread, since I did not act quick enough they deleted if for me:(

Play nicely when you biitch, it's a big no no to name call members.

I don't typically get into these threads but I have to make a couple of statements. First, the way that some people do "business" these days is reprehensible and not "business" at all. Second, to lose that amount of money to most everyone is a hard blow to take and I feel for everyone that has lost money to these types of people. Especially after having come justthisclose to being taken in January over a transmission.

If you have to do business over the 'net, let me sum up some guidelines:

1. Do your homework, know exactly what you should be getting.
2. Pictures, LOTS of pictures, preferably date stamped. I realize this can be manipulated, however, some digital photos have metatags embedded and there are enough pros around here that might be able to get that info for you.
3. Do your absolute best to actually lay eyes on what you are buying. If you can't, post here asking if there is someone in the area that will do it for you. And take photos. We have ALL seen the stories and I believe most anyone here will do what they can to help a fellow OSOer NOT get ripped off.
4. When in doubt, ask. Put up a post asking if anyone here knows or has heard of the person or company. This community is a hard place to hide in. The long arm of OSO is a hard thing to escape.
5. Get everything you can in writing. What you are getting down to the nuts and bolts, the dollar amout for the item and shipping, when shipping will happen, tracking number, you name it.
6. Use Paypal or some form of payment that gives you recourse should something go wrong. A wire transfer alone gives you nothing. As far as the bank is concerned, you are just a generous soul that decided to give some money to their customer. Beyond that, I won't say they don't care, but they have nothing to do with the item-for-cash transaction part of it. They simply accept the transfer into their customer's account.
7. Google is a wonderful tool. Make use of it. Google that address, look at the map, use sattelite view. Don't send your money to the address of a vacant lot. Again, research!
8. If, sadly, you do get taken for your hard earned cash; RUN not walk to your nearest police department and file a report. Also get in touch with the police department in the town of the seller. Laws are not the same everywhere, you have to know what applies to your situation. Much can be done without hiring an attorney.

No one here WANTS to get ripped off. As decent human beings, we want to trust in our fellow man. The sad fact is, sometimes that trust is misplaced. It happens to most everyone in some way at some time. The fact that it happens when you try your best to prevent it doesn't make you that sucker that was born in your minute. I certainly don't want anyone to think that I am saying that, far from it.

Now I am going to get to the second thing that burns me about this. Offshore Only has a long history of making every attempt possible to help members deal with this sort of situation. Why in the world would anyone even think that this is not the case this time? Before anyone jumps to any conclusions, perhaps full knowledge is needed. OSO did NOT handle the transaction, merely provided the forum for it to take place. This does NOT make them responsible for the transaction. As a matter of fact, OSO had no more information on the person that posted the ad than the buyer did. Yes, the information was shared. It is kind of hard for OSO to give information they don't have, now isn't it? The actual ad was deleted when the swindle was made known. Your moderators took care of that. However, there is only so much they can do. IB had to take care of banning the IP. Which they did shortly after, as IBSteph indicated. You can only get so much information from an IP address to begin with.

Now, when a member is asked to delete a thread, it is done for a reason. When that member chooses to not do as they are asked, then it is the moderators job to handle it as they see fit. They don't make random requests with no reason. Frankly, I find it offensive that anyone would think that OSO would not help in any way they can. Perhaps if that is what you think of the owners and moderators of OSO then maybe this isn't the place for you.

Good point.

good read till the last paragraph
nice attitude get over yourself

:):ernaehrung004::D

QUOTE=Ange;3133188]
Now, when a member is asked to delete a thread, it is done for a reason. When that member chooses to not do as they are asked, then it is the moderators job to handle it as they see fit. They don't make random requests with no reason. Frankly, I find it offensive that anyone would think that OSO would not help in any way they can. Perhaps if that is what you think of the owners and moderators of OSO then maybe this isn't the place for you.[/QUOTE]

you can :asskiss: or come down off your high horse :coolcowboy: for a moment and apologize

I will make one more post on this and I am done. The real subject at hand is that people have been taken advantage of and lost their hard earned money. It is a horrible thing to have happen and I have the utmost sympathy for them. I feel nothing but contempt for people that do their best to make a living off of taking money from honest, trusting people.

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The above information is taken directly from the OSO Terms of Service.

I would hope it is faily self-explanatory. I do believe it covers all of the points in question. To clarify even further, the information that Chrisache had on the seller WAS compared to the information available to OSO and was found to be the same. What further information could OSO have possibly provided?

Donna, let's look at your IP information that I was able to find.
"The IP Address is: 76.112.253.246. The host name is: c-76-112-253-246.hsd1.mi.comcast.net."
The Google map of your IP address location is HERE.
I would say that that is the information that the average Joe might be able to find. Of course I could go deeper I'm sure, I did find a member's deadbeat ex-hubby on a TX wanted list in less than five minutes once. But as you can see, a quick look doesn't get you a whole lot.

Once again I will say that I don't think OSO has EVER been unwilling to help someone as much as possible in this sort of situation. Not only OSO itself, in its present and former ownership, but OSO members as well. However, they are not responsible for the transaction. I dare say they don't want that responsibility. The liability involved would be enormous.

As for my "last paragraph", I am going to take a higher road than some others. First, I stated facts regarding the actions a member and moderators. Second, I stated opinion. Both of which I have every right to do. Whether or not you agree is solely up to you. But there will not be an apology for having an opinion. They are, after all, like other things, we all have one. :D

RG, thank you for your support. I will stand up for my friends until the end. And I will do the same for OSO.

To the gentlemen looking for the low-life, scum sucking piece of crap that took your money, I hope you find him and he is strung out to dry. Best of luck!

PS: Any reference to a situation regarding any other boating forum had no place on this thread, it was totally irrelevant. Just another opinion. :D

so did anyone get any updates on whats happening to us that got scammed.

let this fool continue to use OSO and set the phucker up for the ride of his life....
45 gallon drum
100Lbs of steel
and a sq yrd of concrete works for me
hope there is a good outcome to this
and on a personal note i may have to rethink some of my purchases on OSO like many others that are honest 1st
i too am trusting

WOW, i never thought this would strike so many nerves!!!!! I was just asking for some help, and got a bunch of it!!!!!!!!!! By no means did I want to piss anyone off, thanks for your help, and I AM SORRY IF OSO, OR ANYONE ELSE HAS BEEN OFFENDED BY EITHER ANY OF MY OR ANYONE ELSE'S COMMENTS

ive been calling the bank and havent got a reponse does anyone know whats going on.

seems to be at a standstill:bsflag:

I agree. Paypal or credit card is the only way to go. And gives you more power over the transaction.

so any updates yet

Not many updates as of yet, the detectives I have been in communcation with are working diligently on it, and have asked not to post details, since this is still a publiuc forum and anyone (including suspects) can read.

I can tell you that it seems to me that the detectives have taken this one personal and this story goes a lot deeper than we thought

As soon as I have the ability to post more info I will

Thanks again everyone

ok thanks..

bump any updates yet havent gotten any calls yet on whats going on

Chrisashe & Ckentling; I believe you guys have a case for the Federal Prosecutor's Office in your states.... Seem to remember the violation of Federal Wire Fraud Laws and a few more that may be more serious that that need to be looked into...... If you can find this guy or guys the feds will go after them and take them down .
You are probably not going to get your money back but you might have the satisfaction of knowing these scum balls will be sitting in a Federal Prison for the next 10 years or so!!!

I think the other violations depend on the amount of money they scammed out of you guys ..Good luck in your search !

Jim


For all you other guys remember : C.O.D . Only.. Even if your going to look at stuff don't give up the cash until you can get the stuff and drive away with it ... Trust No One !!!

It's been a week now? VV

I didnt read the begining of this but here's an online buying tip.

If you use postal money orders, any issues become a federal offense and the FBI will go after the person as well as local authorities.

at $1.00 per thousand they are cheap insurance. I sell turbos wastegates and BOV's and I use them almost exclusively because they protect both sides.

I like the guys who buy stuff from me to feel comfortable and know that they are dealing with someone honest.
I also like knowing the money is there 100%

He will get His eventually
 

Remeber what comes around goes around and vengance is mine said the Lord!!!Good luck man and sorry about what happened to you!!!

answerq
 

we send money because we want to assume that the trash of every day life has not overcome the personall world of boating, but friend im afraid that if not already its close, remember how we waved to other boaters as bikers lower there hands and throw a wave, well its been long time coming but its infultrated the boaters world as well it seems. excuse me if not but history tells me wht i know.