Possible BIG TIME Scammer

[afem1010]

Here is a member who has just posted in the autograph section, by the username of dhanijosh

http://www.fanmail.biz/mboard/viewtopic ... 27&t=89307

He has clearly not followed the rules and such, but what amazes me is the autographs he is selling. Visit his website and check his autographs. The angelina jolie ones look like he did them and what is even more funny is the John F. Kennedy. They are either computer generated or done by hand by someone OTHER than JFK. Also, when did you have proper 8x10's in JFK's time?

What is even more hillarious are the prices. $29.99 for JFK auto. Riiiiiggghhhtt. $29.99. That is beyond unbelievable.

I maybe be prejudice, or just too cautious, but I didn't even bother trying to warn him about "reading the rules".

I need other mods opinion on this.

Cheers
afem1010

[glucklich]

afem, I checked it out and I totally agree with you. That is ridiculous, and no one in their right mind would sell an authentic JFK for $29.99. What's worse is that he has what? 9 posts total and one of them that I know if is about selling tons of autographs.

That bothers me when new people come to the board and their only posts are in the "Autos for sale/exchange" forum, I feel like their just here to make money and that they're not actually into the hobby. I think that there needs to be a serious restriction on who can even post in that forum.

[afem1010]

afem, I checked it out and I totally agree with you. That is ridiculous, and no one in their right mind would sell an authentic JFK for $29.99. What's worse is that he has what? 9 posts total and one of them that I know if is about selling tons of autographs.

That bothers me when new people come to the board and their only posts are in the "Autos for sale/exchange" forum, I feel like their just here to make money and that they're not actually into the hobby. I think that there needs to be a serious restriction on who can even post in that forum.

I very much agree. However, my rules are strict as it is. Members such as these should be banned without second thought. It reduces the amount of time it takes to question them and such.

Thats what I am sad about. People, like him, post in that section just to make money ripping other people off. The fact that he has 9 Angelina Jolie autos is scary. Also, I have a Pamela Anderson IP signed book which I bought from someone for very cheap. I doubt its fake as it was a reporter woman who seemed very nice and all. The ones I see on this guys site are following the same pattern. There is even one with a messed up "P"

The fact that he said that the site is his "dads" made me cautious.

I wish I could just go on a ban spree to ban members like him. But as a mod, i guess patience is key

Cheers
afem1010

[afem1010]

On the subject of rules I think that a few revisions should be made.

I also think that Moderators should have been allowed their say before the rules were gone ahead and posted.

-Firstly I don't think ebay should be allowed i.e. using that board to promote an auction.
-Members shouldn't need to be told but there doesn't seem to be anything in the rules about prohibited or illegal items (Offering pirated/copyright material).
-Persistent bumping

I'll probably add those last two later.

disrespecting Sr. Mods, you will be banned

I don't agree with this line either. Too harsh I think.

I encourage others to make suggestions as to how the section or the rules could be improved.

Firstly, the rules are preliminary, we have to start somewhere

I was going to add those 2 that you posted initially soon, in a manner that is point blank and to the point.

As about disrespecting mods on the board, that is not harsh at all. People who become mods on this site working day in and day out to clean out the mess other people make and make some order on this board. If you end up having a member, who is firstly junior with like 4 posts, and starts to call mods "jerks" and such, that does not show respect and integrity. If you are a part of the hobby it is your right to respect those who get the information and who validate the information. I am pretty sure you would not want to be called a "moron" or a "jerk" for trying to help out.

Since posting of the rules, I have point blank outlined to those members not following it to read the rules, and they do so and the matter is solved. If it is a particular scammer, you see they do not come back.

In terms of consulting other mods - almost all the other mods know that that the forum needed rules to be put in place. We have been discussing this indirectly, like in topics and such, that some changes need to be put into place. Taking those into account I made the rules. Some of these rules are from other trading sites which I have been on and have been a veteran trader on. They are both efficient and clean. "Don't follow them, leads to simple solutions" - that is how rules should be.

A small point about the ebay links not being allowed - I agree, but what about charity items. Many people prefer to sell for charity on ebay. This is debatable.

As I have said countless times, I like to get feedback from other mods about the section. So far, I think the autograph experts agree with what was posted, but I am all ears on suggestions and improvements.

Personally, if you don't make rules tough, you are going to continue to see scammers who dodge the rules for personal gains. As glücklich finely posted, there should be serious restrictions in that forum.

Cheers
afem1010

[afem1010]

As about disrespecting mods on the board, that is not harsh at all. People who become mods on this site working day in and day out to clean out the mess other people make and make some order on this board. If you end up having a member, who is firstly junior with like 4 posts, and starts to call mods "jerks" and such, that does not show respect and integrity. If you are a part of the hobby it is your right to respect those who get the information and who validate the information. I am pretty sure you would not want to be called a "moron" or a "jerk" for trying to help out.

A warning would probably be more suited to that sort of situation. I'm not saying that its what I would have in place, I think that each situation should be assesed rather than the same punishment for every member.

However if you feel you can convince the admin to ban a member for insulting a mod then keep the rule...

In terms of consulting other mods - almost all the other mods know that that the forum needed rules to be put in place. We have been discussing this indirectly, like in topics and such, that some changes need to be put into place. Taking those into account I made the rules. Some of these rules are from other trading sites which I have been on and have been a veteran trader on. They are both efficient and clean. "Don't follow them, leads to simple solutions" - that is how rules should be.

I'm not debating the rules that are in place, however I thik that it would have been best if you had made the rules, posted them here then allowed Mods to make their suggestions. I don't think there was any need to rush into it.

A small point about the ebay links not being allowed - I agree, but what about charity items. Many people prefer to sell for charity on ebay. This is debatable.

Again I think its just a case of making an acception. No eBay unless a member is selling for charity.

See, here is my consultation of the situation

Firstly, I agree I should have posted the rules and such. But I told admin I would be posting them directly in the first place.

Secondly, do you REALLY think I am going to convince admin to REALLY ban a member? This is a psychological tactic. If members know they are in for a "ban" if they insult a mod, they will stop insulting, period. This reduces the quarrels in that section of forum, thus leading to a better selling environment. This is probably most effective with new members as they know they can't make money if they are not on the board. After this, in terms of finding whether the pics are authentic, that is completely different. "Dealers" can be identified and tested. This is left to autograph experts to see if the thing they are selling is fake. Then scammers can be banned.

I only put the rules to start the whole protection of the forum. If I didn't put it and waited till things were finalized, many more people would have been scammed for all I know. I know there were atleast 3 topics a day in that forum. Now there have been 3 topics in 2 days. This shows the mentality of dealers and such, knowing they will get caught in the act.

Of course, I agree, maybe I should have consulted, but It has worked for the best.

Cheers
afem1010

[RuleroftheWorld]

He actually posted that thread in the Auto Discussions forum, I moved it after seeing it had stuff for sale, but I didnt check any further than the homepage. Looking closer now, Tiger Woods for $29 stands out a mile, as well as several others. Doesnt look legit.

[RuleroftheWorld]

Read the COA he offers - http://www.celebrityautographpics.com/f ... ICITY3.JPG

All his stuff is preprinted...

[RuleroftheWorld]

I thought it was here anyway, I didnt even realise it was in the for sale forum or I wouldve moved it earlier...