[meteorite-list] This is fun to read...

From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat, 15 May 2010 11:05:19 -0400
Message-ID: <AANLkTilxelPXx7nPcnxg9_e6jrIdkOueUMKLI6G2W4WG_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi Eric and List,

I actually don't know for sure. I have not tried to pursue a scammer.
 But it seems to me that it would be easier to get law enforcement
involved if an actual crime had already taken place - instead of
someone offering supposedly-fake meteorites. The problem for the good
guys is, the cops have no way of knowing what a legit or fake
meteorite is, so it's not a cut and dry case of attempted fraud. I am
not an attorney, nor do I have any law enforcement experience - but
both careers are represented by members of this list, so maybe they
can chime in with more qualified advice.

Best regards,

MikeG


On 5/15/10, Meteorites USA <eric at meteoritesusa.com> wrote:
> Hi Mike, List,
>
> Interesting premise to actually buy a potentially fake item from the
> suspected fraudster. I wonder, would it matter that you as the buyer
> already suspected that the item was a fake, and would that matter in a
> legal way?
>
> Regards,
> Eric
>
>
>
>
> On 5/15/2010 6:46 AM, Galactic Stone & Ironworks wrote:
>> Hi List,
>>
>> Perhaps someone nailed him for fraud. Offering a fake item for sale
>> is one thing. Using the US Mail system to carry out fraud is another.
>> The moment the payment is accepted, the seller's fate is sealed.
>>
>> The way to nail scammers (in the US) is :
>>
>> 1) purchase the cheapest meteorite they have.
>>
>> 2) (ask a ton of questions centering on authenticity and save all
>> emails in the discussion) - Make sure you ask the right questions
>> during the purchase process - some of the answers given will be lies
>> and this will help establish intent later in the law enforcement
>> investigation.
>>
>> 3) pay for the item with a USPS Postal Money Order
>>
>> 4) have it analyzed and confirmed as bogus, then print a lab report
>> that a layman can read.
>>
>> 5) contact the postal service and law enforcement - by cashing the
>> postal money order as part of a fraud, the seller is committing a
>> second felony on top of the original mail fraud charge.
>>
>> I wouldn't even bother with contacting eBay - that is like talking to
>> a head of cabbage. Let law enforcement get in touch with eBay during
>> the course of the fraud investigation done by the cops.
>>
>> Best regards and happy huntings,
>>
>> MikeG
>>
>> On 5/15/10, Norbert Classen<riffraff at timewarp.de> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Randy, and All,
>>>
>>> Has anyone else noticed that this site has been taken down in the
>>> meantime?
>>> There are also no more "uncometeorites" auctions running on eBay, at
>>> least
>>> not at this time... Interesting.
>>>
>>> All the best,
>>> Norbert Classen
>>>
>>> -----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
>>> Betreff: [meteorite-list] This is fun to read...
>>>
>>> http://uncometeorites.shutterfly.com/
>>>
>>> ...and, yes, I sent you there.
>>>
>>> Randy Korotev
>>> Saint Louis, MO
>>> korotev at wustl.edu
>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
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-- 
------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites
http://www.galactic-stone.com
http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
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Received on Sat 15 May 2010 11:05:19 AM PDT