Got Scammed by Mike (Bobik) Motinov 6479945311, Yet Again.

[cne777]

Yes, I know I am stupid. I should have at least googled his cell number before dealing with him. But I fought back!!! I called 911 from his doorstep, police came and I got most of my money back. Guys, don't give up. Get the police involved. Search Craigslist for his cell number. He is running no less than 60 ads on Craigslist right now and is trying to re-sell the broken cell phone he got caught scamming me with. He lives in Aurora near Yonge/Henderson. Let me ask you a question. I know there are a lot of guys here who got ripped off by him and who are sick and tired of the police letting him keep on scamming. Is there something or anything we can do to stop him? I don't want to do anything illegal but I feel very strongly that we have to do something.

http://f.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=1110157&page=3

[kr0zet]

"Gather in front of his house" and "evening time meeting"

I'm sure this will end well.

Doing anything illegal or not will be up to the officers responding to a 911 call from someone with an angry mob on their front lawn...

[jp06]

Yes, I know I am stupid. I should have at least googled his cell number before dealing with him. But I fought back!!! I called 911 from his doorstep, police came and I got most of my money back. Guys, don't give up. Get the police involved. Search his cell number in Craigslist. He is running no less than 60 ads on Craigslist right now and is trying to re-sell the broken cell phone he got caught scamming me with. He lives in Aurora near Yonge/Henderson. Let me ask you a question. I know there are a lot of guys here who got ripped off by him and who are sick and tired of the police letting him keep on scamming. Is there something or anything we can do to stop him? I don't want to do anything illegal but I feel very strongly that we have to do something.

http://f.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=1110157&page=3

uhh... you can kidnap him and beat the living crap out of him, cripple him so that he can't scam anymore.

[wilsonlam97]

I wouldn't mind seeing this RFD meetup.

[AudiDude]

Post pics of the guy, his house and his car on the Internet. When you take his pic , make sure, you are in a public location and there are other people visible in the photo so you won't be accused of breaking any laws. Make some flyers and plaster the neighbourhood with them do the neighbourhood knows what he is up to. Make some really good ads for him with really wanted items at low prices,, but make sure to mention in the ad that you work a later shift and only to call after 12:45 AM but before 6:30 AM.

Not as fun as, but more legal than kicking his ***** . Ask Ragu how his life has changed...

[djemzine]

At least you got some of your money back. Best thing I could suggest is try to get the police involved to stop his so called "scamming"/ "sales".

If all the people who gather up who got scammed by him and raise a big complaint, maybe something could be done?

[mbg]

Call John Walsh. Let's get this dirtbag off the street.

[sandikosh]

Go post this in the Automotive forum. Tell them someone tried to scam you. But first you must have recorded footage of said event.

[Conquistador]

Yes, I know I am stupid. I should have at least googled his cell number before dealing with him. But I fought back!!! I called 911 from his doorstep, police came and I got most of my money back. Guys, don't give up. Get the police involved. Search his cell number in Craigslist. He is running no less than 60 ads on Craigslist right now and is trying to re-sell the broken cell phone he got caught scamming me with. He lives in Aurora near Yonge/Henderson. Let me ask you a question. I know there are a lot of guys here who got ripped off by him and who are sick and tired of the police letting him keep on scamming. Is there something or anything we can do to stop him? I don't want to do anything illegal but I feel very strongly that we have to do something.

http://f.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=1110157&page=3

Thanks for abusing the 911 system. This is just what it's there for. :facepalm:

[Supercooled]

Cut off his Johson.

[cne777]

Short dark brown hair in his 30s or early 40s. His wife: almost white blond hair in her 20s. A small baby. Two Mazda's on the driveway: a red mini-van and a silver wagon. The couple are both white with heavy East European or Russian accents. Once he gets your money, his wife and he will deny everything: they are now a brother and a sister or cousins, not a married couple; he does not live there any more; he lives three houses down the street; oh, wait. he actually lives in Richmond Hill and left on a bike although I saw him walk into the house 2 minutes before and he never left the small townhouse with one door. Usually he wants to meet you at a subway station or at the shopping centre at 14800 Yonge St in Aurora. By the way, is "Mike Bobik" his real name or just another lie? A reverse lookup of his Aurora address at canada411.ca has given me "Elena Hamill".

[alanbrenton]

Yes, I know I am stupid. I should have at least googled his cell number before dealing with him. But I fought back!!! I called 911 from his doorstep, police came and I got most of my money back. Guys, don't give up. Get the police involved. Search his cell number in Craigslist. He is running no less than 60 ads on Craigslist right now and is trying to re-sell the broken cell phone he got caught scamming me with. He lives in Aurora near Yonge/Henderson. Let me ask you a question. I know there are a lot of guys here who got ripped off by him and who are sick and tired of the police letting him keep on scamming. Is there something or anything we can do to stop him? I don't want to do anything illegal but I feel very strongly that we have to do something.

http://f.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=1110157&page=3

Hey CNE777, was your other post about the other scam from Mike? Thanks for letting us know about this scam artist.

EDIT:

Oops. Both your posts relate to this thread. Be careful next time you deal on Kijiji. Don't ask about my experience. I got blasted on that thread I started by some hopeless RFD members. Though I would say about 20% of the posts I received were helpful.

[spike1128]

No point posting on here.

The OP should call up the Toronto Star, actually no, National Post maybe. We know how it ended with Toronto the last time we had them involved on that car accident on the highway. The victim became the bad guy, and the scumbag became the victim.

***** They can't find a living doing legit job, no problem do non legit ones. Remember that fraudster got off easy one time on the news with fraud, and he reply the media say heavy accented "Canada is a great country". Let the scumbags walk after getting caught and slapping him lightly on the hand, sure it's a great country.

[Supercooled]

Great country to pillage and plunder

[Simaahoy]

No point posting on here.

The OP should call up the Toronto Star, actually no, National Post maybe. We know how it ended with Toronto the last time we had them involved on that car accident on the highway. The victim became the bad guy, and the scumbag became the victim.

***** They can't find a living doing legit job, no problem do non legit ones. Remember that fraudster got off easy one time on the news with fraud, and he reply the media say heavy accented "Canada is a great country". Let the scumbags walk after getting caught and slapping him lightly on the hand, sure it's a great country.

I agree, tell the media about this punk and how he has been scamming people.

[Lazy Susan]

Get a picture of him and post 'Warning: Sex Offender' posters around his neighbourhood.

[Ziggy007]

Could be coincidence, but one of my exes dated someone named Mike Bobik before, but he was from 'Sauga so maybe it is a common Polish name?

[Drew87]

What do you guys mean when you say "eastern europeans?"

[Xiaohaibao]

Thanks for abusing the 911 system. This is just what it's there for. :facepalm:
Who died and made you the 911 administrator? :facepalm:

[Xiaohaibao]

Get a picture of him and post 'Warning: Sex Offender' posters around his neighbourhood.
LOL I hope you're kidding cause that would get you in serious trouble.

[aplayaz2000]

do what Dexter does

or just buy new stuff, like support the economy

[zz000ter]

This looks interesting - I wonder if I could get it for $190

BB Playbook Tablet 32gb and Ipad2 16gb+3G wifi or swap - $1 (Toronto)

Date: 2012-06-30, 9:13PM EDT
Reply to: wmnts-3079557609@sale.craigslist.org

6479945311

225$ for BB and 490$ for Ipad

[cne777]

4169049722
He now uses a different number.
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/search/moa?query=4169049722+&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=

He makes me wonder how he does this. He posts more than 20 ads on Craigslist every single day. Is it even allowed by Craigslist? You may already know this but you can actually report his scams to Craigslist. If enough people file reports, hopefully he may not be allowed to continue scoffing at his victims with his daily Craigslist postings:
http://toronto.craigslist.ca/feedback

[cne777]

Guess he has run out of phone numbers. He dropped his phone number from most of his ads. Looks like he's following this forum. Hi, Mike or whatever your real name is, why don't you stop living a shady life of a scammer and get a real job?

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/mob/3113191586.html
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/search/moa?query=good+condition+or+swap&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=

[actng]

fool me once...
fool me twice...

[virgilaug]

Since you know where his house is, just break his windows.

[Think]

He comes from a broken family and may have been molested by his pet dog named Rextum...so have a soul folks :cheesygri

http://www.deviantart.com/download/74177182/Jasper___the_most_GAY_dog_by_shockblastpl.jpg

[zz000ter]

He is now
Bob Martin
bobmartin1956@yahoo.com

[Lazy Susan]

LOL I hope you're kidding cause that would get you in serious trouble.

Only scammers and child predators would say something like that.

[mcplar]

Only scammers and child predators would say something like that.

Because doing what you posted wouldn't land you in court. Posting poster of peoples pictures saying they are sex offenders will get police attention... For sure!

Be smart about things and do not do what 'Lazy Susan' suggests!

[kocoman]

What about checking the lock status at www.dev.mk before paying for the phone? does it show its really locked to Telus?

[007craft]

How do so many people get scammed by 1 man and do nothing about it when they know where he lives? Throw a brick through his window with a note on it at night saying "keep scamming and you shall recieve more bricks". That should make him stop if everytime he does a scam he needs to spend $250 to replace a window.

[kr0zet]

How do so many people get scammed by 1 man and do nothing about it when they know where he lives? Throw a brick through his window with a note on it at night saying "keep scamming and you shall recieve more bricks". That should make him stop if everytime he does a scam he needs to spend $250 to replace a window.

Well I can only think of 2 problems with that... 1 - He takes the note off and files a police report. 2 - An insurance company will be paying for the windows, not him...

[Royalsoldier]

Well I can only think of 2 problems with that... 1 - He takes the note off and files a police report. 2 - An insurance company will be paying for the windows, not him...

$500 deductible out of his own pocket and risk his insurance going up. He'd have to pay it out of his own pocket :)

I cannot believe so many of you have been scammed by this guy and I'm even more shocked that the police is just standing by doing nothing.

[kr0zet]

$500 deductible out of his own pocket and risk his insurance going up. He'd have to pay it out of his own pocket :)

I cannot believe so many of you have been scammed by this guy and I'm even more shocked that the police is just standing by doing nothing.

Really? My deductible for vandalism is $0 if I file a police report and fax in a copy to my insurance company and my rates are locked till 2015... But I have my insurance products (home, auto * 2, marine, life) thru a private insurer so it might be different...

[Lazy Susan]

Because doing what you posted wouldn't land you in court. Posting poster of peoples pictures saying they are sex offenders will get police attention... For sure!

Be smart about things and do not do what 'Lazy Susan' suggests!

Nice try, Bob Martin.

[cne777]

It looks like there are a lot of people out there mad at him.
In case you want to sue him or file police reports, I stumbled upon his real identity here:
http://www.reversenumberdatabase.com/searchResults?phone=647-994-5311
http://my.mail.ru/mail/hilroy/
http://vk.com/id109245835

[zz000ter]

Something about him looks "shifty"

http://cs10694.userapi.com/u109245835/-6/x_c5e0ca9f.jpg

[007craft]

Well I can only think of 2 problems with that... 1 - He takes the note off and files a police report. 2 - An insurance company will be paying for the windows, not him...

1. What are the police gonna do about it? Anybody could have thrown that brick. Unless youre dumb and sign the note or something.
2. Insurance companies charge deductibles. And even if it was completely free to replace, it would still be an inconvenience, especially if it keeps getting broken.

[zz000ter]

Slingshots are so much more fun.
Get good and you can do damage from a distance.

If you get good - you can take out two before you need to run

[zz000ter]

Who is "Lola Cho"?

Looks like a real estate agent using the same number

http://propertyguys.com/property/photo/id/442099/p/

[cne777]

Mike is closely following this thread. In the morning the web site carried the name of Mike Motinov. Now it has been replaced with Lola Cho. Most likely, he changed it after realizing his real name was exposed. He also deleted a photo of his wife and him from here: http://my.mail.ru/mail/hilroy/ But it looks like someone already saved it and put it up on Craigslist. http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/mob/3123834355.html Hey Mike, why don't you be a man once, apologize and return all the money you stole from people?


Who is "Lola Cho"?

Looks like a real estate agent using the same number

http://propertyguys.com/property/photo/id/442099/p/

[Simaahoy]

I would lve to confront this scammer whenever I am in Toronto...

[zz000ter]

Motinov Cocktail anyone?

I guess the wife/GF likes the bad boy - thief type.

[dell]

I may not be in Toronto but here's my contribution for the cause. Please post this on where he sells and all over his neighborhood.
http://s13.postimage.org/bw2rva8gj/bobikscammer1.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/bw2rva8gj/)

http://s9.postimage.org/g6sx70f6z/bobikscammer2.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/g6sx70f6z/)

[yoyogu]

Wow, thanks to the RFD community I saved myself from being scammed.

I happened to google the number 6479945311 and this thread popped up.

He apparently changed his name to Liza Bol.

I'm supposed to meet him this week, anyone want to meet him for me for those who had problems :lol:

thanks RFD!

[dakota2001]

My friend runs a swingers group, and this guy, and his wife reply to her ads constantly, but he looks so creepy she just ignores his requests!
I remember her showing me his picture in that same army type shirt 2 years ago! they are both Russian.
He's been on craigslist for years I guess.

[mrperfect]

:arrowu: :cheesygri
Well thats one way of benefiting from this thread I guess....

[DiamondGirl1986]

Wow. I feel SO dumb. I met him Sat morning and traded my good BB for what was supposed to be a 32 G iPhone 4S locked to Rogers. Instead I got a 16 G 4 locked to Bell, completely useless to me. Lucky thing, he met me yesterday again and swapped it for another phone, only to find out it's a 4, although everything else works.

He is now ignoring my calls/msgs/emails.

Where does he live and how did you get the police involved? I would like to do the same. I'll go witha group of people, even.

I haven't had a phone since Saturday. :S

[DiamondGirl1986]

I'm down to meet him. I want my BB and my $345 bucks back ASAP.

[jimmy-j]

you didn't test or verify anything before handing over the cash?? ...and worse yet on the second time too??

i have an iphone 5 for sale ;)

[DiamondGirl1986]

I didn't verify the first time because I didn't know what code to look for on the back. Looked like a 4S to me and he was being a bit strange so I took some notes about him and his "sister" (definitely his wife). I msged him a couple hours later after finding out all the ***** about him. I'm contacting the media for sure, too. I couldn't verify the 4S yesterday because the phone had a sticker case on it. He showed me it was 32 G and was locked to Rogers on screen, but I didn't check for Siri (I am new to Apple, had no idea that 4 didn't have it). Yes, poor research on my part but I've done this many times before. I have a job in law enforcement...he picked the wrong person to mess with.

How do you have an iPhone5 for sale...they're not even out yet...

[zz000ter]

How do you have an iPhone5 for sale...they're not even out yet...

Pointing out how gullible you are

Is Mike still using the same phone number?
Where did you meet him?

Make a post on CL and Kijiji telling people about your bad experience

Where does this ahole get all this phones?

[zz000ter]

Business is still booming for him

Nothing on kijiji with 6479945311

but on CL

Jul 21 - Lg optimus 3d Rogers and Bnib Samsung Tab2 Hd lte 4g or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 21 - Samsung Note Unlocked and 2Ipod touch 4g32gb or swap - $1 (toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 21 - Lg optimus3D Rogers and New BB bold 9780 Rogers or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 21 - Samsung NexusS Wind/Unlocked and BB torch 9800 Telus or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 21 - Ipad2 16gb+3g Unlocked and 2BB Bold 9900 Unlocked or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 21 - Htc IncredibleS Unlocked and White Iphone 3gs16gb Unlocked or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 21 - 2Sony Arc Rogers/Unlocked and 2BB curve 9300 Koodo/Telus or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 19 - Motorola c168i Unlocked and New BB Bold 9780 Rogers or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 19 - Motorola Atrix Unlocked and BB torch 9810 Bell or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 19 - Htc IncredibleS Unlocked and 2 bb Curve 9300 Koodo/telus or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 19 - 2Sony Xperia Arc Rogers/Unlocked and BB torch 9800 Telus or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 19 - Iphone 4g16gb and 32gb Bell/telus/rogers/fido or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner
Jul 19 - Iphone 4s32gb and 64gb Rogers/bell/telus/fido or swap - $1 (Toronto) cell phones - by owner

[DiamondGirl1986]

I don't appreciate being called gullible...I'm already upset enough as it is. I figured that post was a scam in itself...which is why I asked how he could be selling a 5 if it wasn't out yet. Thanks for that.

He was using the same number, yes. It still worked up until 2pm yesterday.
I met him once in Aurora and another time in Etobicoke.
I am going to post his photo and info about him everywhere and also the police involved.

His email is the Liza Bol one...I haven't set up the iPhone (which seems fine) yet, although it's not a 4S like I asked for. I'm more so worried that the phone itself is not safe (privacy, etc).

Not sure how to proceed but I really need a phone so I might just use it.

[Simaahoy]

My friend runs a swingers group, and this guy, and his wife reply to her ads constantly, but he looks so creepy she just ignores his requests!
I remember her showing me his picture in that same army type shirt 2 years ago! they are both Russian.
He's been on craigslist for years I guess.

So, he has been scamming people for years...

[dell]

I may not be in Toronto but here's my contribution for the cause. Please post this on where he sells and all over his neighborhood.
http://s13.postimage.org/bw2rva8gj/bobikscammer1.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/bw2rva8gj/)

http://s9.postimage.org/g6sx70f6z/bobikscammer2.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/g6sx70f6z/)

Common guys use my pics. I wanna see these plastered everywhere. I don't use craigslist so some of you guys post away.

[LaserEnvy]

I think you should just buy a phone from a retailer instead of some shady scammer over the Internet? :eek:

[zz000ter]

Mike is definitely on this group and has deleted all the posts that I referenced above.

His phone number 6479945311 only comes up for old June 30 ads
He has probably changed his phone number

If he is reading these messages then it will be difficult to "jump him" at a mass meeting

He is not a dumb Russian.
He is a very smart scammer.

Also - lucky one too if his "sort of attractive" wife is a swinger.

Posted here - TERB (http://terb.ca/vbulletin/showthread.php?393129)

[LaserEnvy]

^
can't you guys just report him to the police?

[Simaahoy]

^
can't you guys just report him to the police?

It's up to those who were victims of this individual to call the police. I would say to get the media on to it also...

[DiamondGirl1986]

I'm sure someone will see him in public sometime, recognize him, and make him run, FOR REAL. I just want an operating phone!

[yoyogu]

Wow, he's at it strong... He just replied to my iPhone ad twice. Must be desperate! :facepalm:

[Madchester]

Wow, he's at it strong... He just replied to my iPhone ad twice. Must be desperate! :facepalm:

Screenshot his email!

[rjones416]

stop trading or buying phones on craigslist.

[belfour]

why don't someone post this on 4chan .. im sure they will expose him

[Corleone187]

So I dont get what this scam is. I was reading some posts and it sounds so stupid.

Basically you call this dude up to trade iPhones. You give him a 16GB iPhone to Bell and he gives you a 32GB iPhone to Rogers.
But the scam is that he gives you a 16GB iPhone to Bell instead of Rogers?

WTH? What kind of a scam is this? So basically he gives you back your own iPhone but instead of being with Rogers it's with Bell? This is a troll scam or something? :lol:

[cne777]

It is not hard to find out where he lives.
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/mob/3151331808.html

[cne777]

So I dont get what this scam is. I was reading some posts and it sounds so stupid.
Basically you call this dude up to trade iPhones. You give him a 16GB iPhone to Bell and he gives you a 32GB iPhone to Rogers.
But the scam is that he gives you a 16GB iPhone to Bell instead of Rogers?
WTH? What kind of a scam is this? So basically he gives you back your own iPhone but instead of being with Rogers it's with Bell? This is a troll scam or something? :lol:

Mike the Scammer gave Diamondgirl an iPhone4 pretending it was a 4S. He stole about $200 - the price difference between the two models - from her. By the way, why does Apple not print 4S on the back of the phone? Sooooo arrogant and condescending to buyers, they are basically aiding and abetting con men like Mike Motinov. That's why I am moving away from Apple to Galaxy.

[BluePhirePB]

Where does he get his stock of Bell locked iPhone 4's from?

[Corleone187]

Mike the Scammer gave Diamondgirl an iPhone4 pretending it was a 4S. He stole about $200 - the price difference between the two models - from her. By the way, why does Apple not print 4S on the back of the phone? Sooooo arrogant and condescending to buyers, they are basically aiding and abetting con men like Mike Motinov. That's why I am moving away from Apple to Galaxy.

He seems to be doing petty scams from people's greed.

It's like I'll give you my $100 bill for your $50 dollar bill. I mean it's an offer no one would ever make.

It's like Why would someone give an Ipad 3 for and Ipad 2? It makes no sense. People should really know better

[anothertima]

Hi folks,

I'm a reporter with the Toronto Star. I came across your thread and I'm interested in hearing from some people who have been hit by the scam. I'd like to understand the details of what happens and get a handle on how many people have been affected.

If anyone would like to talk, I can be reached by email at tim@thestar.ca or phone at 416-945-8631

[cne777]

He seems to be doing petty scams from people's greed.
It's like I'll give you my $100 bill for your $50 dollar bill. I mean it's an offer no one would ever make.
It's like Why would someone give an Ipad 3 for and Ipad 2? It makes no sense. People should really know better
I think you should read the whole thread. Diamondgirl gave Mike the Scammer her BlackBerry PLUS $345 cash, believing that she was getting 32GB Rogers iPhone4S in exchange.

[Madchester]

Hi folks,

I'm a reporter with the Toronto Star. I came across your thread and I'm interested in hearing from some people who have been hit by the scam. I'd like to understand the details of what happens and get a handle on how many people have been affected.

If anyone would like to talk, I can be reached by email at tim@thestar.ca or phone at 416-945-8631

Will the Toronto Star be siding with the scammer again - like Kate Allen's story on the Ragu incident?

[cne777]

Wow. I feel SO dumb. I met him Sat morning and traded my good BB for what was supposed to be a 32 G iPhone 4S locked to Rogers. Instead I got a 16 G 4 locked to Bell, completely useless to me. Lucky thing, he met me yesterday again and swapped it for another phone, only to find out it's a 4, although everything else works.
He is now ignoring my calls/msgs/emails.
Where does he live and how did you get the police involved? I would like to do the same. I'll go witha group of people, even.
I haven't had a phone since Saturday. :S
If you want to file a police report, contact Constable Marc Hawley (Badge#1706, email: 1706@yrp.ca). Mike Motinov, the scammer, lives in the jurisdiction of #1 District of York Regional Police. The officer has open case files involving Mike. If more people come forward and provide them with more detailed information regarding Mike, hopefully police will decide that they have strong enough evidence to actually arrest him. I am sure you can find Mike's address and phone number in this thread.

Constable Marc Hawley #1706
1 District "C" Platoon
905-830-0303 x 7100
email: 1706@yrp.ca

[4flava]

I didn't verify the first time because I didn't know what code to look for on the back. Looked like a 4S to me and he was being a bit strange so I took some notes about him and his "sister" (definitely his wife). I msged him a couple hours later after finding out all the ***** about him. I'm contacting the media for sure, too. I couldn't verify the 4S yesterday because the phone had a sticker case on it. He showed me it was 32 G and was locked to Rogers on screen, but I didn't check for Siri (I am new to Apple, had no idea that 4 didn't have it). Yes, poor research on my part but I've done this many times before. I have a job in law enforcement...he picked the wrong person to mess with.

How do you have an iPhone5 for sale...they're not even out yet...

You need to educated yourself when you're making purchases.

1. you don't need to look at any codes to determine if it's a 4 or 4S.. just simply looking on the side you can tell that the 4S has another line on the top where the antenna is.

http://www.special4u.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/iPhone-4S-vs-iPhone-4.jpg


2. Jimmy-j was just bs-ing you. :lol:

[zz000ter]

Ha ha ha - Toronto Star will do a story?

RFD will become the bad guy - sure enough.
Will anyone talk to them?

[geokilla]

Hi folks,

I'm a reporter with the Toronto Star. I came across your thread and I'm interested in hearing from some people who have been hit by the scam. I'd like to understand the details of what happens and get a handle on how many people have been affected.

If anyone would like to talk, I can be reached by email at tim@thestar.ca or phone at 416-945-8631

The last time you guys did a story, Raguruban Yogarajah was made to look like he was innocent while Herman Sham was the one causing the trouble and everything.

[zz000ter]

Let hope that like Ragu - in the end Mike gets nailed

[jimmy-j]

The last time you guys did a story, Raguruban Yogarajah was made to look like he was innocent while Herman Sham was the one causing the trouble and everything.

some reporters have certain agendas and just like to stir the pot. some media want to just expose the scammer... maybe this star reporter wants to do just that! oh how i miss the days of silverman helps.

[LaserEnvy]

Will the Toronto Star be siding with the scammer again - like Kate Allen's story on the Ragu incident?


Ha ha ha - Toronto Star will do a story?

RFD will become the bad guy - sure enough.
Will anyone talk to them?


The last time you guys did a story, Raguruban Yogarajah was made to look like he was innocent while Herman Sham was the one causing the trouble and everything.

That is exactly what I was thinking when I read his post. I am glad there was such a strong reaction on RFD because it fought back against The Star's biased article which painted Ragu as the victim.

[Corleone187]

I think you should read the whole thread. Diamondgirl gave Mike the Scammer her BlackBerry PLUS $345 cash, believing that she was getting 32GB Rogers iPhone4S in exchange.

ok I know nothing about iphones or their prices so I want to break down everything and figure out what this scam IS

it seems like this guy has been scamming people for 10 years and all people do is google his name and then come to RFD to post "ZOMG I been scammed!"

But they never go into details. No wonder this guy is on the loose. Someone should break down what the scam is.

I kijijied and it seems like the phone he gave her - iphone4 is selling for around $350 for 16GB
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-phones-PDAs-ipods-White-iPhone-4-16GB-W0QQAdIdZ399069547

Iphone 4S is around $300-$400
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-video-games-consoles-other-Iphone-4s-16Gb-New-rogers-W0QQAdIdZ399105448

#1 - She gave him $385 cash + her phone when she could have bought the phone for $300? And on top of that she gave him an additional phone? WTH??
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-video-games-consoles-other-Iphone-4s-16Gb-New-rogers-W0QQAdIdZ399105448

#2 - he gave her an iPhone 4 16GB which is worth $350 and she gave him $385 (difference of $35) and her Blackberry which is like what? $100?

So to summarize he stole about $135 in value.($35 cash, $100 value) Now he has to sell the Blackberry and make back money on that

Sounds pretty pathetic to steal $35. Must be really hurting for money. So I guess the guy is mainly stealing people's phones? But if you look at my references above basically it's a pretty stupid deal when you can just buy the phone for $300. Why give the guy ABOVE market value in CASH for iphone 4s + give him your phone on top of that when you can just outright buy it from someone else for LESS????

Why??

[jimmy-j]

Why??

people are gullible, greedy and stupid (both buyers and seller). this type of scammer relies soley on the impulse buyer type of person.


i still have an iphone 5 for sale if anyone wants to buy. just give me your existing phone and $385 and it's all yours.

[RolandCouch]

lol - found out about Ragu because of this thread. Hilarious.

[anothertima]

Hi everyone - I'm in no way equipped to speak for the paper or past work of my colleague. I will say that myself and all of the reporters and editors at the Toronto Star take their jobs very, very seriously. We strive to do the best with every story, place it in the proper context and deliver the truth.

If you in the community feel that hasn't happened, you can email the public editor at publiced@thestar.ca

[BluePhirePB]

I will say that myself and all of the reporters and editors at the Toronto Star take their jobs very, very seriously. We strive to do the best with every story, place it in the proper context and deliver the truth.You're contradicting yourself. Your colleagues failed to capture the truth OR put things in the proper context with the Ragu story and instead, flipped it making him sound like the victim. If The Star actually took the time to even view that video footage on Sham's cam, the average person would have deduced 1) Sham's car was not moving and 2) both brake and reverse lights on Ragu's car were not on.

I can just see the new potential headline now:

"Internet Community Files False Claims Against Innocent Kijiji iPhone Seller"


If you in the community feel that hasn't happened, you can email the public editor at publiced@thestar.caWe tried that with the Ragu case. No response or acknowledgement ... even when Ragu was eventually charged.

[IamToronto]

90% of the time it is the fault of the buyer
be more aware of things. sometimes youll get scammed by people who are just simply ignorant of what they are selling

the buyer, if he knew he was scamming, had an opportunity that YOU provided him with. if you knew what you were going to buy, you would have noticed something was wrong.

go through the scammers thread in the BST section and youll agree that most of the time it is the fault of the buyer
people will always try to say anything to get a sale. this is how business works here. if youre not used to it by now, then i dont even know what to tell you

also, youre buying a used second hand item. if you expect to get a flawless product you should have bought it brand new. dont buy a used product because you wanted to save money then complain about minor issues.
how are people not used to this yet? you must be new to local private deals..

BE MORE AWARE

[IamToronto]

For those of you putting people down for bad decisions, don't ever tell me you've never made a mistake.

Read this carefully, this is what happened. If you don't have anything to help with the investigation, then lay off the negative comments, please. I've had enough already dealing with this stuff.

He found me online (I posted an ad stating I would trade or sell my BB 9790 for a 32GB iPhone 4S) and told me he would trade my BB (worth probably less than $200 especially with the scratches and nicks on it), plus $350 for an iPhone 4S 32GB, locked to Rogers. Do the research...a new 32GB is almost $700 brand new, or $550-$600 off other random dealers online / at the flea market. I didn't care to keep my BB so if it saved me a couple hundred, why not?

We met on a Saturday morning in Aurora, and made the deal. Phone looked legit, he said it just needed to be plugged into iTunes, etc. There's a long story behind what I did and where I went all day (different malls, including Rogers and Wireless Wave stands), and discovered it was a 16 GB iPhone 4 that was locked to Bell, which was useless to me because I am with Rogers.

I emailed him back that same day, and perhaps because I told him I work in law enforcement, he replied immediately and said he would meet me the next day in Toronto to rectify the situation.

We met, exchanged phones, he said it was a 4S (it was on, and I could see it was 32GB and on the Rogers network), then he wiped it clean. The button was in the right spot for a 4S. I'm not even kidding you, he revamped the whole phone. It had a black button with a white screen, which I couldn't see because of the case on it (yes, my mistake for not checking the button but whatever).

So I went to Rogers to get it set up and was told it was only a 4, and it was jailbroken. At this point, I was so upset and fed up, I didn't want the phone anymore. $345 bucks and a lost BB later, and still didn't have the phone I wanted.

I'm filing a police report, I'm investigating, and I've already contacted the media. The Toronto Star may be the next step. People need to stop supporting this scam.

I found a dealer that sold me an iPhone 4S, 16GB, no issues, for a VERY good price. I'm very happy with my phone now, and wish I had avoided this guy to begin with.

again, all i can say is IT IS YOUR FAULT. these sorts of deals are final sale. if you go to a store and purchase something that is final sale, you take the risks with it. if you buy a shirt that has a rip in it that is your fault for picking that shirt. stop trying to justify your actions, you are in the wrong.

stop wasting money and resources of the police to help you fight your own stupidity. nobody else cares. cops dont even care.
and you want to put it in the paper? haahahahahahahahahahahaha

youre complaining because you paid for a phone worth the price you paid for it? cool story
if you wanted a 4s, you would have dished out the extra $200 or so. now stop complaining, wipe your tears, find your balls, and move on.

[4flava]

Hi everyone - I'm in no way equipped to speak for the paper or past work of my colleague. I will say that myself and all of the reporters and editors at the Toronto Star take their jobs very, very seriously. We strive to do the best with every story, place it in the proper context and deliver the truth.

If you in the community feel that hasn't happened, you can email the public editor at publiced@thestar.ca

+1

OP, I think you should take this opportunity and contact Tim and see if he can help raise awareness and stop the dude from scamming others. Tim seems like he genuinely want to help.

[Corleone187]

ok it seems like this Mike dude is trying to scam since there are a million complaints on him.

The thing with this dude is that he's trying to walk a fine line to get himself into a "caveat emptor" and "he said, she said" situations when he is scamming because he thinks this will give him a way out

For example if you sell someone an Ipad and in the box you put a bag of sand instead of an ipad then that is outright scamming

What this guy tries to do instead is maybe cheat you on memory or condition of the product so he can caveat emptor you and get away with it

I say contact the Toronto Star guy and make him work! :D

[Madchester]

+1

OP, I think you should take this opportunity and contact Tim and see if he can help raise awareness and store the dude from scamming others. Tim seems like he genuinely want to help.

I'll cut the Star reporter some slack.

Saw his twitter feed the other day asking if anyone had problems ordering Olympic tickets from Cosport... and the next day (Wednesday web edition)... I saw his story following up on the issue with a Toronto couple.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/london2012/article/1231772--london-2012-olympic-ticket-broker-cosport-under-fire-for-delays-split-seating

Was a balanced story... he followed up with the couple and CoSport

[DiamondGirl1986]

Let me clarify-THE PHONE DID NOT WORK. THAT IS THE MAIN part of the scam. Not that it was a 4 instead of a 4S. It was tampered with, and did not work.

[4flava]

Wow, there are some nasty people here. Go join Mike in the world of disgusting, non-compassionate people.
All I'm doing is making others aware, just like the news keeps you in the loop for events.

Lay off the negativity. Maybe IAMTORONTO is Mike! Apparently he got beaten up pretty bad last year and his cars have been trashed recently. I'm sure that won't be the end of it after others get scammed.

Good riddance, I'm off the forum.

Girl, just ignore those guys as Rfd is full of haters and trolls so don't let them bother you BUT they do bring up legit points that one should be extra careful to do their due diligence when dealing with absolute strangers.

Anyways I really do feel for you and I hope that this Mike scammer gets what he deserves.

Please contact Tim @ Thestar though cuz I do think that he can help.

[DiamondGirl1986]

Thanks, I appreciate that. I deleted many of my posts because I can't be bothered. It was a scam. Period. Now, learn from my mistake people!

[Corleone187]

Contact the Toronto Star guy. He can be like Silverman!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPKlrZ_1KJA

[mcewen]

I wouldn't be surprised if our friend Mike has joined the conversation...

what do you think IamToronto? Do you think he is here too?

[IamToronto]

I wouldn't be surprised if our friend Mike has joined the conversation...

what do you think IamToronto? Do you think he is here too?

probably. i wouldnt doubt it haha
it seems a lot of randoms have made their way into this thread

[IamToronto]

Let me clarify-THE PHONE DID NOT WORK. THAT IS THE MAIN part of the scam. Not that it was a 4 instead of a 4S. It was tampered with, and did not work.

so you bought a phone without testing it? lol
now, whos fault is that?

if i buy a used computer or stereo system or tv without plugging it in and trying it out.. whos fault is it when i go home and have a shitbox?
these are the risks you take and should be aware of when you deal with private sales of used products.

it is your fault. if you wanted a working iphone 4s, you would have gone to a store and bought one, probably would get yourself some warranty too..
again, suck it up and move the f on..

you guys really need to visit the scammers thread.. maybe you can differentiate between a real scam compared to something like this which is 90% buyers fault

[The Templar Knight]

Yes, I know I am stupid. I should have at least googled his cell number before dealing with him. But I fought back!!! I called 911 from his doorstep, police came and I got most of my money back. Guys, don't give up. Get the police involved. Search Craigslist for his cell number. He is running no less than 60 ads on Craigslist right now and is trying to re-sell the broken cell phone he got caught scamming me with. He lives in Aurora near Yonge/Henderson. Let me ask you a question. I know there are a lot of guys here who got ripped off by him and who are sick and tired of the police letting him keep on scamming. Is there something or anything we can do to stop him? I don't want to do anything illegal but I feel very strongly that we have to do something.

http://f.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=1110157&page=3

You called 911 because of used cellphone BS, WTF?

Hopefully there wasn't a REAL emergency in the neighbourhood.

[Simaahoy]

Contact the Toronto Star guy. He can be like Silverman!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPKlrZ_1KJA

His new practice...lol http://www.firmoo.com/optical-stores-ca/ontario/mississauga/adam-eve-optical--65843.html

[cne777]

He is back. If nothing else, he deserves credit for his tenacity.

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/search/moa?query=or+swap&srchType=T&minAsk=1&maxAsk=1
.
.

[john widow]

lol that guy is crazy.

[Kuurgen]

The thing with this dude is that he's trying to walk a fine line to get himself into a "caveat emptor" and "he said, she said" situations when he is scamming because he thinks this will give him a way out

For example if you sell someone an Ipad and in the box you put a bag of sand instead of an ipad then that is outright scamming

What this guy tries to do instead is maybe cheat you on memory or condition of the product so he can caveat emptor you and get away with it


Great point, lot harder to prove INTENT with this kind of stuff. Get a bunch of tech ignorant people and rinse and repeat=profit.

[cne777]

Is he talking about our Mike?

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/mob/3350267834.html

.