| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 5,843 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
I greatly appreciate the knowledgeable advise from the people at this site. Here's my situation...
I "sold" a Proof Set to a buyer on U.S.A. Coin Book. The seller paid for the coins with a check that I received on Saturday and I mailed the set via USPS First Class Tracking later Saturday afternoon.
Everything seemed fine, until I got an email from Coin Book late Saturday. They said my seller had made several purchases by check and those checks were forged. The seller also has several accounts on the site. I deposited the check in my personal savings account, but I'm sure there is a period of time that will be needed to verify the check.
The cashiers check I received was from "B.K Auctions" in Evansville, Indiana. It sure looked official and they have a website. The check itself could be a fake to represent this auction company? If this is a fraud, it's pretty elaborate to get $30 bucks from dupes like me and it would be something a legitimate business would certainly want to know.
So... my questions. Can I call the post office to put a hold on the shipment (can I do that for a USPS First Class Tracking)? I would ask them to hold the coins until the check clears. The package I sent will be delivered to the Evansville Post Office and a post office box on Tuesday. Should I call the Evansville, IN Financial Fraud Department? Will they do anything since the check hasn't been approved or rejected yet?
I know... I know... I should not have shipped the coins before the check cleared. It was my first sale on that forum and I wanted to be a very responsive seller. I also know it's not a lot of money, but I don't want someone else to get burned because I didn't do something. I really hate people who take advantage of others...
|
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
292 Posts |
Never heard of this site. Just went there. One is selling a silver bar with no weight indicated. From the picture you can see .999 silver, but no weight. (looks smaller than 1 ounce.) Some complain about ebay and PayPal fees, but they do protect their buyers. |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
624 Posts |
On that site, I found the name of the individual who's initials are "B.K." It's not an uncommon name, but there are mug shots of this individual for a March 2013 arrest for fraud. It seems very coincidental and if it's the same guy, I'm sure the Evansville Police would love to know that he's up to his old tricks. He even has the Better Business Bureau logo on the website... If all this stuff is a concoction from B.K., all-in-all a real file case for a 'dumb criminal.'
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
Update: Thanks to another CCF member who saw this thread, the individual has been arrested and some of the stolen property is available for return. An active investigation by police, postal inspectors and secret service is ongoing. If you have gotten a bad check from "Blake Aaron King" "BK Numismatics", or "BK Auctions" from either Evansville Indiana, or Orlando Florida... please contact the Evansville Postal Inspector at: AJZeman at uspis dot gov
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
36826 Posts |
Lets hope you get your coins back without any problems.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
It turns out there are a lot of victims. I'm out a miniscule amount compared to others. I hope this thread helps to others who may have been scammed. This guy has a large stash of coins, many of them were obtained by scam. One interesting think is that he's been sending many raw coins to NGC to have them slabbed. His 'business' is to re-sell the slabbed coins. He charges a below market-value price and he's only out the cost of getting the coins graded.
Anyone who has been ripped off and lost coins to this fraudulent scammer, please contact the US Postal Inspector as it may be possible to retrieve your stolen items and also build up a case:
Andrew Zeman - US Postal Inspector
Evansville, Indiana
Phone Number: 812-429-3426
Email: AJZeman at uspis dot gov
Moderators... is is possible to change the thread title to make this more visable? Something like "Mail Fraud Evansville, IN and Orlando, FL"
Edited by BamaBlue
06/12/2013 4:15 pm
|
|
Moderator
 United States
189107 Posts |
Done.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
So sorry you got taken - but never ship until the check clears even small amounts like this, unless the buyer is known to you or has impeccable references. I will only take USPS money orders in lieu of checks from individuals, now known dealers are usually okay. (Write a bad check in the coin business and you won't be in business very long).
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3162 Posts |
I was the member that bamablue was referring to earlier. I just got my 5 large cents returned to me today that had been held for evidence for about a month. Charges have still not been filed against B.K. Hopefully the evidence will continue to flow into the postal inspectors office and this lowlife can be arrested.
|
|
Administrator
United States
326 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
Jerry... I'm so glad you got your coins back. Thanks for getting the ball rolling to get the Feds involved. Since you lit the fuse, there have been several others who have come forward with informaiton about Blake King. Given his past record and what we know about him, there should be enough to put him into a jail cell very soon.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3162 Posts |
Hope so! I hope you get compensated as well. Jerry
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 5,843 |
|
Posted 05/05/2013 2:17 pm
