Today, a scammer that tried to rip me off more than a year ago re-emerged with an email message that really surprised me. Here’s the back story and the note:
A little over a year ago, I floated an ad for a Big Game. The wanted post here on Pinside got a lot of attention (some of you might remember that thread). But I also put ads out on other channels. Days after I verbally finalized an out of state deal (over 12 hrs from home), I got contacted by someone claiming to have a Big Game for sale, but roughly 6 hours closer in North Carolina. They sent some pictures and the game looked great. Price was better. And they said they would take a PayPal deposit.
Nearly instantly, I noticed the pictures were of different Big Games. The differences were subtle, but once I noticed them, it totally rubbed me the wrong way. Just to confirm my suspicions, I wrote back asking some completely fake tech questions and the seller responded with answers referencing my fake/made up tech terms.
Suspicions confirmed.
Truthfully, I was committed to my agreed sale. But the fact I knew this person had contacted me in order to scam me just pissed me off. I’ve been lied to by sellers 3x in this hobby. In hindsight, Those lies should have been obvious. But, experienced collectors know, they aren’t always obvious. Sometimes trusting someone feels right but ends up with you taking the hit.
Anyhow, I ultimately ended my interaction with the scammer by sending him this snarky email... and honestly, this is something I meant from my heart:
“Look buddy, I’d fuck around with you some more, but’s not worth my time. But I will say this: you need to go take a long look in the mirror, take a deep breath, and right your life.
What you’re doing is flat out wrong. I’m not sure how many people you’ve chosen to contact to orchestrate scams, but it’s not right. I know it and you know it. The problem is, you’re looking to to take advantage of people that work legitimately hard for their own money. People that may not have much - but they’ve saved to buy something that might be special to them, and you’re straight up stealing it.
It’s wrong, brother.
Rather than being some wretched piece of cancer, why don’t you do something positive with your life? Go help people rather than hurt them.
I’m assuming you’re an American... but perhaps you’re using a proxy That places you in the mid-west. I don’t have the time or the patience to investigate... but.... dude... treat people with some respect! Treat your fellow countrymen with respect.
Is this really how you want to conduct yourself? Is this what makes you proud?
I hope not.”
That was sent last February... and I never got a response.... until today. Over one year later, the person that had originally contacted me sent me this:
“Hi Todd, how are you? I wouldn’t lie to you, the last mail you sent to me got me thinking and I made some positive moves with my life cause of you.
I’ve been able to secure a job but nothing permanent yet. Though, I’m making some improvements with my life, not as rosy as used to be but I’m in a happy place now. But, it’s not been easy, the bills come faster than the Cheque. Thank you Todd”
I have to say, receiving this email totally caught me off guard. I had completely forgotten about this guy. But the second I saw his name in my in box, I thought “here we go again...” only to be pleasantly surprised by what I read
Obviously, I don’t know this person from Adam. But I hope it’s a message that rings with some truth. And if it’s true, I hope this guy keeps scrapping and fighting to live an honest life.
Anyhow, thought it was kind of neat and decided to share.
Lombard, IL
Hamilton, ON
