DudeLovesFinch1035(DLF) An Update - Wednesday March 7th 2007
theysayjump
19-07-2006 15:56:08
[b84ca035824]
Begin Update Wednesday March 7th[/color84ca035824][/b84ca035824]
[quote84ca035824][b84ca035824]Hey Frank ~ good news..... Gianfranco was sentenced yesterday to 24 months in jail. Thanks for all of your help on this!
Melissa[/b84ca035824][/size84ca035824][/color84ca035824][/quote84ca035824]
[[b84ca035824]Begin Update Friday February 23rd[/color84ca035824][/b84ca035824]]
[quote84ca035824="Melissa The F.B.I Lady"]Hey Frank! Working for National Geographic yet? J The sentencing has been postponed until March 6th so I will let you know then what happens. Hope all is well!
Melissa[/quote84ca035824]
[[b84ca035824]Begin Update Saturday December 16th[/color84ca035824][/b84ca035824]]
Yesterday (Friday December 15th) dudelovesFinch1035 (DLF), real name Gianfranco Yauri, pled guilty to Access Device Fraud (unauthorized use of credit cards) and Internet Fraud (unauthorized access to a secured computer). He will be sentenced on Feb. 23, 2007. D
I know I had my doubters when I first posted the below message, telling me that someone was pulling my leg or it was all a big joke, so as an apology, I'll accept donations to email==theysayjump@gmail.comtheysayjump@gmail.com=theysayjump@gmail.comtheysayjump@gmail.com/email wink
The woman I've been in contact with (Melissa) said
[quote84ca035824]Frank ~ one more thing, if people feel they are entitled to restitution, they can contact the Victim Assistance Program coordinator, Dahlia Williams, 305-944-9101 and find out what they need to do to get on that list. For their reference, the FBI case number is 196E-MM-107390.[/quote84ca035824]
If you were scammed by DLF, she said the chances of you getting anything back are slim, since he didn't have any money but you can try with the above information.
Here are screenshots of our e-mails back and forth. I only know as much as I've told you and as much as is in the below e-mails. I've blurred out her last name to give her some amount of privacy from you fools. wink
[img84ca035824]http/" alt=""/img442.imageshack.us/img="442/1263/dlfqs0.th.png[" alt=""/img84ca035824][=http//img="442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dlfqs0.png][img84ca035824]http/" alt=""/img442.imageshack.us/img="442/1263/dlfqs0.th.png[" alt=""/img84ca035824]
Some posts/threads worth mentioning for anyone not sure what this is all about
What DLF was doing http//forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=29412
The thread that started it all http//forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=31457
The truth about what happened and why http//forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=31565
[[b84ca035824]End Update Saturday December 16th[/color84ca035824][/b84ca035824]]
[Original Post, made July 19th[/color84ca035824]] Since February 2nd (about 4 days after DLF disappeared and the conspiracy theories began), I've been in contact (phone and e-mail) with a woman from the FBI in Florida about the situation with DLF and the thousands of dollars of Half.com GC's he was selling. To my knowledge, the only other person who knows is Admin (who's also helped her out) as well as one other person I informed this evening.
The good thing is that she came to me about it, which shows that they were active in pursuing the situation since the start, or even possibly before all hell broke loose.
Over the last few months I've been helping her out as much as I could with her investigation, giving her as much information as I could and was available to me. I was asked not to tell anyone about it in fear that it may become public knowledge that the FBI were investigating it, and (if he was still viewing the forum) he may flee and they'd not catch him.
Today I received an e-mail form her stating that I am now allowed to let the general public know of the FBI's involvement, but still, I can't give too much away.
What I can say is that DLF was working with an accomplice and that what they were doing was illegal. They have caught up with DLF (that doesn't mean he's in custody as I don't know whether he is or not) and have been questioning him as well as his accomplice, they just now need to figure out which one of them is lying. There's not a whole lot more that I can say for obvious reasons but you can ask and if I can answer then I will.
I'm not bound by a contract or anything prohibiting me from talking about it, it's just out of common courtesy and the desire to have DLF brought to justice that I won't say too much.
The reason I wanted to post and tell you was because so many posts/thrads were made about how little was done about it, how nobody had follow-through on here, nobody cared and the Mods/Admins didn't care enough to do anything about it etc. Hopefully this will put that to rest.
If and when I can give you guys anymore information then I will.
Crynos
19-07-2006 16:01:43
Thats great, if i could get back my $400 that would be even better. Either way, glad hes paying/will be paying for it.
YourGiftsFree
19-07-2006 16:06:13
Wow. Hopefully EVERYONE is refunded.
Crynos
19-07-2006 16:10:11
[quotea0f2af242b="YourGiftsFree"]Wow. Hopefully EVERYONE is refunded.[/quotea0f2af242b]Forgot to ask that before, TSJ, from what shes said, do you think theres any chance of people being refunded? (id doubt it, theres always a chance)
dmorris68
19-07-2006 16:12:31
A judge could order restitution if it the case is prosecuted, and they often do in cases like this, however if they have no assets at the time of arrest then it's a moot point. Sometimes they'll garnish their wages for the next several years and pay out in a trickle.
jeremy1987
19-07-2006 16:14:12
What did you pay that guy $400 for?
sweet, hope they nail his ass
theysayjump
19-07-2006 16:14:54
I've asked her previously if she thinks there's a chance that you guys will get your money back or not, but she hasn't commited to saying yes or no.
Obviously, and hopefully, it's a yes and you'll all get back what he took but I honestly don't know I'm afraid.
Often once the money is gone it is gone in scams like this b/c most people who do this spend the money after they get it and dont have much bank - but here is to hoping!
johnjimjones
19-07-2006 17:23:23
wow I wasn't involved at all with it but this is great. I didn't think the police involvment was that great.
dmorris68
19-07-2006 17:29:18
For the FBI to even get involved, the losses had to be into the TENS of thousands. IIRC from an article I read recently the FBI won't even open an investigation into an online fraud case until at least $50K is ripped off. The feds just don't have the time and resources to take on smaller cases. So I'm thinking this duo probably scammed far more than we're even aware of.
bballp6699
19-07-2006 17:33:27
No offense, but why do you know all this when you never even bought anything from him?
justinag06
19-07-2006 17:58:15
So bballp6699, you did or didn't take him to court?
doylnea
19-07-2006 18:08:46
[quoteb5d19e41e5="bballp6699"]No offense, but why do you know all this when you never even bought anything from him?[/quoteb5d19e41e5]
To whom is this directed?
bballp6699
19-07-2006 18:16:32
[quote9dcac95de9="justinag06"]So bballp6699, you did or didn't take him to court?[/quote9dcac95de9]
No, I was joking about that...
It was directed towards tsj. I just mean, to me it's weird that Jump and Admin were the ones behind the scenes that couldn't share it with the people that got fucked. Neither of you guys had anything happen to you, why keep us in the dark? Even a private contact would have been nice, or a "can I direct you to someone directly affected by this" comment.
KeithA
19-07-2006 18:19:10
I think these were the two key points
[quote7aab38111b="theysayjump"]The good thing is that [b7aab38111b]she came to me about it[/b7aab38111b], which shows that they were active in pursuing the situation since the start, or even possibly before all hell broke loose.
Over the last few months I've been helping her out as much as I could with her investigation, giving her as much information as I could and was available to me. [b7aab38111b]I was asked not to tell anyone about it[/b7aab38111b] in fear that it may become public knowledge that the FBI were investigating [/quote7aab38111b]
gruffer
19-07-2006 18:20:53
This will turn out just like Scanner Darkley. )
(jk)
bballp6699
19-07-2006 18:22:29
[quotec63d25b1f6="KeithA"]I think these were the two key points
[quotec63d25b1f6="theysayjump"]The good thing is that [bc63d25b1f6]she came to me about it[/bc63d25b1f6], which shows that they were active in pursuing the situation since the start, or even possibly before all hell broke loose.
Over the last few months I've been helping her out as much as I could with her investigation, giving her as much information as I could and was available to me. [bc63d25b1f6]I was asked not to tell anyone about it[/bc63d25b1f6] in fear that it may become public knowledge that the FBI were investigating [/quotec63d25b1f6][/quotec63d25b1f6]
How'd she get in contact with Admin then? You mean to tell me the only people she wanted to talk to were the two people not involved...?
Crynos
19-07-2006 18:25:31
[quote81f02202f9="bballp6699"][quote81f02202f9="KeithA"]I think these were the two key points
[quote81f02202f9="theysayjump"]The good thing is that [b81f02202f9]she came to me about it[/b81f02202f9], which shows that they were active in pursuing the situation since the start, or even possibly before all hell broke loose.
Over the last few months I've been helping her out as much as I could with her investigation, giving her as much information as I could and was available to me. [b81f02202f9]I was asked not to tell anyone about it[/b81f02202f9] in fear that it may become public knowledge that the FBI were investigating [/quote81f02202f9][/quote81f02202f9]
How'd she get in contact with Admin then? You mean to tell me the only people she wanted to talk to were the two people not involved...?[/quote81f02202f9]TSJ played middleman for some bulk deals where multiple people pitched in, and admin is the admin of the site it took place on.
KeithA
19-07-2006 18:26:02
[quote46df5d8f6f="bballp6699"][quote46df5d8f6f="KeithA"]I think these were the two key points
[quote46df5d8f6f="theysayjump"]The good thing is that [b46df5d8f6f]she came to me about it[/b46df5d8f6f], which shows that they were active in pursuing the situation since the start, or even possibly before all hell broke loose.
Over the last few months I've been helping her out as much as I could with her investigation, giving her as much information as I could and was available to me. [b46df5d8f6f]I was asked not to tell anyone about it[/b46df5d8f6f] in fear that it may become public knowledge that the FBI were investigating [/quote46df5d8f6f][/quote46df5d8f6f]
How'd she get in contact with Admin then? You mean to tell me the only people she wanted to talk to were the two people not involved...?[/quote46df5d8f6f]
I honestly have no idea; I didn't know anything about it either, I was just pointing out what I had gathered from the original post. It wouldn't surprise me if the FBI agent asked a witness to put her in touch with someone who represents FiPG, and either TSJ or Admin's name came to mind.
Maybe they'll start contacting witnesses/victims now that the investigation is public. shrug
bballp6699
19-07-2006 18:27:33
I'm not mad about it or anything. I just find it odd that he wasn't able to let anyone know, yet he could tell Admin...
I honestly doubt the FBI gives a shit about the owner of the site it took place on, aside from maybe getting an IP address.
UniPrize Media
19-07-2006 18:29:30
So, what I want to know is how he got hold of the gift cards???
Every one believed him when he said he worked for half.com, lol.
KeithA
19-07-2006 18:30:02
I'm sure there will be answers to most of these questions. As an aside though, if the FBI came to me about something that took place on a site I didn't own, I would feel obligated to inform the owner.
geej86
19-07-2006 19:17:57
good stuff. hope he gets what's coming to him and good luck on any restitution yall
Averagejoe1039
19-07-2006 19:40:03
[quotea7e9e06733="geej86"]good stuff. hope he gets what's coming to him and good luck on any restitution [ba7e9e06733]yall[/ba7e9e06733][/quotea7e9e06733]
Do I spy a cute little Southern Accent?
Back on topic, I hope DLF gets what he deserves.
theysayjump
19-07-2006 20:36:43
[quote97436891de="KeithA"]I'm sure there will be answers to most of these questions. As an aside though, if the FBI came to me about something that took place on a site I didn't own, I would feel obligated to inform the owner.[/quote97436891de]
Bingo.
She told me over the phone that she contacted me about it because I seemed to be the one in charge of everything when it all went down. I was asking for people's information, PM'ing people about the situation, getting IP's and e-mails etc from some of the Mods at A4F. Also, I was the middle-man for a few of these transactions which was obvious by looking at some of the threads that were made.
She asked me for as much information as I could provide but even though she's with the FBI, there was still no way I was going to give her any information without clearing it with Admin first.
I asked her if this would be OK and she said yes.
I didn't tell anyone because I was asked not to. I had conversations in the months leading up to today with people about it/him and I never said anything because I promised not to. If someone comes to you in confidence and asks you not to say anything then you don't say anything. Plus, shes with thr FBI, she could've just h4x0rd my computer. wink
Anyway, going to a regular member would've been a waste of time since you don't have the access to the information that we do. Not only that, but none of you can be trusted and can't keep your mouths shut. wink
Also (and this is my assumption), I don't think a GC generator was used but I do know that the GC's were aquired illegaly and that due to the method which they used to acquire them, the FBI (another assumption on my part) were probably following this before it all kicked off.
syriandoode
19-07-2006 21:00:47
wait whats the story with this guy?
ragefu
19-07-2006 21:39:16
I know it's easy for me to say because I didn't lose any money to him, but wouldn't you rather he get ass-raped in prison than get your money back? You can't put a price on that
kyks17
19-07-2006 22:04:49
i had no part in this, but followed the threads after he ran off. this is great news - good job tsj and admin!
Wolfeman
19-07-2006 23:43:41
I said from the beginning that all someone needed to do was follow through and he would get caught. I would've been the one but I was lucky enough to not have gotten scammed. TSJ you are a god amongst men and we all owe you...
Killer722
20-07-2006 00:06:22
TSJ, you sly dog! wink
[b033a8adc19]Posted Sat Jul 15, 2006 223 pm[/b033a8adc19]
[quote033a8adc19]I don't think anyone ever did anything about it.
If they did, then I haven't found out about it. ( [/quote033a8adc19]
http//forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=42973&highlight=dudelovesfinch
Haha, good man.
nicd.01
20-07-2006 00:15:26
Godlike.
JordanE
20-07-2006 00:21:23
Good job jump and admin.
It will be intresting to see how this all ends and a final number of how much money was stolen like dmorris68 said for the FBI to get involved the number is probably far greater than what it was first approximated to be (around 20K) FiPG might be on the news!
justinag06
20-07-2006 00:40:12
well if 10 people bought each of the GCs he offered
on here and A4f then lets see
10 X 4,000
10 X 2.000
10 X 1,000
10 X 500
10 X 250
10 X 100
78,500 that he recieved, and almost 160,000 that half.com lost out on
I dunno if thats correct, the levels and ammount he was offering im too lazy to backtrack and see. Just judging from those numbers though it looks like he made out like a bandit
damac
20-07-2006 00:52:05
he got me for a g
was i the most pwned by him?
never got a single code, lol
bballp6699
20-07-2006 03:44:41
I don't know, I still just think it's weird that you felt you had to tell admin, but couldn't tell anyone else. It's not like you report to him for anything aside from the board, and honestly I don't know how this really has anything to do with the forum aside from some documented conversations they could read for themselves without the admin knowing. I did all my deals with him through aim.
Anyways, I don't want to make it seem like I don't appreciate the effort. Thanks for being persistant with it jump.
I think I can say with confidence that we aren't getting a nickel back.
doylnea
20-07-2006 05:41:39
[quote8638a85bfd="bballp6699"]I don't know, I still just think it's weird that you felt you had to tell admin, but couldn't tell anyone else. It's not like you report to him for anything aside from the board, and honestly I don't know how this really has anything to do with the forum aside from some documented conversations they could read for themselves without the admin knowing. I did all my deals with him through aim.
Anyways, I don't want to make it seem like I don't appreciate the effort. Thanks for being persistant with it jump.
I think I can say with confidence that we aren't getting a nickel back.[/quote8638a85bfd]
I'm not sure where the disconnect is;
Admin owns the site and is therefore responsible for things that happen on his site (and according to TSJ has helped the FBI out as well),
Someone representing the FBI asked TSJ not to say anything,
TSJ followed her instructions.
IMO, it's a simple matter of following through on what was asked of him.
To be frank, what would have changed had TSJ told you, or anyone else of what was going on? Mods/Admins have access to significantly more information about users than do regular users (giving them a helpful advantage in this case). Everyone was free to pursue their own case against DLF, but apparently chose not to, or didn't have the resources available to do so.
I would take this for what it is, a small victory against a prolific scammer.
bballp6699
20-07-2006 06:49:11
I didn't expect him to tell us if she told us not to. I just don't see how admin is the exception to the rule. I don't see what the forum really has to do with it that the FBI would care about to be honest. Nothing against the admin, but I look at it like, if it was such a secret, why tell anyone?
I don't see Admin is legally or any other way responsible for what goes on here. It's not a business. I may be wrong, but I guess that's why I brought it up...
Again, I'm grateful for TSJ's actions, I just don't see why it was the "board's higher ups" when they were the ones that knew someone reported a cert in the first place and didn't give us a heads up while we got fucked.
[quote876678a067="doylnea"] Mods/Admins have access to significantly more information about users than do regular users (giving them a helpful advantage in this case). [/quote876678a067]
Honestly I think that's bullshit. It was already pretty clear that the IP address and such used on the forum by DLF weren't of any use. Jump told us this from the beginning.
I would think the FBI would be more concerned with people that were involved on the scam than the admin of the forum that it took place on.
I hate to keep repeating myself, but like I said, I appreciate the fact that Jump went into all this. I just can't help feeling like the people that actually got fucked shouldn't be kept in the dark while the admin who had NOTHING to do with it, knows all. And again, this is not a personal attack on Admin.
dmorris68
20-07-2006 07:17:57
[quotec53abbd4b4="bballp6699"]I didn't expect him to tell us if she told us not to. I just don't see how admin is the exception to the rule. I don't see what the forum really has to do with it that the FBI would care about to be honest. Nothing against the admin, but I look at it like, if it was such a secret, why tell anyone?
I don't see Admin is legally or any other way responsible for what goes on here. It's not a business. I may be wrong, but I guess that's why I brought it up...
Again, I'm grateful for TSJ's actions, I just don't see why it was the "board's higher ups" when they were the ones that knew someone reported a cert in the first place and didn't give us a heads up while we got fucked.[/quotec53abbd4b4]
It is entirely appropriate that Admin was brought into this. In fact I'm a bit surprised that the Feds approached TSJ libeforeli seeking out the owner of the site. A forum like this is just another website, and site owners as well as their ISP's certainly can and have been held legally responsible for the content of their websites. Ultimately, Admin is responsible for everything that goes on here, which is why I try to tone down blatant discussion of warez/piracy and other such illegal stuff, and why I expressed my concerns over "how-to" discussions and photos related to cultivating marijuana before realizing that it was legal in Alaska. Since FiPG is hosted in the states, it is bound by US laws and precidents that have been used against websites before. Forum sites that promote piracy, for example, have been held liable and shutdown. Which is why it's a forbidden topic on just about every other forum I visit, outside of warez-related forums. It's one thing to talk about torrenting in general, it's another to publicly discuss specifics of what you're pirating and helping each other to do it. ;)
So if a forum were perceived to be promoting, either through action or inaction, a scam such as this, then it could be a serious problem. Fortunately the mods/admins here at the time took a pro-active stance in identifying what was going on here, and trying to do something to stop it and/or resolve it, which would make Admin and FiPG look good in the eyes of the law.
In this day and age of legal liability and "distributed responsibility," you just cannot take chances.
doylnea
20-07-2006 07:28:12
[quote92479da2eb="dmorris68"]In this day and age of legal liability and "Joint and Several Liability," you just cannot take chances.[/quote92479da2eb]
fixed to be legally accurate
I agree with your other points.
bballp6699
20-07-2006 07:41:00
If legally he had to know then ok. Honestly I wasn't trying to throw a fit, I just wanted to know why it seemed like the only people that knew what was going on were two people that never got scammed.
My beef from the time this happened was that I was informed the Mods/Admins knew that someones was going to send a cert in to have it tested and they never cared to tell us to spend ours or not buy any so we didn't get fucked. Now they are the one's that are in the main line of the investigation. Admin also made a comment about it not being his responsibility to save us from scammers. Ok sure, it's not, but now you're feeding an FBI investigation? I guess it's more frustrating than anything else. Maybe my problem is more with how the FBI handled it.
As for what the other things you said dmorris, I completely agree. Piracy is a serious issue as far as the higher ups are concerned. They won't think twice to shut you down. I know this from previous experience.
ajasax
20-07-2006 08:41:56
[quote2c302a4bb2="dmorris68"]For the FBI to even get involved, the losses had to be into the TENS of thousands. IIRC from an article I read recently the FBI won't even open an investigation into an online fraud case until at least $50K is ripped off. The feds just don't have the time and resources to take on smaller cases. So I'm thinking this duo probably scammed far more than we're even aware of.[/quote2c302a4bb2]
Exactly what I was thinking. Also, DLF and his accomplice might have scammed other people as well, not just FiPGers or A4Fers. And their loot could add up to even the hundred of thousands. Not to mention the fraud they perpetrated against Amazon. I'm glad the FBI is involved. Hopefully they'll crack. As for reimbursement, I doubt it. They've probably laundered the money by now.
JUNIOR6886
20-07-2006 08:56:00
[quote0a2955256e="damac"]he got me for a g
was i the most pwned by him?
never got a single code, lol[/quote0a2955256e]
He got someone else here for 2K cry
doylnea
20-07-2006 09:31:08
[quote91b4824a54="bballp6699"]If legally he had to know then ok. Honestly I wasn't trying to throw a fit, I just wanted to know why it seemed like the only people that knew what was going on were two people that never got scammed.
My beef from the time this happened was that I was informed the Mods/Admins knew that someones was going to send a cert in to have it tested and they never cared to tell us to spend ours or not buy any so we didn't get fucked. Now they are the one's that are in the main line of the investigation. Admin also made a comment about it not being his responsibility to save us from scammers. Ok sure, it's not, but now you're feeding an FBI investigation? I guess it's more frustrating than anything else. Maybe my problem is more with how the FBI handled it.[/quote91b4824a54]
There's a difference between responsibility and legal responsibility. You can be damn sure if the FBI called me about my site (in my eyes, Legal Responsibility) I would respond to their inquiry. Whereas I think it's safe to say, anyone with any sense would know that there was no way DLF was obtaining those certs in a manner consistent with the law, and thus, it's the buyer's responsibility (as it is in most cases) to investigate the seller and determine their own recourse for a sale gone wrong.
I'm not placing blame on anyone here, but if you had the sense that the deal was too good to be true, (as it should have appeared to anyone, IMO), then the responsibility of checking the deal out should fall to them (not the mods/admins).
bballp6699
20-07-2006 09:46:44
[quote5b0d81a418="doylnea"]
There's a difference between responsibility and legal responsibility. You can be damn sure if the FBI called me about my site (in my eyes, Legal Responsibility) I would respond to their inquiry. [/quote5b0d81a418]
This was my point though. The FBI never came to admin directly.
theysayjump
20-07-2006 13:57:55
As I said, the reason I asked the FBI lady if I could tell the Admin, was because I would be giving them information from his site and I didn't want to be going behind his back and doing so. His words to me when I told him were to the effect of
"Sure, no problem, give them whatever they need. I see no reason to get in their way".
Not only that, but Admin has a lot more available to myself and the other Mods/Admins (besides dmorris68) so it was possible that he could help more than I could.
Also, when I made the thread months ago about why all the GC's were actually killed, that had nothing to dow ith me or Admin or any Mods/Admins here (or on A4F). It was an independant action made by someone in the freebie scene who believed that what they were doing was right. I was only told about it later on (again in confidence) and I asked if I could make a post about it but withhold the person name.
If I had known about it before this person was going to report the GC's, then of course I would've warned people.
Also, the reason that she couldn't just get the information herself (which I think was implied above or on the first page) without our consent was because she'd need a search warrant before she could look through anything. At least judging by her most recent response to me about something that's somewhat related that's what I would gather that she'd need.
I don't think she went to anyone in particular who was scammed because she already knows that people were scammed and finding out their details or what they knew was probably a waste of time. I would assume it would be easier for her to go through one person (me) to get the information of everyone that she needed, as opposed to going through everyone and trying to keep track of it.
Again, the main reason I told Admin was because it's information from his site I'd be giving her.
bballp6699
20-07-2006 15:40:30
Thanks for clearing that up.
Going by what you say, it makes it more clear that their concern isn't getting us money back. I never expected anything back anyways, I've already considered it a loss.
GiftOrb
20-07-2006 15:42:27
This announcement has made my day =]
theysayjump
20-07-2006 15:43:53
I doubt that it was ever a concern of theirs, but that's not to say there isn't a chance that you'll be compensated.
justinag06
20-07-2006 16:22:36
I'm telling ya'll, someone take the action and organize the class action law suit. I don't see how you wouldn't win, and everyone involved would probably be very willing to help and provide any information.
Everyone doesn't need to go, and the person that organizes it is awared a % of the entire suit by the judge. So everyone gets some cash, and whoever takes the inciative gets rewarded nicely.
dmorris68
20-07-2006 16:26:04
[quote24f348407f="justinag06"]I'm telling ya'll, someone take the action and organize the class action law suit. I don't see how you wouldn't win, and everyone involved would probably be very willing to help and provide any information.
Everyone doesn't need to go, and the person that organizes it is awared a % of the entire suit by the judge. So everyone gets some cash, and whoever takes the inciative gets rewarded nicely.[/quote24f348407f]
Class action against individuals is a waste of time, particularly in a case like this. No attorney would take it.
They have to HAVE assets before you can collect them. And if they do have assets, quite likely a judge would order they be seized for restitution if they are prosecuted (and surely they will be if the FBI has gotten this far). That is normal procedure in criminal fraud cases.
justinag06
20-07-2006 22:58:19
you are so wise
![]("8aba3e686d)
http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/452b07ddaf6d3b3499fd967aac9d21b3.gif[" alt=""/img8aba3e686d]
dmorris68
21-07-2006 06:15:57
P
UniPrize Media
22-07-2006 11:51:52
TSJ, how did you know she was from the FBI? I hope you checked and double checked before giving out people's personal info and without notifying them.
theysayjump
22-07-2006 15:36:39
[quote469e9ccb7c="ulenie"]TSJ, how did you know she was from the FBI? I hope you checked and double checked before giving out people's personal info and without notifying them.[/quote469e9ccb7c]
shock oops
You're right.
Shit. oops
cwncool
23-07-2006 07:30:36
[quote9f7364da50="theysayjump"][quote9f7364da50="ulenie"]TSJ, how did you know she was from the FBI? I hope you checked and double checked before giving out people's personal info and without notifying them.[/quote9f7364da50]
shock oops
You're right.
Shit. oops[/quote9f7364da50]
LOL! PWNT! jk. I would now definatly do some checks, but it probably isn't anything to worry about. ;)
dmorris68
23-07-2006 07:37:21
Somehow I think TSJ is probably being a bit sarcastic in his response. ;)
...at least I hope so.
nobody2000
23-07-2006 12:19:16
I remember when all this went down, and how sick to my stomach I was because I was ready to invest $500+ into DLF. I'm sorry for all those who got fucked, and hopefully, justice will be done.
theysayjump
23-07-2006 12:27:00
[quotef7f9c75d6b="dmorris68"]Somehow I think TSJ is probably being a bit sarcastic in his response. ;)
...at least I hope so.[/quotef7f9c75d6b]
wink
Of course I checked if she was legit or not. I checked the phone number she gave me with the number of the FBI in Florida/Miami and also her e-mail was a big sign
![]("f7f9c75d6b)
http/" alt=""/img481.imageshack.us/img="481/2103/fbipd5.png[" alt=""/imgf7f9c75d6b]
Plus, some of the information she came to me with I didn't even know about or add up until I did some digging.
tampadan
24-07-2006 12:55:32
There are a few things that seem a bit odd about this situation.
It seems like the FBI would prepare a short statement to be "released to the public," rather than relying on TSJ to subjectively filter through what should be disclosed and what shouldn't just based on being "allowed to let the general public know of the FBI's involvement, but still, I can't give too much away."
I'm not saying anything about TSJ, but doesn't this seem a bit careless by the FBI?
This is the FBI, people.
UniPrize Media
24-07-2006 13:07:13
[quotef203c3cd5a="theysayjump"][quotef203c3cd5a="dmorris68"]Somehow I think TSJ is probably being a bit sarcastic in his response. ;)
...at least I hope so.[/quotef203c3cd5a]
wink
Of course I checked if she was legit or not. I checked the phone number she gave me with the number of the FBI in Florida/Miami and also her e-mail was a big sign
![]("f203c3cd5a)
http/" alt=""/img481.imageshack.us/img="481/2103/fbipd5.png[" alt=""/imgf203c3cd5a]
Plus, some of the information she came to me with I didn't even know about or add up until I did some digging.[/quotef203c3cd5a]
I was just asking...
And the email can be faked so I wouldn't rely on that one much.
doylnea
24-07-2006 13:35:19
[quote2eaf04f43a="ulenie"][quote2eaf04f43a="theysayjump"][quote2eaf04f43a="dmorris68"]Somehow I think TSJ is probably being a bit sarcastic in his response. ;)
...at least I hope so.[/quote2eaf04f43a]
wink
Of course I checked if she was legit or not. [b2eaf04f43a] I checked the phone number she gave me with the number of the FBI in Florida/Miami and also her e-mail was a big sign[/b2eaf04f43a]
![]("2eaf04f43a)
http/" alt=""/img481.imageshack.us/img="481/2103/fbipd5.png[" alt=""/img2eaf04f43a]
Plus, some of the information she came to me with I didn't even know about or add up until I did some digging.[/quote2eaf04f43a]
I was just asking...
And the email can be faked so I wouldn't rely on that one much.[/quote2eaf04f43a]
and
[quote2eaf04f43a="theysayjump"]She told me over the phone [/quote2eaf04f43a]
This is directed at Ulenie, but also the rest of the denigrating members here as well.
Doesn't anyone want to see the positive that has come from this, or is it easier to be negative and whiney about everything? FiPG has made a significant amount of effort (despite no moderator or admin (besides Admin), receiving any financial benefit) in order to help track down a gigantic scammer. This is likely one of the few, if only (as yet public) cases of follow-thru of fraud in the freebie site world.
I'm not looking for a bunch of back-slapping posts, but instead a couple that say "Thanks TSJ, you went out of your way to help out a bunch of people you've never, nor will you ever meet, nor people that you owe anything to, and for that I'm appreciative."
Hell, if you want, simply copy and paste out of my post and repost it.
dmorris68
24-07-2006 13:37:50
^^^ hear, hear
I don't understand all the questioning and skepticism either.... ?
ilanbg
24-07-2006 14:17:02
"Thanks TSJ, you went out of your way to help out a bunch of people you've never, nor will you ever meet, nor people that you owe anything to, and for that I'm appreciative."
Hell, if you want, simply copy and paste out of my post and repost it.
wink
Seriously though, this is great news.
By the way, doylnea, I think at this point the community can only be better off by questioning everything related to DLF. We were given little information in the first post, but enough to know there was a lot we needed to know about, and TSJ offered to answer any questions he could. That said, TSJ has done more for this site than I've seen by any member on any site; kudos to him.
emoney
25-07-2006 06:38:13
Thanks TSJ, you went out of your way to help out a bunch of people you've never, nor will you ever meet, nor people that you owe anything to, and for that I'm appreciative.
hehehhehe
25-07-2006 10:05:08
Yeah, I don't really care if we were out of the loop, as long as something was being done. The money I lost was worth it if that kid gets in serious trouble.
TSJ is the man.
theysayjump
25-07-2006 14:28:31
Thanks for the support guys, but to be honest, even if everyone was pissed at me or unappreciative, it wouldn't have bothered me.
All I was bothered about was trying to put a stop to the continuous comments about nobody doing anything about it or nobody having follow-through etc.
Anyway, I appreciate it that you appreciate the endless hours I would spend slaving over a hot Admin Panel, sometimes 3 days non-stop with only a break to drink from the trough of previously-banned-user-juice, once every 4 hours.
LucaBella
06-08-2006 00:03:20
Hmm, totally missed this. Jump, you rock outloud. I don't get all the neg posts either, someone stepped up and helped and now that little freak will have serious jail time.
I'd do a happy dance but i'd just fall over.
theysayjump
06-08-2006 11:45:44
![]("67eea7e565)
http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/8124788e8ffac83ea0265a291ef493c6.gif[" alt=""/img67eea7e565]
Averagejoe1039
06-08-2006 11:52:49
Yeah, I agree with LucaBella, Jump you totally rock
Wolfeman
06-08-2006 11:55:23
I disagree, Jump you are a whore among men playful
dmorris68
06-08-2006 14:43:16
And a cheap one, too!
johnjimjones
06-08-2006 15:02:13
[quotee65d769152="dmorris68"]And a cheap one, too![/quotee65d769152]
He gave me a damn good deal on a five night package!
lisighli I've taken it too far.
theysayjump
06-08-2006 15:39:59
[quote065626d159="johnjimjones"][quote065626d159="dmorris68"]And a cheap one, too![/quote065626d159]
He gave me a damn good deal on a five night package!
lisighli I've taken it too far.[/quote065626d159]
![]("065626d159)
http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/7b9949dadb917f2166652cef5ccc8044.gif[" alt=""/img065626d159]
reavermp3
09-08-2006 21:12:10
i know ill get banned for this but w/e
i feel bad for you guys but how could you be so naive to think a that guy that was 21 (according to his birthday on this site) would have tens of thousands of dollars in gift cards and would be trading them for something half the price? You think hes rich enough to give away thousands of dollars? if he was...he wouldnt be doing freebies.
o well.
Wolfeman
09-08-2006 21:33:57
[quote776cfb3095="reavermp3"]i know ill get banned for this but w/e
i feel bad for you guys but how could you be so stupid to think a that guy that was 21 (according to his birthday on this site) would have tens of thousands of dollars in gift cards and would be trading them for something half the price? You think hes rich enough to give away thousands of dollars? if he was...he wouldnt be doing freebies.
o well.[/quote776cfb3095]
You really don't know the situation and how it came about. Its not like a new user just showed up and started selling $10,000 in gift cards. It happened gradually and a lot of people were able to use them so there was no reason to think anything was wrong at first...
johnjimjones
09-08-2006 21:44:16
He worked it pretty well. Started low around $20 and took the stakes up each time. He had a reliable trade record too of like 80 something as well. Technically there was really no reason to doubt him until the red flags when he started at $1,000+
reavermp3
09-08-2006 22:52:10
[quote3f36421cc3="johnjimjones"]He worked it pretty well. Started low around $20 and took the stakes up each time. He had a reliable trade record too of like 80 something as well. Technically there was really no reason to doubt him until the red flags when he started at $1,000+[/quote3f36421cc3]
yea i get he had feedback but still...i wouldnt trust a person on ebay with 100 feedback selling a $35000 car for 15k, or someone with selling a 2000 dollar laptop for 1000.
Wolfeman
09-08-2006 22:53:34
[quotee4e71bc950="reavermp3"][quotee4e71bc950="johnjimjones"]He worked it pretty well. Started low around $20 and took the stakes up each time. He had a reliable trade record too of like 80 something as well. Technically there was really no reason to doubt him until the red flags when he started at $1,000+[/quotee4e71bc950]
yea i get he had feedback but still...i wouldnt trust a person on ebay with 100 feedback selling a $35000 car for 15k, or someone with selling a 2000 dollar laptop for 1000.[/quotee4e71bc950]
Hindsight is 20/20 huh?
reavermp3
09-08-2006 22:54:51
[quote9351c2d0a2="Wolfeman"]Hindsight is 20/20 huh?[/quote9351c2d0a2]
yup, i guess so. dont get me wrong, im not saying you guys deserved it or anything.
thepalmers03
10-08-2006 22:35:01
I for one, as very appreciative for jump and the work he has put into this. I was one of the lucky one who lost over $1000 from him. This thread just made my day.
theysayjump
15-12-2006 23:21:56
http//forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?p=445922#445922
J4320
15-12-2006 23:31:31
Yay! He even plead guilty. shock
Peinecone
16-12-2006 00:08:45
This is awesome news!
A big applause to TSJ for all his help in this.
johnjimjones
16-12-2006 00:43:17
yay! glad to see justice in action.
Powerbook
16-12-2006 05:23:30
WOW! This is great news. I wonder if he will get any jail time. Right now because of the amount he stole, it looks like he will get some time. He could even get like 5 years. D
bballp6699
16-12-2006 09:11:25
![]("8beb6360e9)
http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/38bffac037babfdd251f0f3812a00258.gif[" alt=""/img8beb6360e9]
I want to apologize to jump and admin for making a fuss in the beginning of the thread about you guys being involved.
This is good news and I'm thankful you guys took the time to get something done.
Powerbook
16-12-2006 10:05:54
[quote526eb72154="bballp6699"]
![]("526eb72154)
http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/38bffac037babfdd251f0f3812a00258.gif[" alt=""/img526eb72154]
I want to apologize to jump and admin for making a fuss in the beginning of the thread about you guys being involved.
This is good news and I'm thankful you guys took the time to get something done.[/quote526eb72154]
Yup, without them no one would have done anything. Thanks guys. Finally justice will be served.
theysayjump
16-12-2006 10:46:17
[quote51fa148e4b="bballp6699"]
![]("51fa148e4b)
http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/38bffac037babfdd251f0f3812a00258.gif[" alt=""/img51fa148e4b]
I want to apologize to jump and admin for making a fuss in the beginning of the thread about you guys being involved.
This is good news and I'm thankful you guys took the time to get something done.[/quote51fa148e4b]
[img="51fa148e4b]http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/5edc2ba05d7e6d2037210ee4bf8668f0.gif[" alt=""/img51fa148e4b]
TFOAF
16-12-2006 10:53:52
[quote57da7f904b="Powerbook"]WOW! This is great news. I wonder if he will get any jail time. Right now because of the amount he stole, it looks like he will get some time. He could even get like 5 years. D[/quote57da7f904b]
I presume way more than 5 years considering the amount of money stolen.
Peinecone
16-12-2006 10:58:57
Does anybody know how old he is? Hopefully he will be charged as an adult if he is under 18.
Admin
16-12-2006 13:05:55
[quote6c3e2cf301="bballp6699"]
![]("6c3e2cf301)
http//forum.freeipodguide.com/smilies_mod/upload/38bffac037babfdd251f0f3812a00258.gif[" alt=""/img6c3e2cf301]
I want to apologize to jump and admin for making a fuss in the beginning of the thread about you guys being involved.
This is good news and I'm thankful you guys took the time to get something done.[/quote6c3e2cf301]
it was all jump. i didn't do anything.
damac
16-12-2006 17:37:37
fuck you fench, gimme back mah g in hell biatch!!!
emoney
17-12-2006 10:02:04
awesome!! thanks again for doing all this tSJ!!
Stroid
18-12-2006 16:41:39
fantastic work guys seriously thats great to hear
theysayjump
19-12-2006 12:21:13
I asked how old he was and how much he scammed for
[quote116676554a]He is 20. He and another individual hacked into a website, stole credit card numbers, then purchased over $243,000 in GCs with those numbers. Not all of those GCs were traded/sold via the forums, but many of them were. The reason some of codes didn't work was because eBay figured out what happened and canceled them. He was not using a generator.[/quote116676554a]
Peinecone
19-12-2006 12:50:18
Hopefully he will get at least some time in jail.
Powerbook
12-02-2007 14:11:07
Not too long till DLF gets sentenced. I wonder what will happen.
YourGiftsFree
18-02-2007 15:52:32
Sorry to bump the ye olde thread, but 5 more days till he gets sentenced, maybe you will find out if you can get anything back?
theysayjump
23-02-2007 14:36:01
[quote843924ffe1]Hey Frank! Working for National Geographic yet? J The sentencing has been postponed until March 6th so I will let you know then what happens. Hope all is well!
Melissa[/quote843924ffe1]
Wolfeman
23-02-2007 15:45:02
Boo on postponed (
Is the FBI lady hot?
Powerbook
23-02-2007 17:11:00
[quote72c5e9f11e="Wolfeman"]Boo on postponed (
Is the FBI lady hot?[/quote72c5e9f11e]
Do something so she arrests you. Then you will find out. Send her some threats. wink
GiftOrb
26-02-2007 09:51:44
Eight more days! This is exciting! =]
bullseye4u
05-03-2007 03:58:23
Tomorrow the Big Day!
Powerbook
05-03-2007 18:07:12
Wow I wonder what will happen. I wonder how much prison time he will get. Do you guys think in the range of 10 years+?
nytrate
05-03-2007 19:27:52
No, he definitely won't get 10+ years.
I think some of you are over estimating his punishment...and well you should because he ripped a lot of people off.
I remember when all that was happening...I'm so glad I didn't partake.
Anyway, it all depends on if he has priors or not. If he has no priors (especially scam-related priors...not minor drug offenses or anything) he'll probably get off with some fines, community service, limaybeli a few months in jail.
I mean, not to get your hopes down. Lets be realistic here. Our judicial system lets pedophiles out in a few years...he won't be doing "years".
Of course if he has prior convictions of theft or fraud...I'd say he's looking at some time.
my prediction (not necessarily my hope...I hope you all get justice) is 700-1000 hours of community service, no more than 3 months in jail.
The guy must be insanely stupid though. How on EARTH did he think he would get away with that? I'm no criminal but that's pretty boneheaded.
TryinToGetPaid
06-03-2007 06:10:13
That is a little soft nytrate... You scam a company out of 100,000+ dollars? And then make a profit off of it?
I think he will go down hard.....
nytrate
06-03-2007 06:21:39
look up similar court cases...
10+ years is a ridiculous estimate IMO
I guess we'll see soon enuff
nytrate
06-03-2007 17:59:55
no updates? sentencing?
theysayjump
07-03-2007 12:26:48
[bd2976aa597]Begin Update Wednesday March 7th[/colord2976aa597][/bd2976aa597]
[quoted2976aa597][bd2976aa597]Hey Frank ~ good news..... Gianfranco was sentenced yesterday to 24 months in jail. Thanks for all of your help on this!
Melissa[/bd2976aa597][/sized2976aa597][/colord2976aa597][/quoted2976aa597]
Wolfeman
07-03-2007 12:36:00
HAHA, SO OWNED!!!!!!
PARTY !!!!!!
ilanbg
07-03-2007 12:39:01
This whole situation was beyond crazy.
Mr_BlinG6969
07-03-2007 15:41:45
OWNED!! )
moviemadnessman
07-03-2007 15:45:08
It's good to see justice still works from time to time.
findme
07-03-2007 18:48:05
Very nice, using other peoples credit cards without permission is the best way to land in jail.
doylnea
30-03-2007 10:30:08
cough...
http//www.cbc.ca/money/story/2007/03/30/consumer-tjx.html
[quote0acacc986f]The only arrests tied to the case involve a gift card scam in which people are suspected of buying data from the TJX hackers to purchase Wal-Mart gift cards in northern Florida.[/quote0acacc986f]
Big War Bird
30-03-2007 11:03:32
Thank goodness I have too much dignity to shop at TJ Maxx
theysayjump
30-03-2007 22:16:58
[quote09f6b9ba24="doylnea"]cough...
http//www.cbc.ca/money/story/2007/03/30/consumer-tjx.html
[quote09f6b9ba24]The only arrests tied to the case involve a gift card scam in which people are suspected of buying data from the TJX hackers to purchase Wal-Mart gift cards in northern Florida.[/quote09f6b9ba24][/quote09f6b9ba24]
Damn, that's fucked up.
b0otleg
31-03-2007 09:17:12
Great news I remember this scandal when it broke out, +Karma for you
KeithA
02-04-2007 16:04:10
[quoteb96b907a82="findme"]Very nice, using other peoples credit cards without permission is the best way to land in jail.[/quoteb96b907a82]
Yes, it's similar to refunding money from someone else's paypal account without permission in that way
ilanbg
02-04-2007 16:29:15
[quotecabe4262b0="KeithA"][quotecabe4262b0="findme"]Very nice, using other peoples credit cards without permission is the best way to land in jail.[/quotecabe4262b0]
Yes, it's similar to refunding money from someone else's paypal account without permission in that way[/quotecabe4262b0]
Oh. Burn.
hehehhehe
02-04-2007 16:36:37
[quote3aada48d2d="theysayjump"][quote3aada48d2d="doylnea"]cough...
http//www.cbc.ca/money/story/2007/03/30/consumer-tjx.html
[quote3aada48d2d]The only arrests tied to the case involve a gift card scam in which people are suspected of buying data from the TJX hackers to purchase Wal-Mart gift cards in northern Florida.[/quote3aada48d2d][/quote3aada48d2d]
Damn, that's fucked up.[/quote3aada48d2d]
On nightline NBC, they've been doing stories on ID theft and they showed an IRC channel where they swap stolen cc#s. They get stuff shipped out of the country by tricking naive people that these scammers are actually attractive women/men that are in love with them and they need these electronics received and shipped out of the country for business. They're doing part 2 tomorrow night, I thought it was pretty interesting stuff.
[quote3aada48d2d="ilanbg"][quote3aada48d2d="KeithA"][quote3aada48d2d="findme"]Very nice, using other peoples credit cards without permission is the best way to land in jail.[/quote3aada48d2d]
Yes, it's similar to refunding money from someone else's paypal account without permission in that way[/quote3aada48d2d]
Oh. Burn.[/quote3aada48d2d]
LOL
![[img84ca035824]http/" alt=""/img442.imageshack.us/img="442/1263/dlfqs0.th.png[" alt=""/img84ca035824][=http//img="442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dlfqs0.png][img84ca035824]http/" alt=""/img442.imageshack.us/img="442/1263/dlfqs0.th.png[" alt=""/img84ca035824]](=http//img="442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dlfqs0.png){kind=link}