SCAM Artist!

I was also screwed by the same guy that screwed many others. He goes by Brad or Sam Waters. Sent $200 to hold a mower deck until I could pick it up. Couldn't get in touch with him since. Called Sheriff's dept. and they are not interested in this. Called the D.A. and they said it had to be referred to them by the Sheriff's dept. This scumbag has made a cottage industry of screwing people and the law enforcement agencies in TN couldn't care less. Maybe he is an ex-cop. I see where he has screwed people on a number of forums where he wouldn't deliver or couldn't be contacted.

Its always easy to say no over the phone. I would try going in to the Sheriff's dept. and insisting on filing a complaint. I would also go to see the DA for the same reason.

If you know where the guy is located, see about filing on him in small claims court.

If you used the mail to send that check go to your local post office and talk to them. Hal

I totaly agree with Nancy Howell. What these people count on is that you wouln't put up a fight for a couple hundred dollars. you and everyone who is scamed by someone has to bend every leagle effort to make their lives a living he!!. make it cost him way more in time, effort and agrivation than he made from it.. if scams become unprofitable, he might have to find another line of work

You're absolutley right- the $200 claim is in "no man's land" unless its in your local area (so you can go to small claims court). Not big enough to interest the cops (and besides, its a "civil matter") or the DA, and hiring a lawyer is going to cost more than the claim (and you don't get attorney's fees if you win- only a token "statutory" fee in most states).

I am intrested because this guy is from Tennessee. Seems I have seen something on here before about the name Sam ?.. If he is nearby I would gladly help go to the local law or whatever.. Do you have an address Tenn is a big state could be 300 mi from me if he is in the other end of the State.. Even then I might know someone there that could bring preasure.. Have been a tractor dealer for 36 yrs so know folks all over the state.. Jerry

I had the same problem with a scumbag from North Dakota who sells trailer plans.
Small claims couldn't find this jerk to serve him so the statute of limitations ran out.

I was told a little while ago that if the transaction takes place through the mail it is considered mail fraud? And this is considered a federal offense? Don't know if it's true but you may want to check with the postal authorities.

My 2¢,
Rich

About 3 years ago, another gentleman from Tennessee, advertised NOS Ford Parts for sale on another tractor related site....the parts were sold to members and either never delivered or never existed to be sold in the first place....

This guy openly advertised his items, communicated about all his problems with sickness and other reasons for not delivering the parts, until a few people started checking him out...

By then, he had cashed a bunch of checks, etc. and you ......well, you know the drill.

Because he was using the U.S. Post Office (checks being sent to him, etc.) to enable him to ply his "trade", his doings were considered a violation of Fed. Law...

He is scheduled to appear next month in court for all of this....

ANYWAY: here would be a good starting point for you to pursue if your "gentleman from Tennessee" is using the mail system for his business.

U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney"s Office
Middle District of Tennessee
110 Ninth Ave. South
Suite A961
Nashville, TN 37203-3870
Phone: (615) 736-5151
Fax: (615) 736-5323

Some of us got our money back, others didn"t....
We will see if the justice system prevails.

Sorry to hear about your situation...good luck with it.

Tim

He's been doing this for years.

Vito

Back around 2003 I found a guy like that. Bought a tractor on E-bay from a guy in Kansas. I wanted to drive and look at it and give him the payment. He was going to deliver it for me. Always had an excuse for not getting it to me. He scammed 13 that I know of. I used a money order from my bank and mailed the payment. Finally after a few of us started to call the County Sheriff..they started to check things out. The Attorney General of Kansas took him to court. He filed Chapter 13 after he was found guilty for selling stuff and not delivering. He's on probation paying $300 to $450 a month. They are going by a list...A's get paid first. It will be a long time before I'm paid. At least he's not taking money from others.

There's no art involved here. He's just a thief.....

I live in tn.and i have not heard of him what city does he live in.

Who says he is an X - Cop! We have had more police, & Firemen arrested around here lately than "Non - Badged" criminals!!! If the police dont want to get involved?...

Several years ago I was "taken" by a goverment official for almost $2000 worth of hay. I mowed with intent of tilling it up. It was too tall to work in. He stops as I am cutting it, & says he needs hay, & I said call tonight, or in the morning, & well discuss the $. He never called. That next afternoon I drove by the field, & saw him baling it. I stopped this time, & told him $30/bale. He said that was too much, & said he'd call me & negotiate. Being too nice I said all right. By nightfall he had already taken the hay, & didnt want to pay more than $10/bale! I should have called the Sherriff before he got done baling!!! And I have never seen a dime of that money 18 years later!!!

Scotty

I had the same problem with this SOB back in the spring. I actually drove to Maryville to talk to the Sherif, what a waste of oxygen. I drove to the POS house, his wife/mother whoever the heck she is said he'd be out in just a second. She shut and locked the door. I believe the whole family lives on the road. It's a brother or someone just lives maybe a half mile down the road that supposedly has a bunch of cows. He was no help either. It's a family affair how they can screw people out of there money, when a prospective buyer is trying to trust someone to do the right thing. If it wouldn't have cost so much in legal cost, I'd loved to see him dangle by his testicles from a tree.