@PCGS_Moderator Please ban for life Spawnfreek he is a con artist (with proof this account is fake)

TheGoonies1985

Before someone here gets burned by this fake seller.

TheGoonies1985

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1104526/sold#latest

lkenefic

I was watching the BST. Did any money change hands?

TheGoonies1985

@lkenefic said:
I was watching the BST. Did any money change hands?

I hope not that would be a big loss unless the person paid via PayPal invoice then PayPal would have their back. But still not OK at all.

Manifest_Destiny

Deleted per OP request

TheGoonies1985

AKA Spawnfreek ''the con artist''

lkenefic

@Manifest_Destiny said:

Do we know that this is an image of the actual BST "seller"? It could be some random person taken from some obscure website...

TheGoonies1985

@lkenefic said:

@Manifest_Destiny said:

Do we know that this is an image of the actual BST "seller"? It could be some random person taken from some obscure website...

You are correct we do not know. We should take this image off just in case.

TheGoonies1985

Please all who posted the image delete them as we do not know for sure that is a real image of said person.

RiveraFamilyCollect

Throw the image into the Tineye website or google image search. If it comes up then its a stolen pic. If it doesnt show up on those websites then its an authentic picture.

I'd do it for you pillar but cannot currently.

TheGoonies1985

@RiveraFamilyCollect said:
Throw the image into the Tineye website or google image search. If it comes up then its a stolen pic. If it doesnt show up on those websites then its an authentic picture.

I'd do it for you pillar but cannot currently.

Can someone her do that?

SmEagle1795

That is undoubtedly not a real picture: a reverse image search shows matches both as an alleged cybersecurity thought leader "Dr. Bon G. Ripper" and "Richard Cole" from "Brighton, UK, is a renowned CBD and cannabis expert who has dedicated his life to researching, advocating for, and educating others on the benefits and potential of these powerful plants."

"Bon G. Ripper" is almost as prescient of a scammer name as "Bernie Madoff"

lermish

RiveraFamilyCollect

Thanks SmEagle, now we know that the scammer stole that image from ones available online.

TheGoonies1985

Proof he is a fake like suspected. Now time for moderators to please ban this account for life.

TheGoonies1985

Possibly trying to gather peoples home addresses (just a guess) who knows glad I trusted my gut and did not give him any info. Will only buy from long term members I know their user names best to be safe than sorry.

JBK

First, I don't think tagging someone in the title of a thread will alert them like it will if you tag them in a thread.

Second, I think the moderators have addressed this general issue in the past and stated that being a dishonest seller on the BST is not in itself a bannable offense.

TheGoonies1985

@JBK said:
First, I don't think tagging someone in the title of a thread will alert them like it will if you tag them in a thread.

Second, I think the moderators have addressed this general issue in the past and stated that being a dishonest seller on the BST is not in itself a bannable offense.

Lets hope they ban him for life this is what a thief deserves at minimum. Why would anyone want such people to remain on the boards does not make any sens at all. Weed out the bad to protect our community. We should no be protecting the people we should be getting rid of them ASAP.

PeakRarities

@JBK said:
First, I don't think tagging someone in the title of a thread will alert them like it will if you tag them in a thread.

Second, I think the moderators have addressed this general issue in the past and stated that being a dishonest seller on the BST is not in itself a bannable offense.

There's a difference between a slightly dishonest or problematic seller, and an outright scam artist using a fictitious identity to rip someone off. I understand it's a buyer-beware world but I didn't think it would be too much to ask the mods to press a button or two and get them out of here, especially when we do the investigative legwork.

MFeld

@PillarDollarCollector said:
Proof he is a fake like suspected. Now time for moderators to please ban this account for life.

Using an image of someone other than oneself doesn't automatically make someone a scammer. And I haven't seen any solid proof from you that the person is a scammer.
Caution is good but I think you're getting somewhat carried away.

JBK

@PillarDollarCollector said:

@JBK said:
First, I don't think tagging someone in the title of a thread will alert them like it will if you tag them in a thread.

Second, I think the moderators have addressed this general issue in the past and stated that being a dishonest seller on the BST is not in itself a bannable offense.

Lets hope they ban him for life this is what a thief deserves at minimum. Why would anyone want such people to remain on the boards does not make any sens at all. Weed out the bad to protect our community.

I don't disagree in theory, but the mods have made it clear they are not going to police the BST. It is provided as a convenience for members, and if it becomes too much of a hassle they could just close it down.

JBK

@DeplorableDan said:

@JBK said:
First, I don't think tagging someone in the title of a thread will alert them like it will if you tag them in a thread.

Second, I think the moderators have addressed this general issue in the past and stated that being a dishonest seller on the BST is not in itself a bannable offense.

There's a difference between a slightly dishonest or problematic seller, and an outright scam artist using a fictitious identity to rip someone off. I understand it's a buyer-beware world but I didn't think it would be too much to ask the mods to press a button or two and get them out of here, especially when we do the investigative legwork.

You don't need to argue your case to me. You need to argue it to the moderators. Why doesn't someone tag them properly to get their attention?

PeakRarities

@JBK said:

@DeplorableDan said:

@JBK said:
First, I don't think tagging someone in the title of a thread will alert them like it will if you tag them in a thread.

Second, I think the moderators have addressed this general issue in the past and stated that being a dishonest seller on the BST is not in itself a bannable offense.

There's a difference between a slightly dishonest or problematic seller, and an outright scam artist using a fictitious identity to rip someone off. I understand it's a buyer-beware world but I didn't think it would be too much to ask the mods to press a button or two and get them out of here, especially when we do the investigative legwork.

You don't need to argue your case to me. You need to argue it to the moderators. Why doesn't someone tag them properly to get their attention?

I did, I flagged the post on the bst and tagged him.

@MFeld said:

@PillarDollarCollector said:
Proof he is a fake like suspected. Now time for moderators to please ban this account for life.

Using an image of someone other than oneself doesn't automatically make someone a scammer. And I haven't seen any solid proof from you that the person is a scammer.
Caution is good but I think you're getting somewhat carried away.

Mark, this might be a rare instance where I disagree with you (edit- based on numerous reasons, not just the photo), but I have an advantage because of my moderation experience on facebook.

1. New account
2. Generic image of a seemingly honest looking male to inspire confidence
3. Selling gold under melt.
4. A comment from a related thread -

"There seems to be many of us been played for fools by this member. Wastes your time tells you he has this coin or that coin then never gets back to you.

I have blocked him."

Thats the tell, they always say they have something you need, or that their buddy has the coin and they can never provide proof.

He was already out after the 3rd strike, but the 4th one is the final nail in the coffin. If he can prove me wrong, ill give him $500.

braddick

Just a bit of humor here. Not meant to offend. . .

@MFeld said:

» show previous quotes
"Using an image of someone other than oneself doesn't automatically make someone a scammer. And I haven't seen any solid proof from you that the person is a scammer.
Caution is good but I think you're getting somewhat carried away."

@DeplorableDan stated: "Mark, this might be a rare instance where I disagree with you, but I have an advantage because of my moderation experience on facebook."

PeakRarities

@braddick said:
Just a bit of humor here. Not meant to offend. . .

@MFeld said:

» show previous quotes
"Using an image of someone other than oneself doesn't automatically make someone a scammer. And I haven't seen any solid proof from you that the person is a scammer.
Caution is good but I think you're getting somewhat carried away."

@DeplorableDan stated: "Mark, this might be a rare instance where I disagree with you, but I have an advantage because of my moderation experience on facebook."

lol touche 🤣

MFeld

@DeplorableDan said:

@JBK said:

@DeplorableDan said:

@JBK said:
First, I don't think tagging someone in the title of a thread will alert them like it will if you tag them in a thread.

Second, I think the moderators have addressed this general issue in the past and stated that being a dishonest seller on the BST is not in itself a bannable offense.

There's a difference between a slightly dishonest or problematic seller, and an outright scam artist using a fictitious identity to rip someone off. I understand it's a buyer-beware world but I didn't think it would be too much to ask the mods to press a button or two and get them out of here, especially when we do the investigative legwork.

You don't need to argue your case to me. You need to argue it to the moderators. Why doesn't someone tag them properly to get their attention?

I did, I flagged the post on the bst and tagged him.

@MFeld said:

@PillarDollarCollector said:
Proof he is a fake like suspected. Now time for moderators to please ban this account for life.

Using an image of someone other than oneself doesn't automatically make someone a scammer. And I haven't seen any solid proof from you that the person is a scammer.
Caution is good but I think you're getting somewhat carried away.

Mark, this might be a rare instance where I disagree with you, but I have an advantage because of my moderation experience on facebook.

1. New account
2. Generic image of a seemingly honest looking male to inspire confidence
3. Selling gold under melt.
4. A comment from a related thread -

"There seems to be many of us been played for fools by this member. Wastes your time tells you he has this coin or that coin then never gets back to you.

I have blocked him."

Thats the tell, they always say they have something you need, or that their buddy has the coin and they can never provide proof.

He was already out after the 3rd strike, but the 4th one is the final nail in the coffin. If he can prove me wrong, ill give him $500.

Dan, what good does it do for a scammer to claim he has something someone needs, without making a serious attempt to try to sell it, in order to rip them off? Maybe that's the plan, but thus far, I haven't see any proof that such an attempt has been made. Has it?

Don't get me wrong - I'm still all for caution and alerting forum members and the mods.

PeakRarities

Here is my comment on one of his active bst listings - lets see what happens

@DeplorableDan said:
I will buy the coin at $1900, please take a picture of the coin next to a piece of paper that reads "spawnfreak 6/11". Once you post that image in the thread, send me your Paypal information and i will send the money.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1098579/fs-1900-us-20-liberty-head-gold-coin#latest

BLUEJAYWAY

Maybe if the poster in question had gotten political he might of been banned by now

TheGoonies1985

@DeplorableDan said:
Here is my comment on one of his active bst listings - lets see what happens

@DeplorableDan said:
I will buy the coin at $1900, please take a picture of the coin next to a piece of paper that reads "spawnfreak 6/11". Once you post that image in the thread, send me your Paypal information and i will send the money.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1098579/fs-1900-us-20-liberty-head-gold-coin#latest

Exact same happened to me. On a coin I was looking to buy on BST.

TheGoonies1985

@MFeld said:

@PillarDollarCollector said:
Proof he is a fake like suspected. Now time for moderators to please ban this account for life.

Using an image of someone other than oneself doesn't automatically make someone a scammer. And I haven't seen any solid proof from you that the person is a scammer.
Caution is good but I think you're getting somewhat carried away.

How much proof do you want that this guy is a fake and someone will get burned if this continues. Should we wait till it does happen then cry out?

This is not normal behaviour at all.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1104526/sold#latest

CRHer700

He also probably has an alt, there are @Spawnfreek and @Spawnfreak . @Spawnfreak 's last post is three days before @Spawnfreek 's first.

lkenefic

I'm wondering what the angle is... trolling for banking information? Other personal info???

Or is it just as simple as it's a troll with nothing better to do...

TheGoonies1985

This is not normal behavior at all. > @lkenefic said:

I'm wondering what the angle is... trolling for banking information? Other personal info???

Or is it just as simple as it's a troll with nothing better to do...

He was acting weird in PM messages I got a bad feeling and simply told him forget it. I asked for images of the coin with a piece of paper with his user name and date he bailed after that.

NewEnglandRarities

@PillarDollarCollector said:
This is not normal behavior at all. > @lkenefic said:

I'm wondering what the angle is... trolling for banking information? Other personal info???

Or is it just as simple as it's a troll with nothing better to do...

He was acting weird in PM messages I got a bad feeling and simply told him forget it. I asked for images of the coin with a piece of paper with his user name and date he bailed after that.

I totally understand the frustration, but this particular scenario happens a lot here. I thank you for the warning of the member, but the point has been made. I think best to drop it now, as it will only reflect badly on you pushing this more, as has been mentioned. But, thank you for the warning!

Edited to add: I don’t want you to think I’m saying you are doing anything wrong. Just that sometimes too big of a push can reflect poorly on the “Pusher”. With that said, I agree, a scammer should be banned for life on this forum and I thank you for pointing it out!

TheGoonies1985

@NewEnglandRarities said:

@PillarDollarCollector said:
This is not normal behavior at all. > @lkenefic said:

I'm wondering what the angle is... trolling for banking information? Other personal info???

Or is it just as simple as it's a troll with nothing better to do...

He was acting weird in PM messages I got a bad feeling and simply told him forget it. I asked for images of the coin with a piece of paper with his user name and date he bailed after that.

I totally understand the frustration, but this particular scenario happens a lot here. I thank you for the warning of the member, but the point has been made. I think best to drop it now, as it will only reflect badly on you pushing this more, as has been mentioned. But, thank you for the warning!

Thanks will do let the mods decide from here.