Ebay scam artist sentenced to jail in gold coin fraud

Michigan · February 9, 2008 5:20AM

YAKIMA — A Walla Walla man has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for a fraud scheme involving gold coin sales over the Internet.

Gary S. Harmas, 55, was ordered to serve 27 months.

Harmas pleaded guilty in October to 12 counts of wire fraud in connection with the scheme.

Officials said that beginning in October 2004, Harmas advertised American Eagle gold coins for sale on the eBay Web site, but didn't have an inventory of the gold coins.

At times, he reportedly offered coins for $20 to $30 less than what he could buy them from gold coin dealers.

PayPal and eBay received 188 customer complaints for non-delivery, shut down his account in 2005, and sustained a loss of $267,615.

Harmas was ordered to pay $310,733 in restitution to the victims.
He will remain under court supervision for three years after he is released from prison.

In a news release, James A. McDevitt, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said, "The number of fraudulent schemes perpetrated over the Internet are only limited by one's imagination. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is."

PawPaul · February 9, 2008 5:39AM

"PayPal and eBay received 188 customer complaints for non-delivery, shut down his account in 2005, and sustained a loss of $267,615. "

....So if I'm reading this right -the guy did his thing for O N E year before he got shut down ...........

and Paypal/Ebay lost $ 267,615 ....... - in unpaid fee's ?

or did the 188 people lose a combined $ 267k ?

and last but not least : WHAT KIND OF FREAKIN' SYSTEM ALLOWS SOMEONE TO RIP OFF 188 PEOPLE FOR OVER A YEAR ??

jdillane · February 9, 2008 5:42AM

good to hear! It's time for these ebay and online crooks realize that their may be a consequence for their action.

Rafael Rios's federal criminal trial is scheduled for next month. He ripped a bunch of us on the bay in 2005 (took me for over $6K). While I doubt that I will see much if any of it back, I have hold out some hope that he will make good eventually. The feds follow these turkeys for some 20 yrs to ensure compliance with restitution. Otherwise its the Pen! I really don't want him to do time unless he welches again.

I cannot remember his ebay name right now but he was selling out of Ridgeville, MS.

Michigan · February 9, 2008 5:53AM

<< "PayPal and eBay received 188 customer complaints for non-delivery, shut down his account in 2005, and sustained a loss of $267,615. "

....So if I'm reading this right -the guy did his thing for O N E year before he got shut down ...........

and Paypal/Ebay lost $ 267,615 ....... - in unpaid fee's ?

or did the 188 people lose a combined $ 267k ?

and last but not least : WHAT KIND OF FREAKIN' SYSTEM ALLOWS SOMEONE TO RIP OFF 188 PEOPLE FOR OVER A YEAR ?? >>

I'm guessing that the 188 victims lost $267,615. The article was not worded very well.

CaptHenway · February 9, 2008 6:01AM

Glad to hear he is going to jail, but for only 27 months???????

Knock over a liquor store for 1% of what he stole and you'll get a lot longer than that!!!!!!

Sheesh!
TD

BBN · February 9, 2008 6:27AM

wow, it took 188 complaints to shut him down? I thought like 2-3 got you suspended and then 2-3 more offenses got you banned.

mrearlygold · February 9, 2008 9:27AM

Wow, he should get more time than that . Surprised it took that long for ebay to shut him down. Ebay should be considered an accomplice.

Cameonut · February 9, 2008 9:57AM

I am also disappointed in only 27 months. But at least in Federal prison they tend to serve more of their sentence.

I doubt he will do this again after cooling his jets. (At least I hope not).

Barbercoin · February 9, 2008 10:26AM

Also, glad to see him in jail.

I only hope that he learns his lesson.

ziggy29 · February 9, 2008 10:28AM

<< Glad to hear he is going to jail, but for only 27 months???????

Knock over a liquor store for 1% of what he stole and you'll get a lot longer than that!!!!!! >>

Yeah, but in the case of the liquor store robbery, you're probably brandishing a gun and threatening to kill someone. That has to account for some of the difference.

WinPitcher · February 9, 2008 10:31AM

Ziggy, I agree and I would hope so. LOL

Steve

2bits · February 9, 2008 10:44AM

Cool ,,Im glad to see this guy going to jail ,,and I'am also well pleased that He will be required to make restitution ,, now if they would just add on what it costs to keep him in jail for 27 months and cause him to repay the tax payer for that expense then justice would be served .

Maybe its time to start filing lawsuits against everyone released from prison to make that happen ??

I can see it now ,, US taxpayers -VS- Joe Blow ,, case # 000000-0001 US citizen complaint for money owed IE tax payer reinbusment for cost of incarceration.

2bits

7over8 · February 9, 2008 11:42AM

yea..OK...

I'd like to see this twerp pay back the $310K........

oh...maybe a judgement......to be paid out of his min wage job for the next 500 years

YaHa · February 9, 2008 11:51AM

Actual time in jail will be less than 8 months. I don't see this guy ever paying resituition. Ebay worries the F out of me.

jdillane · February 9, 2008 12:08PM

When he gets out he will have to honor the restitution or he goes back in.

GAT · February 9, 2008 12:10PM

In order to be paroled from a federal prison you must have served 80% of the sentence

Zoins · February 9, 2008 12:26PM

I guess this is better than buying a Chinese counterfeit and not knowing for years. Here you find out pretty quick.

I wonder what his feedback looked like. Anyone have his id?

Deadhorse · February 9, 2008 12:36PM

<< Also, glad to see him in jail.

I only hope that he learns his lesson. >>

The problem is, he probably won't.

Not enough jail time and I bet he "disappears" once he is out.

I got ripped for around $1200 many years ago on the Bay, a gold seller as well. He delivered on a few deals, myself included, then once he had some positive feedback, he ripped everybody. They eventually caught the guy and it made the Miami Herald, he didn't steal nearly that much but it was in the 50K+ range. Of course, gold was in the $400 area back then.

Some idiot judge set bail and he supposedly fled to South America.

AFAIK, he has never been caught. I still have his emails and his name and former address.

It used to be these guys were always from Florida. Not that Florida has a monopoly on slimy shysters by any means.

Deadhorse · February 9, 2008 12:37PM

<< In order to be paroled from a federal prison you must have served 80% of the sentence >>

I thought the Fed meant you served 100%, no good behavior bullsh*t.

I hope it hasn't changed.

FLBuffaloHunter · February 9, 2008 12:44PM

<< 

<< Also, glad to see him in jail.

I only hope that he learns his lesson. >>

The problem is, he probably won't.

Not enough jail time and I bet he "disappears" once he is out.

I got ripped for around $1200 many years ago on the Bay, a gold seller as well. He delivered on a few deals, myself included, then once he had some positive feedback, he ripped everybody. They eventually caught the guy and it made the Miami Herald, he didn't steal nearly that much but it was in the 50K+ range. Of course, gold was in the $400 area back then.

Some idiot judge set bail and he supposedly fled to South America.

AFAIK, he has never been caught. I still have his emails and his name and former address.

It used to be these guys were always from Florida. Not that Florida has a monopoly on slimy shysters by any means. >>

Here is a recent one to add to that list.

Link

The guy listed a bunch of gold & silver bars, coins and jewelry. He did featured listings with no reserve and BIN's just over melt and on top he had free shipping. It was a red flag, I can't believe anyone would fall for it.

PerryHall · February 9, 2008 11:49PM

<< Glad to hear he is going to jail, but for only 27 months???????

Knock over a liquor store for 1% of what he stole and you'll get a lot longer than that!!!!!!

Sheesh!
TD >>

When someone knocks over a liquor store, they use a gun which makes a big difference in the eye of the law.

PerryHall · February 9, 2008 11:51PM

<< WHAT KIND OF FREAKIN' SYSTEM ALLOWS SOMEONE TO RIP OFF 188 PEOPLE FOR OVER A YEAR ?? >>

eBay?

Ebay scam artist sentenced to jail in gold coin fraud

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