I paid via US Postal Money orders which is why I got the Postal Inspectors involved but they never followed up on my complaints. They suck.
Agreed. They just have you file an IC3.gov internet complaint that gets buried. In most states the Attorney General and local police could care less about such scams. It's getting harder to take action against scammers. If it took years or even decades to nail Bernie and the $65BILL, what hope do collectors have for a few hundred or few thousand bucks?
I sent you an email today, but no reply yet. I went on a hunt through the Heritage Galleries archives this evening and found that my coin is a fake in a very real looking PCGS holder. It is a 1916-D Mercury Dime graded PCGS F12 in holder number 14928373. The coin sold in Heritage's auction #1129 as lot number 497. The coin I have in hand has the same cert number, but is certainly NOT the coin that was sold in that auction.
Please let me know next course of action as I would love to put this guy away for a long time based on this fraud.
I sent you an email today, but no reply yet. I went on a hunt through the Heritage Galleries archives this evening and found that my coin is a fake in a very real looking PCGS holder. It is a 1916-D Mercury Dime graded PCGS F12 in holder number 14928373. The coin sold in Heritage's auction #1129 as lot number 497. The coin I have in hand has the same cert number, but is certainly NOT the coin that was sold in that auction.
Please let me know next course of action as I would love to put this guy away for a long time based on this fraud.
You should re-check with the Postal Inspectors and the SS, now that Skog is the subject of this lawsuit. I would like to see the SS get involved as they could put the guy away for a long time, as opposed to just fining him. People often forget how tough the anti-counterfeiting statutes are, I just wish they would use them for this industry.
THANK YOU PCGS for going after the scumbag. I will not complain if you raise the grading fees $5, just to have a bigger fund to crack nutz on all the jerks out there.
<< <i>counterfeit coins and counterfeit holders I kinda got a handle on ............but a real PCGS holder thats been opened and resealed is immensely more fearsome and troublesome to me .......If an expert such as yourself was deceived , and without some info as to what to look for and what the "tells" are ; for all I know such things are all over the place ....... >>
The slab on mine was fake as well, to my eyes it was a good fake. >>
That is a serious drag...how do you tell the real PCGS slabs from the fakes?
<< <i>Manorcourtman, first of all, thanks for going through all the headaches you must have gone thru to help stop this crook and protect our hobby. I have one question, I take it that the dealer did not want to give you a refund willingly, wasn't it amazing to you that when caught he had the audacity to do this. Did he expect you to just give up and walk away. What did he say?--------BigE >>
I had help from others that helped keep me sane through the whole matter. I have alot of time and a long documented papertrail invested in the matter. $1800 is not alot of money to many on these boards but to me and my family it is. The first thing I had to realize was that crooks and scammers have no sense of guilt or moral standards. They would steal from their own mother and have no problem with it. This guy knew exactly what he had and what he was doing, probably from getting away with it numerous times in the past. He thought he could just ignore me and I would go away. Well if it weren't for the Attorney General of my state he would gotten clean away with it. Being 4 states from him and not being in a position to hire a lawyer I had little recourse. So yes to answer your question he did expect me to give up and walk away as I am sure many other small collectors have done. He has numerous complaints filed against him with the Minneapolis BBB which is another organization with little power or worth and I am not banging on them BTW, they are there to simply mediate if possible. Only God knows how much damage he has done to the hobby, PCGS and numerous small collectors across this country. He has been in business for 35 years he boasted to me. It's time for the big boys at PCGS to put a stop to crooks like this. >>
Well, if people would only buy from PNG members, losses like this wouldn't happen. Sorry, but it's true.
I also reported the fake coins in fake slabs on this Forum on November 8, 2010 in a thread entitled "Fake Seated Dollars in Fake PCGS Slabs". I also included my article in the E-Gobrecht sent to many members of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club. I also made a presentation to the LSCC club on November 5, 2010 during the Baltimore show. I did all this despite the fact that I got my money back from Burnsville Coin Co.
In view of all of that, and the fact that many excellent dealers, including Legend, are not PNG members, I believe that this is indisputable evidence that Anaconda's statement is FALSE. I will await your apology.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
I am being told by Barry Skog that he will return my money if I ship back the fake 1916-D dime in the fake PCGS holder. Should I trust that he will refund my $1175? If so, what is the best method for return (signature guarantee, etc.)?
<< <i>I am being told by Barry Skog that he will return my money if I ship back the fake 1916-D dime in the fake PCGS holder. Should I trust that he will refund my $1175? If so, what is the best method for return (signature guarantee, etc.)? >>
Unless they plan to re-sell it as is, they should allow you to take photos of the coin in the holder, crack it out and return it outside of the holder. You have no reason to trust them, so be extremely cautious.
<< <i>I am being told by Barry Skog that he will return my money if I ship back the fake 1916-D dime in the fake PCGS holder. Should I trust that he will refund my $1175? If so, what is the best method for return (signature guarantee, etc.)? >>
Perhaps it would be better for him to refund your money FIRST and then you send back the coin. Do you trust him to follow through?
<< <i>I'd ask PCGS if they want it to help with their case first. >>
I like this idea... at least try to contact Don Willis thru PM or email and ask him...
As coinguy pointed out... at this point no one has any reason to trust this dealer... he may or may not refund the $ ... and then what does he plan to do with the counterfeit?
Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free
I'm from the Twin Cities, which includes Burnsville as a large suburb. This week I was offered three key-date (supposedly) PCGS coins at a very reasonable price. They were a 1926-s nickel in ms63, a 1901 dollar in ms62 and an 1884-s dollar in ms61. The offer came from a vest pocket dealer who confided he bought the coins locally. Before pulling the trigger, I checked Heritage archives and found a photo for the nickel, based on the serial number. It was not the same coin. We passed on the deal.
<< <i>Manorcourtman, first of all, thanks for going through all the headaches you must have gone thru to help stop this crook and protect our hobby. I have one question, I take it that the dealer did not want to give you a refund willingly, wasn't it amazing to you that when caught he had the audacity to do this. Did he expect you to just give up and walk away. What did he say?--------BigE >>
I had help from others that helped keep me sane through the whole matter. I have alot of time and a long documented papertrail invested in the matter. $1800 is not alot of money to many on these boards but to me and my family it is. The first thing I had to realize was that crooks and scammers have no sense of guilt or moral standards. They would steal from their own mother and have no problem with it. This guy knew exactly what he had and what he was doing, probably from getting away with it numerous times in the past. He thought he could just ignore me and I would go away. Well if it weren't for the Attorney General of my state he would gotten clean away with it. Being 4 states from him and not being in a position to hire a lawyer I had little recourse. So yes to answer your question he did expect me to give up and walk away as I am sure many other small collectors have done. He has numerous complaints filed against him with the Minneapolis BBB which is another organization with little power or worth and I am not banging on them BTW, they are there to simply mediate if possible. Only God knows how much damage he has done to the hobby, PCGS and numerous small collectors across this country. He has been in business for 35 years he boasted to me. It's time for the big boys at PCGS to put a stop to crooks like this. >>
Well, if people would only buy from PNG members, losses like this wouldn't happen. Sorry, but it's true. >>
I assume you are just stirring the pot with this comment because otherwise it is an Utterly ridiculous statement that deserves no response!
We're not all like this from Minnesota. *grin* Glad I've never dealt with this 'dealer'. Best of luck to all parties affected by this 'dealer's' deceptive practices. Fact: Minnesota Nice...isn't! :-/
Before pulling the trigger, I checked Heritage archives and found a photo for the nickel, based on the serial number. It was not the same coin.
This is scary!!! If the counterfeits are getting so good, that we need to check serial numbers of each PCGS slab before we buy to protect ourselves, this could ruin the hobby. I am glad you caught this, but I am thinking to myself that I probably won't have checked like you did. And I would have ended up buying counterfeits and eventually losing money on them.
<< <i>Well, if people would only buy from PNG members, losses like this wouldn't happen. Sorry, but it's true. >>
Because PNG has a history bringing down the hammer on these types of dealers!
Besides, do you think that a PNG member is not capable of purchasing a fake and then reselling it unknowingly? I'm sure it happens more often than we care to know.
Becoming an PNG member is not difficult at all. As a collector, I never give it a thought if a dealer is a PNG member or not. It's just a loose association.
There is no "AT" or "NT". We only have "market acceptable" or "not market acceptable.
I think he was inferring that PNG dealers will guarantee the authenticity of the coin they sold for their life - and if you have the receipt will get a full refund without the major hassles of dealing with someone who knows they are a crook / scammer - who does not want to give anything back, ust get more
<< <i>I am being told by Barry Skog that he will return my money if I ship back the fake 1916-D dime in the fake PCGS holder. Should I trust that he will refund my $1175? If so, what is the best method for return (signature guarantee, etc.)? >>
Well of course the dealer would make the offer that would give him the opportunity to destroy evidence which could be used against him in a civil or criminal prosecution. I would suggest that you communicate with PCGS / Don Willis on a course of action.
You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
<< <i>I am being told by Barry Skog that he will return my money if I ship back the fake 1916-D dime in the fake PCGS holder. Should I trust that he will refund my $1175? If so, what is the best method for return (signature guarantee, etc.)? >>
Well of course the dealer would make the offer that would give him the opportunity to destroy evidence which could be used against him in a civil or criminal prosecution. I would suggest that you communicate with PCGS / Don Willis on a course of action. >>
PCGS is seeking to shut down the seller by bankrupting them by asking triple damages. Since this is a civil suit, PCGS may actually collect NOTHING. And they have no obligation to pass any money they DO collect to victims who bought fake PCGS slabs, since the PCGS warranty does not cover this. Consult your lawyer about what best to do to get YOUR money back.
Frank Provasek - PCGS Authorized Dealer, Life Member ANA, Member TNA. www.frankcoins.com
Worthless piece of paper that you can not collect on, anyone want to pay 10 cents on the dollar for all the judgements i have recieved over the years doing evictions? Never collected on one yet in 20 years. I quit filing them a few years back, saves me 65 bucks each.
Mark NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!! working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
Please note this thread started in 2010. I thought it important to give the story some background. Even Don Willis posted in this thread. I know how this forum hates counterfeiters, well this one is going away....for a long time I pray.
People like Skog need to be punished to the full extent of the law.
Former Burnsville coin dealer indicted in fraud scheme
April 11, 2018 - 11:49 PM
A former Burnsville coin dealer was charged in federal court in Minneapolis on Wednesday with advertising and selling counterfeit coins.
Barry Skog, 67, was indicted on five counts of sale of counterfeit coins and one count of mail fraud. He made his first appearance Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Franklin Noel.
The indictment said Skog ran the fraud scheme from June 2012 through October 2016, fraudulently representing that the coins he was selling were legitimate U.S. coins worth hundreds of dollars.
Skog owned and operated Burnsville Coin Co. and posted ads for coins in a publication called Numismatic News. The indictment said he obtained more than $80,000 from his victims.
Authorities believe Skog may have victims who have not come forward. Anyone with information can call the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau at 651-539-1617.
Burnsville dealer accused in counterfeit coin scheme
Burnsville coin dealer Barry Ron Skog, 67, has been indicted in U.S. District Court on five counts of sale of counterfeit coins and one count of mail fraud, the Minnesota Department of Commerce announced April 11.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and the Burnsville Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting.
According to the federal indictment, from June 2012 through October 2016 Skog devised a scheme to advertise and sell counterfeit coins by fraudulently representing that they were legitimate U.S. coins worth hundreds of dollars.
According to the indictment, Skog owned and operated a business called Burnsville Coin Co. Through the business, he posted advertisements for coins in the publication Numismatic News. When victims responded to the ads, Skog would mail them lists of available coins for purchase, many of which were counterfeit.
In his communications with the victims, Skog often represented himself as an employee of the Burnsville Coin Co. named “Ron Peterson.” But there are no other owners or employees than Skog.
In total, Skog fraudulently obtained more than $80,000 from his victims, according to a Commerce Department news release.
Authorities believe there may be more victims who haven’t been identified. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau at 651-539-1617. Callers may remain anonymous.
@Goldbully said: Please note this thread started in 2010. I thought it important to give the story some background. Even Don Willis posted in this thread. I know how this forum hates counterfeiters, well this one is going away....for a long time I pray.
People like Skog need to be punished to the full extent of the law.
Former Burnsville coin dealer indicted in fraud scheme
April 11, 2018 - 11:49 PM
A former Burnsville coin dealer was charged in federal court in Minneapolis on Wednesday with advertising and selling counterfeit coins.
Barry Skog, 67, was indicted on five counts of sale of counterfeit coins and one count of mail fraud. He made his first appearance Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Franklin Noel.
The indictment said Skog ran the fraud scheme from June 2012 through October 2016, fraudulently representing that the coins he was selling were legitimate U.S. coins worth hundreds of dollars.
Skog owned and operated Burnsville Coin Co. and posted ads for coins in a publication called Numismatic News. The indictment said he obtained more than $80,000 from his victims.
Authorities believe Skog may have victims who have not come forward. Anyone with information can call the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau at 651-539-1617.
Burnsville dealer accused in counterfeit coin scheme
Burnsville coin dealer Barry Ron Skog, 67, has been indicted in U.S. District Court on five counts of sale of counterfeit coins and one count of mail fraud, the Minnesota Department of Commerce announced April 11.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and the Burnsville Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting.
According to the federal indictment, from June 2012 through October 2016 Skog devised a scheme to advertise and sell counterfeit coins by fraudulently representing that they were legitimate U.S. coins worth hundreds of dollars.
According to the indictment, Skog owned and operated a business called Burnsville Coin Co. Through the business, he posted advertisements for coins in the publication Numismatic News. When victims responded to the ads, Skog would mail them lists of available coins for purchase, many of which were counterfeit.
In his communications with the victims, Skog often represented himself as an employee of the Burnsville Coin Co. named “Ron Peterson.” But there are no other owners or employees than Skog.
In total, Skog fraudulently obtained more than $80,000 from his victims, according to a Commerce Department news release.
Authorities believe there may be more victims who haven’t been identified. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau at 651-539-1617. Callers may remain anonymous.
@ebaybuyer said:
asking for three times the amount of damages, is any of that going to the collectors that were duped ? seems almost greedy to ask to be paid three times the damages when the collector is the one who suffered the loss
I don't know how it works now, but the Postal Inspection Service used to file US Code violations separately from local or state charges.
They may lump them all together now.
Mail Fraud is one of the most serious federal crimes. He could land up in Leavenworth.
HOW can anybody betray themselves and the Hobby by perpetrating such a non caring viral no conscience act on innocent trusting customers.
Good for you. I hope you rot!
Pete
"I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
I suspect $80K is on the low side, as many victims may not know for awhile. The dates in the article suggest 2012 through 2016, when this thread has it going in 2010...
@davewesen said:
I suspect $80K is on the low side, as many victims may not know for awhile. The dates in the article suggest 2012 through 2016, when this thread has it going in 2010...
He was defrauding people in 2009 and most likely many years before that. He deserves to go away for a long time. The Postal Inspectors should be ashamed of themselves. I presented them with all sorts of evidence and they did nothing in 2010.
@ebaybuyer said:
asking for three times the amount of damages, is any of that going to the collectors that were duped ? seems almost greedy to ask to be paid three times the damages when the collector is the one who suffered the loss
PCGS reputation also is affected by the existence of fakes. PCGS has damages.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
This 2011 article has a photo of one of the coins and what CU/PCGS asked for in the suit. The article indicates CU only asks for profits and $11,772 in legal costs, so it appears quite generous to Barry Skog and Burnsville Coin.
In an e-mail Thursday, Skog wrote that a hearing is pending in California "in which we plan to plead 'Not Guilty' and we have requested a change in venue. We have been in business for over 35 years and sold nearly 5,000 coins last year alone! There is a question on two of them. That should say something!"
Interesting place for Skog to find new coins:
Webber said he filed a complaint with the Minnesota attorney general's office and was told that when it started doing research on Skog, investigators learned that he was in China, "looking for certain dimes."
Requested Damages:
In filings this week, the company asked the court to bar Burnsville Coin from selling coins in counterfeit PCGS holders; to order Skog to turn over all counterfeit coins and holders for destruction; and to turn over all profits his company made by selling any coins in counterfeit PCGS holders. The company also seeks $11,772 in legal costs.
Comments
Agreed. They just have you file an IC3.gov internet complaint that gets buried. In most states the Attorney General and local police could care less about such scams. It's getting harder to take action against scammers. If it took years or even decades to nail Bernie and the $65BILL, what hope do collectors have for a few hundred or few thousand bucks?
roadrunner
I sent you an email today, but no reply yet. I went on a hunt through the Heritage Galleries archives this evening and found that my coin is a fake in a very real looking PCGS holder. It is a 1916-D Mercury Dime graded PCGS F12 in holder number 14928373. The coin sold in Heritage's auction #1129 as lot number 497. The coin I have in hand has the same cert number, but is certainly NOT the coin that was sold in that auction.
Please let me know next course of action as I would love to put this guy away for a long time based on this fraud.
Thank you,
Tim Schmitz
I sent you an email today, but no reply yet. I went on a hunt through the Heritage Galleries archives this evening and found that my coin is a fake in a very real looking PCGS holder. It is a 1916-D Mercury Dime graded PCGS F12 in holder number 14928373. The coin sold in Heritage's auction #1129 as lot number 497. The coin I have in hand has the same cert number, but is certainly NOT the coin that was sold in that auction.
Please let me know next course of action as I would love to put this guy away for a long time based on this fraud.
Thank you,
Tim Schmitz
<< <i>Go PCGS!! >>
It's great that PCGS is going after the crooks!
You should re-check with the Postal Inspectors and the SS, now that Skog is the subject of this lawsuit. I would like to see the SS get involved as they could put the guy away for a long time, as opposed to just fining him. People often forget how tough the anti-counterfeiting statutes are, I just wish they would use them for this industry.
Does anyone have a copy they could email me? Thanks in advance.
At least, what is the date of the Coin World magazine this was in? Thanks!
Sounds like he deserves it(Scumbag)
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THANK YOU PCGS for going after the scumbag. I will not complain if you raise the grading fees $5, just to have a bigger fund to crack nutz on all the jerks out there.
<< <i>
<< <i>counterfeit coins and counterfeit holders I kinda got a handle on ............but a real PCGS holder thats been opened and resealed is immensely more fearsome and troublesome to me .......If an expert such as yourself was deceived , and without some info as to what to look for and what the "tells" are ; for all I know such things are all over the place ....... >>
The slab on mine was fake as well, to my eyes it was a good fake. >>
That is a serious drag...how do you tell the real PCGS slabs from the fakes?
<< <i>
<< <i>Manorcourtman, first of all, thanks for going through all the headaches you must have gone thru to help stop this crook and protect our hobby. I have one question, I take it that the dealer did not want to give you a refund willingly, wasn't it amazing to you that when caught he had the audacity to do this. Did he expect you to just give up and walk away. What did he say?--------BigE >>
I had help from others that helped keep me sane through the whole matter. I have alot of time and a long documented papertrail invested in the matter. $1800 is not alot of money to many on these boards but to me and my family it is. The first thing I had to realize was that crooks and scammers have no sense of guilt or moral standards. They would steal from their own mother and have no problem with it. This guy knew exactly what he had and what he was doing, probably from getting away with it numerous times in the past. He thought he could just ignore me and I would go away. Well if it weren't for the Attorney General of my state he would gotten clean away with it. Being 4 states from him and not being in a position to hire a lawyer I had little recourse. So yes to answer your question he did expect me to give up and walk away as I am sure many other small collectors have done. He has numerous complaints filed against him with the Minneapolis BBB which is another organization with little power or worth and I am not banging on them BTW, they are there to simply mediate if possible. Only God knows how much damage he has done to the hobby, PCGS and numerous small collectors across this country. He has been in business for 35 years he boasted to me. It's time for the big boys at PCGS to put a stop to crooks like this. >>
Well, if people would only buy from PNG members, losses like this wouldn't happen. Sorry, but it's true.
<< <i>Does this guy still advertise in Numismatic News? >>
I believe that Burnsville Coin Co. has been banned from advertising in both Coin World and Numismatic News.
<< <i>Well, if people would only buy from PNG members, losses like this wouldn't happen. Sorry, but it's true. >>
I am not a PNG member, but I reported on the fake coins in fake slabs in my newsletter of October 11, 2010:
Article in Rich Uhrich's newsletter on counterfeits
I also reported the fake coins in fake slabs on this Forum on November 8, 2010 in a thread entitled "Fake Seated Dollars in Fake PCGS Slabs". I also included my article in the E-Gobrecht sent to many members of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club. I also made a presentation to the LSCC club on November 5, 2010 during the Baltimore show. I did all this despite the fact that I got my money back from Burnsville Coin Co.
In view of all of that, and the fact that many excellent dealers, including Legend, are not PNG members, I believe that this is indisputable evidence that Anaconda's statement is FALSE. I will await your apology.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
<< <i>I am being told by Barry Skog that he will return my money if I ship back the fake 1916-D dime in the fake PCGS holder. Should I trust that he will refund my $1175? If so, what is the best method for return (signature guarantee, etc.)? >>
Unless they plan to re-sell it as is, they should allow you to take photos of the coin in the holder, crack it out and return it outside of the holder. You have no reason to trust them, so be extremely cautious.
<< <i>I am being told by Barry Skog that he will return my money if I ship back the fake 1916-D dime in the fake PCGS holder. Should I trust that he will refund my $1175? If so, what is the best method for return (signature guarantee, etc.)? >>
Perhaps it would be better for him to refund your money FIRST and then you send back the coin. Do you trust him to follow through?
<< <i>I'd ask PCGS if they want it to help with their case first. >>
I like this idea... at least try to contact Don Willis thru PM or email and ask him...
As coinguy pointed out... at this point no one has any reason to trust this dealer... he may or may not refund the $ ... and then what does he plan to do with the counterfeit?
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Manorcourtman, first of all, thanks for going through all the headaches you must have gone thru to help stop this crook and protect our hobby. I have one question, I take it that the dealer did not want to give you a refund willingly, wasn't it amazing to you that when caught he had the audacity to do this. Did he expect you to just give up and walk away. What did he say?--------BigE >>
I had help from others that helped keep me sane through the whole matter. I have alot of time and a long documented papertrail invested in the matter. $1800 is not alot of money to many on these boards but to me and my family it is. The first thing I had to realize was that crooks and scammers have no sense of guilt or moral standards. They would steal from their own mother and have no problem with it. This guy knew exactly what he had and what he was doing, probably from getting away with it numerous times in the past. He thought he could just ignore me and I would go away. Well if it weren't for the Attorney General of my state he would gotten clean away with it. Being 4 states from him and not being in a position to hire a lawyer I had little recourse. So yes to answer your question he did expect me to give up and walk away as I am sure many other small collectors have done. He has numerous complaints filed against him with the Minneapolis BBB which is another organization with little power or worth and I am not banging on them BTW, they are there to simply mediate if possible. Only God knows how much damage he has done to the hobby, PCGS and numerous small collectors across this country. He has been in business for 35 years he boasted to me. It's time for the big boys at PCGS to put a stop to crooks like this. >>
Well, if people would only buy from PNG members, losses like this wouldn't happen. Sorry, but it's true. >>
I assume you are just stirring the pot with this comment because otherwise it is an Utterly ridiculous statement that deserves no response!
<< <i>Does this guy still advertise in Numismatic News? >>
Yes, on there Dealer website directory his "company" is still listed. I alerted NN about this guy and they ignored me. NN Link
<< <i>I am looking for a copy of this Coin World article.
Does anyone have a copy they could email me? Thanks in advance.
At least, what is the date of the Coin World magazine this was in? Thanks! >>
This was in the January 3rd, 2011 issue.
The name is LEE!
This is scary!!! If the counterfeits are getting so good, that we need to check serial numbers of each PCGS slab before we buy to protect ourselves, this could ruin the hobby. I am glad you caught this, but I am thinking to myself that I probably won't have checked like you did. And I would have ended up buying counterfeits and eventually losing money on them.
<< <i>Skog is accussed of ordering and selling fake/countefeit PCGS slabs. >>
Now unlike that "coin doctoring" comedy, these are triable issues. Good for PCGS. Now they're talking.
<< <i>Well, if people would only buy from PNG members, losses like this wouldn't happen. Sorry, but it's true. >>
Besides, do you think that a PNG member is not capable of purchasing a fake and then reselling it unknowingly? I'm sure it happens more often than we care to know.
Becoming an PNG member is not difficult at all. As a collector, I never give it a thought if a dealer is a PNG member or not. It's just a loose association.
<< <i>I am being told by Barry Skog that he will return my money if I ship back the fake 1916-D dime in the fake PCGS holder. Should I trust that he will refund my $1175? If so, what is the best method for return (signature guarantee, etc.)? >>
Well of course the dealer would make the offer that would give him the opportunity to destroy evidence which could be used against him in a civil or criminal prosecution. I would suggest that you communicate with PCGS / Don Willis on a course of action.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
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Could be fun
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Larry@LSRarecoins.com
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Chicago August 11-15
<< <i>
<< <i>I am being told by Barry Skog that he will return my money if I ship back the fake 1916-D dime in the fake PCGS holder. Should I trust that he will refund my $1175? If so, what is the best method for return (signature guarantee, etc.)? >>
Well of course the dealer would make the offer that would give him the opportunity to destroy evidence which could be used against him in a civil or criminal prosecution. I would suggest that you communicate with PCGS / Don Willis on a course of action. >>
PCGS is seeking to shut down the seller by bankrupting them by asking triple damages.
Since this is a civil suit, PCGS may actually collect NOTHING. And they have no obligation to
pass any money they DO collect to victims who bought fake PCGS slabs, since the PCGS
warranty does not cover this. Consult your lawyer about what best to do to get YOUR money back.
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
No surprise PCGS steps up to do the right thing.
Please note this thread started in 2010. I thought it important to give the story some background. Even Don Willis posted in this thread. I know how this forum hates counterfeiters, well this one is going away....for a long time I pray.
People like Skog need to be punished to the full extent of the law.
Former Burnsville coin dealer indicted in fraud scheme
April 11, 2018 - 11:49 PM
A former Burnsville coin dealer was charged in federal court in Minneapolis on Wednesday with advertising and selling counterfeit coins.
Barry Skog, 67, was indicted on five counts of sale of counterfeit coins and one count of mail fraud. He made his first appearance Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Franklin Noel.
The indictment said Skog ran the fraud scheme from June 2012 through October 2016, fraudulently representing that the coins he was selling were legitimate U.S. coins worth hundreds of dollars.
Skog owned and operated Burnsville Coin Co. and posted ads for coins in a publication called Numismatic News. The indictment said he obtained more than $80,000 from his victims.
Authorities believe Skog may have victims who have not come forward. Anyone with information can call the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau at 651-539-1617.
http://m.startribune.com//former-burnsville-coin-dealer-indicted-in-fraud-scheme/479476573/
Burnsville dealer accused in counterfeit coin scheme
Burnsville coin dealer Barry Ron Skog, 67, has been indicted in U.S. District Court on five counts of sale of counterfeit coins and one count of mail fraud, the Minnesota Department of Commerce announced April 11.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and the Burnsville Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting.
According to the federal indictment, from June 2012 through October 2016 Skog devised a scheme to advertise and sell counterfeit coins by fraudulently representing that they were legitimate U.S. coins worth hundreds of dollars.
According to the indictment, Skog owned and operated a business called Burnsville Coin Co. Through the business, he posted advertisements for coins in the publication Numismatic News. When victims responded to the ads, Skog would mail them lists of available coins for purchase, many of which were counterfeit.
In his communications with the victims, Skog often represented himself as an employee of the Burnsville Coin Co. named “Ron Peterson.” But there are no other owners or employees than Skog.
In total, Skog fraudulently obtained more than $80,000 from his victims, according to a Commerce Department news release.
Authorities believe there may be more victims who haven’t been identified. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau at 651-539-1617. Callers may remain anonymous.
https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_thisweek/community/burnsville/burnsville-dealer-accused-in-counterfeit-coin-scheme/article_a63c5494-3f51-11e8-bea1-27c6ee14fcc3.html
I remember the original post.
The wheels of justice turn ever so slowly - especially the last decade or so.
Eventually the bad guys get what they deserve, but it tests the patience of the good guys.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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@Frankcoins
I don't know how it works now, but the Postal Inspection Service used to file US Code violations separately from local or state charges.
They may lump them all together now.
Mail Fraud is one of the most serious federal crimes. He could land up in Leavenworth.
HOW can anybody betray themselves and the Hobby by perpetrating such a non caring viral no conscience act on innocent trusting customers.
Good for you. I hope you rot!
Pete
Always good to see justice served.... Not sure what the sentence will be, but I hope it is a long one... Cheers, RickO
I suspect $80K is on the low side, as many victims may not know for awhile. The dates in the article suggest 2012 through 2016, when this thread has it going in 2010...
He was defrauding people in 2009 and most likely many years before that. He deserves to go away for a long time. The Postal Inspectors should be ashamed of themselves. I presented them with all sorts of evidence and they did nothing in 2010.
PCGS reputation also is affected by the existence of fakes. PCGS has damages.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
This 2011 article has a photo of one of the coins and what CU/PCGS asked for in the suit. The article indicates CU only asks for profits and $11,772 in legal costs, so it appears quite generous to Barry Skog and Burnsville Coin.
http://www.startribune.com/fakes-could-cost-burnsville-coin-firm/119371484/
Business History:
Interesting place for Skog to find new coins:
Requested Damages:
Anyone know why it took so long for the wheels of justice to turn here?
Starts and ends with the letter L.
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
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