Update to (old) scam artist issue

Hey all, I have been really out of it lately traveling and getting ready for this move to Italy. I was just wondering if anyone heard anything new about Austin Laesch? I emailed the detective a couple weeks ago and he said something about we shouldn't have to worry about him for a few YEARS. I am however very concerned as to if any of the other victims received any restitution. I am considering finding out which jail/prison he is and paying him a visit. I am driving that way soon. I would really like to look this guy in the eye. I want to know what he looks like and I want him to know who put him there.

Sorry to be off topic.

StaHi

Just so y'all know, belo79, who just signed up to use this board is none other than our friend Austin Laesch.

In addition, if you see this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1390033938

It looks like he may be up to his old tricks again...

- Jon

Greetings!

I had posted a warning about this, and brought this particular thread back to the top. I have since received a series of email from Austin, basically saying that it was severely blown out of proportion and that his side was never explained.

To be fair, I deleted my warning post, but recommended to Austin that he post here directly to address the comments that have been made. I hope he does so.

Ok, I also have now been directly contacted by Austin. He says that his bad reputation is undeserved and I told him to go ahead and post a note here to explain his side of the story.

I really don't know much about the situation back in June. Only that he caused quite a stir back then. I posted a note here to make sure that BBS users knew he was lurking...

- Jon

Ok. Its me Austin formerly known on here as HeavyHit.

I am here just to post this and let everyone be updated that the people I was dealing with back in May have either received empegs or been reimbursed. Since things got out of hand in May I have done the best I could to correct things. And for the record I still have some empegs. I can supply serial #'s to whoever but I cannot supply pictures because I am out of a digi cam until I get my canon s230. Then I will gladly take people pics too. I am not even going to try selling things on here because I know that would not work out too well. It probably wouldn't even be allowed which I understand. If anyone has any questions or rants please email me at [email protected] ad I will answer to them.

Austin

Why don't you just post those serial numbers here or email them to me.

Rob

Rob,

serials sent. got one more i need to send you.

As Rob then adds all the serial numbers to his "stolen players" database...

Just kidding. The fact that you're willing to do that is a good gesture. It would be nice if all of that stuff earlier this year was all some kind of a big misunderstanding...

just curious.... how many players have been reported stolen out of the 4000+ produced?

Not very many. The majority were stolen direct from empeg (thanks bad guys, for targeting a small underfunded startup - I hope I can return the favour some day).

Rob

You mean you had a warehouse robbery or something? I didn't know that. That sucks.

Or are you making some sort of snarky comment about a competitor/vendor/etc.?

i presume he's talking about credit card fraud.

--dan.

Yep. Detected most of them, though.

Rob

i never knew what happened to a retailer after credit card happens? does your insurance cover it? do you try to persue some police action? or do you just take it as a loss and try to prevent further fraud?

You can't insure against internet credit card fraud. I guess there's so much of it that the premiums would be unrealistic. All you can do is detect it, and that means having a human take a long hard look at every order, and manually follow up on absolutely anything vaguely suspicious.

The police aren't usually very interested in international fraud on a small scale. On occassions they were already investigating the individuals concerned but it's usually long term and I haven't yet had the pleasure of attending a trial. I live in hope, or I could just post some names and addresses here

Rob

I noitice that a 'belo79' buys quite a few used empegs on eBay but only seems to sell 'New' empegs.

Just an observation

Just an observation.

You need to read my auctions a little further. Also its not really your business what I buy or sell.

Where in this auction do I state the empeg is NEW?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18798&item=801578710&rd=1

Also I've only bought like 3 empegs off ebay. The rest I have bought elsewhere. I bought 2 off a guy who lives in Champaign, Illinois. Met him in person to boot. So just because I buy an empeg or two off ebay doesn't mean thats the one I am selling. Guess thats why there is serial #'s

Furthermore if anyone bought and empeg from me and didn't want it I would take it back. Long as they didn't break it or drop it then I would have no problem taking it back. They sell easy. Sure I had a little problem in the past but no more of a problem than TTony had. I was never even given close to the amount of time to deliver as he was.

Oh well.. Just an observation + rant.

I thought the auction looked perfectly legit.

Furthermore, I think some of the folks around here are just a little too anal about people selling stolen empegs on ebay. Since I've been reading the forums for about a year now, I can only recall ONE empeg that was stolen with the sled. And nearly all the other attempted thefts were eventually recovered in various conditions (run over, dropped, etc..)

For the record, there are many stolen empegs in circulation, boxed and with sleds. They show up every now and again, and I know where they came from. One day I'll decide the police are totally useless and jump on a plane and sort the thing out myself. We could form a posse

This information is unrelated to auctions mentioned in this thread! I haven't even looked at them.

Rob

We could work out some sort of deal... One empeg for every 5 recovered...

Fine!

Some how I don't think the thieves would take Meatballman, Russmeister,and I seriously as we bust down the door of a smoke filled room demanding stolen merchandise to be returned as we brandish baseball bats... but hey they are techie thieves...

rev: All you'd have to do was cut the high-tech thieves cable modem line and hold it hostage; repair upon payment: one stolenempeg. Then the toughguy 12 year olds couldn't download their porn and would lovingly hand over their empegs.

But seriously, I never thought that the new-in-box players could have been stolen from the warehouse... Um...

I believe they were stolen through credit card fraud or similar means directly from the online store.

Hello all...
Long time. I am in Italy now and I haven't been able to get into Hotmail from my ship. So if you have been emailing me I am sorry. You may direct all new correspondance to [email protected] Thank you...
Now back to the matter at hand... I know I was one of the principle people that pointed the finger at Austin, and now it is time to speak once again about Mr Laesch. This time I am gonna to speak on his behalf--sort of. Austin's claim that he has made right with all of his other transactions I cannot say... because I don't know. I can say that he contacted me and offered a refund or whatever I wanted to set things straight. I told him that I would be satisfied with the difference in the market value (at the time of sale) between the 20gb model and the 60gb--or maybe it was the cost of a 40gb drive? I don't remember exactly, but he did send me a money order for $250 or so and I told him that I would write a letter stating that he settled with me and have it notorized. Now it seems that I haven't held my end of the bargain yet. I gave him my word and I am sure you will read this Austin I am still willing to do that if it isn't too late with your legal issues. I am sorry, with moving to Italy I got a little overwhelmed. Anyhow. It was a few months later, but he DID make good. After that whole thing I wouldn't buy an empeg from my mother if she frequented this bbs--there are no safeguards in place here. (Nothing against Austin...) However on Ebay I would purchase another empeg from Austin. I am still not exactly sure what happened, Austin claims he was innocent and it was a huge misunderstanding. That may be. My suggestion would be to read the prior posts, ASK AUSTIN yourself and if not sure call the Detective, and get that side of it. There was enough circumstantial evidence to bring charges evidently. It may have been a huge comedy of errors and misunderstandings. If that is the case I am sorry. If not then I probably would do the same thing all over again. I think to avoid the potential for misunderstandings as I said before USE Ebay. I can't say that Austin is dishonest now, as he did square the deal. If anyone would like to ask me anything else about it feel free.

I am looking for Andy Stott if anyone knows how I may reach him.

If anyone is in the UK and can help me find a Scirocco in good condition, I am willing to pay a modest finder's fee. I am looking for a Eurospec 16v Scirocco or Scirocco Scala. It must be in good condition and be in my price range if anyone is interested email me at the above address.

Thank you.
StaHi

PS. Hopefully that will bring an end to the Austin bashing. If not I am gonna make bumper stickers on his behalf in the spirit of the "Free Kevin" (Mitnick)... Free Austin. LOL

Bumping this thread to the top so that people see the closing statements on the "scam" issue.

Ok I am a jackass... I though nobody loved me anymore and it was email that was wrong. LOL [email protected] is the correct one.