WWMD? Friends scammed out of a grand

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Ok this might turn into an entertaining WWMD thread.

A few ago, myself and a group of friends rented a loft in Los Angeles for two night as we were all down there for a weekend cyclocross race. Two within our group (a couple), took the reigns of researching places for us to stay and found a sweet loft for us to crash at via Airbnb. They sent out the listing for us to check out, it looked cool, and close to the race venue, so we all said sure let's do this.

We all go, stay, have a good time, return home. No problems right?

Well, just today (2 weeks after that weekend) the couple who organized the trip send a note out to all of us saying that the owner of the loft won't give them back their $1,000 security deposit back because he is accusing someone in our group of stealing some camera's, flash bulbs, and other related photography equipment (the guy is a photographer) from the place. Which is of course 100% bullshit.

To make matters worse, the couple that booked the place for us say that they sent him the $1,000 deposit OUTSIDE of Airbnb. The loft owner wanted to go outside of Airbnb for some reason (obviously so he could scam them), and said that he need the deposit to hold our reservation and for a security deposit. They never signed a contract or an agreement or anything. They just sent this guy $1,000 to his bank account.

If I knew ahead of time that this was going down and I would have told them that they were crazy and we can find somewhere else to stay...but, they didn't. This just all coming out now.

So anyway, they are screwed out of $1,000 and are just now telling the rest of this story to see if any of us have any ideas on how we can get their money back. Without any kind of contract, and because they went outside of Airbnb, and they paid cash and not a credit card...I think they are screwed because it is our word that we didn't steal anything against his word.

We keep saying that they should at least notify the LAPD of this because maybe this guy has a history of complaints like this. they haven't done that yet though.

Anyway, what would maggots do? Any ideas? Any local mags want to organize a posse and knock on this scumbag's front door?

[userA]

expensive lesson for them now
priceless for the future!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

yeah, they're fucked.

So this is the guy that rented them (us) the loft. This blog carrying his name was not written nor maintained by him, but written by someone else who has been scammed by him. Fucking scammers -> http://kennethboyerkloster.com/

[AKPogue]

Is small claims court a possibility?

[jfost]

Is small claims court a possibility?

what a weird deal, doe the guy even actually own the joint or is he a middleman?

anyway, Judge Judy and Judge Alex and the other guy all film down in LA right? Aside from having one of the LA mags smear some shit on the front doorknob/handle, I'm thinking small claims court would be the only way...

Good luck!

[toast2266]

There was someone on here who sold a non-mag a camera lens, but the buyer didn't pay for it, so some mag went and stole it back. This guy is saying that you stole camera equipment, but you didn't. Since the maggots already have experience stealing camera gear, you should find an L.A. mag to go steal the guy's stuff. That way you're even.

[systemoverblow'd]

Wow, read that blog. I know dealing with clients can suck but holy shit, that dude isn't doing himself any favors. Something tells me he isn't going to be very successful being a dick and he can't even take a picture in focus? Telling the client to crop images themselves? What a dickhead.

[grskier]

1) File police report - that is straight up a crime
2) Wait patiently for police to do nothing
3) Judge Judy his ass
4) After $1000 is returned have local mag put flaming bag of dog poo on doorstep...
Repeat if necessary.

[haydukelives]

you will never collect even if you "win"in court

[hutash]

1) File police report - that is straight up a crime
2) Wait patiently for police to do nothing
3) Judge Judy his ass
4) After $1000 is returned have local mag put flaming bag of dog poo on doorstep...
Repeat if necessary.

This. And yes you can get paid if you win since you know the dudes bank info, address, work, etc. it can be a pain but it can be done for a few bucks here a d there. The big problem is you have to file here in LA, I believe.

[rideit]

Call it a premonition, but i am feeling that Heroin or something is involved.

[spook]

you could torch the place...

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

This. And yes you can get paid if you win since you know the dudes bank info, address, work, etc. it can be a pain but it can be done for a few bucks here a d there. The big problem is you have to file here in LA, I believe.

yeah that's what we're thinking. My friends are currently trying to talk to Airbnb....I highly doubt they'll do anything though since this was handled (stupidly) outside of their framework. If that doesn't work, then probably the process of police report, small claims, bag of poo, etc. etc.

[jfost]

bag of poo. Bag of poo. BAg of poo. BAG of poo. BAG Of poo. BAG OF poo. BAG OF Poo. BAG OF POo. BAG OF POO. BAG OF POO. BAG OF POO. BAG OF POO!

[I Am Mr. Ed]

bag of poo. Bag of poo. BAg of poo. BAG of poo. BAG Of poo. BAG OF poo. BAG OF Poo. BAG OF POo. BAG OF POO. BAG OF POO. BAG OF POO. BAG OF POO!

This....

[Cabinfever]

Hack his computer. There must be mags that have that skill. Cyber justice.

[capulin overdrive]

Wire fraud and Feds?


Our system doesn't seem to care about these kinds of crimes. Do small claims in his state, and he's allowed atleast one no-shows, so you could end up travelling a bunch.

Small claims in your own state is best, but would have to get him served etc. And then eventually maybe get an arrest warrant if he no shows. Then the battle to get money out of him if he does show.

If you're young enough not to care, go beat his ass. If not, most likely be less stressfull to write it off.

[hutash]

Did anyone PM Blurred?

[beaterdit]

Yeah seriously. Spray him down with a garden hose and/or garnish his wages (if any).

[TahoeJ]

You could always break into his house and actually steal a bunch of his camera shit. ;-)

[donkeykong]

You could always break into his house and actually steal a bunch of his camera shit. ;-)

This is probably your best option. You know where he lives, no bueno for him. Teach him a lesson.

[Cono Este]

Scamming people for small amounts of money is perfectly legal in this country unless you make the mistake of pissing off someone with money to burn on a lawyer. And even then, there is nothing to compel them to ever pay you. Sad.

I doubt the guy filed a police report. You need to file one first, then take him to small claims court. Only problem is that as I said before, its perfectly legal for him to never pay you.

My advice is to get the SC judgement, then post the legal jedgement on the internet, rip off report.com or a dedicated webpage for 100 bucks a yr. You will get more for your money and feel better about it too. The internet is forever. See my sig.

[54-46]

If their time is not that valuable and they'll be in LA then go to small claims court.

In my younger days, I would have considered a small amount property damage to his place as a reason for him to spend the $1000 he scammed. Think wrist rocket and large ball bearings. Wouldn't get the money back but would insure he did not ultimately benefit.

Now, I'd just post up that he's a scammer and get help to use SEO techniques to insure that the story is told and so that he can't do it again. Post on airbnb, vrbo, home away, photo sites, Craigslist, etc.

[that dude who did that thing]

Your friends may have handled the deposit stupidly, but have any of you offered to share in the loss? It was a group rental, you all told him to go ahead and rent, he got scammed as a result. So there's two problems, one is the asshole in LA, the other is that your friend is out $1,000 when he should only be out his share of that $1,000.

Edited to add: I understand why people might not bother to go after scum like this, it's a hassle, time consuming, etc. But one of the reasons people pull petty scams is that they know nobody will pursue it. If we all made it cost more than it was worth to pull stunts like this, there would be fewer of them. A judgment most certainly CAN BE enforced. A police report is not likely to do you any good, however, cops will say it's a civil matter, and might instead investigate you all for theft rather than the asshole for fraud. Small claims will depend on whether a judge believes you or him, so it's worth a shot. If the guy is a pro, and lost professional gear, he should make a claim on his insurance and should count the theft as a business loss for tax purposs. If you go to small claims, subpoena his tax records, and ask him under oath whetehr he made a claim, that's the kind of stuff most judges will find interesting. For the love of god, at least post negative reviews on Airbnb and anyh other site where this guy advertises his loft so other potential renters will know he's a crook.

[Sicks]

Your friends may have handled the deposit stupidly, but have any of you offered to share in the loss? It was a group rental, you all told him to go ahead and rent, he got scammed as a result. So there's two problems, one is the asshole in LA, the other is that your friend is out $1,000 when he should only be out his share of that $1,000.

They got scammed because they were stupid. Did you read the op? That's like saying your friend owes you $100, but they lost their wallet on their way to pay you, so you should give them a discount?