To all my fellow Bitcoin advocates, this is a story for the ages and should be a warning to all scammers out there. Think twice before you scam someone.
The user who goes by MidwestBitcoiner on [Suspicious link removed], and TTice091 on Bitlendingclub.com.
I spoke with the individual who is from Fulton, Missouri on Wednesday last week and arranged a trade via messaging and their cell phone (573-826-8923, in case anyone ever gets a trade request from this phone #). The trade was for 650$ in moneypaks for their BTC. I fell for the reputation that was obviously fake now that I look at it, as the user made fake names on Localbitcoins and used their reputation there to convince me to send first. After sending the Moneypaks, the user claimed their phone died and didn't message me except on bitcointalk.org having me wait 10+ hours since I first sent the Moneypaks. Suspecting I was scammed early on I traced the phone # and contacted the local police department in Fulton, Missouri (Shout-out to office McGrath you are awesome!). I left him the phone #, copies of the Moneypaks, and text messages. This eventually led no where, until I got a breakthrough doing some research later that night.
Bitlendingclub, had a user that went by the name "TTice091". They were asking for a BTC loan to gamble on Betcoin.ag under the user name "Buymydreamhome". I figured out that in order to be verified and ask for a loan on the site, you needed to provide full verification including ID, utility bills, etc. I contacted the website administrator after I read this thread about the user TTice091 (
http://forum.bitlendingclub.com/index.php?threads/ttice091-connection-to-fmato.224/#post-1618). Here is a link to their profile as well (
https://bitlendingclub.com/loan/browse/lid/4426/gtd-repayment-loan-1). The administrator said that if the officer contacted them, then he could provide the information he had on them. Sure enough, Office McGrath came through and was able to obtain the information.
Today, I was given a call by the officer letting me know he had made TWO ARRESTS! for Felony Larceny and Theft. The suspects who I still do not know the names of yet, are arrested and sitting the Fulton county jail! I am beyond happy to know that despite still being out of 650$ for probably the next year or forever, this is a huge victory in my book. Theft is theft and this is justice. I plan on attending court to have these two individuals prosecuted to the full-extent of the law.
I need our forums help though, and would appreciate any contact from an administrator who maybe able to help.
1) Is there anyone in the Fulton, Missouri area who I could use as a contact in case I need to submit anymore information or assist with anything that may happen.
2) Anyone else who has been scammed by this user please contact me as I believe I can now assist in helping to gain restitution for the users or at least help the prosecution in this case (even though it's a slam dunk as they admitted to the theft).
I hope to do my best to assist users here with obtaining restitution and have this serve as a warning to anyone thinking about scamming too think twice as there is a high chance you could be arrested. Moreover, these are felony crimes this is no slap on the wrists and walk away, this will cost them. If you come into contact with this user at anytime in the future please avoid at all costs. Look forward to updating this thread as I learn more information and finish prosecution in the next few months.
Cheers everyone,
-Loffa
PS: To Midwestbitcoiner, when you read this hope you enjoy the karma MOFO!
