I know it's probably impossible but I'm just trying to think of any way to get my coins back. Some lowlife on Craigslist "sold" me a KnC Miner for 5.75 Bitcoins and then stopped responding promptly after I sent the final payment and of course I never got the miner. I know I should have seen all the signs during the negotiation process that he was a fake. I feel like such a fool right now. The whole thing just makes me sick.
Here is the email exchange between us:
Me (via Craigslist reply): I know this is a long shot but do you still have the miner for sale?
Creep: Yes, send me an email to
BitcoinTexas@gmail.com because Craigslist messaging system is not always reliable.
Me (via email to
BitcoinTexas@gmail.com): Hello, OK, good. How much do you want for it today? Thanks, Tim
Creep: 5 Bitcoins
Me: I have cash. If that works for you, let me know how much in US Dollars you want for it so I can withdraw from the bank. If not, I'll have to buy Bitcoins on an exchange and that could take a few days.
Creep: I am not available to meet up with. So cash is not going to work unless you mail it.
Buying Bitcoins locally (a few people do it on Craigslist) takes a few minutes.
Paypal takes 21 days for funds to clear (when paying with a CC).
Me: You're not available? So you want me to convert almost $5000 into Bitcoins, give it to you and then what? I just trust that you'll send it to me? I would feel much better about making an exchange in-person. Also, your ad says $3700. Will you take 4 Bitcoins given that they are at $974 as of right now? Let's say I go ahead and decide to take a HUGE risk and send you the Bitcoins. Is there any way you can assure me that I'll get the hardware?
Creep: 5 Bitcoins is the price in Bitcoins.
The $ in the ad was for people to know how much it was worth in dollars. Since eBay and Craigslist does not currently have an option for Bitcoin, the dollar price is needed for comparison purposes.
Weather or not the USD to Bitcoin is $1 or $100,000, the sale price is 5 Bitcoins.
I use LoneStar Overnight for the fastest shipping all over Texas.
3 of my KnC miners active on Eligius:
http://eligius.st/~wizkid057/newstats/userstats.php/1JakeKnCJMDfQhPMgcstYaYVSGsYWQWMvrhttp://eligius.st/~wizkid057/newstats/userstats.php/1JakeKnCa5JBVEi2PUpaZohaLyXABFD1J9http://eligius.st/~wizkid057/newstats/userstats.php/1JakeFuRYctZMCSndGAhuYRJiNG55489LTAll 3 use my vanity wallet ID's.
If that is not proof enough that I have them on hand and currently making money for me, then this is not the deal for you.
Please try eBay and you can pay 3 times as much without any proof.
I am a Texan born and proud. My integrity has never been questioned by my friends and family. If you are a Texan, my word is bond. If you are not a Texan, you might not know how much it means for a Texas man to keep his word.
Jake
Me: Hi Jake, Thanks for the explanation and the links. I'm a Texas man too and I get it. I'm working on getting the Bitcoins as soon as I can. I'll let you know by tomorrow if I'm able to get them. Thanks!
Me again: Hi Jake, I just wanted to let you know that I've contacted several people on Craigslist about buying Bitcoins but they were all flakes and didn't work out. So, I went ahead and deposited money into a wallet on BlockChain.info but it takes a day to clear and you are limited to $2500 a day so I'll deposit $2500 more tomorrow. Will you hold the machine for me if I pay you 2 Bitcoins tomorrow and then I'll pay you the remaining 3 Bitcoins the next day? Thanks, Tim
Creep: Sorry to hear about the Austin Bitcoin people. I can and will save it for you.
Another guy wanted to do a PayPal transaction but it takes 21 days for the funds to clear.
I am not a big business and can not risk him doing a charge back so I refunded him the total amount and now it's back on the market.
Me: Great! Thanks. I'll be in touch.
(A day later)
Creep: Any News?
Me: Hi Jake, You've got good timing. They just sent my first order of Bitcoins to me. What Bitcoin address do you want me to send the first 2 Bitcoins to? Thanks, Tim
Creep: 1LwtP2hLbohZawwEtCBTXv26Ro7vFvYxAu
As you can see, nobody has sent any Bitcoin yet.
So once 5 [Suspicious link removed]ive, send me your address and I'll setup overnight shipping.
Me: Sounds great! I'll send you 2 tonight and 3 more tomorrow with my mailing address. Can you let me know when you get the coins tonight? I'll send them in a few minutes. Thanks!
Creep: Got the 2 last night.
How did you want it shipped?
Me: I know you said you use Lone Star Overnight but I was wondering if you could ship it via FedEx overnight or if overnight is too expensive then FedEx two-day shipping is fine too. My address is ... Some Street(edited for privacy), Austin, TX 78745. When the rest of my coins arrive today I'll send them to you. Thanks!
Me (again): Ok, I just sent the remaining 3 Bitcoins to you just now. Please send the system to: Timothy Howe, ... Some Street, Austin, TX 78745 Thanks for all you patience. I'm looking forward to getting it! Take care, Tim
Creep: Hey Tim. I have been talking to a guy in Houston who said he would give me 6 Bitcoins on Monday for the miner.
If you can match that, I will ship it Monday morning (using FedEx like you wanted).
If not, I will just refund your 5 Bitcoins and apologize for wasting your time.
Have a good one.
Jake
Me: Hi Jake, All I have is .77361 Bitcoin in my wallet. I can send that right away but if you want me to match the full 1.0 Bitcoin, I can't get more money in my wallet until Tuesday via Blockchain.info. So, it's your call. Just let me know. Thanks, Tim
Creep: Just round down to .75 Bitcoin and I will ignore all further emails.
Me: Ok, I sent it. Thanks, Tim
Me (the next day): Hi Jake, Were you able to send it out today?
Me (the day after that): Hello. Just wondering if you were able to send it yet? Thanks, Tim
Me (later that night): It's been a couple of days since I've heard from you. Just let me know what's going on please. Thanks, Tim
Me (three days no reply): Hey Jake. Are you going to send the miner or what? If not, please refund my Bitcoins. At the very least, reply to this message.
I'm such a dumbass.
Is there anyone out there with any ideas on how to get my coins back? I've already filed a police report and a complaint on the cyber crimes website but I don't think anything will come of that.
If you want to see the block chain for the transfer from me to the creep just look for my wallet address: 1D5D3Pe8Yx7qhF3HdeHkfiFNvzqzzuEwAd
and you will see it.