Scammers on TFO- @deercorpse and @rebmassor -Discussion

[N2TORTS]

Allegra …I too was approached by him and even gave him my Email # (not like it’s hard to find)
I was “referred” by some to look at his story and help him out. He wrote me an email with a long story and I sort of compared it to what Cindy and myself go through every day in real “Life”. So not too much emotion kicked in and I didn’t do squat , and funny thing word got out that I didn’t do anything and I was ostracized for it . I’m glad you wrote this post…
And even you have helped me out – and will always be thankful as not only a very neat knowledgeable person on torts, you do produce some amazing babies.. I’m glad we both didn’t get burned.

 

[mike taylor]

Hey @mike taylor

Mr my dad is the turtle police is one of the scammers, lol

Really what a douche bag . I new that guy was up to something . He was trying like hell to get them box turtles . people like these make me sick ! They probably are the ones stealing peoples tortoises from their yards . There's a cold place in hell for these people .

 

[mike taylor]

This is why we don't give people tortoise we don't know . That's why we want new members to let us get to know them .

 

[Killerrookie]

This is why we don't give people tortoise we don't know . That's why we want new members to let us get to know them .

I agree with you mike on getting to know them before giving them ANYTHING. It's much safer to get to know them than just straight away giving them something because it's way to dangerous.

 

[Tom]

I've had a really tough life. And today was very stressful. Everyone should send me free tortoises to help me get through these tough times. I prefer, Galapagos, Radiata and Burmese Stars. Thanks all.

Seriously... If my wife had cancer, I'd be tending to my WIFE, not more baby tortoises!

 

[Killerrookie]

I've had a really tough life. And today was very stressful. Everyone should send me free tortoises to help me get through these tough times. I prefer, Galapagos, Radiata and Burmese Stars. Thanks all.

Seriously... If my wife had cancer, I'd be tending to my WIFE, not more baby tortoises!

Dang Tom I was about to ask people to send me hatchlings!!!
Ok guys I believe I have strep throat and I need some Sulcatas or leopard tortoises to cure my illness. Please help me with my illness by sending me tortoises.

 

[Benjamin J.]

I'm just now catching up on this topic. I have seen deercorpse post things on forum and thought he was just a normal member. I had no idea.. this is really nuts!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Whomever Deercorpse actually is, they went out of their way to help me find my two RF tortoises. Even contacting the seller to tell him what a great space I have for them. Very strange. It made me not think much that the husband and the wife both had the exact same grammar and writing styles. It looked like (and it was) one in the same person.
This is indeed very sad because a lot of us really would have done as much as they could to help.
I hate to admit it, but, I fell for it.
This will not be good when the next member comes along that truly needs help.
Thanks for the great detective work.

 

[naturalman91]

wow. people make me sick i remember the thread where you offered a free hatchling

i hate to say it but this person needs slapped around a bit for pulling the cancer card due to there are legit people suffering right now, my dad has cancer and he's to afraid to ask anyone for help with anything because he's worried they'll think he's playing a game because of a-holes like this.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

It seems that this whole deercorpse episode would be a great example for explaining to new members in the future why most of us won't consider letting someone not known to the community adopt our tortoises.
Maybe a condensed version of this whole story.
Maybe made into a link that can be clicked on by newbies looking for a hand?

 

[tortdad]

I fell for it in the very beginning but as soon as the "wife" took over the account and as Zero pointed out, the writing styles didn't change. I've got a pretty good BS meter and this person tripped mine a long time ago. I didn't want to call them out for fear of you guys hating me. So I'm sorry that my feelings turned out to be true but also kind of glad my BS meter is still on point.

 

[mike taylor]

That's a good idea .

 

[harris]

I missed it. What happened?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I'll get mine recallibrated.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

We must not be downhearted.
I know there are others out there, but this was just one guy pretending to be husband and wife and with one, probably two, other accounts.
Look how many good people have responded here. Look how intelligence and support of one another have saved the day before any real harm has been done.
My spirits have been raised by all this, not lowered.
The forces of good have the victory.

 

[tortdad]

I'll get mine recallibrated.

They helped you which was nice but I'm sure it was a ploy for one for your torts.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

They helped you which was nice but I'm sure it was a ploy for one for your torts.

There is good in everyone ( even me), but you may be right. The cunning old fox may have been being nice to engender more sympathy and increase his chances of scam success.
However it means good came of this incident and no real harm done in the end, barring a few bruised trusts.
And lessons have been learned.

 

[wellington]

I love that idea.

 

[wellington]

I missed it. What happened?

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...rpse-and-rebmassor.117418/page-2#post-1087538

 

[wellington]

Allegra …I too was approached by him and even gave him my Email # (not like it’s hard to find)
I was “referred” by some to look at his story and help him out. He wrote me an email with a long story and I sort of compared it to what Cindy and myself go through every day in real “Life”. So not too much emotion kicked in and I didn’t do squat , and funny thing word got out that I didn’t do anything and I was ostracized for it . I’m glad you wrote this post…
And even you have helped me out – and will always be thankful as not only a very neat knowledgeable person on torts, you do produce some amazing babies.. I’m glad we both didn’t get burned.

Glad you didn't get drawn into it Jeff. Shame on those that gave you a hard time about not getting drawn in. But it's easy for people to want OTHERS to help. Heck, did any of them offer to pay for the shipping for these poor down and out scammers? Of course not!
I always try to warn newer members, when they are rehoming a tort, to be very careful about anyone wanting it that has not been a participating member for very long. Members new and old new to remember the scammers that are out there. If they are an active participating member for at least 6 months or more, then they might be safe. It's still a might, but a better might then a 1-3 month old member.