Mitchelle Steele / Shepardgirl / Ebay Ripoff Consolidated Thread - Page 2

homerun! · 03-24-2001, 10:26 AM

If you've been ripped off by this guy, call Detective Steve Westphal at the Michigan City, Indiana Investigative Division. His phone number is (219) 873-1465, extension 339. He will want copies of all your email correspondence with Mitchell Steele, front/back copy of your payment instrument, copy of Certified Mail receipt(s) and any other information you can provide...better do a screen print of the auction and high bidder list, too, before eBay washes it. Oh, yeah...your fraudulent UPS tracking number. UPS is investigating that, too. Perhaps someone knows a good lawyer to form a class action against UPS for their part in this by supplying free UPS software on the web that can be used in scams like this one....just a thought.

zaheer_n · 03-25-2001, 06:36 PM

Recently i got a email from ebay as i was trying to get a phone nomber or some thing to contact as its the first step they asked me to do. so here is another address of that crook
User ID: shepardgirl
Name: Micheal O'Reilly
Company:
City: New Buffalo
State: MI
Country: United States
Phone: 616 000-0000
Time/Date: Jan-07-00 14:28:20 PST

Wolf_Dude · 03-26-2001, 11:29 AM

Well, the Michigan City police department arrested him on Friday. If you've been ripped off by this guy, contact Detective Steve Westphal (listed above). He already knew about me and was just waiting for my call.

The next step is to try and get our $$$ back.

Thanks for everyone's input - it paid off!

homerun! · 03-26-2001, 01:37 PM

Well, my week's been made in spades! See the message above - Mr. Mitchell Steele's Reign of Terror is over! I, for one, have offered to drive to Michigan City to testify at his trial, if he's stupid enough to plead not guilty. Let's get a charter room rate at the local cheapo motel and have a verbal (80 proof, of course) lynching party!!! Who's up for it???

zaheer_n · 03-26-2001, 01:54 PM

Good news wolf dude
thanks for the information and the effort. Hope that the police takes every penny out of him.
Zaheer

WebMonkey · 03-26-2001, 06:02 PM

So how close is he to reaching his 25,000 dollar goal ?

We should help him out FAST and use our NextCard and BlueAMEX cards with fraud protection.

You should have bid 24K for that laptop instead of 2,400

What's everyone think ?????

WebMonkey · 03-26-2001, 06:18 PM

So how close is he to reaching his 25,000 dollar goal ?

We should help him out FAST and use our NextCard and BlueAMEX cards with fraud protection.

You should have bid 24K for that laptop instead of 2,400

What's everyone think ?????

Bandito · 04-03-2001, 06:42 PM

Any new updates on this? I hope you guys get your money back.

Apex · 04-03-2001, 11:02 PM

I called the detective 6 times and left 4 messages on his machine. He's not called me back quite yet. Anyone else having this problem?

m0j0 · 04-04-2001, 03:06 AM

i haven't had that good of experience with coppers

sbp · 04-04-2001, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Apex
Bah, I called the detective 6 times and left 4 messages on his machine. He's not calling me back. Anyone else having this problem?

What a load of crap. I don't have much faith in the criminal justice system especially when it comes to internet crime. Police departments are behind the times with regards to this and its not a top priority for them.

[Edited by sbp on 04-04-2001 at 02:49 AM]

zaheer_n · 04-04-2001, 11:25 AM

No i did not have a problem with this cop he replied me but ya had to leave some messages. Anyway whts the next step we should take in getting our money back -- i have no clue

m0j0 · 04-04-2001, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sbp

Quote:

Originally posted by Apex
Bah, I called the detective 6 times and left 4 messages on his machine. He's not calling me back. Anyone else having this problem?

What a load of crap. I don't have much faith in the criminal justice system especially when it comes to internet crime. Police departments are behind the times with regards to this and its not a top priority for them.

[Edited by sbp on 04-04-2001 at 02:49 AM]

i wish they would employ some of us to help out! i mean, i am always seeing stuff that shouldn't be....stuff that is just plain wrong, illegal, etc. i am always afraid to say something...because my experience has been that if you do, you get in trouble, yourself.

Got Apex Moderator · 04-04-2001, 11:45 PM

SOme of us are already in the fight against internet fraud.

homerun! · 04-05-2001, 07:58 AM

I won't compromise the ongoing investigation with too many details, but rest assured - it is proceeding.

Mitchell Steele is NOT his real name and, to be honest, I can't remember what Detective Westphal said it is.

I will tell you that the crook is a kid (very young adult) and he "started bawling" (I believe that was the specific terminology) when the business he was at was raided a couple Fridays ago.

When I talked with the detective last week, he indicated that cash bail was set high enough that our pal had already been cooling his heels in the county lockup for a week.

There may be a conspiracy here (so the investigation continues), but that's as much as I think I should say...I don't want to jeopardize the case OR OUR MONEY...but I thought the rest of you folks could use a little background information to keep you from storming the Indiana Governor's Mansion.

Wolf_Dude · 04-05-2001, 10:31 AM

Thanks for the update. I was just about to call and bug the det. again but it's probably in our best interest to minimize the hassle for him. He was very accessible to me in the beginning and was very willing to share what he knew. He also seemed to be putting quite a bit of time into this investigation.

It might be best if we had a single representative keep in contact with him and use this forum to keep everyone else up to date (and let him know that we are doing this so he'll be more willing to return our calls). My business is very short-handed right now, so I don't know if I could pursue this and provide updates in a timely manner, but I'll volunteer if no one else will.

Mark

MadCool · 04-08-2001, 11:22 AM

What Drama! I hope all Scammers get caught like this guy! Let us know if you get your money back!

Apex · 04-09-2001, 02:53 PM

Got a call from The detective. Apparently he's been away a bit. He guy is sitting in jail right now, but he hasn't posted bail. He's got $0 to his name. Hopefully, he'll have some "partners" who will have some money. It's going to be a long process.

TheLoneGunman · 04-09-2001, 03:17 PM

Even if he doesn't have any money today, he might get some in the next 7 years (that is how long jugements are good for, plus they can be "renewed" for another 7)

I would hate to see you give up and then have him suddenly come into some money and you be hating life (there is a 2-3 year statute of limitations on these cases, so file soon)

TheLoneGunman · 04-17-2001, 08:51 PM

FBI / US Atty gets convictions of those art frauds on Ebay:

http://news.excite.com/news/r/010417...-crime-ebay-dc

Hopefully the other ripoffs will be as easy to prosecute

Rain · 04-17-2001, 08:59 PM

Just as an FYI Guys. I actually manage two Mail Boxes Etc and we have to follow Postal Regulations to a tee. If I remember correctly I think we recieved a Memo from our corporation at the time that this was happening stating the person's supposed ID and some info. But just like at the post office, we can not give out information on our box holders. If this happens to ANYONE again, don't go to the FBI, police, etc....instead as funny as it sounds, go to the Secret Service, that's who handles forgery, fraud, etc, body guarding is just a "side job". I've had the pleasure of speaking with a couple of the agents, nice guys.

homerun! · 05-02-2001, 08:03 AM

Has anyone heard anything in the past few weeks? I hope that the investigation and prosecution continues, but I haven't heard a word from Detective Westphal in over a month. I did get a letter (dated April 17) from the Indiana Attorney General's office (Christine Gordon in the Consumer Protection Divison at 1-800-382-5516) and I called her and referred her to Detective Westphal (she was following up on my Internet Fraud complaint, but unaware of Michigan City P.D.'s involvement). I suggest those of you that have not contacted her to do so. Otherwise, the IAG office might not be aware of the total dollar amount and number of victims. Let's get the state to get the city to get our money back and put the punk behind bars!!!

homerun! · 06-28-2001, 07:50 AM

I left a voice mail for Detective Westphal a couple weeks ago and have not been called back. What started on the top of his list has apparently taken the back seat to other crimes. I suggest that everyone leave him a voice mail...the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Otherwise, expect this kid "Alias Mitchell Steele" to walk with a new car bought with YOUR money!

Apex · 06-28-2001, 08:18 PM

I called and left a voice message awhile ago too. He never called back.

homerun! · 06-28-2001, 08:38 PM

I got a second letter from the same clerk at the Indiana Attorney General's office that wrote me based on the Internet Fraud Complaint I filed on the web. I called her, way back when, to send her to Detective Westphal. This new letter advised me to contact Detective Westphal at the Michigan City, Indiana Police Department. THIS DUMB *SS clerical bimbo must keep her head in peroxide 23 hours a day. She obviously has no idea who I am and that I sent HER there in the first place. Maybe it's time to turn up the heat on the bureaucrats in Indiana. Otherwise, they're just going to let the kid out of jail and leave us high and dry. Anyone know a good lawyer to file a class action suit against the City of Michigan City and the State of Indiana?

zaheer_n · 08-05-2001, 11:54 AM

This sucks

I have left a numourous amount of phone messages in that police station have no reply back --steve westphal --- there is no one of that name now over in that department ---have you'll heard anything about it since then-- if yes then update us about it

z

Apex · 08-05-2001, 07:57 PM

Bah, nothing as well for me.

homerun! · 08-07-2001, 02:05 PM

Want some action? Detective Steve Westphal is gone all summer, but here's the prosecutor's office phone number. If you want justice...and maybe some money back...you'd better make yourself heard...219-873-3023. The person I spoke with says the P.D. never turned over any paperwork to prosecute. Great. Make some noise, people!

03-24-2001, 10:26 AM	#31
homerun! Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 7	Contact Michigan City, IN Police Department If you've been ripped off by this guy, call Detective Steve Westphal at the Michigan City, Indiana Investigative Division. His phone number is (219) 873-1465, extension 339. He will want copies of all your email correspondence with Mitchell Steele, front/back copy of your payment instrument, copy of Certified Mail receipt(s) and any other information you can provide...better do a screen print of the auction and high bidder list, too, before eBay washes it. Oh, yeah...your fraudulent UPS tracking number. UPS is investigating that, too. Perhaps someone knows a good lawyer to form a class action against UPS for their part in this by supplying free UPS software on the web that can be used in scams like this one....just a thought. __________________ The YARDI Guy

03-25-2001, 06:36 PM	#32
zaheer_n Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 5	Recently i got a email from ebay as i was trying to get a phone nomber or some thing to contact as its the first step they asked me to do. so here is another address of that crook User ID: shepardgirl Name: Micheal O'Reilly Company: City: New Buffalo State: MI Country: United States Phone: 616 000-0000 Time/Date: Jan-07-00 14:28:20 PST __________________ zaheer

03-26-2001, 11:29 AM	#33
Wolf_Dude Plebe Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 4	They caught him!!! Well, the Michigan City police department arrested him on Friday. If you've been ripped off by this guy, contact Detective Steve Westphal (listed above). He already knew about me and was just waiting for my call. The next step is to try and get our $$$ back. Thanks for everyone's input - it paid off!

03-26-2001, 01:37 PM	#34
homerun! Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 7	Hooray for Detective Westphal Well, my week's been made in spades! See the message above - Mr. Mitchell Steele's Reign of Terror is over! I, for one, have offered to drive to Michigan City to testify at his trial, if he's stupid enough to plead not guilty. Let's get a charter room rate at the local cheapo motel and have a verbal (80 proof, of course) lynching party!!! Who's up for it???

04-04-2001, 03:06 AM	#40
m0j0 Captain Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: sandy eggo, shallowfornia Posts: 1,965	i haven't had that good of experience with coppers __________________ ~all witty comments have been inserted

03-26-2001, 01:54 PM	#35
zaheer_n Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 5	Good news wolf dude thanks for the information and the effort. Hope that the police takes every penny out of him. Zaheer

03-26-2001, 06:02 PM	#36
WebMonkey Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 84	So how close is he to reaching his 25,000 dollar goal ? We should help him out FAST and use our NextCard and BlueAMEX cards with fraud protection. You should have bid 24K for that laptop instead of 2,400 What's everyone think ?????

03-26-2001, 06:18 PM	#37
WebMonkey Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 84	So how close is he to reaching his 25,000 dollar goal ? We should help him out FAST and use our NextCard and BlueAMEX cards with fraud protection. You should have bid 24K for that laptop instead of 2,400 What's everyone think ?????

04-03-2001, 06:42 PM	#38
Bandito Lieutenant Join Date: May 2000 Location: detroit, mi usa Posts: 381	Any new updates on this? I hope you guys get your money back.

04-03-2001, 11:02 PM	#39
Apex Can you hear me now? Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Here Posts: 5,506	I called the detective 6 times and left 4 messages on his machine. He's not called me back quite yet. Anyone else having this problem?

04-04-2001, 11:25 AM	#42
zaheer_n Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 5	No i did not have a problem with this cop he replied me but ya had to leave some messages. Anyway whts the next step we should take in getting our money back -- i have no clue

04-04-2001, 11:45 PM	#44
Got Apex Moderator Merry Moderator Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 1,013	SOme of us are already in the fight against internet fraud.

04-05-2001, 07:58 AM	#45
homerun! Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 7	The Investigation Continues I won't compromise the ongoing investigation with too many details, but rest assured - it is proceeding. Mitchell Steele is NOT his real name and, to be honest, I can't remember what Detective Westphal said it is. I will tell you that the crook is a kid (very young adult) and he "started bawling" (I believe that was the specific terminology) when the business he was at was raided a couple Fridays ago. When I talked with the detective last week, he indicated that cash bail was set high enough that our pal had already been cooling his heels in the county lockup for a week. There may be a conspiracy here (so the investigation continues), but that's as much as I think I should say...I don't want to jeopardize the case OR OUR MONEY...but I thought the rest of you folks could use a little background information to keep you from storming the Indiana Governor's Mansion.

04-05-2001, 10:31 AM	#46
Wolf_Dude Plebe Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 4	Thanks homerun! Thanks for the update. I was just about to call and bug the det. again but it's probably in our best interest to minimize the hassle for him. He was very accessible to me in the beginning and was very willing to share what he knew. He also seemed to be putting quite a bit of time into this investigation. It might be best if we had a single representative keep in contact with him and use this forum to keep everyone else up to date (and let him know that we are doing this so he'll be more willing to return our calls). My business is very short-handed right now, so I don't know if I could pursue this and provide updates in a timely manner, but I'll volunteer if no one else will. Mark

04-08-2001, 11:22 AM	#47
MadCool Commander Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: New York City Posts: 1,207	Drama! What Drama! I hope all Scammers get caught like this guy! Let us know if you get your money back! __________________ Check out the MadCool Network! 411Seek: Popular Portal and PPC Search Engine KKDiscount: Oriental Superstore FreeLanceCenter: Buy or Provide FreeLance work @ Your Price! 123Designing: Webmaster Resource Supersite CupidContact.com: Dating Site with Web Cam, Audio & Video Greetings, and much more!

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04-09-2001, 02:53 PM	#48
Apex Can you hear me now? Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Here Posts: 5,506	Got a call from The detective. Apparently he's been away a bit. He guy is sitting in jail right now, but he hasn't posted bail. He's got $0 to his name. Hopefully, he'll have some "partners" who will have some money. It's going to be a long process.

04-09-2001, 03:17 PM	#49
TheLoneGunman Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Grassy Knoll Posts: 2,491	Sue them anyway Even if he doesn't have any money today, he might get some in the next 7 years (that is how long jugements are good for, plus they can be "renewed" for another 7) I would hate to see you give up and then have him suddenly come into some money and you be hating life (there is a 2-3 year statute of limitations on these cases, so file soon)

04-17-2001, 08:51 PM	#50
TheLoneGunman Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Grassy Knoll Posts: 2,491	FBI / US Atty gets convictions of those art frauds on Ebay: http://news.excite.com/news/r/010417...-crime-ebay-dc Hopefully the other ripoffs will be as easy to prosecute

04-17-2001, 08:59 PM	#51
Rain Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 117	For your information. Just as an FYI Guys. I actually manage two Mail Boxes Etc and we have to follow Postal Regulations to a tee. If I remember correctly I think we recieved a Memo from our corporation at the time that this was happening stating the person's supposed ID and some info. But just like at the post office, we can not give out information on our box holders. If this happens to ANYONE again, don't go to the FBI, police, etc....instead as funny as it sounds, go to the Secret Service, that's who handles forgery, fraud, etc, body guarding is just a "side job". I've had the pleasure of speaking with a couple of the agents, nice guys. __________________ No, no. We do not eat our

05-02-2001, 08:03 AM	#52
homerun! Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 7	Anything new from Michigan City??? Has anyone heard anything in the past few weeks? I hope that the investigation and prosecution continues, but I haven't heard a word from Detective Westphal in over a month. I did get a letter (dated April 17) from the Indiana Attorney General's office (Christine Gordon in the Consumer Protection Divison at 1-800-382-5516) and I called her and referred her to Detective Westphal (she was following up on my Internet Fraud complaint, but unaware of Michigan City P.D.'s involvement). I suggest those of you that have not contacted her to do so. Otherwise, the IAG office might not be aware of the total dollar amount and number of victims. Let's get the state to get the city to get our money back and put the punk behind bars!!!

06-28-2001, 07:50 AM	#53
homerun! Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 7	Has anyone heard ANYTHING??? I left a voice mail for Detective Westphal a couple weeks ago and have not been called back. What started on the top of his list has apparently taken the back seat to other crimes. I suggest that everyone leave him a voice mail...the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Otherwise, expect this kid "Alias Mitchell Steele" to walk with a new car bought with YOUR money!

06-28-2001, 08:18 PM	#54
Apex Can you hear me now? Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Here Posts: 5,506	I called and left a voice message awhile ago too. He never called back.

06-28-2001, 08:38 PM	#55
homerun! Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 7	Want a good laugh? I got a second letter from the same clerk at the Indiana Attorney General's office that wrote me based on the Internet Fraud Complaint I filed on the web. I called her, way back when, to send her to Detective Westphal. This new letter advised me to contact Detective Westphal at the Michigan City, Indiana Police Department. THIS DUMB *SS clerical bimbo must keep her head in peroxide 23 hours a day. She obviously has no idea who I am and that I sent HER there in the first place. Maybe it's time to turn up the heat on the bureaucrats in Indiana. Otherwise, they're just going to let the kid out of jail and leave us high and dry. Anyone know a good lawyer to file a class action suit against the City of Michigan City and the State of Indiana?

08-05-2001, 11:54 AM	#56
zaheer_n Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 5	This sucks I have left a numourous amount of phone messages in that police station have no reply back --steve westphal --- there is no one of that name now over in that department ---have you'll heard anything about it since then-- if yes then update us about it z

08-05-2001, 07:57 PM	#57
Apex Can you hear me now? Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Here Posts: 5,506	Bah, nothing as well for me.

08-07-2001, 02:05 PM	#58
homerun! Ensign Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 7	Call this number! Want some action? Detective Steve Westphal is gone all summer, but here's the prosecutor's office phone number. If you want justice...and maybe some money back...you'd better make yourself heard...219-873-3023. The person I spoke with says the P.D. never turned over any paperwork to prosecute. Great. Make some noise, people!

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