It is more complex then most people can imagine. Good investigatory work by the members and Site Administrators pertaining to this so-called "Anthony Pappas" character.
You all read it for what it was and realized the workings of this criminal.
It's not that hard to find information about each of them on the internet...especially this Paul Robert Mergel Sr. dude. He and Mechelle Distaulo have been hanging out with each other since the 70's committing all kinds of crime. Laundry list of arrests and charges involving Drugs (Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin/Meth), Multiple Check Fraud convictions, Illegal Weapons Possession as a Convicted Felon, Numerous Contempt of Court Warrants, DMV violations, Scams/Deceptions (Construction, Fauna, ...all records available in the Public Domain or in the jurisdictions he has been arrested in such as Hazlet NJ, Keansburg NJ, Middletown NJ, Brick NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Chatsworth GA...just to name a few.
My recommendation to the members here...don't ever make arrangements with someone, especially if they are not straightforward with providing factual information about who they are. Don't put yourselves in a situation where you send a product and don't have the money beforehand...that is good business!