• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
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    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
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    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

!!! ATTN: Veasna Muth STOLE $450.00 FROM ME! AVOID AT ALL COSTS, SCAM ARTIST !!!

TopShelfExotics said:
so has this person stated he would send you a refund Ron?
Click to expand...

Yes, he said he would overnight it today (based on emails from yesterday). I'm going to the NARBC show tomorrow so I'll check the mail when I get back from the show tomorrow afternoon/evening.

I just sent him another email asking him to verify that he mailed the refund back today via USPS next day mail. I'll update the BOI tomorrow with the results when I return from collecting my mail.


Regards,
Ron Crawford
 
Thank God I had a GREAT time today at the NARBC show in Philly! Otherwise, my day would have been spoiled once I checked the mail today and DID NOT FIND ANY MAIL FROM VEASNA MUTH!!!

He sent me an email stating that he would overnight my refund for Saturday delivery and had the nerve to come to the BOI defending himself! I phoned my attorney and told him to move forward with contacting Veasna's local police department and bringing fraud charges up on him.

Veasna Muth has destroyed his crediblity in the herp world and should be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS! If you would even entertain doing business with Veasna Muth, contact me first. I'll sell you the Golden Gate Bridge for a good price!

*** WHEN DEALING WITH VEASNA MUTH, BUYER BEWARE! ***

I'm going to checkout some of the cool stuff I got from NARBC today so I can feel better. ;)

Have a fun weekend folks
 
TopShelfExotics said:
he used a postal money order right?


he's screwed.....
Click to expand...

My attorney just phoned me back with good news! He said he's gong to pursue this under "Internet Fraud" since a computer was used to defraud me. He also said that this will be felony case as it fits the requirements for such a case! I told him to move forward and spare no expenses. I don't care how much money I have to spend on this case, I just want this person to be an example of what will happen if you defraud someone over the Internet.

We're going after a felony conviction with Veasna Muth! He told me that we have all the documentation and correspondence to make it stick and the District Attorney will be pleased.

I'll keep everyone posted with the proceedings.



Regards,
Ronald Crawford
 
Finally someone that has the cajones!!

Finally....I have typed this before but I just got back into reptiles after 10+ years. I was dealing before the internet got big and I have seen nothing but rip-offs and scammers.

It's a real shame. I guess there are rip-offs and scammers in every hobby/business but too bad there are so many losers in this one.

Cheers to all the folks with sound ethics and solid dealings. Keep it up! Hopefully we can weed out all the crooks with the help of this site and word of mouth.

Take it easy-

Bthacker
 
Woah there fellas... he probably has scammed you, but if he sent it overnight YESTERDAY using USPS then they do NOT guarantee their overnight service... with a federal holiday mucking up the works I'm guessing that you'll get it Monday or Tuesday, or even Wednesday. Just a slight note of hesitation. I've been sent USPS overnight about 5 times, and only ONCE did it get here overnight. Best to be SURE he's scum before bringing out both guns.
 
Sasheena said:
Woah there fellas... he probably has scammed you, but if he sent it overnight YESTERDAY using USPS then they do NOT guarantee their overnight service... with a federal holiday mucking up the works I'm guessing that you'll get it Monday or Tuesday, or even Wednesday. Just a slight note of hesitation. I've been sent USPS overnight about 5 times, and only ONCE did it get here overnight. Best to be SURE he's scum before bringing out both guns.
Click to expand...

I betcha that you weren't dealing with someone that took a week to get back with you. This guy has nothing but excuses and you just gave him one more!!!

I would bring the guns out now.....you could always put 'em away!!

Ron....has he answered his phone or are you done wasting your time?

Bthacker
 
Bthacker said:
I betcha that you weren't dealing with someone that took a week to get back with you. This guy has nothing but excuses and you just gave him one more!!!

I would bring the guns out now.....you could always put 'em away!!

Ron....has he answered his phone or are you done wasting your time?

Bthacker
Click to expand...

I'm done wasting my time with him. I tried to phone him and emailed him asking for confirmation that he sent the refund money overnight per my instructions. Guess what? No reply from him after I sent that email. I guess someone stole his house too and his computer was in the house so he couldn't email me, eh?

I'm going to spend whatever it takes (attorney fees) and prosecute him. It's not about the money anymore, it's about the principal and stopping people from doing this again by making an example out of someone. Today is his lucky day as he will be the example. I'll be happy knowing that he will have a felony conviction on his record. And yes, we're also going to sue for attorney fees so it's going to cost him well beyond $450 in attorney fees alone, not including his attorney fees (assuming he will not use a public defender).

We have all the electronic documentation, paperwork and correspondence we need! He's actually researching some cases now and sent me this link to brighten up my weekend. http://www.crime-research.org/news/28.10.2004/747/

I can't wait until Monday to get this ball rolling since nothing can happen over the weekend :(
 
If in fact it was sent overnight

providing a tracking # would have eased allot tension. But chances are that from his prior experiences , if he had not acknowledged even receiving your money, what makes you think he would even acknowledge sending it back!

I certaninly would pursue internet fraud. Its Federal, as well as whatever civil action you can take to hurt him at least credit wise. This is the only way you can stop these kinds of people who seem to drift to the herp industry

This has been my big gripe all along. Attempting to police our own industry is impossible. With the opportunity to change your business name as many times as you want, including email addresses, nothing prevents people from going in and out of business daily.
 
The guy is a serious weasel but...

Ron

I completely agree that this guy is a complete waste of oxygen and should be avoided like the plague. If you check back to the first few pages of this thread, I was one of the first to state that I did not think you were in any way premature in your posting

However....

Before you waste a lot of time, money or energy pursuing this legally, I would wait a couple of days to see if that refund arrives. The unfortunate truth is that if it does arrive, you have no damages to claim. If your attorney is worth his salt, he will tell you that without demonstrable damages, there is pretty much nothing to back up the fraud claim. If you were to file civilly....same net effect.

If the refund does not arrive, you have a different ballgame altogether though.

You have done the most important thing already though in alerting all of us to yet another bottom feeder in the hobby. We all can thank you for that. I have a feeling that this thread will garace the front page for a long while to come.
 
Re: The guy is a serious weasel but...

Suncoast Herpetological said:
Ron

I completely agree that this guy is a complete waste of oxygen and should be avoided like the plague. If you check back to the first few pages of this thread, I was one of the first to state that I did not think you were in any way premature in your posting

However....

Before you waste a lot of time, money or energy pursuing this legally, I would wait a couple of days to see if that refund arrives. The unfortunate truth is that if it does arrive, you have no damages to claim. If your attorney is worth his salt, he will tell you that without demonstrable damages, there is pretty much nothing to back up the fraud claim. If you were to file civilly....same net effect.

If the refund does not arrive, you have a different ballgame altogether though.

You have done the most important thing already though in alerting all of us to yet another bottom feeder in the hobby. We all can thank you for that. I have a feeling that this thread will garace the front page for a long while to come.
Click to expand...

Very kind words, thank you. In addition, thank you for understanding my position in the early stages of this thread as well. It's deeply appreciated.

Thanks again to all the supporters as well!
 
I'M SURE IN JAIL THEY LOVE GUYS WHO LIKE SNAKES, :)

hi Ron, i am really happy that you are taking this guy to court and playing hardball with him (hopefuly you will get your money before than) you gave him more than enough chances. he's going to have fun in jail, when they find out he likes snakes,lol dj
 
I am happy to report that we have moved forward with a "swear out warrant for Internet Fraud" against:

veasna muth
8627 marlboro ct
stockton, ca 95210
(209) 471-1663

I will keep everyone updated as we make progress.

I am hopeful that this will bring a new beginning to honesty and integrity with respect to buying and selling in the herp community. I am sparing no monetary expense with respect to prosecuting this individual to the fullest extent of the law in order to to let other people know that we will NOT accept fraud in the herp community!

I hope the outcome of this will send a chilling message to those that might consider attempting to defraud and we are hopeful that Veasna Muth will ultimately have a felony conviction that will be with him for the rest of his life. His life as he knows it is about to change for the worse.

Thank you once again for your support and rest assured that we are going after this individual with very strong resources.



Regards,
Ron Crawford
 
RON, I would strongly suggest

that you also pursue civil litigation to effect his credit by getting some kind of judgement against him. That would add significantly to his already damaged reputation.

These losers seem to drift torward the Herp community for easy money. Although their are machineries for pursing these thieves, new ones arrive daily, and people just continue to get scammed daily regardless of the consequences.

I of course have a more stringent method for selling within the herp community, but it is suffice to say, that regardless of how careful you may be, the answer for future sales would be to use a credit card wherever you can . Unfortunately you could have done a better job in protecting your assests when dealing with a stranger. I understand that individuals do not have credit card capabilities, but Paypal (not my favorite) would have been an alternative.

I am not attempting to add salt to an already exposed wound, but always think in terms of limiting your liability. JERRY
 
Can we get an update on what is gooing on? I have folloewed this from the beginning and am very curious how it will turn out



Jennifer Pellette
 
Hi Ron-

Any news on this guy? How are things progressing? I think it's important to know what you can do as a consumer that has been ripped off over the net. Hope you are having Happy Holidays!

Bthacker
 
Bthacker said:
Hi Ron-

Any news on this guy? How are things progressing? I think it's important to know what you can do as a consumer that has been ripped off over the net. Hope you are having Happy Holidays!

Bthacker
Click to expand...

Hi,

This is still under investigation. They are dragging their heels with this case :-(

Thanks for the cheerful holiday greetings! May you and your family have a STUPENDOUS holiday as well!


Ron
 
If this Helps

With regard to protection for the buyer.

I some time ago purchased a female ball from a guy in Boston MA. I sent him a check along with a box to ship the animal in as he said he had no proper shipping materials.

After the check had cleared I expected it would be shipped out almost thereafter. That was not the case. I waited a week until after it cleared to make contact with him. To my surprise the number had been disconnected. I then sent an email and it came back returned not a valid email. I sent a letter asking about the ball and got no response.

I then sent a registered letter disguised as a gift, informing him that if he did not provide me with a number and send the animal out, or my money I would make contact with the local authorities. I gave him 1 week from time of delivery.

The package was in fact delivered and a male had signed for it, and a week later no response. I then contacted the local police station, who after telling of my problem, said I needed to contact my local police and they would start it there. I called back the next day and talked with a police woman and told my story again and told her I believed he was doing internet fraud. She was then more than happy to check it out.

Not 3 days later she contacted me and told me she had found the man in question and said she would contact me very soon. Soon it was. The next day she called and said that she had signed a complaint on my behalf and he had until the end of the week to conclude the transaction or he would have a warrant issued for his arrest.

Oddly enough the guy calls me the very next day with an appology that would have made the pope cry and asked " If I send you out the ball tomorrow, would you please contact the police and tell them I did so". I said as soon as the package arrives and she is in good health or the money returned I will make contact with her.

The money was returned the next day. I contacted the authorities and told them of it, and a done deal. Alot of headaches but a total of 1 week from the time I contacted the police my money was returned.

I have browsed in on this post from time to time and not sure if these circumstances would help in your case. However internet crime is a big ticket item, and maybe it will help.


I sincerely hope you recover the animals in question or your money back.

If this helps.

Jeff Morrison
5StarrMorphs
 
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