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Bad Guy Jeff and Christina Wise (Wise Reptiles) Stole Money from Benefit Auctions for Maggie

timebider said:
What about the animals? Is there any way of getting back those unpaid critters that are in the Wises' possession (especially since it seems apparent that Christina, at least, is not a reptile person and just saw our community as a terrific scam opportunity)?. :angry:
Click to expand...


The people that sent animals to them should file a claim to have the Post Master General investigate for possible fraud....
 
Those IC3 folks move quickly. I got some paperwork RE this from my state Attorney General asking for more info today. :thumbsup: I expect to hear from other agencies soon as well.

If you were directly involved, make sure you send out that IC3 complaint form.

http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx

It looks a bit intimidating at first, but it only takes a little bit of time to complete, most of that being your actual complaint.
 
MagickalMorphs said:
Those IC3 folks move quickly. I got some paperwork RE this from my state Attorney General asking for more info today. :thumbsup: I expect to hear from other agencies soon as well.

If you were directly involved, make sure you send out that IC3 complaint form.

http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx

It looks a bit intimidating at first, but it only takes a little bit of time to complete, most of that being your actual complaint.
Click to expand...

That is fantastic news!! :thumbsup:
 
MagickalMorphs said:
Those IC3 folks move quickly. I got some paperwork RE this from my state Attorney General asking for more info today. :thumbsup: I expect to hear from other agencies soon as well.

If you were directly involved, make sure you send out that IC3 complaint form.

http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx

It looks a bit intimidating at first, but it only takes a little bit of time to complete, most of that being your actual complaint.
Click to expand...

Just for the record.

Complaint Referral Form

Internet Crime Complaint Center


Thank you for filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).


Your complaint has been submitted. Once processed by the IC3, you will be sent an email containing your complaint id and password to be used for future contacts with the IC3. This process can take several hours.
 
I would suggest writing a synopsis of what happened (Similar to what was already posted here). Keep it short, clear and concise so people outside of the forum can follow it easily. Use this synopsis as a press release.

Organize, move swiftly, conduct an all out media blitz.

Choosing one or two spokespeople as contacts to be available for follow up interviews from the media would be a good idea.

Don't only focus on the local Michigan media but conduct an all out media blitz.
Have members send the press release to all of their own local town,city state media sources. College papers, local cable access television may also be a great resource. Most major newpspapers and tv stations have websites and email contact info.
Be sure to send it to the editor but also email EVERY contact listed on said sites.
Send it out to the sports person, weather person, human interests person etc.

Some basic rules to follow with a press release are:

First you need to get passed spam filters, to help do this follow these guidelines.
DO NOT include the word "free" in your message. Such as free offer, free download etc.
Don't use all capitol letters.
No large fonts.
If links are included, DON'T USE the words "click here" or anything similar.

Use [Story idea] in the subject line. An example would be :

[Story idea] Couple accused of stealing funds from grieving widow, and father.
Personalize the release to each person you send it to if possible. A standard press release can be used but it's better if you include the
news source's and reporters name if possible.
An example would be:

"Dear (reporter's full name),
I thought this might be an interesting story for your (publication name) (readers / viewers / listeners). I would be happy to speak with you in more detail if you wish and can be reached at (your email) or (spokesperson's email)."
Make sure to follow up with everyone it is sent to a day or two after it's sent out.
Places to send it to could include, local and statewide newspapers,radio stations, college papers,radio shows.

National news sources such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX Associated Press, The Onion and of the cable news networks.
Use the resources of the members of various online communities to help spread the word.
The herp keeping / breeding world is huge but the "campain" can be expanded to include all animal related communities as well. And there is an endless resource of bloggers, pet shops, college students that could be enlisted as well.
The surest way of getting local media attention would be to solicit college students and get them involved. College students have historically been able to bring attention to causes that they feel are unjust.

A list of media sources contacted along with their contact information could be posted somewhere such as Fauna or elsewhere and then each person involved in the "campain" could use this list to add to their own "send to" list. The result of hundreds, thousands of press releases surely would be noticed somewhere.
If the story does get picked up ANYWHERE, be sure to include that fact in your follow up with whoever you originally contacted with this story.

I hope this will prove helpful.
 
The Unwises arent welcome down here in Texas. If they do show up down here the reptile community will be glad to give them a proper welcome.:thumbsup: We dont like people like you down here Jeffy, So you better book it to Nigeria or somewhere like that where all the other internet scammers reside.
 
I've e-mailed my local news channels with all the information, and i received a call from one of them, Channel 7, for more information, which i thought, "Oh, good sign", but after talking with the woman for about a half hour, she told me that unfortunately they would not do a piece on them, since it isn't a local story. She said if it was based in Massachusetts, then they would have been all over it,but again, not local.
 
crissabella said:
I've e-mailed my local news channels with all the information, and i received a call from one of them, Channel 7, for more information, which i thought, "Oh, good sign", but after talking with the woman for about a half hour, she told me that unfortunately they would not do a piece on them, since it isn't a local story. She said if it was based in Massachusetts, then they would have been all over it,but again, not local.
Click to expand...

Maybe SHE can contact another reporter in Michigan? I think it would be more credible coming from a peer :)
 
Well I have finishing going over the pay-pal numbers (finally) (I'll attach the numbers after I go over them one more time after I take a break from all this sitting).

She claimed to following:

WiseReptiles said:
BLACK is MAGGIES AUCTIONS/ PURPLE IS RICKS AUCTIONS/ RED IS SPLIT AUCTIONS
Total for Maggie- 5,453 Total for Rick- 908

DISCLAIMER- The amounts above do not account for paypal fees, they are a total from the winning bids!
Click to expand...

She claimed the above numbers totaling $6,361 were the amounts collected prior to the fees being removed. My numbers show that there was $6,786.62 collected after the fees were assessed, which is an additional $425.62 dollars these two have pocketed.
 
I spoke to the reporter that did a story on the Wise's wedding. She said that if they are arrested she will do a story. I gave her my contact info, she said she will call me for an interview. Here is her number, please call her.
810-766-6310 and her name is Laura. There are links in this thread to the web site with the story.
 
I just contacted Leslie Toldo, from the local Channel 12 news, about this situation. I do not know her well but she has assisted our boxer rescue group on a fundraiser and I got to meet her then. She seems like a kindhearted and caring person, so I sent her the link to this thread and asked her to at least check it out for me. Wish me luck
 
Mister Internet said:
Something struck me as I was perusing the thread that Ed Clark started on them... one user made a comment (click on the blue arrow by the username to go view it in context):



What is the substance (and amounts) involved in these "plenty of other auctions"?? Were they different PayPal addresses, were the full amounts passed on to the appropriate parties? Were these just more "warm-ups" for the big show? :shrug01:
Click to expand...

I was just talking about the auction on Fauna, I didn't know they were running scams, or running scams on multiple sites. So I really couldn't tell you. :shrug01:
 
Just a thought: since Maggie is the person who most likely would be contacted by local FL news agencies (for validity of the story, interview - whatever), perhaps it would be a good idea for Maggie to consent first.

I don't doubt she greatly appreciates the support, and it is a great idea, but the media can be intrusive during stressful times & no doubt her hands are very full. If she has already said, "Groovy, go for it!", then my apologies.
 
LauraB said:
Just a thought: since Maggie is the person who most likely would be contacted by local FL news agencies (for validity of the story, interview - whatever), perhaps it would be a good idea for Maggie to consent first.

I don't doubt she greatly appreciates the support, and it is a great idea, but the media can be intrusive during stressful times & no doubt her hands are very full. If she has already said, "Groovy, go for it!", then my apologies.
Click to expand...

That is a very good point. We do not want Maggie or her kids to endure any more stress than they have already been through, and continue to go through.
 
LauraB said:
Just a thought: since Maggie is the person who most likely would be contacted by local FL news agencies (for validity of the story, interview - whatever), perhaps it would be a good idea for Maggie to consent first.

I don't doubt she greatly appreciates the support, and it is a great idea, but the media can be intrusive during stressful times & no doubt her hands are very full. If she has already said, "Groovy, go for it!", then my apologies.
Click to expand...

I have sent Maggie an email asking what she thought of the idea. Awaiting her reply before I do anything
 
I don't know if anyone has posted these yet but here are the MI AP bureaus. if they get interest in the story it may get picked up as a national story.

Michigan

Detroit
300 River Pl., Suite 2400
Detroit MI 48207-4260
(313) 259-0650
259-4966 Fax

Grand Rapids
Press Building
155 Michigan St. NW
Grand Rapids MI 49503-2353
(616) 458-8853
458-3053 Fax

Lansing
215 S. Washington Square, Suite 120
Lansing MI 48933-1888
(517) 482-8011
374-7407 Fax

Traverse City
120 W. Front St.
Traverse City MI 49684-2280
(231) 929-4180
929-7552 Fax
 
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