Ripped off online

[ambud]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Texas


I do xbox 360 repairs, and met this guy on one of our online chat forums. He claimed to be doing excellent work, and had a machine that he no longer uses, due to it not being automatic, but still usable. We talked over the chat for few days, and the deal he was offering me great. The whole time we talked, he knowledgeable about the subject, not someone who just picked up xbox 360 jargon off the internet. Anyways, taking him good on his word, I deposited the money into his account, and I've not yet received my machine. I've called him, and he has not picked up his phone. IT's been over a month, and I am down $4000+. I have all of his bank info, his registered address for his business, and an old ebay account that I linked him to. It would be nice to get this resolved without a lawyer, but if not, what can I do? He resides in NY by the way.


Thanks

 

[swalsh411]

I'm having a hard time reconciling "Xbox 360" and "$4,000+". Were you buying 20 of them?

 

[ambud]

No, it was a reflowing machine, which is used to repair the xbox 360's using Infrared heat and hot air.

 

[ariastar]

You can sue him in his state in small claims court, or you can contact his local police department to report interstate fraud in an amount making it a felony.

 

[goddessoflubboc]

Depending on where this guy is in NY, the limit could be $3000. OP may be happy to get something back, or not.

If you can leave the guy a vm, you may want to point out he has committed a felony (perhaps more than one) and you are more than happy to pursue this criminally. That *may* get some money your way.