I have unfortunately been scammed by another VB.org coder. Watch out!

[ntventures]

Recently a coder by the name of Chris Gwynne responding to a service request I made on this forum and stated he could complete a few minor hack requests I needed. He seemed legit and qualified, so I accepted his offer an forwarded him 50% prepayment as requested (a good chunk of money). I waited and waited and waited and finally he said there was a delay because HIS host was down. So I waited and waited and waited and finally got another response and he said his email had been down. He said he would suspend the remaining 50% of the payment and finish the work in 24 hours. That was weeks ago. He is now ignoring me 100%. I've sent emails to 2 different addresses, PM'd him on his forum, send him an IM on 2 seperate chat clients and he has ignored me 100%. I know he is around as he is actively participating in several topics on the VB.org forums in the past few days.

Basically from my experience, it's evident Chris Gwynne has no intention of deliverying what has been paid for (I have received absolutely ZERO work from him). It appears he hasn't even started it. He sent a few standard delaying lies and no has resorted to completely ignoring me.

It's obvious Chris Gwynne is a thief, a con man, a lier, you name it. As of this date, I have not received anything nor have I received my money back.

To attempt to recover my money, I have filed a fraud report with PayPal and also contacted the local police in his area. The police have been very receptive and helpful and to the best of my knowledge are completing a report and pursuing this situation.

If anyone has other recommendations to recover my money, please let me know.

Learn from my misfortune and AVOID Chris Gwynne at all cost. His VB.org name is also 'Chris Gwynne'. He owns www.chrisgwynne.com.

If anyone else would like to share their bad dealings with Chris Gwynne, please feel free to add to this topic.

[AN-net]

i think contacting the police may be over doing it.....

[ntventures]

Over doing it? Why would that be over doing it? If you walked up to a street vendor gave him a hundred dollar bill for whatever he was selling and he took off running with your money. Would you contact the police? Yea I think you would. I want my money back plan and simple. It's still stealing no matter what medium it's over.

[Brad]

Yea do what you gatta do, anyone messing with your money deserves no better then what you have done thus far. What type of project was it if you don't mind me asking?

[ntventures]

It was a project to convert a web page design into a VB style and add a few minor existing hacks.

[Zachery]

I know Chris as a friend as well as a professional, However i am not sure whats going on for this specific situtation, but i know him to be a good guy, and I highly doubt hes planning on running with your money.

[joeychgo]

Originally Posted by AN-net

i think contacting the police may be over doing it.....

I disagree. Internet fraud is too easy to get away with, and costs legit coders money because I tend to not engage their services believing I might not get what I pay for.

Fry the guy. I would even consider banning him from this and other VB sites if I was an admin here. (assuming there is sufficient evidence)