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Authenticity is Everything
Forger Retaliation - And Should We "Look the Other Way"
About Three Years I ago, I noticed an eBay seller that would buy old photos of long deceased celebrities , and a short time later would post the same photos but autographed. I commented about it in another autograph forum. This person responded to my posts with threats. I never heard from him again until recently. He actually posted here in this forum. But, at the same time he posted here, several fabricated "ripoff" reports were all over the internet which entailed ludicrous claims that I sold him a John Hancock letter for over $100,000 that was a forgery and I will not refund him. Hence, I recently sent out the below letter to my customers. My question is is it better to just NOT get involved with the forgery element of the autograph industry due to this type of malicious retaliation?
Here is a copy of the letter I have sent to my regular customers. Feel free to comment:
I am contacting you today to make you aware of someone who has been posting derogatory blog reports about my business. About 3 years ago I noticed a seller on eBay that was buying photos and then weeks later that same photo would be autographed, by “deceased” celebrities (JFK, Bela Lugosi, John Wayne, etc). I commented on this fraudulent autograph seller on the autograph forum “Is It real”. He was eventually banned from selling autographs by eBay . But then I noticed this same individually from New Jersey opened a website that is inundated with obvious forgeries
Well at the time he threatened to sue me for “outing” him. But I didn’t hear from him for the past few years. Then in the Autograph Magazine Live forum I noticed a derogatory post by an individual that I was certain was this same guy. At the same time I was informed by a customer that there were several “Ripoff” type reports on the internet byt this person stating I sold him a John Hancock for over $100,000 that I forged and would not refund him. Well, the good thing is he didn’t make much effort to make his claim sound anything but laughable. You see, I have never even owned or sold a John Hancock (I WISH I did!), and Never sold anything at a fraction of $100,000. Way out of my league.
Now when you type my business name in Google you may see all these reports which are identical, copy and pasted under various anonymous names, but obviously the same guy. So, in the event you came across one of his postings, you know it is a 100% retaliatory fabrication for “outing” this autograph forger three years ago. I suspect what happened is someone else had posted a Real report against him based on a purchase they made from him more recently and he suspects it was me. But, for the past 20 + years I have always tried to be active in the collecting community combating fraud. But, with that responsibility is the risk of retaliation from the bad element that prey on collectors, particularly inexperienced collectors.
I understand why many dealers “don’t get involved”. However, if those within the industry do not contribute to combating fraud and criminal activity, who will? And what will be the ramifications to not just the autograph collecting industry but every other area of collecting, from $50 baseball cards to 50 million dollar paintings.
Kevin
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on
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Who is this?
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Permalink Reply by kevin conway on
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Mike,
That is the key. As a matter of fact, I invite him here in this forum to produce a "genuine" receipt, proof of purchase or even this Hancock letter itself. I say "genuine" because this all started with his revenge campaign since I reported him selling forgeries on eBay and his website, so I wouldn't be surprised if he attempted to fabricate something. Apparently from his "ripoffreport" comments he uses Charles Hamilton's book to trace signatures.
But of course that will never happen since he will have to reveal his TRUE identity. And the last thing he wants is for the experienced autograph community to see and give opinion on his "shady" autograph business.
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Mike,
He has no receipts of any kind from me. I have NEVER sold him anything. From what I see on his site, he doesn't buy REAL autographs.
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Permalink Reply by DB on
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"I understand why many dealers “don’t get involved”. However, if those within the industry do not contribute to combating fraud and criminal activity, who will?" Sort of like posting derogatory pictures that before removed seem to get replicated... but having said that too many stand silent and unfortunately for those that don't the fallout can be trying. As such, many will discuss it candidly but choose not to broadcast.
as in ripoff reports you mean; Conman Kevin Conway Conway's Vintage Treasures Report: #783141
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Yes
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If there's no basis of fact take a play out of Epperson's playbook.
noone likes to give lawyer's $$ or tie it up but when it is completely false with smear tactics employed sometimes it's necessary. If you were accurate on your assessment and this retaliation is false and baseless causing business impact... then action ought to be swift.
While current customers may appreciate the communication it's new customers and repeat business that needs to be clarified.
Unfortunately, there are just way too many smear machines in operation and the more they can silence the more they can press their "non-authentic" agendas.
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I just noticed this complaint was likely an attempt to falsely emulate John Rezinikoff, University Archives in Westport, CT.
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Yes. This fraud was stealing identities from this forum when he was in here as "Mike Rosen".
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This is absolutely disgusting. One could never place a radio or tv or magazine ad that was 100% libelous and false. Yet, these ripoff report type sites seem to traffic in providing a venue for vengeance... much of it false. The fact that they let people publish under false or anonymous identities is unconscionable.
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Permalink Reply by roger epperson on
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Sorry to here about this Kevin, it is a really bad situation to be placed in.
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You have to always remember that forgers are criminals and have criminal mindsets. When you foil forgers, you are coming between a criminal and his money. It should not shock anyone that they don't fight fair and will do anything to keep their enterprise going.
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Mr. Zipper.. Bingo! You hit the nail on the head!! Over the past 13 years on ebay I have confronted many forgery sellers and it is amazing how consistent their dispositions are...very aggressive, often vulgar in their denial and personal attacks
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