Author
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Topic: 291324287064: Apollo 11 crew autographs
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Michael1976 Member Posts: 106 From: Chandler, AZ 85249 Registered: Nov 2011
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posted 12-12-2014 04:08 PM
This one doesn't look too good. I could be completely wrong.eBay lot 291324287064. |
Steve Zarelli Member Posts: 731 From: Upstate New York, USA Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 12-12-2014 04:47 PM
I have reported this item to eBay. The seller is using a stolen scan of my LOAs from another auction, and he superimposed the bad item onto the LOA image.A photoshop manipulated copy of one of my LOAs. The LOA image was stolen from this legit item offered by Florian. In hand, I am sure it would be obvious the LOA was a copy — not original, did not bear my original signature or have the embossed seal. It would have been a nice courtesy to receive this information directly rather than a message board posting that casts doubt without even giving me a chance to respond. |
JasonB Member Posts: 1091 From: Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 12-12-2014 04:48 PM
Well sometimes people need to remember the best advice I've heard — RUN AWAY!!! |
Michael1976 Member Posts: 106 From: Chandler, AZ 85249 Registered: Nov 2011
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posted 12-12-2014 05:30 PM
I figured it was a stolen LOA. Sorry if the message came across as anything else. There was no harm intended. I simply wanted to get it out that this may of occurred. |
JasonB Member Posts: 1091 From: Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 12-12-2014 08:02 PM
Wow I didn't even notice they stole an image of one of Steves LOA's. There is just no limit to how low people will go. |
jtheoret Member Posts: 344 From: Albuquerque, NM USA Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 12-12-2014 11:00 PM
Wow. Simply amazing. Steve, I think you may have more remedies to you available than just reporting to eBay. |
garyd2831 Member Posts: 640 From: Syracuse, New York, USA Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 12-13-2014 07:15 AM
To me, I see this is more of a criminal act. Again, the legal system which is overwhelmed would have to weigh its value in comparison to other crimes being committed.Truly a sad world that things are coming too. |
moonnut Member Posts: 248 From: Andover, MN Registered: Apr 2013
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posted 12-13-2014 08:46 AM
I knew as soon as I saw Steve's LOA that it was manufactured. This person has taken theft to a felony level. Blatant fraud. I would get the law involved in this one, Steve. We here in collectSPACE know your expertise and have high regard for your services. Steve, you should buy it and get his/her address when he/she sends it to you and then you also have the manufactured LOA as evidence for a case against him/her. But have the opening of the package upon arrival witnessed by others. I hope something is done to this seller. They are not the smartest, cause they are using the same account for selling, got 13 feedbacks. Sorry if I went on a bit, this just makes me upset! On edit: I just noticed they are in Spain, which makes things considerably more difficult for law to be involved. Grrr. |
Mike_The_First Member Posts: 436 From: USA Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 12-13-2014 05:14 PM
The "blockiness" of the picture on the COA is the first thing I noticed.Considering the COA is referring to a high quality image, yet contains the exact opposite, should be enough to ward off anyone who looked at this with an intelligent eye. |
Steve Zarelli Member Posts: 731 From: Upstate New York, USA Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 12-14-2014 12:17 PM
Thank everyone for your support.I take this matter very seriously and have been aggressively pursuing this fraudulent stolen scan auction. I spoke by phone with a special eBay rep late Friday, and after our conversation he was quite clear what had happened and recognized the scan was stolen from Florian's auction. He assured me the auction would be removed, but it may take a few days. If this seller was based in the U.S., I would have also contacted local law enforcement and filed a criminal complaint regarding this blatant fraud. As a side note, I retain high resolution images of every item I review and have a complete database of every LOA I have issued as well. Even without having the evidence from Florian's auction, I would have been able to produce a copy of the original. Regrettable, stolen scan manipulation is a common issue. I have seen this happen with PSA, auction house certs, certificates from reputable dealers, etc. I guess it was only a matter of time before it happened to me. To protect against this, my letters have embossed seals and bear my live signature. They are laser printed on high quality linen watermarked paper. Scammers like this may fool someone with the online image, but once the document was in hand, it would be obvious it was not authentic. As a further measure, I continuously monitor sales with my LOAs and receive notifications. I knew about this auction within an hour of it going live and immediately took action. Hopefully I will be able to report back soon the auction has been removed. |
Steve Zarelli Member Posts: 731 From: Upstate New York, USA Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 12-14-2014 12:19 PM
quote: Originally posted by Mike_The_First: The "blockiness" of the picture on the COA is the first thing I noticed.
You are correct, Mike. It is clear the resolution on the photo is different than the rest of the letter. |
Steve Zarelli Member Posts: 731 From: Upstate New York, USA Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 12-15-2014 02:21 PM
I am happy to report the auction was stopped. Regrettably, it appears the seller has now listed a five presidents signed photo that is just as ghastly as the bogus Apollo 11. |
fredtrav Member Posts: 1673 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 12-15-2014 04:52 PM
I saw that. It is amazing that eBay does nothing to stop this. You offered proof to them that this seller was engaging in illegal conduct (forging your LOA) along with selling a forged item. The seller should be banned from selling. I know he will just register again under a new name, and probably has done this a lready but at least they could make the appearance of doing the right thing. |
Joel Katzowitz Member Posts: 808 From: Marietta GA USA Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 12-15-2014 06:30 PM
And, even more amazingly, it's back up on eBay under the seller's original name. All he did was drop the photo of Steve's COA. In fact, the title still mentions the COA but there is no other reference to it.Unbelievable. |