> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ken Hooper [SMTP:webmaster@type2.com]
> Sent: Monday, January 10, 2000 11:16 PM
> Subject:      [vanagon] Alert: Possible FRAUD
>
> From: Ken Hooper <webmaster@type2.com>
>
>
> Volks,
>
> Many of you know that we run a classified ad page as part of the
> www.type2.com web site. The classified site is called "Aircooled Buy &
> Sell" and I think it's probably the busiest VW classified site on the
> net. That doesn't really matter, except that we know a LOT of money
> changes hands over ads posted to BuySell.
>
> We received email this past week alleging that an individual was using
> BuySell to liquidate busses and parts in an unscrupulous way. Normally
> we don't try to police transactions on BuySell, but the amounts of money
> mentioned in the email were pretty astronomical and we felt we had to
> look into it. Since the individual was alleged to be using several email
> addresses and we couldn't tell which ads in BuySell might be bogus, we
> pulled the BuySell site down for the time being.
>
> Having asked around, we turned up enough corroboration that we think
> there is an obligation to tell the VW community that we are no longer
> accepting advertisements from this individual, and to ask for your help
> in letting us know if he tries to post ads under different addresses.
>
> The gentleman's name is Frank Leach, doing busines out of Provo, Utah,
> sometimes using the name Christy Motors. We think these three email
> addresses are associated with Leach:
>
>       rubberbus@aol.com
>       vwbusnut@aol.com
>       bootsandsaddles@aol.com
>
> I've been told there are additional "throwaway" addresses, hotmail or
> yahoo, like that; but nobody has actually given me any of those
> addresses at this point in time.
>
> There is at least one web page devoted to exposing Mr. Leach, it is run
> by Jack Stenner:
>
>       http://www.pursebuilding.com/bus/completion.html
>
> I am also told there is an investigation being handled by the State if
> Utah. If you are an unhappy customer of Mr. Leach you might want this
> contact information:
>
>       Dennis Ige
>       Utah Dept of Motor Vehicle Enforcement/Investigations
>       (801)371-1070
>
> I actually hope that Frank Leach will pop up in these public forums and
> explain why all this concern is unfounded so I can retract everything
> said in this message--it would be better to be wrong about this, I hate
> to see vendors go bad although regrettably I have seen it again and again.
>
> Special thanks to Yvan R., who carries the BuySell site, and Paul who
> keeps BuySell cleaned of duplicates and spam. For every predator there
> are a hundred good guys and it's important to remember that.
>
>
> --Ken         Greasy Fingers Smearing Shabby Clothes
>                       www.type2.com Webmaster
>
>
> ps, BuySell is now back on line!