A Fools Tale (Gun Auction Fraud)

Recently an Artillery Luger was offered on AuctionArms. And I was the high bidder. I do not have an Artillery and this one was listed as excellent and the seller seemed knowledgeable about the gun, and gave accurate information and responses. The problem is that there is no gun.


The seller, a fellow from Chattanooga Tenn, listed the gun as a one day auction, requested 3 day payment. And promptly disabled his email (an aol account). I sent a check and FFL off and waited, and waited... Finally, another buyer contacted me with his suspicions concerning a seller by a different user name, I did some checking and yeap I

had been had.


The procedure seems to be as follows, the fellow gets an AOL account, lists himself on auction arms with a new,

nonsense, alphanumerically name. Lists something too good to be true, (Lugers, colt 1911, M-1 Springfield's,

barettas, walthers) with accurate descriptions of collectable guns (barrel length, markings, etc), in excellent shape, at a very low starting price,

requests money order or certified check, sometimes lists 15-20 in shipping, often ends the description with many

exclamation marks. 5 day inspection and money back... There is never a picture of the gun. The auctions are one to two day things... And, there is no feed back on the seller...


This fellow is making about $10,000 a month doing this and the Chattanooga Police dept., well it sounds like they just

don't have time..... The FBI, well he's too small.... The ATF, (you will just love this one) well if he hasn't any guns then its not our problem... so he walks, and I'm out...


Fair warning to you folks...

Frank Rial