BEWARE/ Help: SEVERE Problem w N0KMA,Todd Shoemake, St Louis

[n3ear]

Law enforcement cases underway at both Federal and local St. Louis area levels.

Sorry for the long post, and sorry if the formatting does not come out right. I wanted to provide a full timeline of the facts. The short version is that Todd Shoemake, N0KMA, has cashed my USPS money order for $400 (but did not see fit to actually ship the radio while at the USPO counter cashing the money order), then failed to communicate for days at a time, given a number of explanations for the delays, promised shipment of the radio for the second time, delivered nothing, has now been unresponsive for weeks.

I had hoped it would not get to this point, I have been more than patient, but it's pretty clear now what's going on here. If anyone knows Todd, in the St. Louis area or wherever, and can help in any way, it would be greatly appreciated. You can see a little more info on N0KMA at his eham.net listing, though apparently that is not his current address, see the timeline below. Included in the eham page photo, is the FT-767GX that I presumably paid for. I will of course make it known here, if this situation is rectified to my satisfaction. I will not stop until this is rectified to my satisfaction.

Timeline of the facts:

6-15-11: I responded to an ad placed on QTH.com, posted on 6-15-11.

Full copy of the ad detail follows, since it is no longer on the site.
(This was available to anyone at the 'click here to email' link, and the phone number is published, available to anyone dialing 411):

============================================================
You are responding to the following ad:
Ad Number: 918280
Date Placed: 06/15/11
Name: Todd Shoemake
Phone Number: 314-392-9620
Callsign: N0KMA
Category: RADIOHF
Heading: FS: Yaesu FT-767GX
Ad Message: Radio is in fairly good condition for it's age. Works good
on all bands with full output. Built in antenna tuner. 500hz CW filter,
original hand mic, power cord, and original manual. The radio also has
the 2 meter module and the 70cmA module installed and working at about
10 watts output. Only two minor issues with the rig. The memory battery
is in need of replacing, and the VFO will pause for a split second as
your spinning the knob. I never replaced the battery because I never
really used the memories and the VFO never got on my nerves enough to
have it replaced. Replacement VFO's are still available and relatively
inexpensive, $40 or $50 if I remember correctly. Neither issue keeps
the rig from working as it should. Would be a awesome starter radio
for someone who wants to get on HF and all mode VHF/UHF for a good
price. I will take $400 for the radio with the VHF/UHF modules or $300
if you don't think you will use them or need them.
============================================================

6-15-11: I called the number in the ad, and spoke with Todd. I agreed to buy the radio and the two modules, for $400 shipped, and would be sending a USPS money order. Todd did change the ad fairly quickly to read 'SOLD PENDING FUNDS'.

NOTE here: Todd provided an address for mailing the money order, which was different than his current address shown at eham.net. He mentioned something to the effect of, ‘Yeah, I just recently moved, I need to change that..’. (I know, I know, big red flag, last time I ever do that.. however.. a call to 411 directory assistance, checking the St. Louis area, yields a published landline number for Todd Shoemake, the same number I called from the ad, at the same address he gave for mailing the money order.)

6-15-11: The USPS money order for $400 was mailed to Todd late that day. I called him again and informed him that the money order had been mailed.

6-16-11: We exchanged a few more phone calls discussing which type of 70cm module was actually in the radio, a mod which had been done to the module, etc.

6-18-11: The USPS money order was cashed at a St. Louis area post office, confirmed by US Postal Inspection Service. Note that he could have easily shipped the radio, at the same visit to the Post Office. I have been advised that the money order appears to have NOT been altered.

6-20-11: Todd called me Monday evening, saying he had received the money order, and would be mailing it the next morning, Tuesday 6-21, (3 days after he had cashed the money order).

6-27-11: I called Todd, got no answer, and left a message asking for a tracking number as the radio had not arrived.

6-28-11: I sent an email message through the QTH.com classified ad system ('click here to email' link in the ad), asking where the radio was and asking for a tracking number.

6-28 thru 6-30: Tried calling Todd numerous times, got answering machine at all times of the day and early evening.

7-1-11: I received an email directly from Todd. Apologizing, he stated that he had been in a "fairly bad car accident", the day he was to ship the radio, he had been in the hospital for awhile, then staying with a relative, and was now back home, recovering. He stated that the radio was in the car at the time of the accident, the box was damaged, but that he would "...get the box opened today and see if it is still in working order...". He did offer to refund my money at this point, if I wanted to do that instead.

7-1-11: I emailed him back, sympathetic, offering condolences, and stating that if the inner box was intact, and the radio checked out operationally, that I still wanted to buy the radio.

7-5-11: I received another email from Todd, again apologizing for the additional delay, citing the 'meds they are keeping me on' . He went on to state that "I did unpack the rig today", that he had checked it out, and everything checked out OK operationally (he listed the tests he did specifically: "Output, receive, tuning, sound, all sound and function as it did before I packed it up"). He further stated "Going to get this all packed up in the morning and get this thing shipped to you overnight. ...I promise it will be on the way before the post office closes."

----------This is the last I have ever heard, to date, from Todd Shoemake--------
----------------------------NO shipment was ever received-----------------------------

7-6-11: I emailed back, acknowledging his promise to ship the package Wednesday 7-6-11, via overnight; I asked that he send the tracking number as soon as it was available. No response.

7-8-11: I emailed again asking for the tracking number. No response.

7-13-11: I emailed again stating that I needed to receive the radio or the $400, by the next day, or law enforcement would be notified. No response.

7-15-11: I left phone message, stating that law enforcement was to be notified. No response.

Numerous further attempts to reach Todd or whoever may answer his phone... got answering machine each time.

If there is a legitimate reason for this behavior, perhaps a friend or family member could contact me about returning my $400. Upon receipt of said money, I will of course make it known here and notify the law enforcement agencies handling this case.

[KA2CDT]

Google search of his call sign shows he is heavy into the social network scene. His pictures is all over the place. Does not seem to be a guy who is hiding. Makes me wonder if your really dealing with him or has someone actually hijacked his call sign and is an imposter. Does his email address match his QRZ email? You already said that the address does not.

If you look at his QRZ profile logbook he does seem to have contact with a few select ham ops. Maybe you can get in touch with them and see what is up with Todd. He is also a member of the local DX club.

Good luck!