Topic [220] Watch out for Fraud! TKR Remote Viewing Forum December 2003

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ag0g0girl, somewhere around December 11, 2003

I've been a victim of fraud in my quest for training!
I signed up for CyberCore's training and Ed Dames workshop, and the training was not provided.

I have reported this to the new agency opened by the FBI, and will be glad to help any others who are trying to get their money back like I am.

Silence is the enabler of crime.


ag0g0girl

The_Spook, somewhere around December 11, 2003

Hello and welcome to this board.  I am sorry to hear about your experiences.  Ironically if you'll read an earlier post I have up in one of the other sections on this board concerning Ed Dames, you'll see that you are not alone in your mistrust of the man.  I attended his consortium in Las Vegas recently, where Dames went on and on about how he was no longer taking new adult students, but only teaching children.  The entire time during the conference, I kept picking up on and reading a lot of deception coming from Dames.  His presentation was seat of the pants, not very well supported by visual aides, which were poor at best, and towards the end he jumped around a lot and seemed to lose focus.  

Turns out I was right about his deception.  -)ame's has  flip flopped, gone against his word, and is now again advertising that he is training adults, at a whopping $2400 per person.  

The best advice around most of these outfits is "buyer beware" and I would really scope out anyone and any organization before dropping that kind of money into something this serious.

I copied the information from the FBI's Internet Fraud complaint center and am posting it here for people to review.  I wish you the best of luck in seeing justice done.  Your post will alert others to beware of the hype and frauds out there.  Best wishes and good luck.  Hang in there!

~~~~~~


Internet Fraud Prevention Measures

Internet Auction Fraud
Non-Delivery of Merchandise
Credit Card Fraud
Investment Fraud
Nigerian Letter Scam
Business Fraud


 
Internet Auction Fraud

Understand as much as possible about how the auction works, what your obligations are as a buyer, and what the seller’s obligations are before you bid.
Find out what actions the web site/company takes if a problem occurs and consider insuring the transaction and shipment.
Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the only information you have is an e-mail address. If it is a business, check the Better Business Bureau where the seller/business is located.
Examine the feedback on the seller.
Determine what method of payment the seller is asking from the buyer and where he/she is asking to send payment.
If a problem occurs with the auction transaction, it could be much more difficult if the seller is located outside the US because of the difference in laws.
Ask the seller about when delivery can be expected and if there is a problem with the merchandise is it covered by a warranty or can you exchange it.
Find out if shipping and delivery are included in the auction price or are additional costs so there are no unexpected costs.
There should be no reason to give out your social security number or drivers license number to the seller.

Non-Delivery of Merchandise

Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
Inquire about returns and warranties.
The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong.
Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
Consider utilizing an escrow or alternate payment service.

Credit Card Fraud

Don't give out your credit card number(s) online unless the site is a secure and reputable site. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but might provide you some assurance.
Don't trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.
Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong.
Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
You should also keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer’s contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s) you should contact the card issuer immediately.

Investment Fraud

Don't invest in anything based on appearances. Just because an individual or company has a flashy web site doesn't mean it is legitimate. Web sites can be created in just a few days. After a short period of taking money, a site can vanish without a trace.
Don’t invest in anything you are not absolutely sure about. Do your homework on the investment to ensure that it is legitimate.
Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
Be cautious when responding to special investment offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
Inquire about all the terms and conditions.
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Nigerian Letter Scam

Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as Nigerian or foreign government officials asking for your help in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts.
Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation.
Guard your account information carefully.

Business Fraud

Purchase merchandise from reputable dealers or establishments.
Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
Purchase merchandise directly from the individual/company that holds the trademark, copyright, or patent.
Beware when responding to e-mail that may not have been sent by a reputable company

ag0g0girl, somewhere around December 11, 2003

Thanks Spook,
Who else wants to combine efforts?

ag0g0girl

Gene_Smith, somewhere around December 11, 2003

Hello GoGo,

I'm not familiar with CyberCore.  Could you post the links and some details, like who you paid your money to etc; perhaps some of us might make contact or at least raise public awareness if they are ripping people off; but I would want some detail prior to doing so.  BTW if you used a credit card you should be able to contest any charges in total.

Gene

admin, somewhere around December 11, 2003

Though I am not personally fond of the individual trainer in question, he and his company deserve the same rights as anybody else ought to be accorded.

If you're going to publicly accuse any person or company of fraud--that is a very serious accusation--you need to provide, in the same place (that means here) a detailed documentation of the situation.  That includes all parties involved, dates, amounts, understandings, and what attempts have been made to resolve this.

If you can provide that, we'll leave the thread here.  If you cannot provide it by 10pm CT Friday 12/12, I'm going to yank this thread and drop it to Wizop Council board (out of the public sight) with the recommendation it be deleted.

I understand your frustration, and I give you the benefit of the doubt that you have a good reason and a solid case with this.  But as you are using our online project to publicly solicit other people to work with you, and you are posting in a way which, if it cannot be proven, amounts to libel, that only further weights the seriousness of your accusation.  

We provide pretty open conversation here, but we can't risk legal action against the project for our being irresponsible.  So, please put together a post with the information noted above, and add it to this thread for us.  It will support your claim and clear us as well.

Thanks very much.

PJ
TKR Wizop

ag0g0girl, somewhere around December 12, 2003

This is a copy and paster of the actual complaint I filed.  I have omitted my personal information for safety reasons, but this is the actually document of complaint.

Cybercore is Ed's company!

I just dont want anyone else to get hurt.

Thanks, PJ
ag0g0girl



IFCC COMPLAINT REFERRAL REPORT

The following information was provided by the victim and will be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement or regulatory agency.
Other Non Delivery of Goods/Services (not from an auction)
Loss: $1,000.00
Date of Complaint: 11/26/03 9:27:45 AM

Country: USA
Do you have pertinent documents in paper form? Yes
Information about the Business that victimized you.
Business Name: CyberCore, LLC
Web Site: www.remoteperception.com
Name: Ed Dames
Gender: M
Phone #: 866-607-8439
Current Email: registration@remoteperception.com
Address: 3225 S. McLeod Drive
Suite/Apt/Mail Stop: Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89103
Country: USA
Contact between you and the Person/company that victimized you.
Type of Contact: Phone
Date of Contact: 10/23/2003
Total money lost on contact date: $596.00
Money lost in total: $1,000.00
Description of Item: Training for Remote Viewing
Description of Transaction: unknown, debit card on my checking account.
Contact Information:
October 3, 2003
Received the message from vegaschick40 on yahoo group FARVEW.
This message says that Eds last training workshop is on Nov 15, 16. And that FM works with him.
October 4, 2003
Looked at the web page listed www.remoteperception.com.
Week of October 5th, 2003
Called Sheri to ask questions.
Told her I would call back.
Emailed Ed to inquire about advanced sessions. He emailed me back right away¿seemed interested in my strategy for my education and research.
Week of October 13, 2003
Talked with Sheri again to tell her I'm really interested¿told her I had
spoken to Ed about advanced classes and still had no pricing information.
She didn¿t know the price for that, but told me that Ed doesn't take
female students and that I should pay an extra $400 for advanced training with FM.
I emailed Ed since the web site clearly said that FM would only be able to do beginner and intermediate.
He emailed me back confirming this for me.
I called Sheri back to register for beginner Level 1 and 2 with FM and the Level 3 workshop with Ed. I got plane tickets for the first trip to train with GM on November 1st.
I told her I had enough money for the training with FM but that she would have to wait until Friday 17th to charge me for the Level 3 workshop.
She promised to do that on the 20th of Octover.
Weekend of 18, 19.  I received some emails from Sheri saying she thought I misunderstood her about the pricing she gave me¿she seemed upset that I had emailed Ed about the inconsistencies of her pricing information and the web site.
Weekend of 20th I emailed her to let her know that my weekend deposit had not cleared until Tuesday 21st. And she should try to charge my card in case it
didn't go through the first time.
She did charge my card for $596¿my account lists the merchant as
Cybercore LLC. I then got my plane tickets for the second trip on
November 15, 16.
Got an email confirming the workshop, and another one confirming my training with FM.
Sent FM another personal email from me to the address sheri had listed on the confirmation email. The email I sent to FM bounced and was no good.
I called Sheri back to make sure it was good, and she gave me his cell
phone number and her own.
Week of 27th
Finally got in touch with FM two days before our meeting. He indicated
that he had trouble getting around due to roads being closed in California fire. He said he was in Las Angeles.
On the Friday of my expected departure, he called to ask if I could
reschedule for the 14th and that I could have the class the day before Eds workshop. He asked me to keep him updated on the status of my travel insurance claim for the money back on the plane ticket. I am sure I discussed with him that the terms of insurance was that a large natural disaster like the fire should allow me to get my money back.
On Friday November 7 Sheri called to say that FM had not shown up for class and she wanted to know if I had met him the week before. I
explained that we were rescheduling. She said some bad things about FMs family and said I shouldn't believe FM.
I reminding her that there were lots of expenses involved with two trips to Vegas from Georgia, and that it would be in her best interest to make sure that the training went ahead on the Friday before the workshop for good customer service and to prevent fraud charges. She promised to speak with ED at dinner that night and to talk with me gain on Monday. She said FM had already been paid for the class, and that he had taken the money.
Weekend of November 9th
I emailed Sheri and asked for a letter to explain that I had to cancel my trip due to the fire. As of December 13 I still dont have the document I need to file the travel insurance, since they changed the story about why my class was cancelled.
Week of November 10th
Sheri was not in office. The voice message box on the phone was full and her voice didn¿t even come on to announce. It really sounded like she wasn't even working there anymore.
I emailed FM and asked for a letter to explain the cancellation of my
first trip to Vegas. He send me a signed statement saying that he and ED we no longer going to do business together and that it was Ed¿s decision to cancel my class and that I would have to cancel the workshop too since I couldn't have the prerequisite.
We emailed back and forth, since I didn¿t think he realized this was
against the law I mentioned it and he seemed nervous and emailed Ed and Brent.
By Wednesday Sheri was still not in office, I sent onto the FBI site and
sent a tip to them about this situation.
Sheri was finally in office on Wednesday afternoon, Now she says only one session she paid FM for was not taught and Cybercore still has the money
for my class. She also mentioned that she would send me a check. And that she was moving. I sent a tip about that to FBI also.
I sent an email to FM and ED to make sure they realize that I have
contacted the authorities. I got a response back from Brent indicating
that Eds sends him funny stuff and that he was laughing at me.
On this day November 26th I have not received my money back. I would like to see this company investigated and prosecuted.
Description of how you were defrauded:
I believe that myself and two other people(I have their names) were
led to believe that we could recieve this training by the lady Sheri
who knew there was unfair business practices going on.
She took the money and asked for more money for advanced training
from a teacher unqualified to teach that.
I am not certain that Ed Dames is part owner of this company, but I
think it should be investigated.
This training is advertised to be given by persons who learned this
from our government and there should be lots of press coverage on
this.
Information about Victims:
Two others I have an email listing for at home, not with me.
The box above is not accepting the information for the persons
from Cybercore. Ed Dames, Sheri(in the office), FM Bonsall,
Brent Miller(partner?).
Contact With Law Enforcement Or Another Government Agency:
I sent tips to FBI on FBI website.
Additional Information:
I paid for two plane tickets to Vegas and I lost money for Hotel
reservation to plan for this training...This brings the total of my
damages to $1000.

admin, somewhere around December 12, 2003

Thank you for your prompt response.  That'll do.

I might add though that all your complaints are better business bureau type complaints; not FBI.  :)

PJ

ag0g0girl, somewhere around December 12, 2003

How can that be?  This is a crime, isn't it?  Someone else already posted the criteria for internet crimes.  

I will contact BBB also.

Thanks for your help!

Gene_Smith, somewhere around December 12, 2003

What we need here is some type of independent, intuitive, investigative journalist that knows the players, isn't afraid to publically point out wrong, and has the hard hitting muckraking skills to get to the bottom of this..  hmmmm, now let me think...

ag0g0girl, somewhere around December 12, 2003

: )

Thanks, Gene

I'm not afraid to put myself out there, and stand up for what is right.  I know that in the past I have stood by my x husband and supported a lifestyle that wasn't mainstream, but that was many years ago...I divorced him and that old life in favor of being educated and technologically savvy.

Atfter all, they took everything I had, I got nothing left to lose.

Cybercore, somewhere around December 12, 2003

Christina Wellman (aka ag0g0girl) is providing misleading and disinformation which I would like to clear up.  I am Brent Miller, 100% owner and President of Cybercore. Cybercore does not belong to Ed Dames, but is a company used my Major Dames to schedule workshops for himself and FM Bonsall. Sheri works for Cybercore in the exclusive capacity to manage Ed’s and FM’s past workshops.

Christina sent $596 to Cybercore for private training with FM that she personally arranged.  Against Sheri’s advisement, Christina made private arrangements outside of Cybercore to receive private training from FM Bonsall. FM is an excellent instructor for basic RV skills but at that time he was becoming unreliable and was abandoning many private students without explanation.  As a result, FM was dropped from Ed’s team by Ed and he was also dropped from all future workshops including the November 15th Intermediate workshop held in Las Vegas by Ed.

Since Christina made her arrangements privately with FM for training, and he was in fact provided $500 for training that he did not provide, she needs to obtain her training from FM who has indicated that he would be willing to train her as they agreed.  If she has changed her mind about receiving training she needs to obtain her refund from FM who is no longer associated with Major Dames nor Cybercore.  (Cybercore has sent Christina a check for the remaining $96 which was not provided to FM for training he has not provided.)  If anyone has any questions regarding Cybercore or this particular issue, please call us toll-free at 866-607-8439.

If I may be so bold to clear up another minor mis-conception; Ed did not say he would no longer teach adults but said that he was focused on teaching children in the future and would no longer teach adults in workshops.  Ed has always provided advanced training at the fee previously discussed ($2,000-$4,500/wk) for the last few years for selective students on a case-by-case one-on-one basis only. As you can see there are no workshops scheduled for 2004 at www.RemotePerception.com.  This is in agreement with his statement that his focus is in teaching children. Since there is already an outcry for adults wishing to be taught, he may give-in and provide a future workshop; but that is not currently planned nor expected.  His work is currently focused on the RV Colloquium and in teaching children - our future.

Brent Miller
President, Cybercore

On a much more important note: Major Dames has provided an unprecedented event on November 8th by the RV Colloquium.  Major Ed Dames detailed the information acquired as a result of employing expert remote viewing sources to attack the 'UFO enigma.' The most important information presented has been condensed into a video.  -)on't miss this opportunity to have those burning UFO questions answered, by the insider himself!

For more information or to Order Now at www.AreAliensReal.com

The_Spook, somewhere around December 12, 2003

Now that's interesting Dames saying he didn't take on female students because the woman who was signing in people there in Vegas told me she'd been trained by him.  Hmmmmm.....this just gets curiouser and curiouser.

admin, somewhere around December 12, 2003

Aha.  And with that little sales spiel I have the final criteria to bump this thread to where I wanted to, to begin with, into RV related announcements, as the discussion is not about remote viewing.  ;-)

PJ

ag0g0girl, somewhere around December 13, 2003

My reciept says training with Ed Dames...there is nothing on it about training with FM...Sheri scheduled me with FM and told me it was requrement for Ed's workshop.  I never got a receipt for any training with FM tho.

Obviously there is some misinformation even in Brent's own camp.

I contacted CyberCore because of my desire to meet Ed, and I was not happy about being forced to have training with a known criminal.

Thank you PJ for allowing Brent to make his company known.  After all, he told me he didn't have anything to do with this business and he's just an "innocent bystander"

I'm not one to offer any info I dont have documents for.  He hasn't shown me any evidence to prove FM got my money.

christina

Kathy, somewhere around December 19, 2003

I'm just catching up on my list reading, so a bit delayed in this post in response to agOgOgirl and other comments made in this thread.

I feel for you regarding the financial situation of this incident, and hope that it can be resolved.

I have had RV training with both Ed and FM and attended level 1 and 2 of their workshops as a review. From what I understand, the Las Vegas workshop in November was a Level 3 workshop, and the previous levels were a necessary prerequisite. You were not being "forced" to have training with FM. It was being offered as a courtesy. The workshops move very quickly, and you would have been lost had you not had Level 1 and 2 catch-up training prior to this workshop.

FM has been loyal to Ed during the past years when others have shunned him. His actions on Ed's behalf have even landed him in CIVIL court, not criminal court. There is a difference--being involved in a civil lawsuit does not mean one is a criminal. There are people who know the circumstances who agree that he did the right thing.

One could say that FM has paid a high price for his loyalty to Ed, and he certainly does not deserve to be maligned now by Ed or anyone in his camp.  Irreconcilble differences is the most professional reason for a parting of ways, one that does not hurt either party. There were huge fires in S. Ca. at the end of October and beginning of November that were out of control for many days, and I'm sure they received national news coverage. I live in S. Ca. The road to Las Vegas was closed for at least a week, maybe longer, and freeways were closed in other areas as well. So the implication that FM was lying and using this as an excuse to make him look bad is reprehensible.

You should consider yourself lucky to have to have the opportunity to train with someone like FM who's passion is remote viewing. He is an excellent teacher with a lot of RV experience both as a viewer and as an analyst and manager of RV projects, and is very qualified to teach beginning and advanced level training. He enjoys teaching, conducts his classes in a professional manner and and thoroughly answers all your questions as he patiently guides you step-by-step through the process.

I wish you luck in resolving this situation, and in beginning your RV training.

Kathy

ag0g0girl, somewhere around December 20, 2003

At this point Brent has not provided any evidence of payments to FM for my training, or any evidence of any private arrangement between me and FM.

I agreed to attend a beginners workshop as prerequiste as arranged by Cybercore, and Cybercore has sent me an email promising my refund since this never happened.

I have started another thread for comments on FMs free training materials.  Many have place positive comments there.  I cannot provide any positive or negative about FMs training since I haven't had it.

I do have emails from Brent saying he has nothing to do with the company, but yet now he's saying he's 100% responsible.

Just looking for the truth, since what I signed up for was not provided.

Theft of personal items is an envasion of privacy, and if it isn't a criminal action it should be.

wizopeva, somewhere around December 21, 2003

I have very mixed feelings about this thread.  In many ways, it's gotten very personal and could easily be nominated to the flame section.  Yes, there were many road closures due to the rampant fires.  I live in Southern California so I experienced them first hand.  It is possible that someone was prevented from reaching their destination during that time.  On the other hand, I can certainly understand that someone who paid money for promised training and did not get it should have that money returned immediately.  

I think everyone has given their side of the story by now so I ask that any further correspondence on this matter be either via PEM or via the flame section (aka cat scratch fever).  THis is going beyond the original plans for  the 'news' section if you know what I mean!  Thanx to you all and I certainly do hope that this matter gets resolved fairly and responsibly.  

SIncerely,
Eva, TKR staff  

end of messages

[END Topic 220] Watch out for Fraud! TKR Remote Viewing Forum December 2003