Torches! Og Bounce! Local pick up or shipping

[reefsean03]

Looks like this is his linkedin:

 

[jessezm]

I'm thinking I need to start a true crime podcast LOL. Thanks for the encouragement, folks!

 

[jessezm]

We're coming for you, James!

 

[nickkohrn]

Are you all interested in these updates?

I surely am. I am sick of seeing his photos in the Ohio Facebook groups almost weekly. I'd love to see him get caught. He owes money to many people.

 

[Aaron Soliz]

I'm thinking I need to start a true crime podcast LOL. Thanks for the encouragement, folks!

i am honestly shocked no one from his area has reported him to police. Especially with him scamming ppl near him. I am not about that violence life but it would be WWE if we crossed paths.

 

[jessezm]

I'm going to call the local dept tomorrow, I'm curious if they'll have heard of him... What he's doing is actually wire fraud, it's a federal crime, pretty sure its a felony.

 

[jessezm]

Here's a fun one:

 

[Reef Castle]

Link?

 

[jessezm]

Here is the group, you have to request but it doesn't take long. There are many others. He actually started his own post inviting people to share their stories LOL

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Northeast Ohio Saltwater & Reef

General discussion group for people living in Northeast Ohio. Open to the public regarding saltwater aquariums and reef aquariums. Aquarists of all levels are invited to join, share experiences,...

www.facebook.com

 

[Luke Schnabel]

This is sad. I’m from NE Ohio and I’ve used that Facebook page many many times to sell coral. Whoever has gotten scammed by him, just know this is a digital world and there is ALWAYS a paper trail.

 

[Mikeltee]

lol he is tony. He finally downloaded some pics and sold a few to himself. Hes legit for sure. Hey do you happen to have a prince in africa that needs $10,000 and will repay me $100,000 once he gets home to his gold?

 

[Mikeltee]

Here's a fun one:

Ohh love the gangster pic. No one would dare call out a burly man like that! Hes probably a skinny twerp with no teeth and a meth addiction.

 

[jessezm]

Just a friendly PSA, folks: All evidence I've gathered so far points to this Jim/James Bayles character. It also seems to be his M/O to use other people's names/accounts. I've posted those names or aliases so that folks can maybe recognize either a scam or verify their experience, NOT to randomly threaten potentially unwittingly related parties (or said parties' girlfriends)...

 

[josh childs]

10-4, same here. Another local just contacted me. Same/similar story. He says he warns everyone not to go near him and has saved countless others from his scams... He's seen the name Elija Califerti selling stuff locally too, which is funny cause it's similar but not the same name. So either an alias or he's using this guy's identity and changing it up a little. Or they are working together?

Dont know if this helps or not but I have done a transaction with the Elijah guy and I used PayPal with security. Actually was messaging with him last week about some lights. I have noticed nothing fishy with him. Thanks, happy reefing.

 

[jessezm]

Definitely good to have more info. Was it the here on R2R under the same username @Og_Reef ?

How long ago was your transaction and did it list his full name on the account? The Elijah who’s name I got from an Ohio FB group member who said they also had a smooth transaction told me on FB messenger tonight that he has never been on R2R or any online reefing forum, but is in the hobby. He said he’s been contacted by people tonight threatening him so I asked the mods to remove his last name...
Can you PM me any details about his name from the PayPal transaction?

 

[iGotJokess]

Alright gang I have some more info on this LOL. I joined the Northeast Ohio Saltwater and Reef group on FB and put up a post and was contacted by a local member. She says Jim/James Bayles is a known local scammer and lives somewhere near Painesville or Willoughby, OH. He has a past history of scamming local reefers. The guy who I spoke with said his name was Elija Czelt. However, the woman who contacted me said that she had dealt with a kid named Elijah before and the transaction went okay. But she said he and Jim/James live 10 minutes from each other and it's possible they are actually working together, but not certain. She said his name was Elijah Cefaratti, and his facebook profile confirms he lives in Willoughby. Interestingly enough, she said Elijah works at a casino, which sort of foots with the online poker payments I saw on Venmo, but who knows... Anyhow, I'm getting contacted by another local member of the group as we speak, I'll update you if there's more to share.

Are you all interested in these updates? I can keep it to myself if you prefer...

I’m from Cleveland.. this is interesting

 

[bmbpka]

Definitely good to have more info. Was it the here on R2R under the same username @Og_Reef ?

How long ago was your transaction and did it list his full name on the account? The Elijah who’s name I got from an Ohio FB group member who said they also had a smooth transaction told me on FB messenger tonight that he has never been on R2R or any online reefing forum, but is in the hobby. He said he’s been contacted by people tonight threatening him so I asked the mods to remove his last name...
Can you PM me any details about his name from the PayPal transaction?

that Elijah guy is okay. think he buys and flips a lot of equipment. But other than that, I think he is legit.

 

[jessezm]

Morning folks! In today's episode.... Ok well I have to work today, but later we will get into background checks, reverse phone number searches, and petty crime (well not all would call second degree felonies petty, I suppose). A lot of interesting new developments including a conversation with Jim himself (in which he shows me a screenshot of HIM actually calling the Painesville PD himself in defense of his not-so-good name). And obviously, some very strongly worded denials lol.

I think the key today is finding out everything about the person I spoke to one the phone who owns that number and has blocked me. Oh, right, I mean the OP of this thread... Stay tuned!

 

[Stang67]

That’s the guy that’s all over our local Facebook groups in Ohio. Sadly, many hobbyists in my area have lost money to him. I see his stupid face in posts almost weekly regarding scams.

Yup also in NE Ohio and this name is a well known scammer in the area.

 

[Luis1992]

Man this breaks my heart. Makes me realize I’m too trusting sometimes. I’m glad you guys are at least scaring this guy away hopefully. Good luck to every one screwed by this guy. I’m sure karma will get him in the end