Another Epic Scammer caught thread

[TGilb2007]

This one brought to you buy TampaRacing.com:

http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...scammer-1.html


Some crazy as hell stuff going on there.

Took a recap from the site so far. Its long, but its worth the read.

"RECAP

If I missed a few parts, feel free to correct me anyone.



Here at TampaRacing.com, something pretty interesting/epic has happened that has actually already been aired on at least one syndicated morning show. Local shop owners, Aaron and Brandon, have been scammed $16,000 worth of parts, material and labor during its stay at their shop (called JapWorks). The project took about 4 1/2 months, and the vehicle was a 2004 Toyota Celica that was expected to bring the fledgling business some needed income. Unfortunately, the person thought to be the owner of the vehicle had no intention of paying the $16,000 worth of car work.

Mr Joe Dono (20 years old) had provided some parts over the course of the makeover of the vehicle, giving the impression to the shop owners that there was a possibility of payment (against their better judgement). He had also assured the shop over and over again about how his grandfather was picking up the bill in full, and that it was a present for him for college. Since there was money fronted for some of the paint job, the shop owners continued forging ahead. Mr Dono claimed that the grandfather was very adament about being "old school" and wanted the work done before paying a dime. Mr Dono was reminded repeatedly that because of the situation, the owners would have to take further risk, and invest in the project from their own bank account. Mr Dono had even posted in the forum where this incident was brought to light, about how he was waiting on the vehicle to be finished. When it was finally finished two days ago, Mr Dono had informed the shop owners that he had not signed any contract indicating that he needed to pay that amount. What happened next has spun this thread into the epic proportions that it is delivering.

When he had sent his mother to retrieve the vehicle, she was under the impression that he had paid for materials and that he had "sponsors" that were paying them to do the labor. She wanted to know why the car was taking so long because Joe had told her it was just simply getting painted. When the mother was unable to retrieve the Celica, he had sent his girlfriend over, and attempted to give a $60 down payment for the work, as well as pay off the $16,000 worth of work in installments. After that did not work, Mr Dono requested the shop owners to just leave the car outside overnight, making sure it was washed and etc.

The shop owners were/are not having any of that. As of right now, the vehicle has been towed to an alternate location to protect any theft or destruction of the countless hours that were put into fixing the vehicle up. Mr Dono still frequented the forum less than 30 minutes ago, promising that he is going to get his vehicle, (without having to pay) by the end of the week. "Mark his wurdz"

After further discussions with Mr Dono in here, it was learned that the vehicle was financed by his mother, and not actually owned by the man that does not want to pay. Things seem to still be escalating.

Yesterday, Mr Dono had come in to the shop with police officers to retrieve the vehicle without paying for it. After the owners had the Florida State Attorney speak with the officer, the officer then informed Mr Dono that he shop owners were allowed to hold onto the vehicle since the work put into it had not been paid. Mr Dono came back several times threatening the owners that they are going to get arrested for keeping his vehicle, all with the same result - no Celica.

As of right now, the shop owner is waiting on his mechanic's lien to come through, but, with the vehicle still being financed, there is a likelihood that the job will be paid for by the financing company. Until the financing company pursue's this issue, the owners of the shop are currently at a risk of having their shop closed, due to the investment that was expected to come through. This is still an ongoing issue. The publicity that this seems to have spread worldwide, bringing together a large online community that was quite unexpected. This incident is becoming an internet phenomenon, only because this is not the first time Mr Dono has tried to scam someone.

When word of this attempt to scam JapWorks got out, several people from the community recognized Mr. Dono as the perpetrator of prior scams -- for example, taking payment on auctioned items without ever sending them and editing pictures, stealing the copyright that is legitimately their own among other things. It became obvious very soon that this is not the first time Mr Dono has scammed people. Apparently, he is a known scammer on many different forums for several other things he has stolen from those members.

Right now, there is a paypal open to donate, allowing the shop owners to re-coup their loss. All the information will be provided in the next few posts. Mr Dono continues to post, informing us that "mark his words" he'll get his Celica by friday. We'll see what happens."

[Vypurr]

Can i get cliff notes of pages 2-138? i am not reading all that.

[Honduh]

jesus its 138 pages.

[Honduh]

Mark mUH werdz!

[TGilb2007]

Cliffs added to first post. But I do suggest a browse around that thread. Some classic stuff in there.

[BustedUjoint]

Here is the Cliff Notes Version.




Thumbs down ATTN: Joe Dono AKA SCP_Celica SCAMMER

I did set-up a Paypal account if anyone wants to donate: JAPWorks@aol.com is the paypal payment address!

Sincere thanks go out to everyone who has helped and anyone who will help out no matter how large or small.



PICTURES HERE www.JAPWorks.com

RECAP COURTESY OF CORNWALACE

RECAP

If I missed a few parts, feel free to correct me anyone.



Here at TampaRacing.com, something pretty interesting/epic has happened that has actually already been aired on at least one syndicated morning show. Local shop owners, Aaron and Brandon, have been scammed $16,000 worth of parts, material and labor during its stay at their shop (called JapWorks). The project took about 4 1/2 months, and the vehicle was a 2004 Toyota Celica that was expected to bring the fledgling business some needed income. Unfortunately, the person thought to be the owner of the vehicle had no intention of paying the $16,000 worth of car work.

Mr Joe Dono (20 years old) had provided some parts over the course of the makeover of the vehicle, giving the impression to the shop owners that there was a possibility of payment (against their better judgement). He had also assured the shop over and over again about how his grandfather was picking up the bill in full, and that it was a present for him for college. Since there was money fronted for some of the paint job, the shop owners continued forging ahead. Mr Dono claimed that the grandfather was very adament about being "old school" and wanted the work done before paying a dime. Mr Dono was reminded repeatedly that because of the situation, the owners would have to take further risk, and invest in the project from their own bank account. Mr Dono had even posted in the forum where this incident was brought to light, about how he was waiting on the vehicle to be finished. When it was finally finished two days ago, Mr Dono had informed the shop owners that he had not signed any contract indicating that he needed to pay that amount. What happened next has spun this thread into the epic proportions that it is delivering.

When he had sent his mother to retrieve the vehicle, she was under the impression that he had paid for materials and that he had "sponsors" that were paying them to do the labor. She wanted to know why the car was taking so long because Joe had told her it was just simply getting painted. When the mother was unable to retrieve the Celica, he had sent his girlfriend over, and attempted to give a $60 down payment for the work, as well as pay off the $16,000 worth of work in installments. After that did not work, Mr Dono requested the shop owners to just leave the car outside overnight, making sure it was washed and etc.

The shop owners were/are not having any of that. As of right now, the vehicle has been towed to an alternate location to protect any theft or destruction of the countless hours that were put into fixing the vehicle up. Mr Dono still frequented the forum less than 30 minutes ago, promising that he is going to get his vehicle, (without having to pay) by the end of the week. "Mark his wurdz"

After further discussions with Mr Dono in here, it was learned that the vehicle was financed by his mother, and not actually owned by the man that does not want to pay. Things seem to still be escalating.

Yesterday, Mr Dono had come in to the shop with police officers to retrieve the vehicle without paying for it. After the owners had the Florida State Attorney speak with the officer, the officer then informed Mr Dono that he shop owners were allowed to hold onto the vehicle since the work put into it had not been paid. Mr Dono came back several times threatening the owners that they are going to get arrested for keeping his vehicle, all with the same result - no Celica.

As of right now, the shop owner is waiting on his mechanic's lien to come through, but, with the vehicle still being financed, there is a likelihood that the job will be paid for by the financing company. Until the financing company pursue's this issue, the owners of the shop are currently at a risk of having their shop closed, due to the investment that was expected to come through. This is still an ongoing issue. The publicity that this seems to have spread worldwide, bringing together a large online community that was quite unexpected. This incident is becoming an internet phenomenon, only because this is not the first time Mr Dono has tried to scam someone.

When word of this attempt to scam JapWorks got out, several people from the community recognized Mr. Dono as the perpetrator of prior scams -- for example, taking payment on auctioned items without ever sending them and editing pictures, stealing the copyright that is legitimately their own among other things. It became obvious very soon that this is not the first time Mr Dono has scammed people. Apparently, he is a known scammer on many different forums for several other things he has stolen from those members.

Right now, there is a paypal open to donate, allowing the shop owners to re-coup their loss. All the information will be provided in the next few posts. Mr Dono continues to post, informing us that "mark his words" he'll get his Celica by friday. We'll see what happens.


I have been working on Joe Dono's car for approximately 4 1/2 months.

The car was completely redone. Complete repaint including engine bay and pulling all glass and seals, smoothing out the interior panels and two toning them, building a custom sub enclosure and covering it in carbon fiber, custom amp racks and nitrous bottle brackets, carbon overlays on the roof and hatch, turbo install, e-manage install, custom fiberglass center console to mount gauges in, just a lot of work in general.

He showed up to pick his car up yesterday, Saturday August 9th, and was apparently planning on stealing his car without paying for anything.

His mother, who actually is the one financing his car, was under the impression that he had paid for materials and that he had "sponsors" that were paying us to do the labor. She wanted to know why the car was taking so long because Joe had told her it was just getting painted. He barely covered material cost and was promising to bring the very large balance in cash when the car was picked up.

I'm really not sure what was going through his head thinking he was going to get the car completely modified and knowing he has NO money to pay for it.

His girlfriend offered us $60 and wanted to know if we could set-up a payment plan. SERIOUSLY? His bill is close to $16K and he wants a payment plan.

I'm sure plenty of you have either dealt with him or heard about him. He's a detailer by trade but apparently he has no self-worth and has no problem lying and deceiving anyone and everyone.

Please feel free to chime in. His car will be for sale shortly, just need to wait on that mechanic's lien to go through

[Honduh]

Um did you guys even read that? Thats just info up to the begining of that thread! 2-138 are not included in those cliffs.

[TGilb2007]

Dude, I have been trying to read everything for 2 days..... there is gonna be stuff missing.

[Honduh]

well thanks for cliffs of the cliffs on the first page.

[Silverfc88]

Any pics of the car?

[biggame]

That **** is friggin crazyyyy

[DoubleOughtCel]

Originally Posted by BustedUjoint

Here is the Cliff Notes Version.

Dude, do you even know what cliff notes are?

[K-Rex]

I don't know who is the bigger idiot in that thread. The kid for trying to steal 16,000 worth of parts/labor or the two shop owners for posting all of this.

You don't ruin your legal avenues by posting all the details on the internet for the world to see.

Unprofessional and just plain stupid.

Makes me wonder that maybe these guys are trying pull a scam to get people to donate to their paypal account.

[TGilb2007]

Originally Posted by K-Rex

I don't know who is the bigger idiot in that thread. The kid for trying to steal 16,000 worth of parts/labor or the two shop owners for posting all of this.

You don't ruin your legal avenues by posting all the details on the internet for the world to see.

Unprofessional and just plain stupid.

Makes me wonder that maybe these guys are trying pull a scam to get people to donate to their paypal account.

I can agree with this statement to a point, but the shop also is a new shop, trying to get their name out there, and show quality work.

That, and the kid is a known scammer. Aside from this, he has scammed people for about $4,000 with other product.

[Rey The Great]

that sucks. dont usually shops ask for atleast half of the money before a project begins?

[Vypurr]

Yes, but did you read what was written?

[TGilb2007]

I think the most insane part about this is that this started what, beginning of the week? It is only friday, and people have started donations, getting an event set together, and all kinds of other stuff. I have seen forums come together before for some crazy stuff to help someone, but I think this superasses all.

[BustedUjoint]

Originally Posted by DoubleOughtCel

Dude, do you even know what cliff notes are?

Yes, I do. I didn't see the 2-138 part of the cliff notes request. i was just trying to help.

[TGilb2007]

Originally Posted by BustedUjoint

Yes, I do. I didn't see the 2-138 part of the cliff notes request. i was just trying to help.

Check my first post, was edited with an update. Also.... its kinda hard to summerize this more then what has been so far.

[Eclipse GSX 61]

No offense to Toyota owners but does anyone on here think its a bit fishy for someone to dish out 16K for a Celica!? First off Generally speaking no one with a Celica can really afford to dish out anything over 8K IMO. They are for people who can't really afford anything higher up.

*Not being a dick*