Press Release
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January 7, 2005
POLICE INVESTIGATE EBAY SCAM/CON ARTIST; SEEKING OTHER POSSIBLE VICTIMS
Overland Park, Kan. - Theodore Owens, 23, of Overland Park, was
sentenced on Wednesday in Johnson County District Court to a 12-month
jail sentence to be run concurrent with another 10-month jail sentence
in relation to charges of eBay fraud, identity theft, and check law
violations.
Overland Park police began to investigate complaints received from the
Internet Fraud Complaint Center a little over a year ago. Victims
reported purchasing items from Owens on eBay and never receiving them.
Owens operated under the screen name adidasxp while he sold items on
eBay. He also used e-mail addresses of tdogg913@aol.com,
Camhamer913@aol.com and others when he sold items on eBay.
The Overland Park Financial Crimes Unit received complaints from
victims in Avon, MA, St. Louis, MO, Ypsilanti, MI, and other cities.
While operating on eBay, Owens solicited some of his business through a
Lincoln LS owner's Web site, www.llsoc.com. Owens was selling auto
parts and accessories he did not have. He was also operating a wireless
telephone company under the name Metro Wireless Solutions.
Investigators found that Owens used his business checking account to
facilitate the cashing of forged checks. Owens also went on a spending
spree and wrote worthless checks in the metro area for items such as
guns and electronics.
Owens also created a business called Capitol Wireless and opened local
bank accounts under that name. Investigators found Owens was found to
be kiting thousands of dollars in checks between those accounts as well.
He also was selling wireless equipment he never delivered.
Police are asking anyone who has been scammed by Owens or anyone that
knows someone to have been scammed by Owens to call Detective Kevin
Duncan in the Financial Crimes Unit at 913/327-6715.
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Contact: Detective Kevin Duncan, 913/327-6715
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