[Premium-Rx] Follow up on: Serious Fraud Warning (posted Feb 3)

[Greg W. Bailey]

Fellow Members:

On February 3, we posted a notice entitled, "Serious Fraud Warning" (see List archives for copy). In that post we stated there was an individual who sells high end receivers that has been reported a number of times to us by members of our List as demonstrating questionable business ethics. Since posting that notice, and the post of yesterday (Feb. 13) requesting information, additional individuals have come forward.  From their remarks, it is evident that this individual has used the Premium-Rx roster and archive to contact members in an attempt to promote his sales. Having evidence of this activity, we think it is prudent to share in chronicle order the activities of this individual as they relate to the Premium-Rx List. 

The information presented is taken from the Premium-Rx List archives and off-List e-mail we have received from members. Its presentation in no way attempts to judge as to the fairness or legality of past or future sales by this person.

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Dr. Felix Wegner- Dr. Wegner, joined the List using the e-mail address of: dr.gf_wegner at t-online.de. Almost immediately, on 2/18/02, he announced he had receivers for sale using the following phrasing, " ... maybe i have one beyond my needs (double, triple, hihi)...". He was subsequently notified off-List of the no-sale List policy. Using the same address, he posted sales information on 9/10/02, again he was notified off-List that the membership voted not to allow selling of items. He responded the same day on-List challenging the membership's no sales policy. His membership was terminated. Typically his posts mentioned the Telefunken E-1800 and sales phrasing, '...beyond my needs...'

Christine- On 2/8/03, we received an application from a Christine (no last name given) using the address: christine2001_579 at t-online.de . This individual claimed to be a university student and to have been given a number of receivers from her grandfather. Although we requested further information about her identity, none was provided. She claimed ownership of an EK 896 as qualification for membership. She was given a membership and introduced to the List. We immediately received an off-List e-mail from a member informing us that Christine was Dr. Wegner wife's name. Allowing continuation of her membership, we noted in an e-mail posted on 7/12/03 that her technical comments on the E1800/3 didn't exactly reflect those of a novice, convincing us that Christine was an alias for Dr. Wegner. We did raise with her the possibility that she was, in fact, someone else. Her reply was only that someone else had recently told her the same thing. After a few months she did not return our e-mail, causing us to terminate her membership. Christine has never contacted us since, or questioned, her termination. 

Kai Holger- On 9/12/03 we received a request to join the List from a Kai Holger of Usedom, Germany. His introductory Bio (10/21/03). stated; "I got the items (receivers) from a died relative and know only a little about that all, but i like to listen now to each and everything." We thought it interesting that Kai, who claimed he knew little about receivers would use the e-mail address of: highendRX at gmx.net . After our introduction of Kai to the List, we received an off-List message from a member warning us that Kai was the name of Dr. Wegner's son. Kai posted only a single rather general message to the List requesting information about the E-1800. The tone reflected that of a beginner looking for information. 

Within the past five days we have received an off-List copy of an e-mail he sent to one of our new members offering to sell receivers using the following phrasing, "... I have several premium receivers beyond my needs...". The offer included a photograph illustrating various receivers and a nameplate with the call letters; "DK4ZB". This is Dr. Wegner's call sign. The letter also mentions the E1800 plus 6 other premium receivers evidently Kai inherited? We discontinued Kai's membership. Kai has never contacted us since, or questioned, his termination. 

Conclusion and Comment- Based on (1) the comments we have received from our members, and (2) the technical level of Christine's discussion of the E-1800, (3) the phrasing used by Dr. Wegner and Kai ('beyond my needs'), and (4) photographs of receivers sent by Kai to our member which showed the amateur call sign DK4ZB; it is our opinion that Dr. Wegner has joined the List three time. His membership was terminated the first time for violating List policy, and twice for using an alias. 

There is little we I can do to stop this kind of activity. We are far more vigilant now than in the past and our revised sign-up procedures for new members makes it more difficult for someone to slip in under the radar. But not impossible. The List has become a recognized technical resource to those who own Premium radios, and to those who aspire to ownership. It was never intended as a public forum to debate the honesty of others. 

We think it is obvious from scanning the archives that there are people on the List, who have been members for quite some time, have established themselves as credible, and who may be willing to provide advice to someone thinking about a particular purchase. Thus, we encourage anyone who is uncertain about either the technical aspects of a receiver they are considering buying, or the history of a particular seller, to use this unique resource provided by our subscribers. 

Jan and Greg



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