Level 99 and Ram Controls
The moderators without dissent have determined that Level99 should be banned for failing to abide by forum rules, including at this point for failing to identify oneself when requested, and additionally for repeated sales of Ram Controls parts.
Without any identity verification, which this user seems unwilling to cooperate with, there is grave concern that this user is or is affiliated with Adam Judd and or Ram Controls, a user whom has more than once scammed users on these forums and elsewhere.
In short, it is my opinion that the ban was the right decision. Additionally, it is my opinion that there is a high probability that Travis is almost certainly either Mr. Judd, an affiliate with him, or otherwise an individual we should be concerned about.
After this situation broke, I had extensive communication back and forth with Level99 and made multiple offers to help without result of any kind (other than some mutual, friendly, respective conversation). Even such, I've slowed down a ban on this user for a few days while I've encouraged Level99 to easily clear up any potential misunderstandings. I am unable to help someone, whom, if were actually innocent, is totally unable or unwilling to help themselves. As such, the moderators' decision to ban Level99 seems like the only rational outcome at this time.
At this time we strongly encourage any members who have by chance not received anything ordered from Level99 (or from anyone else for that matter) to be very aware of your credit card company's policies, including deadline to 'charge back' a transaction. If a deadline approaches, you might want to request a refund from the seller. If a refund doesn't come and a deadline closely approaches, you may want to dispute the charge with the credit card company. If a vaporwear product becomes real, you can always try to purchase it again.
At this time we have no valid information that suggests this user is who he claims to be. Instead, we have several datapoints that point nowhere, several that potentially point to a false identity, and several that clearly point back to Judd and Ram Controls. Name and address data provided Level99 and used by this user (all provided to third parties, none to us), appear inconsistent, and none of it appears to match database records for such addresses. No address or phone number are part of the profile saved on this site, nor none provided when asked.
Additionally, while accepting Level99's donation charges, PayPal warned us about the inability to verify any identity with his account. Please note that this inability to verify doesn't in and of itself suggest that any false information was provided, but definitely doesn't provide any verification either. The donation program (along with the member referral program) is largely geared to making it harder for trolls and other nefarious actors to create huge numbers of accounts (shot-gun style), as had sometimes occurred before we instituted such policies. In no way, should any donation (nor 'fruit symbols') be taken as a firm verification of anyone's identity, nor as an endorsement of any kind of that individual or company.
I am aware of extensive information that formed the basis of moderator concern. A special thanks goes out to users that went out of their way to provide valuable information. For security reasons (ie: to not tip our hat to anyway in case he comes back with another account, which is eventually likely), I've specifically the moderators to limit their release or discussion of this information (beyond, of course, the sale of known Ram Controls parts, and other details which have been announced).
I know this may be difficult for some users, especially users that were not here for the Ram Controls adventures, misfortunes, and outright scams of the past. Level99 is apparently producing or procuring some quality replacement products appreciated by some, just as Ram Controls did before. There are users here who have received some high quality parts from Level99 over time, just as there were users who received high quality parts from Ram Controls before that situation blew up. There are many users here whom have been around long enough to remember the Ram Controls adventures, and many users who have not. To the latter, I imagine all this could sound odd, confusing, or impulsive.
Background
In short, Ram Controls was a maker (or at least a procurer of samples or parts runs) of apparently high quality, desirable replacement parts (along with some pretty brazen vapor ware) which over time gained the trust of the community before selling more and more, stalling users on delivery, failed to make many parts promised and paid for, and failed to ship parts paid for even when produced (thus the legacy of 'Ram Control parts'.). There was a pattern of making people happy with some parts, and then after gaining there trust, moving on to bigger kills (for deposits or pre-sales for more ambitious projects).
Members of the arcade enthusiast community were stung for many tens of thousands of dollars. Mr. Judd has returned more than once under new, unverifiable account to repeat the process again. Please see the Ram Controls warning thread [link] for further information.
Moderator communication
Last week I was approached by the forum moderators about their concerns about Level99, specifically that this user may be, or be associated with, the company and user affiliated with what was known as Ram Controls. Due to the severity of the situation, they tagged his account with 'Account verification pending…caution…' and requested the user fully identify himself. A request for verification is consistent with our forum policies that we reserve the right to request any user identify themselves. We don't permit anonymous accounts (though don't claim that all account holders are as they represent), nor do we permit individuals to hold multiple accounts, or for banned users to create replacements. This sounded reasonable to me. I was a key contributor to such policies.
Level 99 communication
Although forum moderation issues is something I almost always leave to the community for both practical and time reasons, the severity of a user being accused of selling specifically banned, essentially stolen parts here, and in fact of potentially being Ram Controls on another alias warranted the attention of many, and resulted in the moderators informing me of this situation. Also last week, Level99 reach out to me asking me for assistance. He was (obviously) unhappy with the red warning 'Account waiting for user verification…caution' title affixed to all his posts. I responded that I would help him anyway way that I could. We have had extensive communication back and forth since. In summary:
The moderators requested that Level99 provide either (1) a driver's license copy to prove that 'Travis' exists, or (2) in in person meeting. Travis expressed an unwillingness to verify his identity to the moderators, nor to meet in person.
I informed Travis that providing a copy of a DL could be done to us and would not be provided to the moderators. This offer was primarily deflected rather than accepted.
I further added an additional options for Level99: (3) verification through a credit card company (since the previous transactions did not come through with valid identity info)
And when that wasn't acceptable, a fourth option: (4) that he could cooperate with one of our law firms and any investigative firm that they retain. He could supply them a DL and other info. They would keep everything he provided confidential, even from us, and we would absorb 100% of the costs, both provided that he and his associates turned out not to be affiliated to Ram Controls/Judd and its associates.
Additionally, I told Level99 several times that if he was Judd / Ram Controls, and had any desire to make things right, there -might- be a way to conduct a restitution program over time to his previous victims. The user never admitted any connection.
Bottom Line
In short, we have not been able, either though Level99 or third parties or public records, to find any evidence Travis really exists. Multiple data points (like contact info mismatches, and info we can't disclose) encourage concern.
As Tombo mentioned, users here both knowingly and unknowingly have been purchasing some of the essentially stolen RC parts. This rubs a good portion of our member base the wrong way. We encourage all users here thinking of buying replacement parts for machines to read the Ram Controls summary threads.
In the future, I'll continue try to stay away from interfering with the day to day operations of the forums. It cost me a good numbers of hours this week, all as a result of wanting to give a user (Level99) the benefit of the doubt, even when almost all the 'evidence' pointed in a particular direction.
We hope that any and all of you with any outstanding transactions with Travis have experiences that end well. Travis, please fulfill your current obligations.
On behalf of myself (and the moderators), we continue to wish the best for this community.
