"Fraud Warning - Silvercast/Dennis, Brian, Susan Lunde" Topic

On September 6, 2006 a member of the 1List Sculpting Yahoo Group named Silvercast posted a message stating that because of the death of it's owner, Silvercast (a contract casting company) was selling a large amount of equipment including vulcanizers, spin casters, metal melting pots, etc. Interested parties were to contact "Thomas" at silvercast@ wavecable.com

I sent an email to "Thomas" at this point inquiring as to what melting pots he had available. Over the course of several emails, we negotiated a price for a 20lb melting pot with shipping for $188. USD On September 13, I sent a money order made out to Dennis Lunde (who was the son of the late owner, also "Dennis according to this "Thomas".

Dennis Lunde
13179 Fir Ave NW
Poulsbo WA 98370
360-649-0795

At the same time, I sent an email asking if they had vulcanizers and spincasters available as well. We began a lengthy negotiation on pricing and shipping costs (I am in Boston). All the while, I was waiting and asking for shipping details on the metal melting pot.

At this point I was becoming suspicious and posted to The Miniatures Page and back to 1List to inquire as to anyone who had had dealings with Silvercast or Dennis Lunde. See posts here:
TMP link
A web search brought up threads on TMP about Dennis Lunde and his business Miniature World USA and problems with stolen greens and fraud. I was also contacted by a few people to warn me away from these guys. Unfortunately, I had already sent the money order for the melting pot – but luckily I had not sent the much larger sum that was negotiated for the vulcanizer and spin caster.

On October 10th, I received an email saying that "Thomas" had talked to "Dennis" and they were trying to wrap up all the final shipments. The only thing left in the shop was a 40lb used melting pot that they would throw in "free" to my shipment and add to my pallet – but that they wanted to wrap everything up and could I overnight a money order? Obviously, major warning lights are now going off for me.

Finally, after repeated inquiries, "Thomas" emailed me again on October 11 to tell me that the 20lb melting pot had been sent to the wrong address – but that they would substitute a brand new 40lb pot in its place and add it to my shipment! (I'm not sure where this new 40lb pot has materialized from)?!?

I then asked to be sent digital pics of the equipment and also sent "Thomas" a note with some of my concerns and the research I had found online about Miniature World USA, Dennis Lunde, his son "Brian Lunde, wife Susan Lunde – and the fact that Silvercast had posted a couple years ago on 1List Sculpting claiming to be Olivia Chu (wife of Tony Chu) and that they had bought the business from Dennis Lunde!

"Thomas"' response to this email reads like one of the Nigerian Scam letters;
EMAIL FROM "THOMAS":**********************************
From what information I have obtained so far last night and this morning (I am still working on it however). Dennis (the Father) did own Miniature World and sold it to Olivia and Tony. However he sold only the part that involved casting miniature figurines for other people/sculptors/etc.he retained ownership of much of the business and equipment, the part that manufactured the Pewter Items (as mentioned earlier). The father did not participate in the running of the business. Olivia and Tony have since sold their equipment and their business to a party located in Renton, Washington. After the death of the father the son decided to sell the entire operations equipment as he has two businesses of his own that he already runs (not having anything to do with casting). Nothing is left in the shop except the one pallet containing a casting machine and vulcanizer along with misc items (if this was your order or not I do not know). Since everything has been sold and all the bills paid the only remaining thing to do is sell the building which has several interested buyers looking at it within the next few days. I have several messages left with the son regarding the balance of your concerns. In a very brief conversation with the surviving Mrs Lunde, who has assumed her previous name, she states that her late husband (the father) did have a large miniature figure collection. She attempted to sell it through a man in Canada with her son and a friend of his who just happens to also be named Thomas (but last name Franklin, whereas mine is Kelly) Her son and Thomas were to pack and mail any miniature figures sold. According to her there was just too much confusion and problems so she sold the entire collection to a company in California. I have not yet found that name but will forward it to you when I do as well as any other information I find. As the building is the final sale, I will be returning home hopefully some time next week. Hopefully everything will be completed and satisfied by then. As I was the person in contact with you and who was responsible for arranging the sale of the Melting Pot, if the transaction is not completed within a very short time period, I will take it upon myself to refund your payment and I will deal with the family for satisfaction. I apologize for my lack of involvement from the beginning and lack of knowledge of all the "facts" but I do know that many transactions were completed to the complete satisfaction of the parties involved.
Sincerely,
Thomas Kelly

I informed "Mr. Kelly" that I would be starting legal proceedings against them if I didn't hear back by Sunday October 15 midnight EST. No messages have come from him since last Thursday. As such, I wanted to post this so that anyone else who is currently dealing with these scum can be warned.

In future, I will be doing a bit more due diligence – I didn't honestly think anyone could be so outright bold with a scam like this – especially given the address, phone #, web postings, and email addresses they blatantly used to communicate and all of which are traceable. And, I guess I'm just too trusting.

My brother in law is in law enforcement and I am asking his advice – I also have several lawyers in the family to turn to including my Dad and a good college friend, but if anyone has any other advice on how to deal with this, I would appreciate it.

Given that these people (from my research) have scammed others in the past, I find it reprehensible that they are still out there at liberty operating in this manner. It's time to put an end to them once and for all and although it's only $188 USD – I'm now dedicating myself to making sure they are held accountable.

Do you have a street address in Poulsbo, WA? Or do you have any street address at all? I live in Seattle, Washington on the other side of Puget Sound, but I know a gamer or two on the Peninsula. Join the following yahoo group and ask for help:

link

It's the local blanket organization for groups and hobbyists throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Sorry, I mean do you have any street address other than the one you posted above?

Thanks DJ -- this is the address:

Dennis Lunde
13179 Fir Ave NW
Poulsbo WA 98370
360-649-0795

No -- that is the address the check was sent to. When I originally Google Mapped it -- it looked like a residence.

If you sent the money order through the mail, then you can get them for mail fraud. If the MO was postal money order (which I always use), then you have a double whammy.
I'd start by checking if the MO had been cashed. If it had, then I would go to the post office and file charges.
That just to start.
I was negotiating for an 18" vulcanizer. Think I will now pass.

Ravens Forge -- I am so happy that this helped you.

Also -- given that "Thomas" stated that all that was left in "the shop" was a pallet with my stuff on it -- I think you can take that as proof that the 18" vulcanizer doesn't exist!!!!

What I just don't understand is -- how did they think they were going to get away with this? Are they just that stupid??

Perhaps you should contact the Postal Inspector and advise him of the WIRE FRAUD which is something they are supposed to investigate as part of their duties. Also, you could look into contacting the other parties who were allegedly defrauded by these individuals – maybe file a class action lawsuit or perhaps even a RICO claim. Just some thoughts.

Lo and behold -- "Thomas Kelly" has just emailed me:

Sir,
I have been unable to get any tracking information for you.
I will refund your $188 USD that you paid from my own account as I was the Contact involved. I will take my own action to insure I get my money refunded to me.
Please tell me where you want your refund sent and I will get it in the mail on Tues AM and e you with the tracking number.
Thomas Kelly

First time he called me "Sir"

but now see if you actually get it or not. A common thing is to string you along saying the refund was sent, oh the check I sent was from the wrong account so it bounced, etc. etc.

In Boston huh? you doing a casting company there? 9I am in Framingham)

jgawne -- looking to start up a miniatures company. Been slowly collecting the "pieces" to do it. I'm in Charlestown.

Well, I did order a vulcaninzer and related materials from them, with a total cost of $1,500, which I sent by Money Order back on October 14. I got confirmation that they received my money, but as yet no vulcanizer has arrived. Last week Thomas said it was going on the truck on Wed or Thursday morning. However, he has not responded to my requests for shipping information. Please keep me posted of any planned legal proceedings against these people…if possible, I would certainly like in. Else, I will proceed on my own. :(

Latest update from "Thomas":

It will be mailed 1st thing tomorrow AM.
Please let me know when it arrives.
I will e you with tracking number when I return from mailing it.

Don't wait for the check; unleash the postal inspectors on them. If it's all a simple misunderstanding, you should get your money back, the investigators will do their jobs, conclude no legal violation occurred, and move on. If it's a shady deal (and I think it is), setting the dogs on them now will speed up justice. Make certain you have everything documented.

I second Parzival sugestion. Fry his butt!!! This hobby does not need people like this, a example needs to be made so no other jerk tries this. We have a good network of people that help and watch each others backs for shady people like this. Sorry if I sound bitter but i still feel burnt from New Wave.

Dont wait- waiting gives them time to vanish. My advice is to join forces and storm them with the legal assault since it sure sounds like they have netted more than one person with the scam and I cant really see them paying anyone back willingly if such is the case.

Dog pile the scumbags! They've gotten away with it for so long because it sounds like NOBODY has gone after them.

I'm the Canadian that the Lunde's have been referring to. I have collected a tremendous amount of information on who supposedly has died and has not. I am owed $370 USD U.S. at this time and would gladly continue to share information. I wrote Dennis last night asking for a confirmed refund with tracking today or I will either aid or personally lead a lawsuit against the family. It has become a personal matter that I will not stop until justice is served or until everyone gets their money back.

Well they are now international criminals. Anybody know anyone at Interpol? ;-)

Seriously, it's ridiculous that these people -- Dennis, Susan, Brian or whoever -- can continue to operate when it's public knowledge that they are stealing from people!

Contact me at mhopper@gov.mb.ca offline and let me know how you want to proceed. I have a LOT of information which implies fraud among other things.

I've sent an email

<<Dog pile the scumbags! They've gotten away with it for so long because it sounds like NOBODY has gone after them.>>

As someone who worked on (among other things) catching fraudsters for over 12 years, I concur; hit 'em NOW. If they're innocent, the Postal Inspectors will simply shrug and move on (ie. suspicious circumstances, etc.). If not…

And I concur also that in all probability no one has yet gone after these creeps. Statistically, too many frauds go un-reported because of victim embarrassment or lack of understanding of their rights. Get your papertrail together and report these people to the USPS, and do it ASAP. IMHO the longer you delay the more likely that if they're guilty, they'll skip town, change their names, and move to a new base of operations… >;(

Good luck and good hunting!

Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net

Thanks Leland. The wheels are in motion.

If anyone else has had a bad experience -- is out money – etc and would like to participate. Please email The Machine above or send one to me at 54 AT aliensuns DOT com

I spoke with Thomas via email last night and he also promised me a speedy refund. Not wanting to deal with the "The check is in the mail" lie, I sent him a paypal money request for the $1500…since I have a business account for my ebay site and my website, he can use any credit card or bank account he would have used to send me a money order. Since it is a completely 'above board' method of payment, and totally accountable, it seems to me no honest businessman would have a problem with this kind of arrangement.

He indicated a willingness to make this payment, but I haven't seen it yet. However, it is only 8:00am in Washington, so I am willing to at least wait a little later into the day to give himself the chance to prove himself an honest man.

If I don't hear from him within a few hours, I will be contacting either of you guys, Machine and Fifty4, and will be heading down to the post office as well. It seems like they are the people with the teeth to put the hurt on, but I will also inquire there about other legal measures and authorities to whom these incidents should be reported.

I am currently out $370. USD I wrote Dennis Lunde this morning and advised them that several of us are comparing notes, e-mails and are prepared to launch a class action suit in addition to reporting to the U.S. Postal Authorities. In addition to U.S. Postal Fraud reports – which doesn't reimburse victims but does cause no end of pain and cost to guilty parties, the following web site is of interest (just google U.S. Postal Fraud and this comes up among the optional links).

link

There are other agencies who may help our cause and I am checking into some of them slowly. If anyone is burned and wants a piece of the action, feel free to contact me at mhopper@gov.mb.ca. I won't rest now until the Lundes pay everyone back or justice is served.

Michael

I was about to buy $2,000 USD in supplies but pulled out at the last second, thank god I did. I am still out $90 USD from a casting job they failed to complete and never refunded for (they said they couldn't finish becuase their mould maker died, but apparently, he is still alive…) but at least its not 2000.

I went back and read your posts--it seems as though plenty of people were scammed--I have records of my own transaction for the old casting which was never refunded for if this is any help in your legal dealings. Unfortunately I deleted their emails involving it but the payment record is still there. No adress was provided but I once had their phone number…if you don't have it I'll try to dig it up.

Here's part of my story:

TMP link
TMP link

This is who I contacted and filed a complaint with at the time:

Bonnie Martin, Prosecutor
614 Division Street, MS-35
Port Orchard, WA 98366

You may reach their office by telephone at (360) 337-7174
or by fax at (360) 337-4949

The death and destruction from this family is incredible. I wouldn't mind getting some money back but I fear it will be very difficult.

I think this was the actual page I used to file a complaint.

link

There's a lot of info one can access.

Here is the link to make mail fraud claims:
link

Curious -- has ANYONE ever received any products and/or services from these people? Did they even have casting and mold making equipment? Did they even own large #s of miniatures? It seems to me that everything about them is a fraud!

I just spoke with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Deparment and filed a report. If anyone else would like to file -- this is the procedure:

Call 360-308-5400
You will make a preliminary report and then a detective will call you back for a full report.
When the report is given, you're given a case # to refer back to.

The woman I spoke with said that since all the reports are going under "Dennis Lunde" that they will be linked in the system and easily cross-referenced.

Update -- we've had some success in going through the Kitsap County Sheriff. Several of us have called to put reports in -- and we've had a call back from the detective there to tell us that she has made contact with the Lundes.

Dennis Lunde is indeed alive and kicking as we suspected.

He has "promised" to send money back to all those who he stole from and also give the police tracking information when the money is sent out.

I urge anyone who has had problems with this family -- Miniature World USA, Dennis Lunde, Susan Lunde, Brian Lunde, "Thomas", "Thomas Kelly", Silvercast, etc etc etc to call the # above and make a report.

If anyone would like information privately -- our emails are above to contact us.

Miniature World USA – is the company that 19th Century warned people about a year or two ago. Miniature World placed COD orders with several miniature companies through out the US. When the orders arrived, they paid for the COD's with a check and then stopped payment on the check the same day, claiming the miniature manufacturers had failed on their part of the order. Several companies were able to get some of their miniatures back, when they took steps towards legal action, though the stock came back opened and missing miniatures.

Joel

I concur with Fifty4 and darkplatypus. All 3 of us have been in telephone conversation with the Kitsap County Sherriff's office (a single detective has been handling our claims). Dennis Lunde senior and junior have agreed to refund our money along with "Morgan" and a couple/few others whose names we don't have. If the Lundes follow through, they are supposed to be providing copies of the M.O.s to the detective tomorrow, prior to mailing everyone's money out.

After that, the Prosecution Office will continue their own investigation as to whether further charges are laid, cumulative to past history on other fraud charges. I am not saying anyone is guilty – as this is inflammatory. I am saying that the Prosecution Office will continue based on their own mandate.

I highly recommend that anyone else claiming loss of investment be quite proactive about filing their claims.

I wish everyone well.

I just received a money order for the $188! I am getting emails that others are getting their money back as well.

Hi praise and thanks go to the Kitsap County Sheriff's office!

Cool. Amusing to see that reports of Deniss' demise were greatly exaggerated! LOL! >8D

Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net

Yeah -- if he actually does own any casting/vulcanizing equipment -- maybe he's planning a release of ZOMBIES to cash in on the craze!

I received a brief missive from the Lunde family today, indicating that my refund has been handed over to the sherriff's office. The e-mail also asked that I contact Morgan as regards getting his refund mailed to him. Morgan, if you're reading this, please contact me at mhopper@gov.mb.ca.

Regards,

Michael

Fraudsters rely on (1) delay, due to (2) people holding back (usually due to folks not wanting to appear 'nasty' or 'hasty').

Always put the boot in.

This is great to hear, and I hope they had already spent the money so that getting the proper refunds together caused the crumbums pain. God, but I do hate thieves!

I really have not spoken with any the others since they received refunds other than hearing confirmation that some received their refund on Monday. The Sheriff's office has since assured me they were mailing my refund but given my geographical remoteness from a major mailing distribution center, I will likely see my refund early this week coming up.

As for legal charges – the Prosecution Office will have to decide what sort of charges they will lay and pursue with the Lunde family.