New scammer exposed here
 

As everyone knows in this Industry, scammers and fakes run rampid and that's just how it is. To maintain the tradition of exposing thieves that need to be added to the 'shitlist', I would like to introduce GFY to a man named Michael Anthony Mijaro (all info including full name and address courtesy of whois). Mike owns the site http://www.halfwired.com but appears to frequent the site: http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/261149 as well. His screen name here is um_designs . I'm sure he is now using a fake nick or may be simply trying to wait this out.

A month ago I hired him to make me a 1 minute flash intro. Terms were agreed upon and the money was sent by me in full to him. First he said it would be done right away, I told him not to rush it , as I wanted the best he could give me. He then stated it would still only be a couple days, which sounds about right to me. A couple days came, then a couple more, then 2 weeks, then 3 and so on. The entire time he was giving me excuses like 'my internet connection was down', 'having trouble with the render', 'raining to hard here', 'only in the office at certain times', and at one point even asked me if I had an Adobe Flash exe. he could use because his didn't work properly :1orglaugh

He blocked his icq and has been in hiding until today. I had my Sister email him from her address in regards to purchasing some flash banners. He immediately responded with his prices and was eager to start the project right away! In fact he went as far as to say he would have them done within the next 6-8 hours. He did not know he was speaking to my Sister obviously.

Now I want to clarify that I am posting this in hopes of him realizing his choices were not the best and him coming forward to face this like a man. I am assuming he will not do that so I am also posting this to warn others about his services as I would feel terrible if this happened to someone else because I didn't speak up when I should have. Bottom line is he has not done the work nor sent back the money even after me asking for a refund.

I have all conversations, emails, and proof needed to verify this accusation and would be glad to post.

Thanks for reading

comics version available please?

Ouch. Here's a bump for you.

Sig.

hope he sees sense

There's your biggest mistake.

Why people send payment in full to someone they don't know and thus can't trust is beyond me.

Hi, Welcome, Have a seat and I'll send someone over with drinks

That's sucks! BUMP to settle this mess.

Well thats just a good way to start a business relationship in my opinion. If he would have come through , I would have sent him work constantly for a long time to come. Nothing like a good faith gesture to get the ball rolling. I mean we are only talking about $300.00 here, its more the principle than anything else. I have been sent (up front) money in the past on numerous occasions and have returned the favor when I can. It inspires the person on the other end if nothing else. I dont think everyone should have to do business in fear, we just need to keep exposing them as they pop-up.

Thnx bumpers!

That does suck

His ICQ is 318889679 He goes by the name of Mike.

Hope this helps. He was going to do some work for me but I didn't go with him.

Bumps running rampant.

Thanks LeRoy, yea I am sitting here looking at his icq icon status right now and it is as red as his face probably is, and it has been like that 2 weeks. He did tell my Sister that he wanted to strike up an icq convo right away though, so he is watching this Im sure. He has most likely moved on to another forum by now.

damn that sucks but I don't care how little the amount it you never pay for it all in advance! Way too many people like this.. it's not about the money it's about you paid someone for something you want done. now you will have to pay twice for something you wanted done cause of this scammer

good luck getting your money back

Yea I understand where your commin' from man, its just my personal way of thinking. I will just whip one up myself now I guess. I hired him just because I was pressed for time. Thanks Silent Bob Jedi -

sucks for you man :-/
but at least you've posted it here, some people unfortunately don't even do that when they get scammed

Time to get into the DIY information game I suppose.

I hope to be able to end this topic with a post of how Mike came forward rectifyng the situation and has settled his debt.

it would be great, but I doubt that will be the case

you made him loose for sure a few potential new victims with making this posting. that has to count for something

I hope so man and thanks for helping me save a few victims as well. noKru just offered to pick up where Mike left off free of charge, which shows the highest respect for business ethic imo. Cheers noKru!

what payment method?

Western Union

ouch LOL

Mike is now emailing me saying he is sorry, and that he was waiting for me to reply to the 'versions' he sent me for approval. No versions were sent, he hasnt responded to any of my messages and is venturing into a whole new mecca of lies. Ya never know though - maybe he will come clean. I will keep the thread updated with my findings.

Yea :disgust

designer added to the shitlist, too bad too

fuck dude i hope you get this resolved

Like I said, when it's someone you don't know from Adam I'm sorry but your way is downright foolish. Period. As is now obvious. You are right of course, but only when it pertains to someone who is known IMO. I've never heard of this Mijaro guy before nor his site and that right there says a lot, to me anyway. If it were someone known on the boards that does decent flash work and has a reputation to maintain I wouldn't think twice about forwarding a few hundred bucks on faith that the job will be done and that I'll be satisfied or more than satisfied with the work. I can think of maybe half a dozen people who I'd put that level of trust in. (as well as several dozen more who I wouldn't)

Myself, I've done many different small jobs over the years for different people in this business, from graphics to design, galleries to writing. All of them knew me from the boards, and nearly all of them sent me the money up front, not that I asked for it. They just had the attitude with me of "No problem, how much? --- okay it's sent".... and they got the work they asked for.

So I guess my question is, how well did you know this guy before blindly sending him your $300?

Sorry, but your "good faith" plan has flaws. It's not about doing business in fear, it's about someone earning your trust and whether or not they truly value their integrity and business reputation. Your way allows this kind of thief to take advantage of you, whereas my way doesn't, or at least it lessens the chances by a considerable margin.

Hoping it would be solve fast

Mike Flash (HalfWired.com) He robbed me to
 

Same guy - got me for 90.USD around May 1, 09 for some "Header tabs" work.


He begged me for FTP access (denied!) - then gave me a look at the unfinished project- I sent the money through emoneygram- He took the money - then disappeared- reappeared 6 days later-and complained about connection issues..his reason why the work wasnt finished. I just ignored him- blocked him from my messenger and took it as a loss.


Its been a while since Ive made this mistake- I was pretty mad at myself for sending money first.

Im glad this post is here- If he was in the US we might of took his life for 90bucks- but since hes in the Phillipines- we allready know hes suffering enough!!!

Mike if your reading this- You have to be te stupidest mother fucker I know- Why steal- when you could have made 1000% more. Fool! You make fillipinos look bad- and I feel sorry for your Mother.

EmoneyGram Transaction to MikeFlash (HalfWired.com) (Beware he will steal your money!)

Transfer Amount: $80.00 USD
Consumer Fee: $14.00 USD
Total Paid: $94.00 USD

Receiver Name : Michael A. Mijaro
Intended Destination Country : PHILIPPINES
Receive Amount* : 3,800.20 PHP
Exchange Rate* : 47.502560


Beware of this guy MikeFLASH (HalfWired.com) - He will promise you a finished and complete project- maybe even show you a design or unfinished work- Then He Will Request Money & Rob You!

always sucks to get scammed regardless of amount

people should not be ashamed and come forward with info when they get scammed

thanks

That sucks but thanks for posting it....what an idiot the guys is..

looks like a pertty solid business model - register a domain, scam people, wash and repeat

find his details, email all the proof to his local police, let them look into his online activities - they'll probably do nothing, but I know that I would've done it

scamming is bad

and another:thumbsup

Damn, this is really becoming quite a common occurance.

I really hope he pays back everyone he has scammed, though i really doubt it.

Better luck next time guys, do your research first and never pay 100% upfront....

thnx for the heads up.

no one will care, or even remember, sorry, but this forum is filled with people who sell stolen stuff, scammers, and the like.

i agree scammers should be exposed, but in my experience, evenetually many here, grow tired of hearing you complain of them and actually begin to side with the scammer.

chances are this thread has a scammer/or someone who sells stolen stuff in it

posters will blame you, say its your fault for getting ripped off etc...

I stopped hiring anyone but US/Canada/UK/EU based for the most part because of this. I got scammed by a DP poster awhile back and he lived in Texas... he was pretty disappointed when he was arrested for Larceny by conversion and wire fraud. He is currently serving a 2 year sentence.

ICQ me -

Man if I was a scammer, GFY would be my playground... I read these threads here almost every week... how these people get by in life amazes me with the absolute STUPIDITY of sending full payment to someone they have never even spoken to before. :disgust:disgust:disgust

To those of us which you refer, money is not the issue as stated before. $300.00 might be alot to you and thats fine, but I spend $300.00 at Footlocker on the weekends, so to send someone a terribly small amount of money like that is almost like not sending anything at all. This post is to inform future victims of his, not to complain about money,
and it is very easy to green light anyone with one phone call no matter where they live. Its just the principal -

Stupidity may actually be thinking 3 bills is long dough, but hey that's just my opinion.

Bump to keep this one on top

bump so more people know about this

what a sleezy dishonest fuck.
bump for you....

well i can only suggest is you can deal with a right person and dont paid them until u get your stuff

It's not the amount of money, it's the principle.

Y'm sorry that you got ripped off, but thanks for warning others.

ADG

Second mistake.

When you start doing business with somebody you don't know there is always somebody the wrong side of the money.

This is why they have sites like scriptlance or rentacoder etc...so you can find people for these jobs and not have to pay them upfront, or have them trust YOU are not a scammer.

You pay the site, the designer knows you are good for the money, and that if they do the job they will be paid, they do the job to your satisfaction, they get paid etc.

Of course, no guarantee that you will always find people who will get it right first time, but in my experience they will keep going till they do because they know money is waiting for them. They also fear the dreaded bad feedback.

A lot less drama that's for sure :2 cents: