Varsity Game Services Solicited video capture services for HS football games, provider does not pay for services rendered. Minnetonka, Minnesota
Provider solicited via Craigslist for the Norfolk area under the title "Football Filmer" needed to capture games at a rate of $150 per game.
Standard response from fraudster: ------ Thank you for your interest in the position. We have received 38 Applicants for 5 posistion typcially what we do is we ask everyone to film a example game. You are paid $75 plus reinbursed tickets cost for the game. If you are interested email me back two options for games that you would do and I will get one set up for you. We are looking for people who are self sufficient and take directrion well. Don't hesitate to ask questions. ------ This is followed by a listing of all games played in the area in a single week with an additional response: ------- Game Instructions -
1.
Get there 15-20 min early set up at Highest point of visitors bleachers ( After the season we will send copies of the player highlights we cut to the coach in hope of creating good will for us to shoot from the press box next season. This is a process of building relationship. We will reimburse for admission. 2.
Pause your camera in-between plays we only want the play recorded. 3.
Zoom in on scoreboard after touchdown. 4.
After you have successfully recorded the game email me that night and we will send shipping instructions. 5.
Checks are cut on the 1st and 15th of the month.
If you have any additional questions just ask.
Mike Olsen Varsity Game Services P- 952-917-9761 E- mike@varsitygameservices.com ---------
Filmed one local game and shipped via standard postage. I contacted the fraudster a week later to validate shipment arrival as well as quality of footage captured. At this point a response was sent asking if I wanted to capture two more games the following weekend. I responded that payment has not been sent, but I will go ahead and shoot the other games for full rate and they affirmed. I assumed by the time games were shot, that I would receive payment for first game shot. After the new games were captured I decided to hold onto tapes until payment received. Another week passed, I contacted fraudster to inform them payment still not received. An apology was given via email to reassure me that payment from first coverage is on it's way.
Needless to say, payment never received, so the new game footage I captured was never sent. I attempted to contact Varsity Game Services via phone, but was forwarded to voicemail. A month later all numbers associated with this company are no longer in service.