Complaint Review: Samuel Luke Llaneras - Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Miami Ca, Fl

 

 Samuel Timeline:

12/27: 8.9 BTC sent to Samuel.

A mutual friend introduces me to Samuel. He said he was looking for BTC and willing to pay $21k ($3500 above current price) per BTC. Spoke Samuel, he explained he was up against a timeline, the exchange he was using to buy BTC was FTX and since they closed he was having a hard time getting KYC approved. Initially, he said he needed four BTC to pay his clients from his online casino. He wouldn’t be able to send the wire the next day He provided me with links to him as a professional golfer, his passport, drivers license and an insurance police for the $476 in watches he insured. An initial contract for the 3 BTC was drawn but quickly redrafted later when he asked if we could help him with 1 more BTC. At this point the balance was $88k. He told us we would have the wire by 10am the following morning. *He also told us he had 7 Million in the US Bank business account and he could show us his bank balance when he gets home. (This can be confirmed via the chat)

12/27: Later that same day he asked for 4 more BTC and said he would pay a total of $175k TOTAL for four more BTC. He asked if he could just add them to the total he would be wiring me later that same day. Total of 8.9BTC Sent and an updated agreement was signed totaling $175k to be paid the next business day. (*Loan agreement 1 provided.)

Note: At this same time, he sent a picture of a Rolex and said he was going to send it to my wife as a gift for helping him out. He Facetimed us and showed us several different bracelets and watches and also said he would send me a Rolex as well. (As a gift.) This can all be found in the text conversation.

Transaction #1 & 2

Hash (3BTC)

bc984f63b54ff4ed5d4d84fb8a13641bca4906b17105c92742bf1e612c710f3b

Hash (.9BTC)

6c9b275830a5bdbb674a01d36299594c3f69ae0d2de6c6b876e852eb9f9bcc5d

12/28: Wire was not received. Samuel claims it was being held up via the back office. He said he spoke to the bank, It would be going out soon. Due to our trouble, he said he was sending two Rolex watches, a burden purse and two necklaces for our burden and out of “good business and faith.” He reiterated we had the wire confirmation, it would be hitting any time and then requested to have the additional BTC sent. He explained he was under a time crunch and needed it asap.

 

 12/28: After the additional 4BTC were sent and contract was signed, Samual provided a wire transfer receipt for $175,000 via US Bank. I released the additional four BTC.

Transaction #3

Hash (4BTC)

cb417cc35fbb38c1133b6ef72b629bff8158649f1863e813daed9d5603020db6

12/28: Samuel asked me if he can have his assistant deposit $23k cash in my account directly for 1 additional BTC. He also says he will give Summer the Cartie bangle bracelet if we do this additional BTC. For the next few hours Samuel blows me up saying he has to have the BTC by 2pm. He said his assistant was on the way to the bank to make the deposit at that moment.

He also claimed he had already added the bangle bracelet in the package he was sending. (With the two Rolexes, Purse and Necklaces) Also, he would send me the receipt of the cash deposit when he gets it from his assistant. I reiteratedI really need the wire to hit today. He said he spoke to US bank and they said it would be received the next day by 2:50. told him I didn’t have a full BTC and would only send him $15k in BTC, only after the cash deposit was made.

A short time later, he claimed his assistant was at the bank now making the deposit. He said he desperately needed to take care of an outstanding payment, to take care of a client and he again asked me to send the additional BTC.

12/30 Transaction #4

Hash: (.6 BTC)

e9bd9eb6f93cb6ba97a42075d6898e87109ec093f9964085bf3493b7674c1c00

He then claimed the bank closed at 4:30 and she was not able to make the deposit. He then said he was having three Buddys send Zelle for $5k, $5k, $10k. Later he said his buddy was just going to deposit $15k cash and do a zelle. Then, he said the limit was too low and on the phone trying to have them raise the limit.

12/31: Samuel tells me US bank closed his account due to the wire being related to crypto. He said he was opening a new bank but the funds he was depositing would be frozen for 14 days. He then said he was going to have his casino send the money via ETH. Asked for my ETH address.

He then claims he put in the request for ETH to be sent to my wallet from his casino. He says “the timeline to receive is 8-15 hours max.” He provides me with three websites he claims are his online casinos. (roobet.com and parlays.com and marfbet.com) He also

   

 sends an NDA to discuss the details of his casino he is building in Turks and Caicos. He claimed he had invested 4 million in this property and have partners as well. He also tells me softswiss.com is who runs the back end for him.

12/31: He sends me a picture of $250,000 cash and asks me if my bank will allow him to make a deposit directly. (Never happened)

12/31: Samuel tells me he is having an issue with parlay Sam, claims he needs to cover a balance today before 2 pm so he can accept his wagers. He said Friday is the biggest day because of all the sports that happens. He then asks me if I can help. He stated he booked a flight to AZ and was going to bring me the cash and all the items that from ups that he claimed he had ALREADY sent.

01/1: Samuel claims he needed $88k and asked if I can “float” him another $8k. Says after all the gifts, etc. He explains that’s why his casino wasn’t able to send me the ETH, because his parlay sam account still had a balance. He claims his casino will be sending payment in ETH for $240,000 “in a few hours”

1/1: Samuel asks if his buddy sends me $6K via Zelle will I send him $5k in BTC. Samuel sends $500 just to “confirm” account. Says his buddy is sending the remainder. Then says he needs the money before 8pm. Claims his buddy cant send the remainder until after he gets off work.

Transaction #5.

Hash (.3BTC)

b1793d4765bc73d12ec48d295000c1553cb1a28453f4d1e0bd574947a15cb292

1/1: Samuel requests an additional $30k in BTC. Still claiming his casino should be sending the ETH anytime. Samuel claims they won’t send the funds until he “closes out his week.” He shows me his wallet. He claimed he had $8 Million in his Roboot casino and showed me a screenshot of the balance. This was the supposed reason the funds had not been released to me. He assured me this would address the issue. This took the balance owed to $275,000. Upon receipt of this round of funding he promised the casino release the funds to me “within minutes.”

Transaction #6.

Hash (1.8 BTC)

010fbfb6db5a426ecb0e5fb5c23228f46c8f1a630f8a35e1f126c961df45b729

1/3: Samuel claims they wouldn’t send the funds because he had to fix his balance in Parlay Sam again. He asks for more money and claims they will send me the funds as soon as it’s sent. He claims they are sending $475,000 to my wallet because he needed some extra BTC. When I tell him know he says he will just wait until BofA releases his funds. He then begs me to just get on the phone with him and he will compensate me another $60k-100k on top of everything else he owes. He also states, if I don’t help I will

 

 have two wait another 2-3 weeks. At this point I threatened litigation if I didn’t have the funds repaid immediately.

1/3: A box arrives with one girls Rolex. (not two as promised, no bracelet and no necklaces) He claims another one is coming still. He then implies if I don’t help him he won’t be able to pay me back. He then says he is bankrupt on paper and that I don’t want litigation with him. I told him at this point I needed collateral. He agrees to provide collateral and presents a hard money loan agreement. He also says he would get his mother to co-sign the agreement. He explains he was able to get $56,000 of the money he owed and just needed $24,000.

1/3: I had a friend send $24k in BTC (whom I have paid back already) to help me get this done. Once again, he said the funds would be released immediately.

Transaction #7.

Hash: (1.4BTC)

9e86ffeca55304a383f6497105c2d17fa0d 1ef730dbef2b6692239d1c181fb81

1/4: Samuel claims he had to send his buddy the $55,000 back because it was taking too long for the funds to be received. So even though we sent the $24k he was now short the remainder. Because he wasn’t able to get the balance resolved they couldn’t send the funds. Meanwhile, he claims the second package containing the additional Rolex, Watch and Necklaces was “attempted” to be delivered. We were home the whole day so I suspected this was not true. He said they would make a second attempt the next day. Samuel also produced a contract including the VIN# for the Ferrari he claimed was his, as collateral, in addition to the two casinos.

Transaction #8

Hash: (4 BTC)

c24647d25738b7156f02ccb6f415c2d334e76e76d2375b7d2e6fd0b11bf9fe1f

1/4: Samuel asks again if it’s ok they send me ETh. Then he asks if I would prefer to have it sent in USDT or ETH? He said the funds should be sent in 30 minutes. Then it was one excuse after another. He claimed to be in Turks and Caicos (which I know do not believe) and kept puttying me off. He just kept saying “accounting is working on it.”

1/5: Samuel claims he just spoke to them and the casino would be sending the funds to me by 5PT. Samuel continues to tell me he doesn’t do “bad business.” That it’s been a few “catch up” weeks. He then tells me that evening I will wake up a surprise in my wallet and be paid in full.

1/6: Samuel claims he ran into an issue. He claims he just got his casino license in Turks and he’s been busy, but wants to explain all that has transpired. He assures me he is “making it happen” today. He explained: “What had happen was bro I found out

 

 after everything that I had a balance with roo after I fix parlay Sam. I haven’t accepted any wagers on parlay sam since we fixed it because I can’t get the crytpo to pay out if we win. So I been playing catch up. And I’m about to have to sell roobet and parlay sam if I don’t put the crypto in there so I’m working on a buddy of mines to have a wire sent to you today for what’s owed plus more. Would that work if I get a wire to you today? Rather than the crypto. That’s why I said I am working on it to relax. Don’t worry.”

1/6: Samuel claims he has a “buddy” he is with in Turks who is going to send me a wire. He then refers to him as his partner and investor in the casino. He says he wants to introduce him to me.

1/7: Samuel claims the package was sent back to him but he would have a new tracking number for me. He then sends me some picture of his families home in Turks and Caicos. Samuel then offers to give my wife an additional purse for all the trouble we have been through. And he claims he is going to give me the Daytona Rolex. He explained these were gifts for the headache he has put us through.

1/7: I get a text from someone claiming to be Larrison Clark. Samuel informs me he is a real estate tycoon from Beverly Hills and his partner in his Turks Casino. At first, Larrison acknowledges the money owed to me, the amount he is going to send and then says he can only send it under the condition I send BTC upfront, because he would be adding some additional funds for BTC they needed.

1/8: Larrison sends me a text saying he is out and to work directly with Samuel on the debt he owes me. I tried to confirm by reaching out to the real Larrison on Facebook and Instagram, but he is rarely active. I suspect Samuel made him up and was never in Turks.

1/8: Samuel sends pics of him with the Trumps. Says they sponsored him when he was a pro-amateur golfer and invites us to a Trump wedding in February.

1/9: Samuel tells me after my discussion with Larrison, he took his name off of the credit Swiss account as a co-signer. And he only has one day to clear his balance or he will lose the casino and any ability to replay me. He tries to get me to speak to his mother. He claims she met with her financial advisor and she is willing to cash in her annuities to resolve things, but it would take a few days. But, he needed the funds sooner than that and wanted to know if I would agree to help with collateral offered by his mother. He then kept pressing for me to speak to his “mom.”

1/9: Samuel again claims two boxes are now on their way, with the items he promised, and we would need to sign for them. I kept pressing him for tracking numbers and he just kept saying his assistant would send them soon. He eventually sends me a tracking number that was bogus and couldn’t be tracked by UPS.

 

 The items he claimed were in the box include:

Louis Vuitton soft trunk purse Kelly Birkin 30cm Louis Vuitton link purse Channel boy bag

Rolex Daytona

Rolex sky dweller

Rolex datejust

3 tennis chains

Cartier love bangle diamonds

1/9: I confront him about things and he reveals he does have a small $70k lien on his Ferrari. I explain if he brings me the car and the items we discussed, I would help him. The conversation turned south and I told him I was going to have him investigated. I brought up fraud and the conversation went sideways. He supposedly went to UPS (at 9pm lol) and picked up the boxes he sent us. (Supposedly)

1/10: Joe reached out to the owner of my company unbeknownst to me. It was like he was desperate. When I confront him about the lien on the vehicle, he says “Just because I have a small lien, doesn’t mean it’s not his car.” >Note: Now he is claiming the car is Tariq’s??? After a day or so of back and forth, I decided it was better for me to play nice to try and recover funds.

1/12: Samuel asks if he has a tow truck pick up the Ferrari and it is delivered to my house, will I pay the lien off so he can sell it to his supposed buyer. (He said he lived in Canada but wanted the car shipped to Texas.) I decline as I was leaving for an event to Salt Lake. (Which Samuel claimed he and his mother were coming too.)

1/13: Samuel claims he is trying to get the lien paid off. He said his mom was going to do it and he was going to sell the car and repay us all the money he owed us.

1/17: Samuel texts and says he was sick and couldn’t make the event. He claimed he went in the hospital due to his diabetes.

1/18: Samuel informs me he can’t get the money to payoff the lien. He reiterates he has a buyer and as soon as the lien is paid off, he can sell the car and pay me back. He asks if I am open to speaking the lien holder (Tariq Shah) about working out an agreement directly with him. Samuel explained if I pay the lien off and I will get the car and title, then we can sell to the buyer. If not, then I would have to wait a few more weeks to get paid back.

1/18: I speak to Tariq Shah. He explained that he was actually the owner. He did Samuel a car as a favor, but told me the car was registered in Samuels name. He told me that Samuel owed him $95 on the loan and was not willing to release the lien unless he could get paid. He went into a long story how after buying the car, his wife found out

 

 and thought he was living a second life and it was a big ordeal. He said he just wanted to be paid off and be done with the situation. He agreed to complete a bill of sale and transfer of lien upon payment of the lien. I expressed my hesitation of sending the money in advance, he assured me that the bill of sale and lien release was my protection. He reiterated he would not release the vehicle and allow Samuel to bring it to me until it was paid.

1/19: Samuel sends me a screenshot of text messages from Tariq. The messages stated Tariq had spoken to his attorney and he advised the best way to take care of this would be for me to send the funds and upon receipt he can provide a bill of sale. He also stated to make sure whichever shipping company I was planning on using had proper insurance.

1/19: I proposed to fly out and we all meet in person and finalize the deal. Samuel said he was flying to Turks on Friday. Samuel also said Tariq had called him and said he wash angry, how he was super religious and he was cursing at him. He was upset because it was becoming too complicated and he didn’t have time to deal with this. Samuel said he could have it notarized on his part. (What I didn’t catch at the time is why would Samuel need to sign anything if he wasn’t on title?)

1/19: In the evening, Samuel sends another screenshot from Tariq saying if I do not send the funds by tomorrow, he was asking Samuel consider “Hussain’s” offer to buy the vehicle. (Another buyer. He does say when he buys it Samuel would have $280,000 in cash.)

1/20: I asked Samuel I didn’t understand why Tariq had anything to do with this decision? I reiterated if the title and registration were in Samuel’s name, why did it matter what Tariq said. Lien holder’s generally don’t have any say in when a car is sold. They just care about getting their money before they release the lien. Samuel explained it was more than that, that Tariq had done him a favor and then asked me to tell him exactly what was needed to finalize the deal and drive the car to me.

1/20: Samuel texts me saying he has the bill of sale ready, the satisfaction for the lien release and I would get the car. He said he would get it notarized. He said as soon as the deal was done he would leave immediately for AZ. He also said Tariq was also willing to get it all notarized. Samuel said he would FaceTime me with the notary there and he would leave and bring me the Rolex and the Cartie bracelet and necklaces on the way. I told him to bring the car, I would pay him as soon as he arrives, or we could use escrow.com as an intermediary.

At that point, he said let me know when I could fly out in two weeks, because he was leaving town for that long and there wasn’t enough time to do all of this before he left. He said I was worrying too much and it was a simple transaction and this would all be over. I receive three notarized documents, I send the funds and the car would be on its way. He then asked me if I would reconsider. He said he would share his location services with me on the way. He said he doesn’t want a civil lawsuit and definitely not a criminal suit, there was no way he would not come with the vehicle because that is now

 

 a crime. He then pressured me by saying if we didn’t do the deal he was going to sell the car and Samuel had no way of paying me the money he owed me. He then said on “his fathers grave” he won’t let me down. (He can be pretty convincing and for some reason, I wanted to believe he wasn’t lying. I thought to myself maybe he was just in a bad spot these past few weeks and this was the solution to all of this.) He then Facetimed me with the Ferrari getting washed and said he was getting it ready to bring to me.

I told him with a lien release, bill of sale notarized and leaving the lien release blank (floating title) because I would likely be selling the car and not registering it. (Didn’t want to pay the registration fees.) We agreed the sale price would be $95k because this is what was owned to Tariq. It would also cost me less should I decide to register the vehicle before selling. We also agreed that I would only send $55k upfront and the remainder when the car arrived. That was the “meet in the middle” terms so both parties would be comfortable. Samuel said Tariq agreed to all terms and would submit the lien release to the lien portal as well.

1/20: Samuel sends me a picture supposedly outside Tariqs house. (To pick up the Ferrari) He also sent me a pin to the location as well. (It looked liked a high rise condo) Shortly after, he sent me a screenshot from Tariq saying traffic was bad and he was 45 mins from home. He called me and said he has the car now and he was going to go ahead and leave so he could get on the road. He said he needed to stop by his house to pick up the rolex, bracelet and necklaces. He sent me the signed by Tariq lien release and the bill of sale. He said the notary would be over to Tariqs when he gets home and he would send me the notarized copies when they were done.

1/20: I trust you and Like have figured out the logistics. He’s asked me to send you my USDT address, which he provided. He also says he is not too savvy with crypto and wanted to know if crypto is 24/7 or banking hours.

Shortly after the $55k USDT was sent to Tariq, he confirmed receipt, then asked when I would be sending the remainder of the money? I explained that I had agreed to send $55k now, the remainder when Samuel arrives with the vehicle. That was the deal. He said “I was told you will be sending $75k in the form of crypto and the remainder ($20,000 next week via wire transfer.) He also said “now I cant get a hold of Samuel because his battery is dead.” At this point, I wanted the deal done and sent the other the other $20k.

Tariq then says he is extremely frustrated, blames Samuel (he calls him “the kid” for being all over the place, says this is not what he was told, then asks me to please send the remaining $20,000. After the second USDT amount for $20k was sent Tariq replied to the text saying “received thank you.”

Tranaction #9.

 

 Hash: ($55,000)

0x787be066e373fcdb59634c4f6cee068a6003cf3a41f853418ef948aca6522773

Hash: $(20,000)

0x0c811379ab8f4431c1eca57e55ec4bdf7b9868fae2ab17bd7e5800fcd5ec8c9f

1/20: Samuel tells me at 7:30pm he is on the road. He tells me his buddy Johnny is coming so he can drive. He also said his fiancee was going to come but he couldn’t let her know about what was going on. He says his arrival time is 12:52am. An hour or so later, I asked him to send me a pin where he was. He said he couldn’t because he had his location services off, because his girlfriend will think he is “doing something with another girl.” When I pressed he sends me a screenshot of a message from his girlfriend asking why his location is off and why is he being sketchy. Then, he sends me a screenshot from google maps saying he is 6 hours away. This was at 9:41 supposedly two hours after he had already left. (I knew at this point he was lying.) He said he was “missing his flight” again and would now be going to Turks on Monday.

1/20: Mid morning I text Tariq and ask for his wire instructions, the notarized documents and if he had heard from Samuel? He replied he was having breakfast and would get back with me shortly. I never heard from Tariq again after.

1/21: He went silent until early morning and then texted at 4am saying he and his friend needed to take a nap. At 6:40am he said they were hurting just outside of LA and went home to get some rest and he was bringing the car. He said he was heading out in an hour. When I asked him if he was taking off with my money, he replied “I did not get a dollar of your money.” The rest of the day he kept saying he was leaving soon, just changing his insulin, he was coming for sure, he would just take an uber back, then he said he had left and arrival would be at 5:58pm. I kept texting asking for proof he was on his way, he told me to “stop being a nuisance.” At 6pm he sent another image showing he was 4 hours and 54 mins away. Of course, he never arrived.

1/21: When I confront Samuel, knowing he wasn’t coming and threaten him with going to the police, he says “You have Tariqs info, that’s the owner, not me.” For a month he represented himself as the owner. Now, all of a sudden, this is between me and Tariq. He explained he had a “lease to own” and had equity in the car and casino, so it wasn’t illegal to collateralize it. And to stop talking to him like he had “F’d me.” We went back and forth with some heated exchanges.

When I asked why he didn’t bring me the car he comes clean (supposedly) and says Tariq was upset because he thought crypto would transfer instantly to his account. When it didn’t he got upset and wouldn’t let him take the car. (Even though Samuel face-timed me from the car hours before I sent Tariq the funds.) He also said after I spoke to him, his wife came down and started “throwing a b***h fit” because of what he was doing. Later that evening, he says Tariq is saying he is still owed $25,000 but he will “fix it.” He then makes up an outrageous story he is going to Tariq’s house with the

 

 police. He said there was a huge altercation with Tariqs wife. Her sends me to pictures of police cars that don’t look at all like the location he was at earlier, nor do they look like they have anything to do with this. Basically, he sent me two random pics of police cars. When I asked him why he didn’t tell me all this, verses lying and saying he was on his way for two days, he said he was scared. Then, his fiancee found out and “he’s been going through some s**t.

1/21: Then, he says the cops and he have a solution. If I send the additional $25k (the balance was only $20k) it would be taken care of. He said the cops said this was as civil matter. He also said he was with the cops at that moment. (I am sure there is no police report that validates what he is saying.) Once again, falsified info to try to get me to send another $25k.

When I confront him and call him a fraud, he says “Ok you to his house and get the car then.” Then he says, you have a bill of sale, not a lien release. (After checking he gave me a signed bill of sale. The lien release was not signed. Which, in the midst of everything going on, I missed. Samuel definitely new that because that was intentional) He then tells me to tell it to the Sheriffs. At this point, I told Samuel I was done and going to file a police report and report the car stolen. I let him know how disappointed I was. (Along with some choice words to go along with it.)

He responds saying he never defrauded me, that he never claimed the car was his, or he said he could show me a title. (Which is clear he did in the chat conversation I provided.) He tells me the car is between me and Tariq and to take it up with him?! That my sale was with him and his name is nowhere attached. He responds a few more times saying he wants to make it right, this is a civil issue, he apologizes and how he is now “F’d” because he also had $220,000k equity in the car. He then had the never to say how he went over and beyond for me yesterday. He says he doesn’t mind helping me with the car, but if I want to go criminal then I can just deal with his attorney.

1/22: Samuel texts again asking if it is an option to still go civil or have I decided to go the other routes. When I dont respond he says he will contact his lawyer. I tell him it’s pretty simple, get in the car and drive me the Ferrari, or send me the money he owes me. He again says the car is in his name, he collateralized the equity in it, I agreed to it and that he had gone to the LAPD that morning and showed them everything and they said he was fine. He again tries to push it civil by saying, “The money I owe you is extremely civil.” He says the money he owes me is no illegal. He says he needs a little time to produce the money. He then asks me what is acceptable and would like to make a payment plan between us. (Samuel does not want the details of this getting out, to the police, etc.)

1/23: Samuel ask if my attorney has reached out, that he has news on monies and would like to pass it on.

 

 Total BTC sent to Samuel: 16BTC valued today at $367,584.00

Based on the $3500 overage he agreed to pay on the BTC, the total amount in BTC owed is $423,884.00. (This number can go up or down based on the value of BTC.) This is todays payoff.

Additionally, we sent Tariq (on behalf of Samuel) $75,000 in USDT. (Stable coin so doesn’t fluctuate)

= Total owed is $498,884.00

This does not include the promises of the Daytona rolex, Cartie bracelet and two necklaces he said he sent. Nor does it include a 5% per day interest on the balance if he failed to deliver the car. There is no way we are going to accept $100k down and $20k per month, every other month, as it is impossible to trust Samuel. He also has zero regard for truth or even contracts he enters. At best, Samuel is a habitual liar with zero value, or regard for how he impacts someone else, with his schemes. At worst, he is a con-man and has committed fraud.

We lent money to Samuel under the premise he:

1. Owned the Ferrari.

2. Had 8 milllion dollars in his US Bank account.

3. Had millions available in his casino.

4. He would drive us the car immediately upon paying Tariq.

5. Would be sending us the jewelry as a gift, which in our mind, would offset the money we had lent him. (Should something go wrong.)

I am sure there is more. The lies throughout this experience are almost hard to quantify or even count. At this point, we would need to see a minimum of $300k down and monthly payments on the remaining $200k, ($15k per month) with the items he committed to us sent to us. Or, we will settle the balance in full for $450,000. Without a sizable down-payment, we will be forced to pursue this civilly and will be filing police reports, as we do feel fraud has been committed. As well, reporting the vehicle stolen an pursuing every possible option to secure the collateral.