Web site owners, anywone, stay away from this scam artist - Paul Retain, he's real name is - Choi Paul Ham - [email protected]. We found him via Craigslit ad that we are looking for someone to help us with SEO. This guy sent us the following e-mail:
----email start----
Hello,
Zhorakiev
Gaithersburg,#2Author of original report
Tue, September 10, 2013
So Paul, first of all, you signed contract with my company where you promised to return $1000. I am not sure why you did not read the contract. Also you did not put any effort in work at all. My business is not dying at all my friend. When you came, we were not making as much as we need. We found full time employees who do a lot of work for us and in result we trippled our income since you decided to scam $1000 from us. So you are growing, but for some reason you cannot return $1000. What did you do with it? You spent it? What do you mean by "I will return when I have it"????
Are you aware that collection agency is after you? Do you know that 60 days after process started, collection agency will report (or already did) this to your credit bureau and we can get this discharged from our income??? I mean are you aware of all the consiquences? You playing wiht fire. You can go to jail. This is enough evidence to prove what you are doing is a scam. I am not the only one. You have plenty of court records as well as Tony is another victim who did not go to court yet. Return money and stop this nonsense.
Tony
Maryland,#3Consumer Comment
Tue, September 10, 2013
Trying looking at the text message we exchanged, which I've posted, where you said you WILL refund my money. Also,notice you lied several times saying you had indeed sent me my refund and you did not.. Again, why are you using several fake last names?
Zhorakiev
Gaithersburg,#4Author of original report
Tue, September 10, 2013
After learning that her phone number is pre paid, I suspected there is more to that story. Sure enough I went to Allen County (she is from Fort Wayne, IN) criminal records database - public records and found her "real resume" which included multiple convictions, felonies and bunch of misdomenors and currently 6 felony charges pending, incuding theft and forgery. Just as I suspected... It looks like she is wanted on these charges and there is active warrant for her arrest. I am calling Fort Wayne Sheriff office to let them know about my encounter with this "content writer"...
By the way, it takes no genious to find that data: http://mycase.in.gov/search.aspx - select "defendant" and type her name.
Paul
Virginia,#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, September 10, 2013
If you have a right to a full refund, where does it state on the contract you wrote?
I told you verbally I have no problem giving you a refund if I did not hit a target goal within a given time period. To me, it didnt matter the reason I could not hit that goal, I would still honor my word. In this case, I chose not to continue for specific reasons. Moreover, there is no specific date required for the refund technically.
I still do not understand where the scam part is coming from? I can prove all work done towards this effort. Work was done. I think you are lucky that I would refund you for services done.
All this is doing is showing real character on both sides.
Tony
Maryland,#6Consumer Comment
Tue, September 10, 2013
I called the number attached to the address Paul gave me and it was to a body shop. His real name is Paul Choi, but goes by at least two fake last names. First it was Paul Retain and now it's Paul Engager. He offered to refund my money, but would always say he didn't have it right now. Fast forward 4 months later, he changed his number and his last name. Also, i posted the texts messages between paul and I. Several times he said he sent the money when he never did.
BOTTOM LINE: Ripoffreport has two different reports of Paul's Scam. He doesn't use his real last name and has used two fake last names. He changes his phone number often as well. Is this the person you want to do business with?
DO NOT GIVE HIM ANY MONEY UPFRONT!
Zhorakiev
Gaithersburg,#7Author of original report
Tue, September 10, 2013
If there is no scam, why Paul is not returning $1000 he promised to return and why Paul is hiding from collection agency..
Paul
Virginia,#8REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, September 10, 2013
The contract states non disclosure of SEO (search engine optimization). I explained in my response why I was hesitant to deliver online traffic to your conversion methods.
I await the lawsuit because I know for a fact you have twisted the truth and facts.
You mention scam but what is the scam here?
There are two people which I engaged through Craigslist during the same period of time that have wrote reports on this website. (which by the way if you Google this website the owner is in hiding... I wonder why) Its silly I even have to spend time to write this response. The other person falls in the same category as this gentlemen. They can not accept the fact that their business model is unrealistic and they seek marketing for it.
In the end....
Zhorakiev
Gaithersburg,#9Author of original report
Thu, August 29, 2013
First of all Paul signed non disclosure and confidentiality agreement and tried to disclose our business model here which he was not supposed to do. He also did not understand our business model which is convincing people to buy our non prescription product instead of phentermine. We filed with collection agency and they were not able eto even find Paul. Next well go and sue Paul. Our business is back in track without Paul... Apperantly we were not the only victims of Paul's scams. Paul has few more complaints in court as well.
Paul
Virginia,#10REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, August 21, 2013
The way this report was submitted makes it seem as if no work was done. The facts are a strategic plan was developed and discussed, then executing that exact plan begun. During this time I did pick up another client who is a personal trainer and for slightly different reasons terminated that as well. The two common factor between these past clients are, I found them on the free side of craigslist. I learned my lesson here. I have worked with many Dental Offices in the VA MD DC area and have the highest reputation. I am not going to let two businesses that have issues of their own ruin my name.
Zhorakiev
Gaithersburg,#11Author of original report
Thu, August 08, 2013
Choi Paul Han or Paul Han Choi..l