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Red Camera Stolen

S

Stephen_James

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Hello All, Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this, wasn't really sure where to put it.

I was recently the victim of a fraudulent rental and had my kit stolen. Im a student in Toronto Canada and purchased the kit on a line of credit, it was unfortunately not insured.

The camera was a Red One MX serial number 10351, also in the kit was a Small HD AC7 (LDC,SDI), 3 Anton Bauer Dionic 90's and TWIN charger, A redRock Macro MattBox, 2 64Gb Mags as well as the AC power adapter, Nikon Mount Pl Mount, top and bottom rails, dove tail ext. Also stolen was my Lens Kit, a set of 3 Zeiss ZF2 Primes. A 50mm Macro (F2.0), 85mm (F1.4) and 25mm (F2.8).

If anyone sees anything, please let me know.


Thanks

Stephen.
 
I'll keep my eyes open. How long ago was this?

Are you allowed to share any info of the fraudulent renter (name, title of the production, or anything -- not sure if it's against forum rules). Also, if you haven't already, obviously go to the cops. OH, and let RED know (assuming you had the ownership transferred).

How were you renting without insurance? That doesn't even make sense… Isn't it a requirement? I mean, didn't he/she give you their "production insurance" (did you phone them)?
 
Last edited:
Post details on this thread:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?37832-Stolen-Cameras-Database/page6

If it's confirmed stolen, and not just a late return, then let us know exactly when and where this occurred.

Any more serial numbers, pictures, identifying marks (including distinctive wear, dents etc), labels (even though they can be removed), type of cases, serial numbers for the other gear apart from the camera?

Keep an eye out on Craigslist, eBay and local for sale websites.

Follow up any documentation, email addresses and phone numbers the renters gave you. What was their MO? Any details/photos of them or their vehicle(s).
 
Wow fast responses, thanks guys.

I was first contacted by an individual who gave me the name Shawn on Sunday September 29th at 6:24PM. He presented himself as a previous renter or someone I had spoken too already about renting my equipment. Despite not knowing who he was I played along assuming that I had simply forgotten the person and/or conversation we had already had. After bouncing around on dates and price the Individual picked up my camera package and lens kit on Wednesday the 2nd of october at approximately 10:30. I normally require a renter to provide proof of production insurance. "Shawn" informed me that he had production insurance and asked if I had received the email from his first Assistant Director, when I told him I had not he offered to wait until I received the email to which I told him not to worry about it as long as it was on its way. Hind sight is 20/20 I guess... Not a mistake ill ever make again.

He paid me in cash. I noted later that "Shawn" Signed his name as Ricci Khan on my rental agreement. "Shawn" then took photos of the contract on his BlackBerry and asked that I Email him a photocopy. I then helped him to load the 3 cases into the trunk of a taxi. I believe the Taxi was Beck but I could be mistaken in that memory.


The person who picked up the camera was about 5,9 Middle Eastern, light brown skin, fair complexion, with short black hair spiked up at the front, about 170Lb, and about 23 years of age. He did not have an accent and was wearing a light colored dress shirt over a white Tshirt.


The camera package was to be returned by 10:30 Friday the 4th, when I had not heard from him I tried calling and got a genaric "this person has not activated their voice mail box" message, at this point I was not concerned as shoots often run late and it is general practice to keep ones phone off while on set. It was around noon the following day I began to become distressed and when I had still not heard from him by Sunday afternoon, after more than 20 attempts to contact him via both phone and email, I made the decision to flag the camera as Stolen with the Company that services them (RED Digital Cinema) and get the Police involved.


The one oddity is that he was able to text me directly as my phone number is not posted on my online advertisement, hosted on kijiji, to attain my phone number he would have to have had contact with someone who A) Knew me personally and knew I rented my camera, or B) Was a previous renter or someone who had contacted me over kijiji in the past.


I also have the surveillance video from my building, Unfortunately its too low resolution to be of much use. (Irony) , the product has been listed as stolen with Red.

Up until this point I was of the impression that the police where taking it quite seriously, but after a recent phone call with the detective assigned to the case I realised that, unfortunately, wasn't the case.
 
I fear you've probably left it far too late at nearly two months to let Reduser know of the theft for it to be spotted on Craigslist etc. Even if you caught him now, chances are your gear is long gone. Probably you will have to put this down to hard earned experience and be more savvy in future.

It's also little consolation that there were many warning signs in this scenario which should have led to you refusing to hire your kit to him.

1) Did he give his name as Shawn in email or telephone? Could it have been Sean or Shaun? No surname? If he appeared to have contacted you in the past, can you search for his previous emails and/or phone calls - may give you some leads. If I don't know someone I always ask where they got my contact details.
2) He didn't show ID, or credit card, or any letterheaded paperwork?
3) Did his 1st AD have a name? What about the production? What about the production company? The first thing I do is consult Google for any new professional contacts, and see if their online presence looks completely legit. If anything looks odd, or there's very little then questions are asked.
4) Paying in cash is not necessarily bad, but for a first rental, I wouldn't have accepted it. If you don't have card facilities then a cleared wire transfer would leave a trail to follow.
5) Him signing Ricci Khan should have been a massive red flag when he's been calling himself "Shawn". What was his email? Did he give a real address?
6) You could have contacted the taxi company to see where he was picked up/dropped off - but it's probably too long ago now to follow this up.
7) Does his mobile still ring?
8) Are there any clues in his texts at all?
9) Have any of your friends or contacts met or known a Shawn, Sean, Shaun or Ricci Khan fitting his description?
10) How do you know he found you through kijiji? Did he request your kit like he knew what was in it? Have you ever advertised elsewhere in the past?
11) I would not have a full address on your future adverts. I was able to find your kijiji advert very easily. A business email address and general city area is sufficient. Otherwise you're just advertising you have stuff worth stealing and exactly where it can be found! You can always give more details once you've verified a new customer to your satisfaction.
12) You may be able to find serial numbers for your stolen kit on the original purchase receipts for them. So add them to your stolen kit listing on the thread:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthr...Database/page6
 
Stephen,

I am very sorry to hear this has happened to you. There has been a rash of thefts of RED gear lately in TO. Would you mind contacting me? I'd like to put you and another victim together and sort out if this is the same dude that is going around stealing Red gear.
 
Yeah this dude is slippery for sure.

Hey Bob maybe you should have another meet up with a "How to protect your gear when renting" agenda. I have a three page contract and a work flow for renting that seems to scare off the scammers. Serious renters don't seem to mind hoops I make them jump through. I'd be happy to share the process with everyone.

Bob Gundu said:
Hey Rion,

I passed the name of the person you told me about to Stephen already. I hope we can track down this culprit.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys.


I have contacted the other person in Toronto, well see if theres a connection.

Eric

Your likely correct, posting on Red User didn't occur to me until a friend recommended it (I am amazed by the speed of the responses here)
I have watched Ebay Craigslist and Kijiji quite closely sense the event took place but its quite possible the kit was sold to a pre established buyer or simply done off line, or that I missed it.

In response to your questions

1) It was Shawn, I communicated primarily by Test. I have a transcript if people are interested in it.

2) No, at this point one of the biggest mistakes I have made to date.

3) He did not, I have an email for him that check out as he wanted me to send him a copy of the rental agreement I had him sign. The email did not bounce but I never received an email from him.

4) Good tip, if/when I get back in the game I will follow it.

5) The second biggest mistake I made, I can only attribute it to hubris, and fatigue.

6) I informed the Police about the Taxi, it was one of the things the officers that took the report talked about following up on that the detective never did.

7) His mobile went straight to voicemail as though the phone was turned off, but the voice mail was not set up. After serval weeks it stopped working all together.

8) I can post the transcript, but I did not notice any, other than his terminology when talking about the gear, called Red Mags "Memory cards" and such, so he didn't seem to know the gear too well.

9) No, unfortunately Toronto is a big place. I have been looking though, every minute of everyday.

10) I have not advertised anywhere else, but he contacted me directly, so he had to get my information from someone who had it thats either a) a friend or acquaintance which I kind of doubt or b) a pervious renter, much more likely and Ive only had about a dozen. So thats my best lead.

11) Also good advice, though I don't think it would have helped in this case.

12) I will do that.


R. Gonzales

I wouldn't mind some tips, would be nice not to have this happen again when/if I get back in the game.


Thanks again guys.
 
Sorry to hear this. I'll post something in our Toronto Facebook page. It's not good to know this happened here in our hood.
 
Stephen_James said:
Wow fast responses, thanks guys.

I was first contacted by an individual who gave me the name Shawn on Sunday September 29th at 6:24PM. He presented himself as a previous renter or someone I had spoken too already about renting my equipment. Despite not knowing who he was I played along assuming that I had simply forgotten the person and/or conversation we had already had. After bouncing around on dates and price the Individual picked up my camera package and lens kit on Wednesday the 2nd of october at approximately 10:30. I normally require a renter to provide proof of production insurance. "Shawn" informed me that he had production insurance and asked if I had received the email from his first Assistant Director, when I told him I had not he offered to wait until I received the email to which I told him not to worry about it as long as it was on its way. Hind sight is 20/20 I guess... Not a mistake ill ever make again.

He paid me in cash. I noted later that "Shawn" Signed his name as Ricci Khan on my rental agreement. "Shawn" then took photos of the contract on his BlackBerry and asked that I Email him a photocopy. I then helped him to load the 3 cases into the trunk of a taxi. I believe the Taxi was Beck but I could be mistaken in that memory.


The person who picked up the camera was about 5,9 Middle Eastern, light brown skin, fair complexion, with short black hair spiked up at the front, about 170Lb, and about 23 years of age. He did not have an accent and was wearing a light colored dress shirt over a white Tshirt.


The camera package was to be returned by 10:30 Friday the 4th, when I had not heard from him I tried calling and got a genaric "this person has not activated their voice mail box" message, at this point I was not concerned as shoots often run late and it is general practice to keep ones phone off while on set. It was around noon the following day I began to become distressed and when I had still not heard from him by Sunday afternoon, after more than 20 attempts to contact him via both phone and email, I made the decision to flag the camera as Stolen with the Company that services them (RED Digital Cinema) and get the Police involved.


The one oddity is that he was able to text me directly as my phone number is not posted on my online advertisement, hosted on kijiji, to attain my phone number he would have to have had contact with someone who A) Knew me personally and knew I rented my camera, or B) Was a previous renter or someone who had contacted me over kijiji in the past.


I also have the surveillance video from my building, Unfortunately its too low resolution to be of much use. (Irony) , the product has been listed as stolen with Red.

Up until this point I was of the impression that the police where taking it quite seriously, but after a recent phone call with the detective assigned to the case I realised that, unfortunately, wasn't the case.
Click to expand...

Sorry this happened man. Hope you get it back!

Maybe as an Idea provide the number to several individuals located in your area and plan out having them call him to hire him as a producer? Not sure what his title might have been. Somehow give them a way to have this Shawn guy make money and maybe it'll draw him out? Something we did for a friend when a 5DII was stolen. Actually worked.
 
Jeffrey Loewe said:
Sorry this happened man. Hope you get it back!

Maybe as an Idea provide the number to several individuals located in your area and plan out having them call him to hire him as a producer? Not sure what his title might have been. Somehow give them a way to have this Shawn guy make money and maybe it'll draw him out? Something we did for a friend when a 5DII was stolen. Actually worked.
Click to expand...

Good idea - unfortunately Stephen said the number no longer works.
 
FYI the typical racket is to steal equipment in toronto and then ship it off to the 3rd world. It could be anywhere from Iran to pakistan. Typically it's easy to import via bribes. I was on a set in India with tons of William F. White lights on their set.

I'd image that taxi went straight to the airport.
 
Tom C. Hall said:
FYI the typical racket is to steal equipment in toronto and then ship it off to the 3rd world. It could be anywhere from Iran to pakistan. Typically it's easy to import via bribes. I was on a set in India with tons of William F. White lights on their set.

I'd image that taxi went straight to the airport.
Click to expand...

That does make sense with the booming number of RED productions in Indian cinema.
 
Hi

We had a theft in Montreal here recently too, with similar circumstances. I'm going to email/pm some of you guys. I'd like to share notes.
 
Tom C. Hall said:
I was on a set in India with tons of William F. White lights on their set.

I'd image that taxi went straight to the airport.
Click to expand...

Not a totally valid point... 60% of the grip & lighting gear in my studio is stamped WFW or Ps or Christie or Panavision - all paid for above board. They sell off / ditch old gear every once in a while, you just need to be at the loading dock with a cube at the right moment, with the right connection.

Hearing about this theft makes me mad - happens too often, and even once is too often.
 
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