Philatelic Fraud on eBay! Is it a Conspiracy?

Low catalog value stamps purchased by eBay user "Stazy4" and "chickfrdstk" were altered then sold as part of an estate sale by eBay seller "pcheltenham" and "schuylerac"

Is it a conspiracy to commit fraud? Is "Stazy4" and "chickfrdstk" one in the same? Is "schuylerac" and "pcheltenham" related or part of the same crew?

I don't really like the word conspiracy in this case. When people hear the C-word, they think of the X-files or some political cover-up. Purposeful deception and fraud for monetary gain is probably the best description in this case. Purchases by "Stazy4" and "chickfrdstk" were run through a special "enhancer-ator" and offered by "pcheltenham" and "schuylerac" on eBay only weeks later.

In the words of "pcheltenham" and I quote, "Wether (sic) these notations are correct or not is your obligation to determine." Let's browse these pages and see if the evidence speaks for itself.

Compare these examples below and remember the key phrase on eBay is "Caveat Emptor". (Did I spell that right? Let the buyer beware!)

The Top of the Fakes Pages
Another Bogus Scott 519 - New November 2002
The Fake Scott 346 Private Perf - New October 2002
The Most Impressive Fake Scott 62B
The Secret Life of an Altered Scott 72
The Secret Life of a Chemically Altered Scott 78
The Secret Life of an Altered RW5 Duck Stamp
A Fake Scott #320 with Schermack Type III Perforations
Fake Scott #743a
Detecting a Flat Plate Press Vertical Coil, Fake Scott 441
Fake Reperfed 514a
Fake Reperfed 508c
Fake Reperfed 546
Fake Scott 143 w / Bogus Grill
Fake Scott 137 w / Same Bogus Grill as Fake 143
Fake Scott 139 w / Same Bogus Grill as Fake 137 and 143
Fake Scott 315 - Revised June 2002
Fake Reperfed Scott 519 - Revised June 2002

A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 1
A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 2
A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 3
A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 4
A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 5

Credits, Inspiration and Links of Interest


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Original Stamp Image Original Sellers Description
Altered Stamp Image
Fraudulent Description
Item Number 1337361896

Sold 3/11/2002 by "asoth@teleport.com" to "chickfrdstk" for $15.01

US Used 71 Thirty Cent Franklin CV 160.00

The 1861 thirty cent Franklin, nice "socked on the nose" cancel.

The stamp on the left was reperfed and new cancel added. It has found a new life on the RIGHT.

Educational Part:
Cancels added - why? Also note that the stamp got reperfed on 2 sides. The original Scott 71 to the left was issued without a grill. If this item has a grill it must of been added.
Item Number 1351984088

Sold by "schuylerac" 5/12/02 as:

81 USED CAT$60,000

The seller "schuylerac" after making the ridiculous title claim goes on to describe the item in the ad thus:

THERE IS AN ALL OVER GRILL OF LINEAR ROWS WITH GRILL POINTS IN STRAIGHT LINES. THE GRILL IS INTERRUPTED AT SPOTS
AND LOOKS VERY REALISTIC. THE GRILL DOES NOT BREAK THE PAPER AS SCOTT SAYS IT OFTEN DOES. WE DO NOT EVEN DARE IMAGINE THIS IS GENUINE AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU. THIS IS SOLD AS IS WITHOUT IMPLICATION MADE OR INTENDED THAT IT IS INDEED GENUINE!!!

SOLD to "heddonman" for $36.00

Item Number 1346427276

Sold 4/21/02 by "
"gio14" to "chickfrdstk" for $16.00

154 w/NYFM cancel, tiny thins

The stamp on the left was cleaned to remove the paper stains. It has found a new life on the RIGHT.

Educational Part:
The original Scott 154 to the left was issued without a grill. If this item has a grill it must of been added at some point. Also "schuylerac" never mentions the "thins". For those of you who have never seen a genuine grill, go
HERE and HERE
Item Number 1351991366

Sold by "schuylerac" 5/12/02 as:

143 USED GRILL CAT$2400

The seller "schuylerac" after making the ridiculous title claim goes on to describe the item in the ad thus:

THE STAMP DISPLAYS A PARTIAL STRUCTURED GRILL WITH A SERIES OF GRILL POINTS IN LINEAR ROWS. IT APPEARS REALISTIC. IT CANNOT BE MEASURED FOR DEFINITE VERIFICATION AND AUTHENTICITY AND IT IS SOLD AS IS WITHOUT ANY IMPLICATION MADE OR IMPLIED THAT THIS IS A GENUINE GRILL!!!

SOLD to "bbj88" for $15.50

PART 1 of a combination auction that consisted of a Scott 36 shown here, and a Scott 72, shown below.

Item Number 1343222225

Sold 4/7/2002 by "upa89" to "Stazy4" for $49.00

Described by the honest seller as:

USA, Washington .- 12+90 Cent, 1857-61, used.

Two scarce stamps but poor quality! Left copy: cut upper side and a small thin (3 - 4 mm) --right copy: cut right side and short/missing perfs. Useful as "spacefillers"!

The stamp on the left has been trimmed and new cancel added. It has found a new life on the RIGHT.


Educational Part:
The original Scott 36 to the left has had it's perforations trimmed off to make it look like a Scott 17. Fake cancels have been added , most likely to hide flaws, as the honest seller did describe the item as a space filler.
Item Number 1350568323

Sold by "pcheltenham" 5/8/02 as:

ESTATE COLLECTION

The seller "pcheltenham" describes the item in the ad thus:

THIS SAYS: second .............................. Take a look at the scan. What you see is what you get. This is a handed down collection comprising of over 20 boxes. Whenever there are notations
on the envelopes they will be given. Some stamps have notations on the back. Wether (sic) these notations are correct or not is your obligation to determine.

SOLD to "bbj88" for $20.75

PART 2 of a combination auction that consisted of a Scott 72 shown here and a Scott 36 shown above.

Item Number 1343222225

Sold 4/7/2002 by "upa89" to "Stazy4" for $49.00

Described by the honest seller as:

USA,Washington .- 12+90 Cent, 1857-61, used.

Two scarce stamps but poor quality! Left copy: cut upper side and a small thin(3-4mm)--right copy: cut right side and short/missing perfs. Useful as "spacefillers"!

The stamp on the left was reperfed and new cancel added. It has found a new life on the RIGHT.


Educational Part:
The original Scott 72 to the left was again run through the reperforator in an attempt to make the stamp look more symmetrical. Also "pcheltenham" mentions a short perf, which is the least of this stamps problems.
Item Number 1350569037

Sold by "pcheltenham" 5/8/02 as:

ESTATE COLLECTION

The seller "pcheltenham" describes the item in the ad thus:

THIS SAYS: short perf .............................. Take a look at the scan. What you see is what you get. This is a handed down collection comprising of over 20 boxes. Whenever there are notations on the envelopes they will be given. Some stamps have notations on the back. Wether these notations are correct or not is your obligation to determine.

SOLD to "strandee" for $63.00

Item Number 1339744421

Sold 3/22/2002 by the honest seller "wangcm" to "chickfrdstk" for $13.00

Described by the honest seller as:

USA 1861 15c Used

USA series of 1861-66 15c black no grill, Sc#77(?). SG73, cv £50. Used. Bottom perfs all been clipped. No thin.

The stamp on the left was reperfed and new cancel added. It has found a new life on the RIGHT.


Educational Part:
The original Scott 77 to the left was again run through the reperforator along the bottom edge and a bogus cancellation was added to an existing one in an attempt to make the stamp look more symmetrical.
Item Number 1351488464

Sold by "pcheltenham" 5/12/02 as:

ESTATE COLLECTION

The seller "pcheltenham" describes the item in the ad thus:

THIS SAYS:: nothing................ Take a look at the scan. What you see is what you get. This is a handed down collection comprising of over 20 boxes. Whenever there are notations on the envelopes they will be given. Some stamps have notations on the back. Wether these notations are correct or not is your obligation to determine.

SOLD to "philate" for $26.00

Item Number 1338549880

Sold 3/17/2002 by the honest seller "jylland" to "chickfrdstk" for $40.30

Described by the honest seller as:

US SC#32 f-vf 1857 10c. Val.$275

Looks like SC#32 (see scan) Impf. at top else stamp in good condition

The stamp on the left was reperfed and new cancel added. It has found a new life on the RIGHT.


Educational Part:
The original Scott 32 to the left was again run through the reperforator along the top edge and the original cancellation has been obscured. It is hard to tell from the image, but I suspect it has been bleached and cleaned.
Item Number 1349935618

Sold by "pcheltenham" 5/5/02 as:

ESTATE COLLECTION

The seller "pcheltenham" describes the item in the ad thus:

THIS SAYS #32.............................. Take a look at the scan. What you see is what you get. This is a handed down collection comprising of over 20 boxes. Whenever there are notations on the envelopes they will be given. Some stamps have notations on the back. Wether these notations are correct or not is your obligation to determine.

SOLD to "rmclinn@aol.com" for $36.03.

Item Number 1341485005

Sold 3/30/2002 by the honest seller "oldtowncrd@aol.com" to "chickfrdstk" for $14.25

Described by the honest seller as:

USED #71 US STAMP FROM AN ESTATE. ~N/R~


USED UNITED STATES #71 STAMP FROM AN ESTATE. ~NO RESERVE ~ We recently purchased the collectibles portion of an estate in order to get the sports cards we are in need of for our auctions.


Educational Part:
Well, Any alteration isn't readily apparent. What we are trying to show here then is the connection between "chickfrdstk/ stazy4" purchasing stamps and "pcheltenham / schuylerac" ring of forgers, reselling them.
Item Number 1350553537

Sold by "pcheltenham" 5/8/02 as:

ESTATE COLLECTION

The seller "pcheltenham" describes the item in the ad thus:

THIS SAYS :: #71 .............................. Take a look at the scan. What you see is what you get. This is a handed down collection comprising of over 20 boxes. Whenever there are notations on the envelopes they will be given. Some stamps have notations on the back. Wether these notations are correct or not is your obligation to determine.

SOLD to "scrib" for $28.88.

Item Number 1343211726

Sold 4/7/2002 by the honest seller "hoppat99" to "Stazy4" for $13.38

Described by the honest seller as:

69 used, black target cancel, clean and sound

This #69 is used with good color. Clean and sound. A nice stamp for any collection.

The stamp on the left was reperfed. It has found a new life on the RIGHT.


Educational Part:
The original Scott 69 to the left was again run through the reperforator along the right edge.
Item Number 1351499638

Sold by "pcheltenham" 5/12/02 as:

ESTATE COLLECTION

The seller "pcheltenham" describes the item in the ad thus:

THIS SAYS:: nothing...................... Take a look at the scan. What you see is what you get. This is a handed down collection comprising of over 20 boxes. Whenever there are notations on the envelopes they will be given. Some stamps have notations on the back. Wether these notations are correct or not is your obligation to determine.

SOLD to "deanpwessel@juno.com" for $24.51.

Original Stamp Image Purchased by, Amount, Original Description and eBay item number
Altered Stamp Image used in Auction
Fraudulent Auction Information
stazy4 6/25/02 $24.26
Scott 33 (SCV $275) - #7613
Item # 1361078748
pcheltenham 7/31/02
ESTATE COLLECTION 10ct Washington
Item # 1369458377
stazy4 6/18/02 $16.50
USA 1851-57 Sc:33 , Mi:11 III, 10c. canc.
Item # 1358772688
Short perf, tear.
pcheltenham 7/31/02
ESTATE COLLECTION 10ct Washington
Item # 1369462882

deep cleaned, faults not mentioned

chickfrdstk 7/6/02
United States Older Stamp Lot 4
Item # 1363386821
pcheltenham 7/26/02
ESTATE COLLECTION 10ct Washington
Item # 1369417109
chickfrdstk 7/6/02
United States Older Stamp Lot 4
Item # 1363386821
pcheltenham 7/29/02
ESTATE COLLECTION 10ct Washington
Item # 1369217111

cancel remnant


deep cleaned, cancel
removed

Original Stamp Image Purchased by, Amonut, Original Description and eBay item number Altered Stamp Image used in Auction Fraudulent Auction Information
chickfrdstk 6/10/02 $11.62
US 1893 4c Trans-Mississippi Orange MINT #287
Item # 1357687773
"part original gum"
pcheltenham 7/28/02
ESTATE COLLECTION
Item # 1369237661
"original gum fault.......…"

reperfed at left

chickfrdstk 6/26/02 $9.75
US 69 - Used - CV $90.00
Item # 1361527906
"Toned…"
pcheltenham 7/26/02
ESTATE COLLECTION
Item # 1369455386

reperfed left & bottom, deep cleaning, added cancel at left

stazy4 6/12/02 $43.00
Scott Classics Lot #12
Item # 1358133051
pcheltenham 7/21/02 $110.50
ESTATE COLLECTION: 12ct grill
Item # 1366684579

reperfed at right

cancel - red "N"4579

chickfrdstk 5/28/02 $12.10
US # 115. Used. VF. scv $210.00
Item # 1354567644 Scott # 115,Very Fine,Used,straight edge,thin
pcheltenham 7025/02

ESTATE COLLECTION

1869 issue Item # 1369194146
cleaned, reperfed at left

stazy4 6/18/02 $18.86
USA 1867 Sc:96 , Mi:20IIw6 , 10c. canc.
Item # 1358772700
pcheltenham 7/25/02
ESTATE COLLECTION 10ct grill
Item # 1369199556

cleaned with bleach, reperfed at top, added cancel

stazy4 6/3/02 $24.00
US #238 MH VF App. SCV $240.00
Item # 1356232228
"...MH, VF App., Small Thin and Light Album Adhearance on Back…"


pcheltenham 7/26/02
ESTATE COLLECTION 15ct Columbian
Item # 1369400719

reperfed at top

chickfrdstk 5/20/02 $36.07
#33, 10c Washington, Used FVF
Item # 1352908418
#33 - Perf problems across the bottom and possible reperfed on the left
pcheltenham 7/26/02
ESTATE COLLECTION 10 ct washington
Item # 1366771028

look very closely; the cancel
remnant or "ghost" can be seen,
particularly the parallel diagonal
lines across the face.




cleaned, cancel removed
reperfed right and bottom


Knowledge . . . .
. . . continues to be the collector's best ally. It is also what has separated the true collector from the casual accumulator. The more you know, the better your puchasing and collecting decisions become.

Don't get burned!

Get real... Get educated .... Get smart.
Knowledge really is Power. Updated 9/13/2003
Updated 9/13/2003
In the next few weeks and months, I will be adding more images and words for a whole bunch of fakes I and others have purchased on eBay. I can be reached at:
nerdman@ix.netcom.com
DISCLAIMER:
Thanks for visiting this site. I hope you learn something new as I am having fun doing this and stirring up the "doodoo" so to speak. You, the visitor, have my permission to copy my pages and images for the purpose of showing others how to look for fakes and forgeries. You also have my permission to link to my pages and to share the link paths to others. I only ask in return for you to send me an email if I have made a mistake or have done some other technical blunder that in my rush to put these pages up would cause the visitor confusion. Please also visit my other website www.slingshotvenus.com and support the live music arts.