Earlier today, I received the following email from someone who is not named Bob, but that’s what I’ll call him to protect his privacy:

Steve,

Did you recently sell an F40? Or are in the process of selling one? I have one with your vin number being offered to me that I am considering buying but the party representing the car is somewhat elusive. Can you advise if its for sale?

Many thanks.

Bob

I replied immediately:

Hi, Bob. It seems like your gut instinct is telling you something is wrong.. and you should trust those instincts. I am not selling my F40, and have no plans to… ever. I hope to be buried in it. 😉

Would you be willing to share with me the contact info for the person who is representing that they are selling it?

Thanks,

Steve

Bob replied right away with:

Yes I would prefer you do contact them, they have your vin number and everything … its on LA Craigslist right now …. I should have known by the price at $545,000 undervalued by oh about $500K but you never know …

I went to LA CraigsList, searched for Ferrari F40, and got the following results:

I clicked on the link of the car for sale, and saw this ad:

By this time, Bob had forwarded me the email thread between him and the seller: Mark Raider of Rogclassics in Ely, Nevada:

Subject: Red Ferrari F40 in great condition !
From: “Bob” <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, July 12, 2014 11:47 am
To: [email protected]

is the F40 still for sale? clean title?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ctd/4564153802.html

From: “craigslist 4564153802” <[email protected]>
Date: July 13, 2014
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Red Ferrari F40 in great condition !

Hi Bob,

yes it is, 2 owners and clean WA State title.

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com +1 775 473 4430 ext 3

Subject: Re: Red Ferrari F40 in great condition !
From: “Bob” <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, July 12, 2014 12:15 pm
To: [email protected]

Can wire money Monday. Just need cappy of title and to see the car.

From: “craigslist 4564153802” <[email protected]>
Date: July 12, 2014 12:24:36 PM PDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Red Ferrari F40 in great condition !

Hi Bob,

the car will be at our lot sometime Wednesday and will be available to see beginning Thursday. It is on the way from Seattle. I can fax you a copy of the Title.

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclasics.com +1 775 473 4430 ext 3

Subject: Re: Red Ferrari F40 in great condition !
From: “Bob” <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, July 12, 2014 12:35 pm
To: [email protected]

fax number xxx-xxx-xxxx. Would be sitting next to these …..

From: “craigslist 4564153802” <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, July 12, 2014 4:04 pm
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Red Ferrari F40 in great condition !

Hi Bob,

I am not in the office anymore but I am going tomorrow for an hour and will fax you a copy of the Title to this number. You have already 2 very nice cars ! I do have 2 other customers also coming on Thursday to check the car out. You said in your email that you want to secure the car, so do you want to make a refundable deposit before Thursday to have the first right of refusal ?

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com +1 775 473 4430 ext 3

Subject: Re: Red Ferrari F40 in great condition !
From: “Bob” <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, July 13, 2014 11:42 am
To: [email protected]

I am buyer on the car but without a direct cell number its somewhat concerning to send someone money on craigslist. When the car is en route I will fly out and buy it if it checks out, I have purchased many Ferraris over the years. Can you send me the vin number?

Bob

From: “craigslist 4564153802” <[email protected]>
Date: July 13, 2014 4:02:59 PM PDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Red Ferrari F40 in great condition !

Hi Bob,

I did not ask you for a deposit, you just ask me how to secure the car and that was my answer. I do not care about a deposit. I have 3 people coming on Thursday for this car. I am not giving you my private cell phone number without knowing you and since when is a cell phone number which I can buy prepaid for $ 25 more security for you than a business number ? When I work I am in the office and available by phone, if I take business calls when I am home, I get in trouble. Anyway carfax is below ! I am not making it to the office today, if you still interested I will fax you tomorrow a copy of the Title.

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com +1 775 473 4430 ext 3

1991 FERRARI F40

VIN: ZFFMN34A6M0088423
http://www.carfax.com/phoenix/smartbuyer/checklist.cfx?vin=ZFFMN34A6M0088423&language=en&permutationCode=STDCFX_UCP&locGid=&cfxId=T3670872&partnerCode=UPS&inventoryId=0&key=VO_cd0sebqGzdOxvR3R6Dfm4HGyIVMsHExnCtRb9RgY&state=NV&requestorType=C&webDomain=http://www.carfax.com/ http://www.carfax.com/phoenix/bbg/viewPrintCertificate.cfx?permutation=STDCFX_UCP&vin=ZFFMN34A6M0088423&make=FERRARI&model=F40&year=1991&engineInfo=+2.9L+V8++FI++SOHC&drivelineDescription=REAR+WHEEL+DRIVE&bodyTypeDescription=COUPE&coveragePeriod=07%2F13%2F2014+-+07%2F13%2F2015&tabbed=true

The VIN number in Mark’s final email is my Ferrari F40. I’ve owned it since 2004. In fact, Mark’s email also included a complete CarFax report of the car (I won’t waste space by pasting it here), showing much of the car’s history — including when I purchased it from New York, registered it in Washington State, serviced it in Portland (at Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo), and annually renewed the registration. There’s no doubt — Mark Raider of Rog Classics in Ely, Nevada is using my Ferrari F40 as fraud bait.

Bob’s first indication that something was strange is that Rogclassics’ asking price for the car is a few hundred thousand dollars low. Faced with a deal that seemed too good to be true, Bob had done what any smart buyer would do: he Googled the VIN, which brought him to my website, and he emailed me.

After verifying that my car was still indeed parked where it should be, I called Mark’s phone number. He answered, and the conversation went something like this:

Steve: Hi, I’m calling about the Ferrari F40 on Craiglist. What can you tell me about the car?

Mark: Yes. It’s a very nice car. It’s on a truck right now, but it will be here Wednesday and you can come look at it Thursday.

Steve: Oh, it’s not there now? Where is it?

Mark: It’s on a truck.

Steve: Oh… where’s the truck coming from?

Mark: Washington State.

Steve: I see. Does its VIN number end in 88423?

Mark: If you send me an email, I can send you the VIN number.

Steve: Actually, I already have copies of emails you’ve sent someone else about the car. Are you 100% certain that it’s on a truck right now?

Mark: Yes, 100% certain. It will be here on Wednesday.

Steve: You’re sure?

Mark: Positive.

Steve: What if I told you that I’m 100% positive the car won’t be there Wednesday?

Mark: Look, if you’re not interested in the car I understand. If you want to send me an email…

Steve: Aren’t you interested in knowing how I’m 100% certain the car won’t be there Wednesday?

Mark: The car is on a truck and it will be here.

Steve: No, the car is sitting right where I parked it. I own that car. That is my F40. Why are you trying to sell my car, Mark?

Mark: There must be some misunderstanding. The car is being sent from Washington right now.

Steve: No, Mark. There are only two Ferrari F40s in Washington state. I own one, and my buddy Greg owns the other. Neither of us are selling. Answer my question, Mark. Why are you using my car as fraud bait?

Mark: (mumbles and stutters) Perhaps I can call you back, sir. I can check into…

Steve: Mark, if you hang up this phone my next call is to the Ely police. Don’t you hang up the phone, Mark.

The next few minutes went around in circles much like this, him claiming there must be some mistake, and scared to hang up the phone, me assuring him that the only mistake is that he’d picked the wrong person to mess with. Eventually, he did hang up.

I immediately called back, and talked to an office manager named Lindsey Smith, who informed me that Mark had stepped out of the office. I told her she had 30 seconds to put him on the phone or that I’d be calling the police. She put me on hold… and then came back to say she couldn’t help me. I explained to her that her boss was committing fraud, and she deigned ignorance.

I will be calling the Ely police next, but here’s where you can help.

Call Mark Raider at Rogclassics in Ely, Nevada at (775) 473-4430 extension 3 and ask him why he’s trying to sell Steve Jenkins’ Ferrari F40.

The police will likely do nothing, but I really want to know why Mark is using my car as fraud bait. Hopefully he’ll tell us.

I’ll update this thread as more happens. Thank you in advance for your help!

Update – July 14 @ 11:41 AM

It appears the CraigsList ad has been updated, and says “This is not the F40 from Steve Jenkins ( or similar name) the owners name is Jack !”

I’ve been contacted by a few other individuals who have exchanged emails with Mark Raider, and he seems intent on still trying to sell this mystery car.

Update – July 14 @ 12:38 PM

I sent the following email to [email protected]:

From: Steve Jenkins
Date: Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 12:38 PM
Subject: Actual F40 VIN
To: [email protected]

Mark:

If you do actually have an F40 for sale, please send me the actual VIN number. I can verify it and clear up this entire “mix-up.” I’ll then update any online posts I’ve made about you using my VIN number to attempt to sell a car.

Steve Jenkins

I have received no response.

Update – July 14 @ 1:12 PM

I spoke with the Ferrari & Maserati of Seattle dealership in Seattle, Washington. They confirmed that they know of no F40 owners in Washington by the name of “Jack.”

Update – July 14 @ 1:23 PM

I spoke with the Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo Ferrari dealership in Portland, Oregon. They confirmed that they know of no F40 owners in Oregon or Washington by the name of “Jack” (in fact, they only knew of three F40s: Mr. Tonkin’s, mine, and one other).

Update – July 15 @ 8:00PM

And… things just took a hilarious turn. 🙂

It seems that Mark Raider has finally decided that the jig is up, and rather than continue the pretense of attempting to use his website as a base for fraudulent supercar sales, he’s given up and turned it into a shrine to yours truly… referring to me as a “convicted fellon” (yes, with two Ls) and accusing me of first degree murder. You can’t make this stuff up, folks! Well, I suppose that’s not true. He literally made that stuff up. Here’s a screen shot of his website in its current state. And my professional advice to him as a web marketing expert? I don’t think it’s going to attract much interest in exotic car sales like this. 🙂

Let’s analyze this line by line, shall we?

First, he starts out with a statement of fact: “Steve Jenkins The Man!”

Wow. Thank you, Mark! I’m flattered! I mean, you’re missing a verb in that sentence, but no matter — I get the jist of what you were trying to say. And if we were having this conversation in person, I’d reply with “No, YOU the man!” and then you’d reply “No, YOU the man!” and then I’d say “No, YOU the man!” and then we’d laugh and laugh and thug hug it out. But then you blew it by revealing that I’m a convicted felon and a child molester. I told you that in confidence, Mark… after I came to Ely, Nevada and we ate all that peyote on that vision quest with Dr. Michael Harner, PhD. Boundaries, bro. Boundaries.

Next, a stab in the dark that I’m “from Oregon.” Actually, I’m from Australia and I live in Seattle. I went to high school in Oregon, but I’m sure that whatever free online background check service Mark used to check me out said Oregon, so he went with it. Come on, Mark! Those sites are about as trustworthy as a used Ferrari salesman in Ely, Nevada. 😉

“self proclaimed Hero?” — Now that one… completely true. And thank you for showing the proper respect and capitalizing “Hero,” Mark. That shows class.

“F40 owner” — I used to think this one was true, but apparently my F40 is on a truck somewhere between Washington and Ely, Nevada… so the jury’s still out.

“convicted Fellon” — nott reallly surre whhy Marrk woulld thinnk thhat.

“convicted of first degree Murder, as a Teenager, in the 80s” — 100% true. But I have two really good excuses: 1) I was a teenager. 2) It was the 80s. Case dismissed.

“he now is also under investigation as a Child Molester… blah blah… Several Children… blah blah.. unbelievable behavior… blah blah” — The only thing getting molested here are the basic rules of capitalization and grammar.

“If convicted again, he will spend the rest of his life in Prison.” — Sweet! I’ll write a memoir, sell the TV rights, and executive produce a hit series on Netflix!

“775-201-0369 CALL NOW! and leave a comment to get this monster of our streets !” — First I’m pretty sure he means “monster off our streets” rather than “monster of our streets.” Although being a monster of the street sounds pretty bada$$. Anyway, I’ve called that number and left twelve comments so far, each with a different accent. I just can’t stop myself. It’s so much fun! 🙂

Here’s a recording of that number’s outgoing message:

That’s not Mark’s voice… it’s a recording of a text-to-speech program. Here’s what it’s trying to say:

“Steve Jenkins Oregon. F40 Ferrar owner and convicted felon. Now a child molester. Please leave your comments to get this monster of our streets for good.”

When typing in the script, Mark typed “Ferrar” instead of “Ferrari,” and just as he did on the website, he typed “monster of our streets.” I still think that’s an awesome nickname!

Here’s one of those tools explaining itself:

Now.. the best part of Mark’s web shrine? Scrolling down to the bottom to reveal this:

I’m not sure what to think of this. On one hand, I’m honored to be selected as the leader of anything. I was elected as foreman two out of the last three times I served Jury Duty  (wait… do they let convicted “fellons” serve on juries?) and it always gives me warm fuzzies any time I get to carve out a new fiefdom. On the other hand, I’m just the leader of “the” Child Molester. What? Only ONE? Seriously? Dang. I clearly need to brush up on my leadership skills and get more child molesters to follow me. I wonder if Tony Robbins has a class for that.

I’ve already had numerous friends tell me I should “find this Mark guy and sue him for slander.” There are two problems with that. First, slander is spoken, while libel is written. So if I were going to take down this clown for anything, it would technically be libel. But second, and more importantly, Mark’s not his real name, I’d guess he’s not even in the U.S. (he had a strong accent on the phone and English is clearly not his thing, and I believe he was using an untraceable VoIP account with a Nevada number), and nothing would come of it.

However, if you want to giggle at Mark’s newly designed website, you really should go do it now… because I don’t know how much longer it will be online.

Update – July 16 @ 6:30 AM

Now that Mark’s actions have confirmed that his website was just another part of his con, I’m happy to share an email conversation I’ve been having with Mark for the past two days. Except that Mark didn’t know it was me. He believed he was talking with “Monica,” the personal assistant to a big-time car collector who lives a few hours away from Ely, Nevada.

I figured I’d start out straightforward and professional.

Date: Jul 14, 2014 @ 3:29 PM

Hello. Is the car in this ad still available?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ctd/4564153802.html

If so, my employer has requested that I make an appointment for him to come see the car early Thursday afternoon (I would leave SLC around 10AM).

Any additional pictures or documentation you might have available for the vehicle would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to your prompt reply.

Thank you,

Monica

Then, noticing that my F40 wasn’t the only fake car he was trying to sell, I sent him a follow-up:

Date: Jul 14, 2014 @ 3:36 PM

Mr. Raider:

I just noticed that your dealership also has 4,000 mile Enzo for sale on CraigsList. This is also one of the cars my employer is currently searching for. Will that car also be at your dealership on Thursday? Perhaps there is potential for a package deal?

http://reno.craigslist.org/ctd/4564122632.html

Anything else interesting that you have available? My employer is primarily interested in later model (1990+) supercars, primarily Italian. But he also likes Porsches.

Thanks,

Monica

Which solicited a response!

Date: Jul 14, 2014 @ 3:48 PM

Hi Monica,

the Enzo is only consigned but we can talk about the car on Thursday. Yes Thursday is wide open, anytime is good between 10am and 6pm. Just call us when you are in Ely and we can meet up and bring you over here. We are not your typical dealership, we have only a small Warehouse with low security and this is why we meet up with our customer first.

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com +1 775 473 4430 ext 3

Of course, I knew this guy was shady even before sending the first email, I was just trying to see if I could catch him in more lies. So I continued with the professional and nice approach.

Date: Jul 14, 2014 @ 7:13 PM

Hi, Mark. Thanks for the quick reply.

I understand re: the Enzo. That makes sense. Thanks.

I’ll make plans to head out toward Ely on Thursday morning. I’ve never been to Ely before, is there somewhere (library, city hall, restaurant) you recommend I put in my GPS before heading out, and from where I can cell when I arrive? Should I just call the number in your signature?

How flexible are you on pricing, and what forms of payment do you accept? I’m not sure what banks are in Ely.

Also, do you have any additional photos of the car (additional angles, more closeups, etc.) you could send me? Any additional info you can provide, including mileage, condition, serial numbers, service history, CarFax report, accessories (car cover, tools), or other documentation would be extremely helpful.

Thanks again,

Monica

Date: Jul 14, 2014 @ 7:36 PM

Hi Monica,

we can make it very easy for you, punch in City hall on Rowley, we can meet there. Price is firm ! If you like the car, you can pay with a check, no problem. The car will be here on Wednesday late afternoon, so I do not have a new pic right now. I can only tell you that the condition is great. There is a lot of talk about this car right now, it certainly made a big bang, I will tell you Thursday all about it. For sure I am not letting you come all the way for an average car. I am leaving now and will be available tomorrow after 10 am again.

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com +1 775 473 4430 ext 3

First, take note: the price is “firm.” That will be important later. Second, he’s got a car of this type on the way but doesn’t have pictures? Never in a million years would that happen with a legit exotic broker. And the “a lot of talk about this car right now” is a reference to this blog post and the chatter on Ferrari website and mailing lists about this clown… but he didn’t know if “Monica” knew about all that. 🙂

I figured it was time to apply a little pressure, and maybe even move toward appearing a bit more familiar by simply signing the email with “M.”

Date: Jul 14, 2014 @ 7:50 PM

OK. I’ll use city hall for my GPS. Thanks.

I’ve just reported back to my employer about my planned trip, and he is very excited about this car! He has asked that I find out the following:

1. Mileage
2. Serial Number
3. Number of previous owners
4. Whether or not it’s had any “major” service done (appropriate for the mileage)
5. Accident history (if any)
6. CarFax report

He also said that the car is “very aggressively priced” (his words, not mine) and so if I am able to provide him all 6 of those items prior to leaving Salt Lake on Thursday, I have been authorized to bring a cashier’s check with me from Chase Bank $545,000.

However, if I have not provided him that info prior to leaving for Ely, I will not be able to bring a check with me, and have instructions only to inspect, photograph, and obtain the above information in-person, then report back to him.

It would really help me out with my employer if I am able to forward him that info tonight or tomorrow. 🙂

Thanks,

M

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 10:32 AM

Hi Monica,

no worries, everything is in order. Please bring you check book, we can not accept cash. There will be several customers coming for this car on Thursday. So we will start out with $ 545k but it will go to the highest bidder. I also like to suggest to meet up at City Hall because we have 3 Party’s that come at 10am and we will pick them up all together. No you can not secure the car at this time, we will not accept any deposit before Thursday on the spot. There has been a lot of fuss around this car, so we like to keep all information to us until Thursday. I can only tell you that the car is in great condition. There was a mistake about the vin # before and we will not put any more fuel on the fire regarding this car.

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com +1 775 43 4430 ext 3

Well, there goes all reference to the price being “firm.” It’s now turned into an auction?

Monica doesn’t like that. She’s back to signing off with her full first name. Her employer doesn’t like that, either. Monica needs to tell Mark about that!

At this point, I decide that Mark’s is eventually find out that Monica doesn’t exist, so I’m going to try and progressively ramp up the crazy to see just how desperate Mark is to sell this non-existent car. We’ll start with a helicopter.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 11:23 AM

Hi, Mark. I have passed this information on to my employer. Thank you.

He is expressing some concern over the fact that this now seems to be turning into an auction, rather than an actual sale. This is not his preferred method of doing business.

I haven’t hear of any “fuss” regarding this car, so my employer is confused as to why you are unable to share any additional details concerning its provenance and history. Is the car arriving in Ely on Thursday? Or is it arriving earlier, and Thursday is merely the day you are showing it?

I think I’ve made it clear that my employer has a very high interest in this car. He would like an opportunity to see it privately and possibly secure it, before anyone else gets a chance to. He is willing to wire you a non-binding $50K deposit today and then accompany me via helicopter from SLC to Ely on Wednesday afternoon or evening (is there somewhere near you that a helicopter could land?). However, this would only be possible if I can get the information he has requested. If he ends up not purchasing the car for any reason (including not being able to agree on a price with you), he asks that you refund $40K of the deposit, and keep the $10K as payment for giving him the first viewing. Is this something you are willing to do?

Also, he hasn’t specifically said this to me (and please don’t tell him I said this if you two do end up meeting this week), but I am starting to get the sense from him that the lack of details surrounding this vehicle is beginning to concern him, and I’d love to be able to give him something… ANYTHING… to help bolster his trust. Since you are clearly an experienced broker, I’m certain that must have received photos of the car, verification that the title is clean (non-salvage), etc. You seem like a very trustworthy individual, but with this type of money potentially changing hands, I’m sure you can understand my employer’s requirements on me to perform some due diligence. Please help me do that any way you can. I need SOMETHING to show him other than your assurances that “everything is in order.”

Thanks — and looking forward to meeting you in person soon.

Monica

Mark holds firm.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 12:47 PM

Hi Monica,

we will receive the car late Wednesday. However I can not accept a deposit on this car. I will explain to you why, when you are here. Sorry I can not tell you anything else. It will go to the highest bidder with or without you.

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com +1 775 73 4430 ext 3

With or without you? Clearly, Monica hasn’t established a close enough rapport with Mark. She needs to let him in a little… and slowly ramp up the crazy.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 1:11 PM

Mark:

After sharing this information with my employer, he got very angry with me to the point of yelling, which made me cry. I know that’s very unprofessional, but I couldn’t help it. He’s accusing me of not trying hard enough to get the information, and he says he’s never been involved in a vehicle transaction at this level where this type of information wasn’t readily available from the seller. He’s treating me as if it’s my fault or as if I have the info but am just not sharing it with him. It’s very painful to try and manage.

I don’t understand why all the secrecy around something that you’re trying to sell. It just doesn’t make sense! Please help me understand. I could lose my job over this, Mark. I really can’t lose this job because I need the medical insurance. Please please give me something I can pass on to him, or I fear I am in big trouble.

Monica

That seems to engender a small amount of sympathy from Mark, so what’s his answer? That Monica should step aside and let the boys handle it. Sheesh.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 1:23 PM

Hi Monica,

I can not help you, he can contact me by email as well and I will be glad to tell him all about why not. Some a-hole made us look very very bad on the internet, he even started a blog about this. Someone ( not me) made a big mistake with the vin # and it turned out to be his car. So now he tells the World how bad we are and that we are a fraud and so on and so fort. I am really sick and tired of this. We got at least 100 phone calls yesterday about this situation and police and lawyers are involved. Our Lawyer recommended strongly not to give out any more information about this car till it arrives and that is exactly what we do. There you have it and I am guessing now you will not come anymore. That is life, I can not change the situation until Thursday, we just not answering the phone right now and only call back if it is not about the F40. You have no idea how people can be. Sorry

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com + 1 775 473 4430 ext 3

He actually spelled out the entire word, but I edited it to “a-hole” to keep this blog’s PG rating. 🙂 I love that he’s blaming the VIN “mistake” on someone else, but I also love that his phone lines lit up in response to my blog post. He’s correct that police are involved, but he doesn’t know it yet — because I’d called them. Lawyers are not involved, because a lawyer wouldn’t have told him to not give out any more information… they’d have told him to give out the correct information.

Monica’s feeling at the end of her rope now… and so it’s time to crank up the crazy a little bit more, and explain exactly why she needs to keep her job so badly.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 1:51 PM

Hi, Mark. Unless the email you send to my boss can include more info about the car than you’ve already sent me (which isn’t very much), then asking him to spend his time emailing you (which is the type of stuff he pays me to do as his assistant) will only make him more angry.

My employer is the kind of man who is used to getting what he wants, but he is also known for his terrible temper. I’m actually his third assistant in only 4 years. He’s now blaming me for “messing up this deal,” and is threatening to fire me if I can’t get more info about this car before “wasting his time” (his words not mine) flying to some “po-dunk one horse town in the middle of $^%ing nowhere” (also his words, not mine… the photos of Ely on the Internet seem lovely).

I’m sorry to hear about this a-hole who made you look bad, but that’s not me. I don’t want to make you look bad. I can tell from your professionalism that you’re not a fraud. You wouldn’t even have access to these types of high-end vehicles if that were the case. That’s obvious.

But I can’t lose this job, Mark. I need the health insurance… I REALLY need the health insurance. I know this isn’t your problem, and I guess I feel comfortable telling you this in some strange way because you’re a stranger… but I just found out I’m pregnant five days ago. I haven’t told my mom, my boss, or even my boyfriend. I’m afraid that when I DO tell my boyfriend, he’ll dump me… and so I’m already mentally getting ready to just raise this baby on my own. I know this isn’t your problem, but I did want to help you understand better why I simply can’t lose this job, and why I have to be able to give my employer what he wants. I swear I won’t tell your lawyers you told me anything, and I 100% guarantee that you can trust me. I am showing you a lot of trust here, Mark. Can you please show me some in return?

Thanks,

Monica

Mark holds firm, but in a misogynistic epiphany, offers some advice for Monica:

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 1:58 PM

Hi Monica,

sorry, I can not help you. Thursday is the day, with or without you. That is life, we are just going to a difficult time as well, complaining about it, does not make it better. Turn on your charm and flirt with him, it might help.

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com +1 775 473 4430 ext 3

Turn on her charm and flirt? Monica has a really good explanation of why that’s the wrong move with her employer… and decides to modify her sign-off ever so slightly.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 2:14 PM

Mark:

Sorry, you’re right. I didn’t mean to come across as complaining. Please forgive me. It must be pregnancy hormones… it’s all very new to me. I’m sorry. 🙂

Your suggestion is funny… but the problem is that I’ve already “been there, done that,” so to speak. I am an EXTREMELY professional person normally, and even though my boss is an extremely wealthy, powerful, and attractive man, I didn’t want to be the stereotypical “bimbo assistant who puts out.” I’ve always gotten a lot of male attention ever since I was 14 because I developed pretty early, and I take good care of myself and work out, and my last boyfriend (the one before my current one) bought me breast implants, which I’m very proud of (I’d offer to send you a picture, but I think that would be a little forward of me — not naked or anything, just a bikini shot from Spring Break in Cabo).

Anyway, like I was saying, I wanted to make sure my job was totally professional, but my boss and I spend a LOT of time together, and last Memorial Day weekend we both got really drunk and I crossed that “professional” line. But even drunk, my boss was smart enough to take the necessary precautions to make sure I didn’t get pregnant (I wish my stupid boyfriend had been that smart). If it WAS his baby, man… I’d be SET. But I know it’s not, because the timing just doesn’t work out with how far along the doctor says I am. But anyway, ever since last Memorial Day my boss has been trying to get me alone overnight again, and it’s all I can do to keep shutting him down without making him angry (did I mention he’s the type of guy who ALWAYS gets what he wants?). So if I were to do a 180 and start being flirty with him now, it would totally backfire on me and I’d have way too much to deal with.

LOL. I’d probably have way more luck turning on my charm and flirting with you!

So… are you single? 😉

Monica
xoxo

I figured with that ridiculous story, Mark would have to realize that it’s actually me and that I’m messing with him. But no. His misogyny is still intact, logic is out the window, and he responds like the dolt he truly is:

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 2:26 PM

Hi Monica,

yes I am. I would not mind seeing that Bikini picture.

Best regards

Mark Raider

www.rogclassics.com +1 775 473 4430 ext 3

Wow. I interpret this as full license to take the crazy to Warp Factor 11. Let’s just see exactly how stupid this guy is!

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 2:41 PM

Wow – you’re a VERY naughty boy, Mark! LOL 🙂

That’s me, third from the left. No idea who the dumb looking dude is. We were by the pool and he was so drunk and insisted on taking a photo with us, so I handed his friend my phone, too.

As you can probably tell, I cropped this photo. I will gladly send you the un-cropped version if you can send me some more info on the car. 😉

Come on, Mark! Let’s make a deal! LOL. I have lots of photos… some better than others. 😉

Monica
xoxoxo

Now, had Mark been smart enough to do a quick Google image search on that cropped photo, he’d have known right away that I’d simply stolen it from a Cabo tourist website. But brains isn’t Mark’s strong suit. His strong suit is lechery…. as well as capital letter hugs and kisses.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 3:00 PM

come on Moni,

you can do better than that, no teasing, just show me that hot bod.

XOXOXO

Mark

I don’t know anyone named Monica who goes by “Moni.” Unless we’re talking about the girl in the Billy Idol song. Let’s keep stringing this bozo along!

Date: Jul 15, 2014 at 3:23 PM

You’re right… I can do SO much better.

But you’re going to have to go first. Show me “yours,” and I’ll show you “mine.”

And by “yours” I mean more info about the car, and by “mine,” well… you’ll have to use your imagination. 😉

M

Mark is in.. hook, line, and sinker. He reminds Monica that her job is at stake.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 3:39 PM
Moni, come on,

I am getting exited, you telling me that you desperately need your job but you wont show me some hot bikini pics ?? So it can not be that bad !

XO

Mark

Monica’s not caving that easy…

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 4:32 PM

LOL – I know how the game is played. 😉

What have you got to trade?

M

Mark is ready to dish. He even makes a promise! And he’s clearly shown himself to be a trustworthy dude!

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 5:25 PM

send me some very sexy pictures and I am all yours, with all the information, I promise !

XOXOXO Mark

Oh, if Monica had a nickel for every time a guy told her that. She’s been burned before, and she’s not going to make that same mistake twice. But she is willing to send the uncropped version of the photo stolen from the tourist website… just to nudge him along.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 6:10 PM

Hmm… I’ve had guys make me promises before. How can I be certain you’re not messing with me and even have the info you claim to have? 🙂

To prove I’m NOT messing with you… here’s an uncropped photo of me.

No more photos from me until I get a serial number from YOU! 😉

M

Shocker. Mark wants more.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 6:19 PM

not sexy enough, you can do better !

XOXOXO

Monica knows how to respond:

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 6:24 PM

You’re right. I can. MUCH better. But not until I get something I want in return. 😉

M

And here’s where Mark makes the jump from a simple fraudulent idiot to full blown creeper:

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 6:30 PM

I would love a naked picture or can you call me later tonight for some hot phone …… are you interested?

XOXOXO

I’ll say it for you. “Eww.”

But Monica has a job to do. She really needs that health insurance. So she needs to stay focused.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 6:44 PM

I have plenty of the kinds of pictures you’re talking about. But first, you know what I need from you first.

And the only way I’d call you is if you answered ALL SIX of the things my boss said he needs from me.

This is fun! 🙂

M

But Mark shows those stone-cold killer negotiating tactics that have made him the legendary exotic car broker he is:

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 7:27 PM

Well, no picture no information…………………..you know how it is………………
xoxoxo

Monica decides to let him simmer for a while, which Mark seems to dislike, because he probably spends the time scrolling back through the entire email message, seeing how completely ridiculous Monica’s story is, and realizes he’s been had:

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 8:03 PM

Well, well, was nice playing with you, just next time you need to be more modest and not so over the Top. You are either his Girlfriend, maybe even a guy or an undercover cop, anyway, I knew that since your first email, just wanted to see how far you go.

He throw the first punch but I knock him on his ass !

I had 1 day of BS, this will sting for a long time

So while we need to give Mark credit for eventually figuring out he’s been fooled, he’s still not smart enough to realize it’s actually me doing the fooling. He thinks it’s my “Girlfriend” (yikes… my wife would be pretty upset if that were the case), or “maybe” even a guy (ding ding ding!), or an “undercover cop?” Gee, Mark. Why would an undercover cop want anything to do with a legitimate businessman like yourself? 🙂

And I can only assume that the something that will “sting for a long time” is a reference to his decision to delete his car dealership website and replace it with the Steve Shrine. The only pain I’m feeling from that is an achy belly from laughing so hard. 🙂

But Monica is not a quitter. She persists! She intersperses quotes from his email with her reply, and finally caves in and decides to send him a “topless” photo.

Date: Jul 15, 2014 @ 9:04 PM

“Well, well, was nice playing with you, just next time you need to be more modest and not so over the Top.”

Next time of what? Now I’m confused, Mark.

“You are either his Girlfriend, maybe even a guy or an undercover cop, anyway, I knew that since your first email, just wanted to see how far you go.”

You’re still not making any sense. Have you been drinking? Why would cops be involved. You haven’t committed any crime.

“He throw the first punch but I knock him on his ass !”

I’m not following… exactly who is punching whom?

“I had 1 day of BS, this will sting for a long time”

Sorry to hear you’ve had a day of BS. Maybe some more bikini pics will cheer you up? The first three are of me, then one of me and my girlfriends on Spring Break, and then to really cheer you up, the last photo is topless!

Kisses,

Monica
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Mark hasn’t replied yet. But Monica still holds out hope! 🙂

Update – July 16 @ 2:31 PM

Somebody notified me earlier today that Mark has updated his website to correct the fact that I’m in Washington, not Oregon… and now I’m a Felon-with-a-capital-F with only one “L”. Here’s what that part of his website looks like now:

That means that Mark is visiting my blog and reading this article! Hooray! So nice to know you’re here, Mark!

It’s interesting to note that Mark still calls me the “monster of  our streets,” and I’ve actually asked my friends to start calling me that, cuz it’s such an awesome moniker.

I also noticed that “Child Molester Sreve” is written in black text over a black background in the right column (making it only visible if you happen to select it). This proves that Mark’s HTML skills are right up there with his spelling skills.

Tomorrow’s the big day, Mark! All those people showing up in Ely for the auction of your F40. Email me a photo of the car next to the “Welcome to Ely” sign on the way into town, and I’ll jump on the next plane to Ely, shake your hand, and apologize like a man.

And then I will be your leader.

Update – July 16 @ 2:44 PM

Uh, oh. The craigslist post listing the car for sale has mysteriously disappeared… on the very day the car was supposed to arrive in Ely!

Monica tried to email Mark to see why the ad was taken down, but apparently he’s having trouble with his mail server!

Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:

[email protected]

Technical details of permanent failure:
Google tried to deliver your message, but it was rejected by the server for the recipient domain rogclassics.com by smtp.secureserver.net. [72.167.238.29].

The error that the other server returned was:
550 5.1.1 <[email protected]> Recipient not found. <http://x.co/irbounce>

Same thing happens for [email protected], which was the address that was on the original version of the rogclassics.com website.

Sorry to hear you’re having trouble, Mark! 🙂

Update – July 16 @ 3:24 PM

Oh, no. It seems that not only is Mark having trouble with his email, but his phone system is acting up now.

When you call the 775-473-4430 number that was on his old web page, it no longer says that you’ve reached Rogclassics. Press play to hear the new outgoing message on his automated attendant. 🙂

It says: “Steve Jenkins from Oregon is a child molester and needs to get off the streets. Please leave a message so we can come all together and make his live (sic) a living hell. The police does (sic) nothing. So we need to do something.”

Then, if you press any of the 5 extensions (which used to be Sales, Samuel Hughes, Mark Raider, Lindsey Smith, and Parts, respectively) they now have strangely different names. Go ahead and listen for yourself!

Ext 1:

Ext 2:

Ext 3:

Ext 4:

Ext 5:

But nobody picks up at any of the extensions. How is he supposed to run a professional car dealership if nobody answers the phone? I think that’s really gonna affect sales!

Update – Thursday July 17th @ 2:00 PM

Well, today’s Thursday… the big day… but for some reason, I have a feeling nobody’s showing up in Ely to meet with Mark. Including Mark. And I use the term “Mark” loosely. I’m sure his name isn’t Mark, but he was certainly looking for someone to be his mark.

So if Mark’s reading this (and I’m sure he is), if you can produce proof that you have a Ferrari F40 there in Ely, Nevada today, with a clean title ready to sell… I’ll pay you double your asking price. Just take a photo of the car next to ANYTHING in Ely that I can identify using Google Maps. You warthog-faced buffoon.

And in other news, Mark’s website is now a blank page… looks like he’s trying to redesign. Maybe for better SEO? 😉 Here’s what it looks like now:

Update Friday, July 18th

Well, Thursday came and went. Just like Mark.

His website is now blank (but I’m still insisting people call me Monster of the Streets™) and his phones aren’t answered.

Farewell, Mark.

Perhaps our paths will cross again someday…

…when I’m tired, and far from home, and hungry…

…and I hear your voice say “Welcome to McDonalds, may I take your order?