Van Halen Forger Scammed Fans For $175k
Man who sold fake signatures could get jail time
Hennemusic reports that a Missouri man, who peddled more than 1,200 record album covers and sports memorabilia items with forged signatures, pleaded guilty to fraud charges in federal court on Monday.
David Bruce Shryock, 49, apparently used eight different eBay accounts to defraud victims of more than $175,000. One item, a "signed" copy of Van Halen's 5150 was sold for $177 in one recent auction.
Shryock reportedly avoided detection by opening different eBay and Paypal accounts when his were closed down, often using his friends' accounts and giving them a cut of the takings.
On 15 December 2010, police patrol officers caught Shryock burglarizing a lawyer's office in Joplin and gave chase. He drove his car off a cliff, bailed out and was arrested after a foot chase, according to the plea agreement.
A 9mm pistol belonging to the burglarized lawyer was found in the car. Shryock, as a convicted felon from previous forgery and other charges, was not allowed to possess a firearm.
Prosecutors say Shryock carried out his scheme for almost six years, through last December. He faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.