Bad Guy Cokski: is he a scammer, or simply not very smart?

Herpin Man

Herpin Man

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Cokski has plagiarized, almost verbatim, an ad of mine:

For Sale - Mourning gecko for sale

My entire collection of mourning geckos is going up for sale. I have types B, and C in sizes from hatchling on up to producing adults. Type B has bold markings on the anterior and posterior, and type C has two rows of bold spots. Types B & C ("Hawaiian" mourning geckos) are less common in the...
www.faunaclassifieds.com

He removed and reposted it when I commented on it, and probably will do so again. So here is a screenshot:
cokski ad.jpg

Here is my original ad for comparison:

SOLD!! - Mourning gecko collection- types B & D

My entire collection of mourning geckos is going up for sale. I have types B and D (see photos) in sizes from hatchling on up to producing adults. Type B has bold markings on the anterior and posterior, and type D has two rows of bold spots. Types B & D ("Hawaiian" mourning geckos) are less...
www.faunaclassifieds.com

Perhaps he doesn't quite have the mental bandwidth necessary to write his own ad. However, when someone is willing to steal photos or ad copy from another hobbyist, I'd say it's highly likely they would also steal the prospective customer's money.
Buyer beware-
 
So this is now the third time he has reposted the ad; again, using my copy. The guy's determined, if nothing else:

For Sale - mourning gecko (class b and c)

My entire collection of mourning geckos is going up for sale. I have types B, and C in sizes from hatchling on up to producing adults. Type B has bold markings on the anterior and posterior, and type C has two rows of bold spots. Types B & C ("Hawaiian" mourning geckos) are less common in the...
www.faunaclassifieds.com

I decided to have a closer look at the photo he's using and of course, it's stolen too:

I initially assumed that he was merely too dense to create his own ad, but I am beginning to have serious doubts as to the existence of these geckos he is offering.
 
Randall, thanks for noticing that.
Most scammers are quick to remove plagiarized ads when called out, but not this guy.
I’m beginning to wonder what exactly is wrong with him.
 
I commented on his new ad, so I assume he’ll repost again soon. Interesting that he’s unwilling to comment in his own defense. I suppose he’s hoping to scam someone during the brief intervals before I comment.
This is definitely one of the more bizarre exchanges I’ve seen in this forum.
 
And another post. Dropped a link to this thread in the comments.
Also put a profile post on their user profile directly. No deleting that easily.
 
They're using new photos now. I was able to ID one of the photos, which was stolen from Dakine Exotic (name associated with that account is Lonnie Cornell) on MM.
1725974277219.png
 
Give him points for determination, I guess. The question is, whether he’s a determined scammer, or determined with stupidity? Re-posting stolen material over and over is certainly unusual. I feel sorry for whoever ends up sending him their money.
 
Cokski, aka Rico Canlas, has now stolen my avatar:

For Sale - mourning gecko (class b and c)

My entire collection of mourning geckos is going up for sale. I have types B, and C in sizes from hatchling on up to producing adults. Type B has bold markings on the anterior and posterior, and type C has two rows of bold spots. Types B & C ("Hawaiian" mourning geckos) are less common in the...
www.faunaclassifieds.com
cokski.jpg


He is clearly enjoying his adventure with theft of intellectual property- however, is too gutless to respond here, or on any of his threads.
It does seem that most scammers are cowards on the inside.
 
Herpin Man said:
Cokski, aka Rico Canlas, has now stolen my avatar:

For Sale - mourning gecko (class b and c)

My entire collection of mourning geckos is going up for sale. I have types B, and C in sizes from hatchling on up to producing adults. Type B has bold markings on the anterior and posterior, and type C has two rows of bold spots. Types B & C ("Hawaiian" mourning geckos) are less common in the...
www.faunaclassifieds.com
View attachment 1387300

He is clearly enjoying his adventure with theft of intellectual property- however, is too gutless to respond here, or on any of his threads.
It does seem that most scammers are cowards on the inside.
Click to expand...
People these days they copy every they see .they can’t even make something original these days.
 
Cokski ( publicly self identified as Rico Canlas of West Covina / Hacienda Heights, California, using the email [email protected] ) is now using photos taken from a journal article ( https://geckoevolution.org/publications/Griffing_etal_2018_HerpReview.pdf ).
.

Screenshot 2024-09-13 at 12.02.44 PM.png


He has also started trolling another Fauna member in his (Rico's) ads:

Screenshot 2024-09-13 at 12.05.39 PM.png



All the erratic and antagonistic behavior so far, coupled with a lack of photos of any alleged goods for sale, and a demand for local pickup, suggests that someone who follows through on a purchase with him may be putting themselves into an IRL situation that may be less than safe. It is worth a reminder that if anyone arranges to meet a stranger anywhere, tell someone responsible where you're going and when you'll be back, and consider going with another person or a small group. And if the stranger gives any indication that they're less than 100% legit, just skip the meeting altogether.
 
This troll's latest ad features a different photo belonging to the MM seller mentioned above, whom I've contacted.

Screenshot 2024-09-14 at 1.06.16 PM.png
 
I'm very curious as to how this guy thinks that his bullshit antics are going to build a positive reputation in the herp community. Maybe the $200 he is asking for these geckos (that probably don't exist) is worth more than that. Either way he clearly doesn't have the balls to come here and provide a meaningful response.
 
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