![](https://phsc.ca/camera/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9cm-M-sm.jpg)
Leitz collapsible 9cm M series lens with rear cap and hood
Toronto. One interesting thing done by editor Ev Roseborough was to reprint articles of interest to our members that first appeared elsewhere.
In May 1991, we hosted Jack Naylor who spoke with us about his collection and later distributed a PHSNE pamphlet he created showing the many 35mm cameras that predated to famous Leica.
In issue 20-1 (May/June 1994) a paper by Jack and fellow collector Dr Burton Rubin was reproduced. The title of the paper is, “Exposing Another Camera Fraud“. The PHSC journal version is followed by a report of other frauds and is titled, “Collector Scams Increase …”
Often, a scammer will use a cheaper model of a high end camera (eg Leitz [Leica], Zeiss, Rollei) and modify it to appear as a rare very expensive model. In other cases like those reported in 20-1 the actual cameras offered are non-existent and instead a ‘down payment’ or full payment is requested to part the greedy and gullible from hard earned dollars.
The reproduction of the article by Jack and Burton begins, “Police Sargent Graham and Postal Inspector Schierle were staked-out at ‘Suite 149′, on January 6, 1994. In fact, they were at Box 149, a mail drop used by Tarheel liquidators at a legitimate mail box and fax store at … in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“The police were waiting for the renter of the box, ‘David Williamson’, to arrive. He was to pick up an Express Mail envelope which was supposed to contain $6,000 sent to him by a collector to purchase a rare Canon J camera.
“The well-known collector was cooperating in a ‘sting’ with the authorities. The name ‘Williamson’ was the alias used by the box renter who also used the alias ‘William D. Keene’ in the scam. ‘Williamson’ arrived, picked up the Express Mail envelope and was arrested.
“He gave his name as Johnny Leon Blackwelder, age 38. His driver ‘s license gave an address in Sterling, Virginia. Sterling is a thirty-minute drive on Interstate 66 from Vienna, Virginia where a similar scam occurred in January, 1993. Both the Vienna letter and the Charlotte letter listed some of the same rare cameras.
“Mr. Blackwelder is alleged to be the perpetrator of the fraud in Charlotte and he is believed to have been behind the fraud in Virginia which was reported in the New England Journal No. 138-139.
“According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, Blackwelder was released after posting $20,000 bail. A federal trial date has not been set …”
Members can view all of this article in the pdf file for 20-1 on the free members-only DVD. To join the PHSC, read the MEMBERSHIP sub-menu above (Membership Form) and the article at right (PayPal). Send payment with the form or send the form and use a credit card/your PayPal account. Have any questions? Just email Lilianne, our very patient Membership Secretary at member@phsc.ca. Easy, simple, and inexpensive.
Of course, fraud today is old hat – telephone scammers try to get your personal info, accuse you of tax evasion, etc. while the internet is rife with scammers selling non-existing goods at ridiculous prices, warning you of missing a parcel, confirming you ordered software etc,. warning you that your email or web site will be cancelled, etc. The list goes on and on, Yawn.