Don't take my word for it about SeanRox / Geek with Social Skills - LISTEN TO THIS GUY!

[@adriansdigitalbasement]

Thank you Ron for having me on and thanks to everyone for the nice comments ♥

[@EverythingIsBrokenGarage]

Well love you Adrian and Ron!

[@RonsCompVids]

You are very welcome, sir.

[@WRL64]

@adriansdigitalbasement I tweeted you about Sean last week, as I was sure then many people were. Not even knowing you personally, I never for a minute thought you were involved beyond just knowing him. What worried me, and this conversation calms my worries, is that you were close friends with him and knew what he was doing. He used you and the good will and the trust the community has in you (and it's very much deserved!). He very easily could damage your reputation. Thankfully, we know who you are well enough to know you'd never knowingly be party to Sean's type of activities. I'm glad you're setting the record straight and keep up the amazing content!

[@minty_Joe]

Thank you, Adrian and Ron for bringing this to light. I don't condone this type of behavior, but must end before it gets worse. It's too easy to get scammed in this day and age.

[@HutchCA]

Just this past November he was chatting with me about @RudysRetroIntel PET Companion board and used Adrian's name in passing, indicating that Adrian was also helping with the testing and development. He was acting as the gatekeeper with all communication between me and Rudy going through him.

[@MacintoshLibrarian]

Thanks Adrian for speaking out. I am out a few hundred dollars from Sean. I too thought he was a friend, and he would name drop you all the time. He even said that I could come to your house if I came up to Oregon / Washington area !?! Now hearing your side of the story, I realize this is all a fabrication. Glad you are coming out to discuss this publicly. ❤

[@MrLurchsThings]

Wait - he scammed you too? But we all love you 😢 That’s it. This is war!!

[@RetroTechChris]

@@MrLurchsThings he scammed people from your neck of the woods too. Just learned about that tonight :(

[@MrLurchsThings]

@@RetroTechChris well, s**t 😔

[@Mac84]

Thank you Ron and Adrian for setting the record straight and exposing this bad actor in the retro community. Doing so helps us stay vigilant against such criminals and help shield others from getting scammed. If anyone has had their items or funds stolen by SeanRox / Geek with Social Skills, be sure to file a police report.

[@8BitBoyzRetro]

Holy cow! Ron thank you for this video and Adrian thank you as well for piecing together what I personally thought was odd when I had conversations with said person on the phone over the past 1.5 years. Luckily, I did not get taken, my gut feelings didn’t fail me when things did not seem right. I do have one machine I got from him but the only money spent was for shipping and that was spot on price wise. Guess I am lucky on that one. All this info also explains the strange text on my phone I got over this last weekend from said person and trying to get me to buy something that was a bit way overpriced. Glad I didn’t want to spend the money! This person on various occasions told me how he is responsible for getting Adrian’s channel going and its success, something I always thought didn’t add up based on conversations we had. I also get why you never see him in his videos. I feel like I need to go take a shower after what has come out!!! 😉 Thanks again for this information Ron & Adrian!

[@bennetb01]

Wow. It's Adrian's Analog upstairs.

[@fractalMD]

Respect

[@TheBasementChannel]

Underrated comment

[@acadiel]

IKR? It feels like we are seeing the forbidden. 😂

[@joelexplorestech]

He occasionally does patreon only videos from there. Fun to see what systems from his collection make it upstairs!

[@RetroTechChris]

Amazing work. Sean must never hurt the retro community, or any community, again. Thank you, Adrian, for speaking out.

[@DavidStahlOLDHAPPyMACs]

Thanks Ron for getting Adrian to speak out about this Scammer Sean Rox (Geek with socials skills) great to hear about Adrians interactions with Sean Rox

[@GarthBeagle]

Thank you Adrian for helping spread the word about Sean

[@jdmcs]

Thank you Ron and Adrian for taking time out of your busy schedules to warn the community about the real GWSS.

[@gencom64]

Wait until he starts sending you emails and letters as a fake attorney representing Sean. Oh yeah. He is nuts. He will stalk your ebay accounts, stalk your videos. Don't be afraid to repirt him to authorities. He knows the law, but is a stalker.

[@MOS_-rh1bd]

If one victimizes enough people who have common interests, eventually they're going to talk to each other, and that is when the whole scam is going to get flushed and go swirling.

[@DOSStorm]

Its insane he got away with this for so long especially in face to face encounters. Hopefully there is enough awareness now to prevent him from conning anyone else.

[@gencom64]

He is pathological. He can't and will never stop until he is put behind bars, and even then when he gets out he will do it again.

[@DaveJustDave]

Some of you may remember me as the guy who used to make videos. Ive actually lost money to Sean, and Im grateful I didnt lose more. But i would say the entire experience with Sean was instrumental to me just stopping making videos and almost just leaving the retro community altogether. Its appalling to see the social manipulation, the same story playing out over and over again, executed with the dexterity that comes from doing something so much it becomes second nature. I will never trust anyone ever again.

[@mcosta3810]

Damn! Sad to see you pulled all your videos down, @DaveJustDave

[@joelexplorestech]

I really enjoyed all your content. Sorry to hear you too were caught up in this mess.

[@DaveJustDave]

thanks @@joelexplorestech that means a lot to me me. it really does

[@networkg]

@DaveJustDave come back. The truly good people are far more numerous than the Sean types . We defeat them by staying together.

[@mcosta3810]

@@networkg Agreed! @DaveJustDave please don't let one, or even a few (yes there's more than one out there) bad actor take away your interest in retro computers!

[@RavenWolfRetroTech]

This has completely sucked. I was taken in and now have concrete proof that some things I was told were complete BS. I love the message at the end of healing and making something positive from it. I am hoping that the things he got from me can be found so that, if they were sold to some unsuspecting person, I can make sure they have clear ownership. The only thing of real value to me that was lost I never actually had, and that was a friend.

[@frnno967]

I wasn't scammed by Sean, but did talk to him many times trying to get him involved with VCF Southwest, especially focused on Nabu topics. He did mention a few times he knew Adrian and that Adrian was like a neighbor and they were social friends. I asked Sean to try to help us make a connection with Adrian before we realized we could email Adrian directly via his channel on here. Nothing came of it last year, but I never realized there were deeper problems with him.

[@leo.binkowski]

If VCFSW is interested in NABU, there are much more reliable sources of information, content, and original NABU hardware than Sean. I can think of a few people, myself included, that can help you out.

[@frnno967]

@@leo.binkowski Thank you. Yes, we are very much interested in featuring guests and presentations about Nabu, as I often show off my Nabu at events and get many questions about it. I will message you to continue the conversation.

[@drgiller]

@@frnno967 If you want a NABU authority, Leo is your guy hands down. Nobody in the world is more qualified, and in my limited interaction with him, he's just the nicest most genuine guy in the world.

[@RetroTechChris]

@@leo.binkowski woot!!!

[@10MARC]

Every conversation I had with Sean he would name drop Adrian. I assumed they were best pals, and I was waiting on Adrian to jump to his defense these last few days! I am glad to hear the truth. I noticed Sean has been cancelling or making private all of his accounts. He will just come back under another handle I am sure.

[@RonsCompVids]

According to California court records and the reporting around the the Coleco Chameleon controversy, he has a whole crazy long list of aliases.

[@10MARC]

Holy Guacamole! He was involved in the Coleco thing???? Geez.

[@RonsCompVids]

Seemingly so. Google "sean coleco chameleon scam"

[@SteveGuidi]

​@@10MARC The Coleco Chameleon story is one of the most incredible things I've read regarding recent events. An SNES hidden in a Jaguar case, and later a DVR PCB (or capture card) with some hot-glued USB-ports were both presented as prototype units. Truly incredible stuff!

[@computer_toucher]

His latest vid (the CP/M one) has comments turned off, but the previous one does not... Might be a point to politely ask for comments to the allegations / evidence against him? Of course he'll just turn the comments off on that one and others to, I guess, but in the moments before, people might take the hint about him.

[@dross1705]

I realized a little while ago that I subscribed to Geek with Social Skills and I promptly unfollowed him.

[@networkg]

I have communicated with Sean through my involvement with Nabu computers. I was shocked to hear these allegations. I did some of my own investigations. I was never scammed by him, but some of the conversations I had fit the profile you have all presented. I agree that the evidence is enough for me to stop any further interactions. Besides, Adrian is my hero, if he says it, I believe it. (Although it is still wise to verify. Best advice is think for yourself, but be open to collect facts from everyone.)

[@RetroTechChris]

Sadly, Sean caused a lot of damage and created a lot of division in the nabu community :( Doing my part to help repair some of that.

[@TheRetroMacintosh]

Thanks for continuing to expose Sean Rox for who he is, the more awareness the better, thanks Adrian for sharing your story with the community

[@NunesHR]

Geek with scamming skills, for sure.

[@CityXen]

Always thought there was something strange about that guy. Couldn't quite put my finger one it though. It is a good thing to spread this kind of awareness, as I've now considered this happening to anyone of us. Cheers

[@kjtroj]

Having spent time with Adrian and seeing and experiencing how he treats people, I cannot imagine Adrian making comments like this lightly. This isn't the first time I've heard of issues with Sean. It's unfortunate, but it's evident people need to be aware of how he's treating people.

[@frodojedi]

Very good video Ron! Thank you Adrian for sharing your experience with Sean as well. ❤

[@Okurka.]

Geek With Social Skills is a known sociopath.

[@MaggieKeizai]

His Nabu owners' registry looks to be a list of potential marks now, doesn't it?

[@RonsCompVids]

Sure does.

[@RetroTechChris]

Yep! I always found it odd that he was so hell bent to collect serial numbers. I never gave him mine.

[@MaggieKeizai]

@@RetroTechChrisI didn't either. I was aware of him putting his name on DJ Sures' work, and stealing his "my nabuers" line and so it just put me off engaging with him in any way at that point. Before that, I'd come close to buying a computer from him, as I live in the same area. It was all set to go, then he disappeared. Didn't think too much about it at the time. With more context, it just seems like I dodged a bullet. Now we know his social skills are just social engineering skills and we can all avoid him.

[@CityXen]

Pardon the ignorance, but what is Nabu. Could you provide a link?

[@Marco.Teixeira]

@@CityXen en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NABU_Network

[@JamiesHackShack]

Wow! Thanks for making this interview/discussion happen. I too experienced the Adrian name dropping from Sean.

[@LightTheUnicorn]

I've run across them here and there, but never had any real communication with them. Very sorry to hear about their actions.

[@MrLurchsThings]

Adrian, I can honestly say I’ve NEVER name dropped you. Ron on the other hand, I name drop him all the time!! (Kidding) Sounds like being on the other side of the planet has its benefits. Probably too much time/hassle. I’m sorry to hear this has happened to so many people that I know/kinda know/etc. The community will now need to be more careful and less open in order to protect themselves - which is the biggest shame of all.

[@adriansdigitalbasement]

Mr Lurch was _THE PERSON_ who convinced me to finally start Patreon and was my very first Patron! (Australia representing!!) That directly led to me to doing this full time. For that, I will always be grateful to Mr Lurch for being such a supportive and awesome person.

[@MrLurchsThings]

@@adriansdigitalbasement thanks mate 👍

[@DaveJustDave]

I've been name-dropping both of you, but it's not as effective as just saying "Ken Sent Me"

[@GutBombTech]

@@adriansdigitalbasementSean told me a story about how you and he were each other’s first patrons. Then one day Ron told me his story about the early days of his patreon and the story was beat for beat the same story Sean had told me about him and you. Crazy how he steals other people’s stories even.

[@RonsCompVids]

And my story actually had evidence (as anyone can see if his videos right around the time he started his Patreon).

[@EverythingIsBrokenGarage]

Thank you so much Adrian for sharing your story and helping us stop Sean! also a huge fan keep up the good works sir!

[@commodore4ever]

BAMMMMM! Great video. This is a knock out punch for Sean for sure!

[@dcarlin3]

I only know about this guy because of your posts commodore4ever

[@commodore4ever]

@@dcarlin3 Glad I helped. Hopefully all of this coming out now will put an end to this guy's cons.

[@SuperTechIT]

That's how I found out too.@@dcarlin3

[@mcosta3810]

Appreciate it, @commodore4ever I came here following your link too.

[@kneehighspy]

thanks guys for helping clean up the trash in the retro community.

[@espressomatic]

Social chameleon. People DON'T CHANGE. "That was in the past" means they're not showing regret and haven't made amends.

[@maverickblah]

People do change, but it takes a lot more than being caught for it to happen. Of course nobody's gonna believe you changed in 2 days lol.

[@RavenWolfRetroTech]

Mostly true. Occasionally someone changes but only because they want to. I was fortunate to witness this in a family member who is now very close to me again.

[@networkg]

Restitution. (I am a licensed attorney. LOL)

[@Toby_Q]

This. (Not an attorney)

[@RonsCompVids]

I screwed up by saying "reciprocity." www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reciprocity

[@RonsCompVids]

100%

[@aplmak1]

Excellent video! Thank god I’ve never run into this guy!! I kind of stay below the radar.. whew scammer avoided 😝

[@SonicBoone56]

People like this are the absolute worst. Thanks for putting this out there. Geek with Social Engineering Skills sucks.

[@nachtrave5172]

I feel like there are enough afflicted people that there could be a civil suit. I wonder if it would be worth bringing in someone like Legal Eagle to comment.

[@minty_Joe]

Question: Has anyone documented an actual face of the guy to confirm the identity? If not, for those of you currently doing a sale or purchase from him, TAKE A PICTURE. Even if this means secretly recording via your smartphone or Go Pro.

[@RonsCompVids]

There are plenty of photos of him online (even though he has repeatedly tried to keep it secret). He even has a picture of himself as a youth at the beginning of every video.

[@MikesFutureRetro]

Ron ( and Adrian ) thank you for your advocacy in protecting the retro community at large of Sean. There are more out there I’m sure. Hope to see you both at VCF east and I can thank you in person over a good cup of coffee. -DJ Mike Mielko @ Mikes Future Retro

[@parjf]

Great video from both of you, it should help everybody to be more careful around that guy. I can't see anyone honestly defending him after watching this.

[@saturn5tony]

I know and really love how well Adrian's work with old retro stuff is done on KZbin. Like you Ron, awesome sharing of priceless knowledge. I respect what he said but I know you were correct on day 1. You can feel it in your bones. Thanks again for sharing. Both of you just trusted someone that was excellent at manipulation. One that exists so much now. Narcissistic control freaks. ❤❤❤

[@RudysRetroIntel]

Thanks, Ron!! This is great!

I've noticed some times ago, that "Geek with social skills" release new NABU stuff always after DJ Sures' work (as far as I know) with very similar new things. I was always like "well, I don't want to go into this to judge, I am here for following retro stuff not for the flame, also I cannot be sure who copies who, or they may work together, and that's the reason". I'm still not sure, however this whole happening for sure has some effect on my understanding of that situation as well.

[@EverythingIsBrokenGarage]

They are not working together and no longer talk to each other. Sean is a scammer so I would not be surprised if he steal code and ideas.

@@EverythingIsBrokenGarageYes, I think so now, just I wasn't sure before hearing these :(

[@ResurrectionRetro]

Really intersting video. Also watched the first one and also Dave's video. Talking to others in the UK retro community Sean has tried contacting us over here too. I've had a few bits of contact with him mainly comments . Others have had emails and discord chats. I have a feeling the heat is too strong and he has gone to ground. As someone said to me this evening "sunlight is the best disinfectant" wise words..

[@RonsCompVids]

I hope that he has not been able to extend his criminal enterprise "across the pond." If you encounter someone who has a story to tell, please invite them to leave a comment?

[@acadiel]

Thank you to Adrian for coming forward and discussing this - it needed to get talked about. Communication and sunshine helps expose things like this. Kudos to Ron for the courage and integrity.

[@AlanGrassia]

This is so crazy! Sorry to hear that this happened. Thank you both for speaking out about this and warning the rest of us in the retro computing hobby.

[@Pwnz0rServer2009]

we shall banish this scammer

[@lloyddavies5587]

I cancelled my Patreon to him....

[@RonsCompVids]

More people should. They should also remove him from their socials and unsubscribe from his KZbin channel... which seemingly still has the same suspicious high number of subscribers that it has had for a while now.

[@8BitRetroJournal]

Thanks Ron and Adrian. I feel blessed being small enough and under the radar to not have been bothered by folks like that. Maybe the annoying commenter or two, but that's the price of KZbin.

[@borayurt66]

I have never heard of this guy, and never seen any videos from his channel. This is a very interesting story. He is not the usual kind of scammer. There is a huge "legit" side of him, like the long going KZbin channel, being active in person in meetings etc. That seems to me, if I may say, a very disproportionate effort to scam people off for some not specifically rare and valuable retro computers. I am not advocating for him at all, but I get the feeling that something happened to him that altered his way of thinking and perception. I had a friend that had a brain tumor which altered his character and attitude completely. After getting diagnosed, he had a very risky operation to have the tumor removed, but unfortunately never recovered and lost his life shortly after. This kinda reminded me of him somehow.

[@Okurka.]

He has been doing this for ages; he's a sociopath.

[@kaitlyn__L]

It’s not that strange if it’s more about social capital and leveraging influence, than pure monetary value/rarity

[@officermeowmeowfuzzyface4408]

*PRISON 4 SEAN*

[@RussellSenior]

Restitution was the word

[@RonsCompVids]

You are correct, sir.

[@alextrusty2585]

Now you have finally convinced me with your arguments.

[@paullee107]

@adrianblack I'm in st. Helen's and was trying to put together a meetup up here, but it's for Linux - I am super interested in a Portland retro meetup and will be watching your channel... pls make a video announcement if something comes about.

[@RetroAdrianBlack]

Will do! Incidentally there is a Portland Linux/Unix group meetup tonight! (the 7th) I can't post links in the comments but search for Portland Linux/Unix Group General Monthly Meeting, and you'll find the info.

[@paullee107]

@@RetroAdrianBlack I used to go to plug @ free geek before C18...

[@WelcomeToMarkintosh]

Wow.

[@McStudXD]

Hi Ron, I’m searching for someone who knows a lot about original Apple computers. I’ve just got my hands on a large amount of them and I know almost nothing about them. Please let me know if you could give me some advice on them. Thanks!

[@RonsCompVids]

Head on over to tinkerdifferent.com/ and make a thread. Tag me, and I'll do my best to help!

[@raypatterson1899]

Really nice to see you guys looking after each other.......There will always be bad eggs. It is bad enough buying hardware 'as is' without having to wonder if they actually own it........

[@viscountalpha]

I heard about this two days ago and I trust what I heard from someone at the sidequest expo.

[@RonsCompVids]

It’s good to hear that is getting around about this guy.

[@kirishima638]

Wow this really blew up

[@paullee107]

Being a bad actor in communities is particularly frowned on - and should be. It's not the stealing a pair of shoes b/c you're barefoot, it's making false friendships and taking advantage b/c of status - take away the status and they can't hurt others. I bet Sean has a wealth of retro knowledge; he just can't be trusted with dollars, hardware or friendships - he WILL find communities, but this series will hopefully stop the theft.

[@coryengel]

I'm part of Sean's and Adrian's geographic community. I'm not going to claim Sean is innocent; he's super shifty, and I've personal dealings with him that have been negative (though I haven't been scammed). I told him long ago that I would buy or trade with him only in person and with the merchandise present. But, I'm convinced he has a genuine psychological problem. There are far less risky ways to steal, and the things he does are easy to get caught at. Be wise and protect yourself, but don't be reduced to hate. He needs help, and I'm sure he's been having a few especially bad days lately.

[@RonsCompVids]

I do hope that Sean is about to get the assistance he so desperately needs - but that is certainly not a reason to continue emotionally exploiting people in your area for financial assistance... which he reportedly is. He's seemingly not learned anything since doing prison time for similar scams, and he's only sorry now because he got caught.

[@RonsCompVids]

It might be good to also mention that Sean / Geek With Social Skills has been trying to solicit sympathy, claiming that he's "seeking help" (whatever that might mean) in his copypasta emails to people in the community out there. He is a pathological liar and a thief. Do not fall for his latest attempt to emotionally manipulate you.

[@GarthBeagle]

Indeed he needs help and needs to stop this behaviour. He's been able to keep doing it for so many years in various groups no doubt due to people not speaking up or not being heard, or believed. That all needs to end.

[@RetroTechChris]

I think I'm more full of disappointment than hate. I think the way that this series has been presented expresses that as well. It's unfortunate when an individual's consequences are ultimately realized by said individual, but it is necessary for the greater good. I wish Sean no ill will, but do wish for him to face the consequences of his actions. But I cannot offer him any comfort or closure given how much he has hurt and divided communities. I'd hope that he'd make restitution to everyone he has hurt. I don't see that happening sadly. He's an emotional manipulator. It is proven that he is a thief with multiple iterations in the past. I'm not sure what the catalyst would be for change here.

[@douglashornick4388]

Did you mean restitution, Adrian?

[@RonsCompVids]

I believe so. I screwed up by saying "reciprocity." www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reciprocity

[@andreroussel]

I listened to your first video and also Dave's video and here is my take on this. First, I don't know anyone of you or this Sean guy and have never met or spoke to any of you before so this is only speculation. I know someone who has similar method of operation as this Sean person. This person is not a scammer but rather a pathological liar that has a need to feel important. This sounds a lot like what I heard described of Sean. I know from the perspective of people having had bad dealings that it would seem like they are being scammed but the underlying issue might be that the person gets caught in lies and overextended their ability to deliver. I am just offering this as an alternative narrative because he sounds more like a pathological liar than a scam artist. If he is a scam artist, it doesn't sound like he is very good at it. Either way it sounds like he can't be trusted but perhaps we should be careful of concluding that he is doing things with the intention of screwing people over as this might not be the root of the problem. We also need to keep in mind that a lot of us have trouble navigating social norms so if you combine that with a pathological liar you get what looks to be a scam artist. I personally get along with that other guy I mentioned because he is a nice friendly guy. It's just that I don't trust anything that comes out of his mouth. In conclusion, yes be careful not to be fooled and let others know in the community to be vigilant of certain individuals. Having said that, I would discourage people from making judgments about others when they don't have ALL the facts. If my alternative narrative turns out to be true then you can't trust Sean but at the same time it would mean that he needs support and not being ostracized. Don't be a victim but be nice!

[@EverythingIsBrokenGarage]

While he is a pathological liar he is 100% a scammer he takes money for computers that don't belong to him or that he was entrusted to fix and or don't exist. Watch the Friday video from last week specifically the Amiga 4000 tower revelation. He has been doing this shit for the last 20+ years and has no remorse for it other then being caught.

[@andreroussel]

@@EverythingIsBrokenGaragelike I said, I don't know anything about this Sean guy and was just offering an alternative narrative based on someone I know that has similar traits. The guy I know kept bragging about the great fishing boat he had and was telling us we should go fishing some time. Whenever someone would take him up on it he would have an excuse that the boat was in the shop for repair or he had loaned it to someone or some other excuse. The truth was that he didn't have a fishing boat and just wanted to have people like him for offering fishing trips. Yes he was deceiving us but his underlying motive was not to trick us, it was because he wanted the attention.

[@RonsCompVids]

"Alternative narrative" seems like a really fancy way of saying "uninformed opinion."

[@RonsCompVids]

"Imagine if this guy you knew charged you money for these fishing trips after asking you to pay the storage fees on his boat all Winter? Then imagine he offered to repair the rod and reel you were going to use on the trip, and when you gave it to him, he sold it to someone else? Then imagine when you showed up the day of the trip, you learned that there never was a boat and the "lake" is actually a UPS store? That's what happened here. This guy doesn't need any more apologists. That shit you're spinning is why he's been able to operate for as long as he has. Whatever the underlying issues are that has him engaging in this activities are 100% immaterial. Stop."

[@andreroussel]

@@RonsCompVids no, alternative narrative means that there is a possibility that the full truth is different than what has been portrayed. The part where I say this is only speculation is the part that means I am uninformed but it is not an opinion it is as I said a possible alternative narrative. If you are too closed minded to entertain alternative narratives then it doesn't matter what the truth is because you will only believe what you want to believe. That is a highly illogical approach.

[@nickdaniels5892]

Purely for clarity, Ron didn't get booted from the NABU Discord for warning people, he and his cohort were booted for brigade storming the server, shouting every one down, and acting like absolute fools. I personally witnessed the exchange, and if they were trying get the word out and not act like a lynch mob: they biffed, hard.

[@GutBombTech]

Two people isn’t a brigade. And discord is a text medium. There was no “yelling” involved. Some people came in and said some uncomfortable stuff about someone who you thought was your friend. You defended. They pushed back on your defense. They were put into discord timeouts. If you think that’s a brigade you’ve got some growing up to do.

[@RonsCompVids]

Purely for clarity, I was booted from the (then) NABU Discord for asking what they were going to do about an active threat to their community. My posts were deleted, I was muted on the server, and told that I had to take everything private until the mod/admin team could discuss my accusations. I laid out what was happening to the mod/admin team in great detail and asked them to contact other people in the community for verification. I was dismissed out of hand, and was told that “screenshots can be faked.” I was also repeatedly told that all these accusations were based on “things in the past,” regardless of any modern criminal activity I referenced. It was clear that there would be no evidentiary threshold that would satisfy people who’d already made up their mind to protect a gatekeeper and fraud who had poisoned their community. After zero communication from the mod/admin team for nearly a week letter, I let them know that they had three days to take action - or they would be part of this story in a way that they might find less than agreeable. It was only after this that they took action. That action? To finally ban the active scammer in their midst, and - in what are always the actions of people attempting to cover their tracks - banned the whistleblower. My video dropped. Then the livestream where I interviewed two people about their contemporary experiences. Steve and Frank provided hard evidence of their claims, and laid bare the criminal activities that I and others (over a week prior) had been warning the NABU Discord mod/admin team about. Now my interview with Adrian Black has folks reeling over what has been happening under their noses for decades and asking the question “Why was this allowed to go on for as long as it did?” It continued, because folks like those in the NABU Discord fell prey to the same confidence scam that Sean has been pulling off for decades. I’ve learned in recent days that members of that the server’s mod/admin team lamented having to take ANY actions against Sean aka Geek With Social Skills and only did so out of a much-too-late attempt at self preservation. Some users even tried to make the case that Sean should be allowed to stay because what was happening wasn’t happening there, and didn’t directly affect them. “Separate the art from the artist,” on in this case, the criminal from the criminality. I do not know that there is any defense for their words or actions. So what happened to the NABU Discord that refused to believe the evidence in front of them? That server is now dead, supplanted by a new one that embraces open communication and takes whistleblowers seriously.

[@nickdaniels5892]

@@RonsCompVids that is an interesting interpretation of events, you're entitled to it, but those of us not blinded by mob justice on the brain notice how you engaged in bullying and extortion to attempt to elicit a desired response, and those mods don't know you from a hole in the wall. Coming in and strong arming the place was never going to get you very far, and whining about it to everyone doesn't seem to be a positiive step either. You folks just look like more toxic anti community and more problems to me.

[@RonsCompVids]

I did a write up about the supposed "bullying and extortion" over on Twitter. Based on the community's reaction outside of your silo, there doesn't seem to be very many folks sympathetic to crying foul about exposing people who provide cover for criminals. x.com/ronscompvids/status/1762569488761766119?s=20 All the NABU Discord server mods/admins needed to be do was be timely and transparent in their communications. Instead they stopped communicating, and necessitated me to make good what I clearly communicated would happen. Cutting off communication, made it pretty clear to me that they did not take the situation seriously. They should have.

[@RonsCompVids]

The NABU community did not deserve what happened to them... but you're mad at the wrong person. The person you should be mad at are the people that let Sean aka Geek With Social Skills swoop in and gatekeep your hobby to the point that it ran off other developers and enthusiasts. You should be mad at the mods/admins who stood idly by while people repeatedly reported a well-known person in your hobby as a grifter and a thief, either doing nothing, or offering him cover because what was happening wasn't directly affecting them. It's easy to continue to try and shoot the messenger. I'm an easy target. Ultimately, the reasons why your specific corner of the NABU community is disintegrating is because of poor community moderation, gatekeeping, and leadership who made excuses for criminals LONG AFTER it was clear what was going on. This is less "interpretation," and more the literal facts of the situation.

[@toddlyons]

Thank you to Ron and @adriansdigitalbasement for this chat.