To Catch a Thief: The Fans Strike Back - Michael Unplugged

#retroblasting #fansstrikeback #starwars
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The Fans Strike Back, who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers, is attempting a comeback with lies and deceit right out of the gate. Let's make a few things clear and stop this before history has a chance to repeat itself.

[@EnigmaticPenguin]

Not excited for the outcome of all this, but I’ll be damned if I don’t enjoy an 60 minute video calling out the bullshit.

[@AllThings80s]

In all honesty, if he’d have just stayed on the run and never resurfaced, I’d have been (reasonably) happy with that. Not happy that I’m out over $300, but happy to have put the whole thing to bed and moved on. The fact that he thinks he can make a comeback defies belief, but as you said in this video, the only thing we can do now is ensure that no one else falls victim to this scammer in the future.

[@LeutyMatt77]

Hiya Dean. Big fan

[@AllThings80s]

@@LeutyMatt77 👍🏻

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

The oldest profession in the world is not prostitution, it’s the con artist.

[@Fauntleroy.]

Dang, I thought it was farming.

[@TheDylandProductions]

@@Fauntleroy. Hunting/gathering definitely predates that. XD

[@merphul]

What do you think the 1st priest and shamans were? Sorry tribe, I can't help hunt or gather because I need to talk to the spirits. BTW the gods want me to have the best food and hottest women.

[@tgraz559]

Same same

[@benjaminkitaura498]

Probably they invested all the money in bitcoin before the crash to avoid paying taxes and lost all the money in the bitcoin crash and now they’re blaming everyone except themselves allegedly.

[@GeorgeBeckham-u8e]

You could buy a real bantha with all the money he stole.

[@Fauntleroy.]

Can we get mini-banthas that can live inside the house!??? 😍

[@tecpaocelotl]

One guy ruined the trust of an entire community.

[@ytrefugee113]

In some parallel universe James Kirk raises his fists and yells at the top of his lungs... "KRAAAAAHN"

[@scotx1307]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who thought of that.

[@1980StarWarsGuy]

Best comment

[@Chronically0nline]

“Somehow, Krahn has returned.”

[@k-dawgbroadcasting5444]

The instinct is to utter that famous Shatner scream, but I don't want to insult Ricardo Montalban (RIP Brilliant Master of Your Craft) by doing it.

[@Fauntleroy.]

This is the perfect response.

[@SuperFurry100]

@@k-dawgbroadcasting5444 He Tasks Me. He Tasks Me, And I Shall Have Him! I'll Chase Him 'Round The Moons Of Nibia, And 'Round The Antares Maelstrom, And 'Round Perdition's Flames Before I Give Him Up!

[@johnlatella674]

Kraaaaaaahhhnnnn!!!!!!!!in my best Captain Kurt yell

[@elkhills1]

You win the internet today!

[@anthonywhitehead5576]

This video is why I love Michael. He always tells the truth, no matter what.. God bless him.

[@TroyPacelli]

And always means exactly what he says.

[@fblack9033]

Exactly. Michael, if you are reading this, please know that I, and many, many others love your content, your brutal honesty, and also know that we have your back. Please, continue your awesome work.

[@TroyPacelli]

@@fblack9033 Ditto that!

[@Br1cht]

Our guy returns! One of the last guys with principles returns for a well-earned diatribe aimed at the deserving party.

[@grimacemusically]

Michael, I love that you always have your receipts, both actual and metaphorical.

[@humble1ne]

Sorry to say, but it's stories like this that made me STOP pre-ordering most of what I had expected to order.

[@vintagetoykid9682]

As a journalist myself, it’s great to hear Michael put the hard questions to Chris “Con”.

[@LEGENDCITYest1963]

He's committed multiple felonies and we should press charges and have him arrested.

[@jeffjones2463]

I wish everyone affected would file a class action lawsuit but he'd probably just file for bankruptcy. This is truly the worst kind of scam...

[@dcb1138]

Truth be told..He should be arrested by federal agents for mail/wire fraud. This is actually a very big deal

[@zeppie1138]

We tried... I'm one of the ripped off customers that reported him to the PA attorney general that he mentions in his "statement." Nothing ever came of it, he totally slithered right through the system. Why wouldn't he try this crap again if he already got away with it before?

[@francis0001]

I just want you to know that this is the first of this "Drama" that I heard regarding "The Fans Strike Back Next 13". I always wondered where my $50 deposit went. Thank you sir. Keep up the good work.

[@AnalogToys]

Thank you for doing this Michael

[@patrickbirt9034]

Thank you for keeping us posted and protecting us from this scam. I wasn’t collecting any independent producers at the time TFSB were in full swing, but I did see the aftermath and have been cautious after learning about them. It’s only through your and Analog Toys reviews of Stan Solo, Next 17 and others, that I’ve been able to have a positive experience so far.

[@JasonWilliams-mn5xk]

I absolutely LOVE this response & verbal takedown!! I never heard of any of this until now & well thank you! I appreciate exposing this incompetent asshat.

[@CobraSaboteur]

“You’re not PayPal, you’re not anyone’s pal” 🤣 While the subject matter is extremely unfortunate due to so many people being screwed out of $, the toy collecting space owes Michael his flowers for his consistency on topics like this. This is the ruthless, raw truth that potential upcoming customers for this con man Krahn NEED to hear. As always, well done Michael. 🤘🏻

[@GorillaWhale]

I get excited when I see " unplugged" in the title and the movie collection in the background because you know it's Michael spitting the TRUTH!! Love it

[@The_Nerd_Alert]

I feel so bad for the people who got ripped off.

[@MayumiC-chan9377]

me too it’s horrible when you invest in something only to find it’s very close to being a ponzi scheme

[@TroyPacelli]

Lesson learned. I'm SO glad I didn't buy in on the Bantha; I wasn't going to pay for that when I hadn't received the 13 yet. Now I know I never will, and I'd have been out another $200 if I'd gone for the Bantha. And I am equally glad I got a Bantha from Stan Solo. SO happy with that.

[@brett8481]

Me too, because he ripped me off. A week after I took my COVID money and paid for the items, because I thought it was last chance to get them because he stated on his site he was going forward with procution on both, I talked to Chris Smith and he told me he had just talked to the factory in China and they had no communication with Krahn at that point......and then I knew at that point I was ripped off.

[@barnacleburrito3728]

same. i came pretty close myself. i changed my mind on sending him any money when i discovered that he's a far-left über-woak @nt!fa type. when I saw that crap on his social media i KNEW he would take the money & run. I have decades experience interacting with this personality type

[@benjaminkitaura498]

This is why you should never buy anything from the internet only buy products from brick and mortar stores where you can actually hold the finished products in your hands……thrift stores and garage sales or flea markets are great too!

[@lofiwire7917]

100k isnt that a felony?

[@dennislogan6781]

I work in court room and yes it IS a felony.

[@benjaminkitaura498]

It’s not like Wall Street bankers and hedge fund executives are ever held accountable for their crimes against humanity ……just like all the financial crisis and fake cryptocurrencies this is why the buying game stop stocks were so popular because the powers that be are involved in stealing money from the people.

[@michaelsherman3544]

We really need to start legal action. It's time. He has stolen many hundreds of thousands of dollars, committed fraud, and this is all across multiple states so we're at federal crime levels now.

[@dcb1138]

Absolutely..in some states over $1000 is a felony. This is MASSIVE federal wire fraud. It's a HUGE deal if reported to the FBI

[@robertfreyer4338]

Michael always tells the truth and doesn't hold back. It's horrible that anyone got ripped off. I hate that I have given TFSB any money. I think it's great that Michael is making sure people know about this scammer

[@whatnotandstuff]

The wrath of krahn. The fact the story continues is just frustrating

[@MayumiC-chan9377]

We must expose these people who play others for profit.

[@TroyPacelli]

Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

[@MayumiC-chan9377]

@@TroyPacelli hai

[@benjaminkitaura498]

People who steal money then donate money to the Clinton Foundation are never punished by the legal system allegedly.

[@koshar44]

Put him next to Maddof!

[@asgads]

You lifting the cloth from his bantha was one of the funniest scenes ever, that thing🤣

[@dr.aleccort1833]

Well, done, Michael you are protecting people by getting the information out I was never part of this situation, but man this really sucks for people who lost their money

[@jeffmcpeek2526]

Your work on exposing this POS is valuable.Thank you.

[@planetschlock]

Been waiting to hear Michael fire back since I saw All Things 80's video.

[@thetworoos]

Sounds like a great opportunity for a class action lawsuit. Take him to court!

[@jonniehotdog]

Thank you for this video, and especially for including the phone call. Whilst I'm sure Mr. Krahn will try, he's going to have a hard time spinning this to his favour.

[@autoneurotic]

I have been around through this whole ordeal from the very beginning. **Every single thing Michael says here is true.** I came absurdly close to buying into the 13 back in 2019, and I watched as that "project" got continually delayed and eventually swept under the rug. It's absolutely incredulous that this man has come back to grift some more. He has done so much damage it's just mind blowing. Even more mind blowing are all the people who defended Krahn right up to the last. Chris Smith, meanwhile, has made DOZENS of fantastic figures, an actual Bantha, a vehicle, and delivered each and every one of these items to each and every paying customer.

[@mjpaul1]

I don't have your money here! It's at Bill's Bantha, and Fred's Bantha!

[@KenshoBeats]

Well put 👍🏼 As soon as people start blaming other people for their failure I already know that is a sign of personality disorder. Only a narcissist shows this kind of externalization.

[@TGWNN.]

After this, I can't believe people are still defending him. Not even neo-nazis have this level of ignorance.

[@reuszenm]

AMEN. It's absolutely nuts that he sold a few figures from the 13 as separates but NEVER sent any to the people that preordered the set. That would have at least garnered him SOME good will. It was the biggest middle finger to all of us that ordered. Every time I look at my Thrawn figure I shake my head in disgust. AND like you said...this was NOT a kickstarter, this was specifically sold as a preorder on his site.

[@michaelsherman3544]

I preordered the 13 and never even got the Thrawn or the Han Stormtrooper figure.

[@scockery]

Deal with criminals, and they are...trying to profit from an IP they don't own, and that's what you get. This was bound to happen when you give money to BOOTLEGGERS. Fans need to stop getting blinded by nostalgia and falling for these preorders and kickstarters and chuckleheads who don't have it in stock but will take your money. This happened with the GI JOE and action figure customizer community a few times over the years. Casters/custom parts makers bit off more orders than they could chew or whatever, and then just disappeared with people's money.

[@dcb1138]

He needs to be reported to the FBI for mail fraud. I also doubt he paid TAXES on the money he stole

[@impossiblepie]

Wow he actually crawled out of his hole!!! and blames others for his thievery.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

The fans strike back 2, the wrath of krahn.

[@SameTimeToys]

Omg I really thought someone would have taken care of this guy. Thanks for the heads up!!

[@1977TA]

The amount of stuttering Krahn did during that 2022 phone call indicates how much he was taxing his brain to come up with excuses for everything that happened. He told one lie and had to cover it with another, and another until he was drowning in dishonesty. He was so delusional he probably believed everything he said. His performance during the call did nothing to ease customer worries. Instead, it provided more reasons for them to come to terms with the fact they got ripped them off.

[@TroyPacelli]

53:10 - "And that's why I'm willing to fall on the sword and let people call me every name in the book ..." but not give refunds! Oh, but he'll "devalue" the Banthas and five everyone $50 back. What about people who received NOTING? What a POS.

[@retroblasting]

And nobody got Banthas anyway. The thing they forced into my hands randomly was worse than a prototype.

[@TroyPacelli]

@@retroblasting Right, right. That's what I meant by "what about people who received nothing?" I didn't just mean those that were waiting on the 13.

[@redadamearth]

@@retroblasting What blew my mind in that call was: "It's better than Kenner quality."

[@merphul]

As a TF collector that regularly buys 3rd party products designed by gray area Chinese companies (whose products are also made in China), I have seen been some weird players in the space. But 1) the shady ones don't last long, they pretty much pull a one and done and vanish because they burned their good will, 2) they have never claimed not to be the company selling you the toy. Sure they have blamed factories/designers for delays, defects or flaws and they have jerked people around on finalized prices, but even the worst of these companies have not tried to portray themselves as some sort of middleman with no agency or capacity in delivering the product.

[@Necron-ez2cc]

It's a bold strategy Cotton, let's see if it works.

[@Mikethemerciless11]

I know you'd much rather do other projects, but I really appreciate you for doing videos like this. There's so many scammers out there that we cannot really rely on law enforcement to go after them all, so we have to find ways to being attention to them and protect ourselves. Keep up the good work, Michael and Melinda! 🎉

[@jesterbondurant1696]

I remember when people delivered what they promised or even went above and beyond what they promised. I miss those days.

[@skylx0812]

Don't let the ball-less faint of heart browbeat or guilt you into sweeping the "drama" under the rug. This info needs to be out there.

[@neonvandal8770]

1.00 - The "Creator" the howling contempt in the way that fell off your tongue just busted me up! 😂

[@LoganWood121]

Best way to deal with Monday.

[@Grotesque_denizen]

Most people thinking that he couldn't possibly come back to try and steal more money just shows that they have a sense of shame that he simply just doesn't have, like at all.

[@johnlatella674]

There are few options respected by myself on the same level as yours. Thank you for you informative, accurate and reliable take on this and all issues you discuss. You are the man Michael

[@lofiwire7917]

And here we go!

[@tedadamgreen]

Exactly!!

[@smashblaster1-up190]

Again

[@tedadamgreen]

Thanks so much for posting this video!

[@jime6688]

Wow! Guy sure is a piece. Thanks for talking about this because I was curious if any progress had been made or not. Your channel is still top notch and much appreciated. 👍

[@BrotherRobbie]

Michael, been watching you for about five or six years now. Your passion and heart for the work and business of toys as well as your direct and firm responses to these hacks (while bringing receipts) is why I’ve appreciated your work. Chris krahn is the absolute antithesis of you and your work. He will only prove himself to be in the wrong the more he carries on and tries to start over on a shady foundation. I only hope the new customers he tries to wrangle in watch this and see what he is all about. Thanks again, man!

[@tgraz559]

Bantha fodder

[@qccomix9284]

1 hour? Guess I'm breaking out the laundry to fold and settling in!

[@mjdoombreed]

Could you imagine what would happen if you had the kind of pull and authority they think you have!?

[@Exar_Kun]

I say it all the time and mean it every time, I absolutely love you Michael!!!❤️😎

[@JONNYSORENSEN_AU]

Blame it on the rain, the economy... the FANS? Dudes got less integrity than Milli Vanilli. 😮

[@theoldnerd250]

I hate that people got ripped off. As a maker myself this is just another black eye.

[@IsaacNeeder]

Michael, the fact you and Tony stood up for all the folks thrown under the bus is admirable. This Guy thinks he can just walk back in after all he did. Well he will find out how people treat jerks like him.

[@chadchesney3858]

HELL YEAH!! Great video sir. Michael I know you don’t like doing this kind of videos. BUT YOURE SO GOOD AT IT! Pure entertainment. I have no stake in “The Fans Strike Back” situation whatsoever. I’ve said this before aaaand will say it again. Michael this is when you’re at your best. Your true milieu. Anyone can be complimentary. Toy WATCH DOG. ARF! ARF!!!

[@TheChadTI]

He's back again? 😅 Damn. Hide your wallets!

[@t00lnin]

Michael French, telling it straight and looking out for the consumer!

[@blackjuju5154]

Michael is definitely one of the good guys, and is looking out for collectors.

[@mayomonkey-gen1]

I can't wait to sit down with my sons and tell them about how once upon a time, when I was young, buying toys was actually fun.

[@retroblasting]

Give it a rest. Real shit happens. The world isn't your personal Candy Land. Cry me a river.

[@mayomonkey-gen1]

@@retroblasting Lol, I'm not sure why you giving me the hate. I agree with your video and assessment on the situation. Acknowledging that kids buying toys and playing with them was a more positive environment than adults robbing each other and sending threats to one another online is somehow negative to your video? Sure, I guess.

[@retroblasting]

Because when I see comments like that, it's most often from people who are complaining about "drama" they don't want to see. You have to remember, I've been in this shit for 12+ years with people in the comments, and I've seen how the toy collector community tends to act. So when a guy brings up his kids and laments that things aren't fun anymore without any clarification, my experience from this side of the discussion braces for the majority intention behind such a statement.

[@mayomonkey-gen1]

Unfortunate you interpreted it that way, but that isn't me in the slightest.

[@Darkglobe1977]

He's the Tommy Tallarico of toy makers

[@K12machinima]

Chris pry makes his own awards for himself, too, just like Tommy.

[@Darkglobe1977]

@@K12machinima I bet his mother is very proud as well.

[@K12machinima]

@@Darkglobe1977 Hey-hey, this guy gets it. ;)

[@RGC1978]

My brain started to hurt when he tried to claim that his Bantha was of higher quality than what Kenner would have done. Yikes.

[@ianwhitlock757]

This is terrible for all those people who pre-ordered anything from this shady outfit and I can certainly sympathise as a similar thing happened to me when I back Steve Johnson's Rubber Head Vol. 2 book 5 years ago on kickstarter and still haven't received it. The book has even been released but Steve to date still hasn't sent anyone their book, let alone all the extras people paid for. It's just not fair that people can get away with this and hopefully there will be some justice in the end.

[@darthcleveland1631]

Sounds like a very good reason to avoid kickstarters and pre-orders. If the product doesn’t exist then don’t pay for it because it is probably too good to be true.

[@georgelea4297]

Thank you Michael for looking out for the community How is any of what he's done not illegal

[@dustybragg4011]

The DT of toys.

[@SFforlife]

This is ridiculous, is there anything that can be done about the people’s money? At least this guy has been outed as fraud for all eternity.

[@Mikethemerciless11]

Unfortunately, no. If somehow someone were to bring a class-action lawsuit against him an The Fans Strike Back, odds are he'd quickly file for bankruptcy, and whatever manages to be squeezed out likely won't go to the litigatants at all should it even get to a mediation let alone a courtroom.

[@impossiblepie]

One thing that can be done is spread the word, tell anyone that has any interest in Kenner style star wars figures to not buy from SLC, the more people that know the better.

[@benjaminkitaura498]

Unfortunately friends of Hillary Clinton are never held accountable for their actions allegedly………these corrupt people always steal money from the public and get away with it always allegedly.

[@VConley]

This the year of truth. TFSB and VI both should be removed COMPLETELY from the hobby.

[@PozerAdultRacingTeam]

Ok NOW I remember who you are talking about. That's just wrong taking money and not delivering the product.

[@aluvrianne]

This guy should consider a career switch to selling used cars.

[@jasonmorgan9239]

He was the Krahn-man behind The Fans Strike Back.

[@blaineindustries6994]

If at the time of payment being issued for the product the terms and conditions were as "pre-order" , them moment they changed it to "crowd fund/ kickstarter", refunds(all or partical) should have been issued. In conjunction with that, a new terms and conditions should have been issued that would require the customer to accept/decline the new terms. It appears that none of this was done, thus he (the company) is liable. Having said that, criminal and or civil litigation could solidify this assessment, but it's most likely the money is gone. Sadly people that been ripped off, will never get that money back. But hopefully they can get some type of justice.

[@invictus84]

@retroblasting Michael, this was such a necessary video for our hobby, much appreciated. Do you think maybe an approved list of legitimately operational independent toy makers could be a video? Thanks for your work in covering this.

[@Christolclear101]

Somehow, The Fans Strike Back returned…

[@charlesmtaylor31]

TFSB never really went away completely. The Etsy store has remained up and running this whole time.

[@Ghostsofthetimelines]

I’m a comic book creator, I don’t ask for peoples money until the product is 100% made and ready to ship out. I don’t believe that you can afford to ruin your name. it’s better to start out small and make a little bit people happy at a time. It’s still good that retro blasting called him out. I do feel bad for the people that got scammed by him. 😥

[@cosmicjay8026]

Remember when TFSB was a service that sold rare Star Wars merchandise and customs at reasonable prices? Pepperidge Farm Remembers.

[@mitchduros]

At this point, I probably won’t be buying any unlicensed figures/toys from anyone but Stan Solo. Is there anyone else out there that’s trustworthy?

[@loualiberti4781]

Claws R Out !! Get Em !!!

[@thisandthatwithmatt]

Love the honesty and calling him out!!! Keep preaching the truth!!

[@IsaacNeeder]

All this started with a bantha. How much drama was under the resin molded surface is insane!

[@Necron-ez2cc]

Chris Krahn... To close to Chris Chan... Someone send him one of those cursed Sonichu Medallions and be done with this.

[@JasonCartwright-z6s]

He had me do some of the blasters and the droid head for his 13 figure set. I was supposed to get reimbursed for them. That never happened. He did give me a Thrawn. So I thought he was going to come through for everyone. Apparently not.

[@streetwithoutjoy]

That guy is the worst, puts a bad name on all the honest creators of fan made toys.

[@LightOfReason7]

It's not just a cliche, it's the truth; a bad apple can ruin the whole barrel 😞 I've not heard or lost money from this guy but I'm glad we can purge our hobby world

[@O.G.Trashboat]

These people that were involved with making the Banta don't need to be running a business. It look like Ray Charles made it 3 days into a 5 day binge!

[@clonaztevedreamkiller5277]

"Proceeding as he's foreseen." LMAO Classic.

[@ToySurprisevintage]

How is this guy able to keep rolling? How can the various pay sites still allow him to have an account ?

[@charlesmtaylor31]

Thank you for keeping us posted on this. Krahn needs to be driven out of the hobby.

[@blaineindustries6994]

Also...him claiming to be a third-party processing company, that would require him to be bonded. I highly doubt that ever happened.

[@Merylstreep1949]

I think Krahn us the same dude who manages Insane Clown Posse lol

[@Stucknthe80z]

How can you rip off so many people for that amount of money with any legal repercussions.

[@michaelsherman3544]

It's time to fix that...

[@TaddyMason-rb6oj]

I'm glad someone is talking about this. I was a victim of The Fans Strike Back. I can't believe this con artist is trying to make a comeback.

[@RadioCobalt]

Thank you Michael for taking the time to broadcast this warning. I thought we had heard the last of him. If Krahn rises again with another site, this video may make a big difference to new people coming to the hobby. We need to drive Krahn out of the hobby forever. I am one of the customers that Krahn milked for $1000 way back in 2019. Even so, losing the money sucks, but I'm even MORE ANGRY at the the stain and sabotage that he's inflicted on other custom creators, particularly Chris Smith. I've had STELLAR experiences with others in the Star Wars vintage artisan space: Stan Solo, ProCustoms and the Last 17 are all great; I've spent a lot of $$ with them and gotten spectacular products. Krahn on the other hand, needs to be banished and your video will be a big help in making sure his true colors reach the largest possible audience in the collecting community. Thank you!!! Thank you!

[@danielhoover2394]

It sounds like this guy's reputation is in the toilet. Would you ever be willing to forgive him? What would it take for him to turn everything around? Could he ever redeem himself?

[@retroblasting]

Refunds, refunds, refunds

[@RyanSpeaksGeek]

So I might have been one of the only people to get replacement stuff in leiu of the Bantha after i kicked off. It still wasnt worth it, i just tried to get something for the money my parents spent for what was meant to be a nice 30th Birthday present for me (Bantha and 13). I am still beyond pissed off at Chris Con. Ive always appreciated the efforts made by yourself and other youtubers to try and help us customers.

[@redshed5467]

These guys say “any one not happy with the product will get compensated with other products” essentially the buyer here is betting on pony and getting a unicorn as a refund All any of these customers have done is lose money and receive promises