This guy is a scam artist, a thief, and a lying crook. He was employed from 2005 until two months ago at one of Calgary’s largest real estate offices, Re/Max Central, owned by his uncle, Patrick Hare. While he may be a competent realtor, it’s his secondary line of work that raises concerns. Typically, the introduction to his scheme comes either through mutual acquaintances or a real estate transaction. For instance, he might represent you in the purchase or sale of a property. Once the transaction is completed in good faith, he might approach you a few weeks or months later with a proposal for a private loan. These loans usually start small, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, and promise quick, high returns (landing fees) with interest rates of 5%, 10%, or 15% over a short period of 2-3 months. After a few such transactions, when trust has been established, the subsequent loan will not be repaid, nor will the promised interest. It’s estimated that around 20 to 30 people have fallen victim to his scam, and the actual number could be higher as many victims may feel too embarrassed to admit they were deceived. Numerous court cases have been opened and won against him over the years, but he does not comply with the court’s rulings. For the victims, the cost of legal fees to recover the stolen money often outweighs the potential recovery. Interestingly, despite his apparent success as a realtor, he seems to have no assets to his name, not even a house. - John dillinger