Thanks. It is considered a civil matter.  I would have to PROVE her
 intentions were criminal.   Unless I can prove that she has every intention
 of keeping the money and the birds--all I can do is file a complaint.
 Which is what I am doing.
 Because of the amount of money involved, it is considered small claims 
ourt.
 And I would have to go to the small claims court in Jacksonville, Florida.
 If you want to take someone to court to sue them or whatever--you have
 to go to a court in their jurisdicition.
 I sent her a certified Check.  A certified check does not expire for
 five years.  If it goes unused for five years then New York State gets it.
 If I want to stop the check--I have to go to an insurance company and
 get an Indemnified Bond for twice the amount of the check.  My certified
 check to her is over two thousand dollars.  So the bond I would have to
 get would have to be for over four thousand dollars.  Plus there is a charge
 for this- of about one hundred or two hundred dollars.  She  has not
 cashed the check.  So she is "in the clear", I cannot prosecute her.
 And she knows this.
 My second point is that Ringneck Breeding season is goes from September to
 April.  So she could very well be letting them breed down there.  The
 babies are worth alot.
 JR> I suggest that you contact your local State Attorneys office ASAP, as
 JR> well as postal authorities (you may have mail fraud here and because
 JR> you communicate with here via Internet you may also have a Federal
 JR> offense here.  contact the FBI to confirm...)  and make appropriate
 JR> criminal reports if you have not done so yet. Commence criminal/civil
 Thanks, I am in the process of doing that.  My teenage daughter is
 going for alot of hospital tests right now.  She needs a major back
 operation in February.  So I have been juggling the two. I will try the
 local State Attorneys Office first.  They have their own web site.
 Very helpful Page, I must say.
 I have gotten private email asking me to do an article on my misfortune.
 I just love the idea.  
 JR> dealings with them, I never recommend anyone...I guess you know
 JR> why...good luck.. 
 I have been a small time bird breeder for about six years now.  Never had
 this happen before. 
... Operator! Trace this call and tell me where I am.
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