Night Vision PSA: stolen tubes

[marvthehamster]

I looked around and didn’t see a thread about this.

There’s a lengthy thread on arfcom about a guy selling stolen ANVIS tubes to LOTS of people via the equipment exchange. He was thought to be a reputable seller and was in good standing for years, went by screen name Lamneth. Sold ITT and photonis commercial spec tubes. AFAIK, he has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing. I, among many others, have been contacted by HSI and informed that we purchased stolen equipment. It will likely be confiscated at some point. That is the readers digest version but suffice it to say that it’s a shit sandwich for those that got burned.

My reason for posting here is merely to warn folks that there may be less than scrupulous sellers looking to unload these tubes so they’re not holding the bag of/when confiscation occurs. HSI has instructed those who are involved to not sell the tubes but when there’s that much money on the line you can bet there will be some who try to get out from under these things any way they can. I wouldn’t want anyone on this forum to be duped so just thought it might be a good PSA for those not already aware.

 

[deersniper]

I'm sure a lot of those buyers sold theirs for cash at a gun show

 

[marvthehamster]

I'm sure a lot of those buyers sold theirs for cash at a gun show

Maybe. I’m not sure how much NV gear gets dealt at your average gun show, though.

 

[_Windrider_]

I looked around and didn’t see a thread about this.

There’s a lengthy thread on arfcom about a guy selling stolen ANVIS tubes to LOTS of people via the equipment exchange. He was thought to be a reputable seller and was in good standing for years, went by screen name Lamneth. Sold ITT and photonis commercial spec tubes. AFAIK, he has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing. I, among many others, have been contacted by HSI and informed that we purchased stolen equipment. It will likely be confiscated at some point. That is the readers digest version but suffice it to say that it’s a shit sandwich for those that got burned.

My reason for posting here is merely to warn folks that there may be less than scrupulous sellers looking to unload these tubes so they’re not holding the bag of/when confiscation occurs. HSI has instructed those who are involved to not sell the tubes but when there’s that much money on the line you can bet there will be some who try to get out from under these things any way they can. I wouldn’t want anyone on this forum to be duped so just thought it might be a good PSA for those not already aware.

Sorry to hear about your NV equipment getting lost on a boating accident. That’s horrible.

 

[hlee]

Sorry to hear about your NV equipment getting lost on a boating accident. That’s horrible.

You'd think that by now people would have learned not to take their expensive shooting equipment on to a boat. It only takes one time to lose everything. Ask me how I know...

 

[just browsing]

It’s all fun and games until the Feds get involved. Is ~$2k really worth going to prison over?

If anyone needs to kill some time, the thread on Arfcom is wild. Never thought I’d see a DHS Agent (under a USG-DHS username) posting on a shooting forum.

 

[deersniper]

It’s all fun and games until the Feds get involved. Is ~$2k really worth going to prison over?

If anyone needs to kill some time, the thread on Arfcom is wild. Never thought I’d see a DHS Agent (under a USG-DHS username) posting on a shooting forum.

You weren't around for the Agent Wu shenigans?

 

[just browsing]

You weren't around for the Agent Wu shenigans?

Guess not but I’m certain I’d like to know, lol.

 

[_Windrider_]

You weren't around for the Agent Wu shenigans?

Was he the NCIs guy all hot and heavy on the stolen vactronix plrf’s?

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

OT but there is actually a good amount of .gov agency workers on gun forums....

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[just browsing]

Hi,

OT but there is actually a good amount of .gov agency workers on gun forums....

Sincerely,
Theis

I have no doubt, but what number actually post under .gov profiles and/or provide updates to ongoing investigations?

Think that number would start to dwindle significantly.

Link?

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Armory/...pdated-with-seller-s-handle/18-499009/?page=1

 

[TNVC_Will]

I hope somebody isn’t dumb enough to sell their lamneth tubes after being notified or reading it on the forum. That would be interfering with a federal investigation. And a piece of shit move screwing over someone else.

 

[Victor-TNVC]

It’s all fun and games until the Feds get involved. Is ~$2k really worth going to prison over?

If anyone needs to kill some time, the thread on Arfcom is wild. Never thought I’d see a DHS Agent (under a USG-DHS username) posting on a shooting forum.

It ain't the first time.

 

[Victor-TNVC]

If anyone here has been a victim of this, we are offering some pricing, from Augee.

Originally Posted By TNVC_Augee:
Unfortunate situation all around for everyone involved, but especially those folks that may end up having their tubes confiscated. Buying on the second-hand market is always a crap shoot, and while there are good deals out there, there’s always the potential for this sort of thing, it’s just an even bigger shame that Lamneth was able to keep going for as long as [he] did before anyone caught on, and has affected so many people in our small community here.

If anyone has been affected by this guy, please feel free to shoot myself, @NGI_TOM or @TNVC a PM or e-mail, while we obviously can’t totally make up for what some folks might potentially lose, we’d be happy to provide some special pricing to help reduce the sting, even if just a little bit for anyone that has been affected on our NGI Photonis ECHO tubes and complete devices, and we can remove tubes and do conversions for you as well so you can be up and running as soon as possible until this whole situation is resolved.

Just shitty business for all involved.

~Augee

 

[Mindreader1]

Poor chaps...

 

[just browsing]

Yup... 100+ people involved and who knows how many tubes, stolen or legit. It’s a mess but hopefully the guy gets what he has coming.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Wow, what a shitshow on ARF. I've had the itch for NV for a while, but man.... that kind of thing makes me even more hesitant to bother, as most new tubes I'd want are outside what I can justify spending.

 

[TNVC_Will]

If you’re buying used ideally look for devices or tubes that have spec sheets. As long as the serial number matches what’s on it then you should be good to go. Almost all stolen tubes or devices I’m confident wouldn’t have spec sheets.

Plus, if you have that info beforehand you could contact the manufacturer if you wanted to and verify it’s safe.

That doesn’t mean tubes without sheets are automatically stolen however. It’s peace of mind.

Wow, what a shitshow on ARF. I've had the itch for NV for a while, but man.... that kind of thing makes me even more hesitant to bother, as most new tubes I'd want are outside what I can justify spending.

 

[TheGerman]

I lost all of my tubes in the great Fleshlight explosion of 2019!

 

[2ndamendfan]

Hi,

OT but there is actually a good amount of .gov agency workers on gun forums....

Sincerely,
Theis

You don't say!?

 

[marvthehamster]

Sorry to hear about your NV equipment getting lost on a boating accident. That’s horrible.

Lie to an investigator over $1200 in tubes? Not me man. Not even close to worth it.

 

[CMH]

Lie to an investigator over $1200 in tubes? Not me man. Not even close to worth it.

I certainly wouldn't lie about them, but I might make a run at enjoying running them out.

 

[marvthehamster]

I lost all of my tubes in the great Fleshlight explosion of 2019!

Uh yea, see post above. Perhaps this is humor or internet bravado...but would you guys seriously put yourself in a position to become the target of a federal investigation? Over $1500 in gear? I seriously doubt it. The agents have been very direct in their questioning about how we acquired the gear and if we still have it. You’d have to point blank lie to them on multiple occasions, possibly face to face. Not a good position to be in.

Before anybody starts in about rolling over for the gestapo, don’t. These are agents that are doing their job trying to recover equipment that was paid for by you, John q taxpayer. The real scumbags are the dudes like Lamneth, who coincidentally have no problem lying to said agents trying to investigate this thing.

 

[deersniper]

In regards to the Peqs tha Wu was going after, I would say the real scum bags are the ones demilling (destroying) equipment that the tax payer paid for. They should have been sold at auction at the least. A .mil guy was talking about turning in his pristine peq2s and them destroying them.
Same goes for everything else that is destroyed in stead of sold.

 

[Huskydriver]

Uh yea, see post above. Perhaps this is humor or internet bravado...but would you guys seriously put yourself in a position to become the target of a federal investigation? Over $1500 in gear? I seriously doubt it. The agents have been very direct in their questioning about how we acquired the gear and if we still have it. You’d have to point blank lie to them on multiple occasions, possibly face to face. Not a good position to be in.

Before anybody starts in about rolling over for the gestapo, don’t. These are agents that are doing their job trying to recover equipment that was paid for by you, John q taxpayer. The real scumbags are the dudes like Lamneth, who coincidentally have no problem lying to said agents trying to investigate this thing.

Your a good little Tory aren't you....

 

[marvthehamster]

Your a good little Tory aren't you....

Not sure what a Tory is, but probably not.

Btw, the contraction that you meant to use is “you’re”.

 

[TheGerman]

 

[Huskydriver]

Not sure what a Tory is, but probably not.

Btw, the contraction that you meant to use is “you’re”.

No pretty sure you are. Thanks for fixing my phone's auto correct though sport

 

[Surgeon_Shooter]

If you’re buying used ideally look for devices or tubes that have spec sheets. As long as the serial number matches what’s on it then you should be good to go. Almost all stolen tubes or devices I’m confident wouldn’t have spec sheets.

Plus, if you have that info beforehand you could contact the manufacturer if you wanted to and verify it’s safe.

That doesn’t mean tubes without sheets are automatically stolen however. It’s peace of mind.

Don’t let down your guard just because it has a data sheet. I’ve seen a pile of fake sheets that were made to increase the value of the tube they are trying to sell. It’s easier to make a fake data sheet than it is to make a honest weeks wages so there are people who do it.

Jay

 

[TNVC_Will]

That’d be some low down dirty shit.

Don’t let down your guard just because it has a data sheet. I’ve seen a pile of fake sheets that were made to increase the value of the tube they are trying to sell. It’s easier to make a fake data sheet than it is to make a honest weeks wages so there are people who do it.

Jay

 

[marvthehamster]

I’m not sure if these guys are being serious or just jerking my chain now. The memes are kind of chuckle inducing, I’ll admit that.

Here’s a question though: Are the folks who are suggesting we lie to investigators about this stuff using the PX here? Seems counter to the culture of accountability that supposedly exists in communities such as this one....food for thought.

 

[deersniper]

^idk about the rest of the posters but I'm not lying to Feds or selling stuff after being contacted. Good law abiding tax slaves are who .gov likes to f*** with no lube. The criminals at the top and bottom are left alone or get a slap on the wrist.

Maybe if I had expensive stuff I was going to loose I would think differently. No probably wouldn't. not worth it.

 

[TheGerman]

 

[BravoSierra]

I just posted this over there. But I found the topic here first alerting me to the situation. In the event someone here was effected, my thoughts as posted: "First, thanks OP for posting this and all of the discussion and the statement(s) by the criminal investigator(s). I just discovered all of this yesterday. Unfortunately I found a record, and sure enough, it has effected me too. I told my wife, and then contacted Special Agent Durham. I'm gobsmacked, and gut-punched. This was a once in a lifetime purchase for me as an anniversary present. You know how that works, she gives you permission for that purpose because it's something she knows you want and will make you happy, or shut you up long enough to go buy what she wants for herself too? I'm a person of meager means now, so to just say yeah I'll go pop them out and put in new is not a reality for me at all. That, and all the memories my 9 year-old son, my wife, and I, the moments we had running around looking at things at night. What price do you put on memories, or making new ones? What price do you put on your reputation in this matter? Anyhow, I'm very much still taking this all in and going through the emotions, as hard as that is. However, not to stir the pot, but for considerate intellectual thought, I will say this from one narrow perspective, out of many others of course. In that, that corporation is responsible for placing controls to keep an employee from causing harm to the public in this exact manner. An isolated incident or two is one thing, but a community (and growing) of folks such as it is, is an entirely different matter. It is already pervasive in scope over magnitude and time. Pointedly, we are damaged parties for their failure to place adequate checks, processes, and procedures to protect the aggrieved from this ordeal. Collectively, we may contact the corporation and respectfully request to waiver whatever they (their legal department or representatives) deem relevant to their position, to hold them harmless, now or in the future, from any role they (may) have had in their diligence, negligence- criminally and civilly- as may or should pertain, in return for our unabashed cooperation in their pursuits against the accused in any way they see fit. Transactionaly, we'd provide them directly with whatever they'd like in return for a letter/instrument allowing (the aggrieved persons or class), and, of course, upon their review and at their sole discretion, to keep items that were purchased in good faith. As has been said, they have previously written off these items largely, or have been compensated for by warranty, insurance, and for the purpose of taxes written off as a legitimate business expenses. Even this particular situation is a legitimate business expense where they can pursue recompensation for legal efforts. We have not had that advantage. Once we paid in faith, that was it, and thusly we're damaged parties as a community and class. Logically, do they really want the expense of collecting, inspecting, inventorying items that were previously written off, and the liability they'd incur for selling questionable products now that they've changed hands so many times? That's solely their call, but I submit that it's less expensive, and less a pain in the ass, and better for the optics of the whole of the situation, to "allow" us to keep those items while helping them pursue a vigorous prosecution, at the least civilly, where they also AVOID a potential class suit in that process. My experience in defense procurement, tells me they know and have discussed this potential in the least. And it helps to compel and promote others to come forward that were also damaged, which only helps strengthen their position in possible future suits to recover and be compensated for any future losses of sales for loss of reputation. Good will, goes a long way. At least this is one thought, respectfully consider it and move on, or coalesce as grieved parties. That's the choice in my view."

 

[broncoaz]

One of my buddy’s got a visit from the feds at his place of employment to inquire about a stolen from .mil ACOG about 10 years back. He cooperated and gave them back the item in question and there were no other issues, but he was out the cash with no recourse. Shit like that sucks, but I wouldn’t cross the feds over a relatively trivial amount of money.

 

[BravoSierra]

Just a thought, and not to argue really, it's not the feds in question though. It's the corporation that employed the accused. Understandable for the situation you described, where Pvt Snuffy from the arms room has pocketed them. These weren't "stolen" from the .mil, at least thusfar, and they were not one off situations (demonstrably). This was widespread over time, and pervasive. And a situation in which the corporation failed to put adequate checks in place, that permitted an employee to defraud the public at large.

 

[BravoSierra]

I'm backing away from this thread now, no sensibility in starting a bash fest.

 

[Sportin Wood]

Good law abiding tax slaves are who .gov likes to f*** with no lube.

Not all .gov types like it with no lube.... I prefer sweat and tears

 

[jdodd]

I just posted this over there. But I found the topic here first alerting me to the situation. In the event someone here was effected, my thoughts as posted: "First, thanks OP for posting this and all of the discussion and the statement(s) by the criminal investigator(s). I just discovered all of this yesterday. Unfortunately I found a record, and sure enough, it has effected me too. I told my wife, and then contacted Special Agent Durham. I'm gobsmacked, and gut-punched. This was a once in a lifetime purchase for me as an anniversary present. You know how that works, she gives you permission for that purpose because it's something she knows you want and will make you happy, or shut you up long enough to go buy what she wants for herself too? I'm a person of meager means now, so to just say yeah I'll go pop them out and put in new is not a reality for me at all. That, and all the memories my 9 year-old son, my wife, and I, the moments we had running around looking at things at night. What price do you put on memories, or making new ones? What price do you put on your reputation in this matter? Anyhow, I'm very much still taking this all in and going through the emotions, as hard as that is. However, not to stir the pot, but for considerate intellectual thought, I will say this from one narrow perspective, out of many others of course. In that, that corporation is responsible for placing controls to keep an employee from causing harm to the public in this exact manner. An isolated incident or two is one thing, but a community (and growing) of folks such as it is, is an entirely different matter. It is already pervasive in scope over magnitude and time. Pointedly, we are damaged parties for their failure to place adequate checks, processes, and procedures to protect the aggrieved from this ordeal. Collectively, we may contact the corporation and respectfully request to waiver whatever they (their legal department or representatives) deem relevant to their position, to hold them harmless, now or in the future, from any role they (may) have had in their diligence, negligence- criminally and civilly- as may or should pertain, in return for our unabashed cooperation in their pursuits against the accused in any way they see fit. Transactionaly, we'd provide them directly with whatever they'd like in return for a letter/instrument allowing (the aggrieved persons or class), and, of course, upon their review and at their sole discretion, to keep items that were purchased in good faith. As has been said, they have previously written off these items largely, or have been compensated for by warranty, insurance, and for the purpose of taxes written off as a legitimate business expenses. Even this particular situation is a legitimate business expense where they can pursue recompensation for legal efforts. We have not had that advantage. Once we paid in faith, that was it, and thusly we're damaged parties as a community and class. Logically, do they really want the expense of collecting, inspecting, inventorying items that were previously written off, and the liability they'd incur for selling questionable products now that they've changed hands so many times? That's solely their call, but I submit that it's less expensive, and less a pain in the ass, and better for the optics of the whole of the situation, to "allow" us to keep those items while helping them pursue a vigorous prosecution, at the least civilly, where they also AVOID a potential class suit in that process. My experience in defense procurement, tells me they know and have discussed this potential in the least. And it helps to compel and promote others to come forward that were also damaged, which only helps strengthen their position in possible future suits to recover and be compensated for any future losses of sales for loss of reputation. Good will, goes a long way. At least this is one thought, respectfully consider it and move on, or coalesce as grieved parties. That's the choice in my view."

That truly sucks. I would be in the same boat as you. NV is on my wish list but its a lot of cash when you have 4 kids and a stay at home wife. I would be totally crushed.

Hope it works out in some way for you.

 

[Blue Sky Country]

.Gov people lurking about on gun forums should be easy to spot by forum owners and maintenance.

Create noob account. Post a thread asking about how to turn something something into an NFA item. When everybody starts shitting on and clowning the "noob" thread, just check out the IP's of everybody who is reading the thread, if such a function is available. The origins of the IP's should be pretty much self explanatory.

 

[deersniper]

Lol

Forum operators work with and help .gov

Most any third party will give up your info without a warrant.

 

[Blue Sky Country]

I’m not sure if these guys are being serious or just jerking my chain now. The memes are kind of chuckle inducing, I’ll admit that.

Here’s a question though: Are the folks who are suggesting we lie to investigators about this stuff using the PX here? Seems counter to the culture of accountability that supposedly exists in communities such as this one....food for thought.

It boils down to discretion and common sense in the end. Everybody hates thieves and cheats, and the majority here will agree that we have absolutely no problems jumping them if they ever try to give our community a bad name.

However, if all of us were indiscriminate goody-two-shoes, tyrannical governments would have taken over the entire world by now. If I was camping or living semi-nomadic out in the sticks and I happen to come upon, lets say, a group of MS-13 thugs in the process of burying a body, I will guarantee, that the law will not even be involved. Especially in a place where carrying guns is frowned upon. Just sayin'. Local sheriff's gonna get a text from a burner phone after daybreak regarding the coordinates of the location and the scene of the aftermath and expended brass, that's it. I got the full heart of an old cowboy. An old, very wary, and very cynical cowboy to boot...

 

[deersniper]

.gov would come after you worse than they would go after bangers lol


They hate vigilantes for the same reason they hate private charities

 

[Blue Sky Country]

.gov would come after you worse than they would go after bangers lol


They hate vigilantes for the same reason they hate private charities

That's why in the mentioned scenario, only reasonable option for a sane man would be to keep on riding and ride on out like Wyatt Earp after he filled Curly Bill with buckshot. Ain't no good gonna come out of doing a job that the Man was supposed to do, but didn't, and then rubbing it in his face about it...

 

[W54/XM-388]

Local sheriff's gonna get a text from a burner phone after daybreak regarding the coordinates of the location and the scene of the aftermath and expended brass, that's it. I got the full heart of an old cowboy. An old, very wary, and very cynical cowboy to boot...

.gov would come after you worse than they would go after bangers lol
They hate vigilantes for the same reason they hate private charities

There is a very good reason there is 3 of the S steps in S,S&S
If you've taken care of business, no need to say anything to anyone about it.

 

[Blutroop]

Uh yea, see post above. Perhaps this is humor or internet bravado...but would you guys seriously put yourself in a position to become the target of a federal investigation? Over $1500 in gear? I seriously doubt it. The agents have been very direct in their questioning about how we acquired the gear and if we still have it. You’d have to point blank lie to them on multiple occasions, possibly face to face. Not a good position to be in.

Before anybody starts in about rolling over for the gestapo, don’t. These are agents that are doing their job trying to recover equipment that was paid for by you, John q taxpayer. The real scumbags are the dudes like Lamneth, who coincidentally have no problem lying to said agents trying to investigate this thing.

Plead the 5th and don’t give up anything you know you paid for. Or paid twice for.

 

[Blue Sky Country]

There is a very good reason there is 3 of the S steps in S,S&S
If you've taken care of business, no need to say anything to anyone about it.

If they were burying a teenage girl that they done brutalized and killed, like they are known mostly for, I'd want her family to get closure about who killed her and what then happened to them. But first I'd make sure I'd be like old Wyatt, or Inman after he tied up that preacher fella'... Long gone in the distance...