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On 3/5/16 I initiated a trade in response to an advertisement on Localbitcoins.com. The trade was to sell $3,200 worth of bitcoins via cash in the mail. The buyer had well over 100 confirmed trades with perfect feedback. He talked me into releasing the coins early, and due to his history I agreed. (This means he gets the bitcoins instantly instead of waiting for an escrow process. Obviously this was very foolish on my part.) He provided me with a tracking number. The tracking number never tracked, and the user was banned the next day. I have the user's full name as Localbitcoins has verified their identity, phone number, ip address, and email, although I only have access to his name. I understand localbitcoins would provide more information to police. Three days later the tracking number he gave me showed action, but it was for a delivery to a different city. Is it worth filing a police report? Is it worth pursuing the matter through through civil action? I reside in California, and he resides in Wisconsin. Here is a copy of our discussion with names, address, and tracking redacted: Communication (total 15 messages) March 6, 2016, 11:13 a.m. ME: Hey, that tracking isn't working yet. Is everything okay? March 5, 2016, 12:18 p.m. HIM : No prob, any time. March 5, 2016, 12:17 p.m. ME: Ok, thank you. March 5, 2016, 12:16 p.m. HIM : Tracking # will be EK#########US Check on it in a couple hours, they take an hour to update uo here. March 5, 2016, 12:16 p.m. HIM : Tracking # will be EK#########US Check on it in a couple hours, they take an hour to update uo here. March 5, 2016, 12:15 p.m. ME: its done. March 5, 2016, 12:15 p.m. HIM : Ill need release before i get it ready. March 5, 2016, 12:14 p.m. ME: awesome. thanks March 5, 2016, 12:13 p.m. HIM : Ok, ill mark paid and get it ready. Will have a tracking # ready in 45 mins when i drop it off. March 5, 2016, 12:12 p.m. ME: Ok, lets do it. March 5, 2016, 12:12 p.m. HIM : And by "Lost" i really meant stolen by a USPS employee. March 5, 2016, 12:11 p.m. HIM : Ive sent out 1,000+ packages in my entire lifetime. Stealth is prime. Ive had 4/1,000 deemed "Lost in Transit" and 2 were in CA, other 2 were in GA. March 5, 2016, 12:07 p.m. ME: Hi! What is up with shipping to CA that requires the early release? March 5, 2016, 12:05 p.m. HIM : No problem getting this out today, they close in 1 hour. $20 gets deducted from the trade amount for Priority Express Shipping. Finally, all packages with a CA or GA destination must be released before i drop the package off at the post office. Lmk if i should get it ready to go, or cancel. Peace. March 5, 2016, 11:52 a.m. ME: (My address provided here)