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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ For Sale and Trade Items _ Gold creek claim

Posted by: johnnybravo300 Dec 21 2016, 09:14 PM

http://m.ebay.com/itm/PLACER-MINING-CLAIM-GOLD-CREEK-COLORADO-GOLD-SILVER-ORE-MINE-GUNNISON-COUNTY-/201750951779?_trkparms=aid%253D222007%2526algo%253DSIC.MBE%2526ao%253D1%2526asc%253D20150519202348%2526meid%253D6351c64fa26241c990ede3780fefd309%2526pid%253D100408%2526rk%253D8%2526rkt%253D11%2526sd%253D141477799628&_trksid=p2056116.c100408.m2460

I saw this claim for sale on eBay. Funny thing is there is no gold in that part of the creek. The placers were deposited below the mines which are all way downstream a good mile or so.

Posted by: Crusty Dec 22 2016, 08:48 AM

They are selling a lot of claims!

http://www.ebay.com/sch/dwiest22/m.html?item=201750951779&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2046732.m1684

Hope folks are getting out and prospecting them before buying!

Posted by: MikeS Dec 22 2016, 05:10 PM

Thank you for bringing this ad to our attention Johnny! It seems internet claim scams are back in season and in full force. I just learned a club member fell for such scam and the club member also brought to my attention another company that is a fraud. I will try to make a more complete post about these scammers soon. I will have a closer look at the company posted above and I will add them to the post if I see red flags (I see a few already and you pointed out others).

I have some basic advise for anyone thinking about buying a claim:

#1 Question your intent on why you want a claim. If you just want to do it as a hobby or fun then I say there is no need to buy or stake a claim and your focus should be on land research to find open areas to go have fun. If you want to try and make a buck at it then buying a claim is an option but I say finding and staking your own spot is always the best option. Best place to learn is right here with the Colorado Prospector Club!

#2 DO NOT BUY CLAIMS FROM EBAY!!!!! My research has shown major red flags with 90+% of claims for sale on ebay or auction sites.

#3 DO NOT BUY BEFORE YOU TRY!

#4 Validate supposed seller and claim itself. (if you learn the proper way to do it yourself then it becomes easy to spot most scams)

Posted by: johnnybravo300 Dec 23 2016, 12:09 AM

Yeah I just saw this and it caught my eye. I spend most of my winter digging at gold creek and I know it pretty well. I've seen similar type claims along cochetopa creek the same way. The claims for sale are usually where the placer deposits were minimal or even completely nonexistent!
I prospected a forfeited claim last spring along cochetopa creek to see what the deal was. I didn't know the details of why this claim was let go so if it was a good spot I wanted to know. I was ready to take it.
I spent most of the day testing anywhere I could find along the creek and along the banks where placers are usually found and got skunked all day.
I ended up digging a chest deep hole and even after it started filling with water I went as deep as I could for THREE of the tiniest specks I've ever seen. If there was gold worth mining there it was sure we'll hidden. Its not like they will allow a guy to dig the entire creek up for an oz of au anyway.
There are alot of these types of claims around summit county too. So many scammers trying to make a buck.

What worries me now is that the lower areas where I like to fart around will get claimed by these fools and it will ruin it for me. It's close and easy for me to go there during the winter when we're buried in snow but the gold isn't EPIC or anything. It's not a spot I'd want to quit my job over, but there is color in every pan. I use that area to get out and have easy fun in the winter and its a little worrisome to me.
The usgs reports show most of the best placers right at the confluence of gold and Ohio creeks and its all private property there in Ohio city. This winter id like to knock on some doors along the creek and see if anyone would let me in the creek on their property. I bet someone surely would and they may even be interested. I'll take chances on alot of no's for a possibility of a yes haha. It won't hurt my feelings. They won't shoot me for asking, at least I'd hope not.

I hadn't thought seriously about a claim at gold creek and now I'm wondering if I messed up? My idea of a legitimate claim has always been something that might at least pay for itself and possibly (eventually) for my time. With the work and dedication involved in staking and working a claim, I always thought to seek the richest ground I could find first would be the best idea. If I claimed every gold spot out there I'd be broke with not much to show for it. This is very frustrating.

Posted by: Crusty Dec 23 2016, 07:26 AM

What I find odd about the shady folks selling claims is, most have very few negative feedbacks. I assume this is because most buyers don't immediately follow up and check out the claim, so they just do their feedback right away and don't come back to give their true experience. Guess this would be the best time to execute these scams, as with it being winter, most buyers aren't likely to check out their claims until spring, probably after it is too late to have any recourse.

Red flags to me are how often the scammers mention the other recreational uses for the claim, as if the claim owner would have more rights to hunt, fish, camp, or whatever than the general public. (obviously the camping aspect has advantages to a claim owner actively prospecting)

Mike's wise words ring true... with the right tools and knowledge, there is plenty of open land out there to satisfy the needs of most of us.

Posted by: MikeS Dec 23 2016, 06:07 PM

The company in the ad Johnny linked up there is easy for me to pick apart as a fraud. Just the ad itself shows me they (he) have no clue about mining rights or proper location/staking of claims. I don't have time to detail it all but I want to point out the first big problem I saw of the many in the ad.

Cal Gold Resources LLC. D.L. Wiest Enterprises Inc. David L. Wiest - President
"About Us "Established 1986, authorized to locate mining claims by the Department of Interior, Bonded, Licensed, and Insured. Buyers are guaranteed clear title!!""

If you are a U.S. citizen, in the process of becoming a citizen or a company legal to do business in the U.S. then you have a RIGHT to prospect and locate your own claim on National Public Lands open to mineral entry. You do not need permission or "authorization" from anyone to do so (Within the bounds of laws and regulations).
I did not ask anyones permission to prospect, locate, stake or mine my claim. I just did my best to do it right and went and did it. thumbsupsmileyanim.gif emoticon-misc-004.gif
I do not recommend anyone buy anything from Mr. Wiest.

Posted by: MikeS Dec 23 2016, 07:33 PM

QUOTE (johnnybravo300 @ Dec 22 2016, 11:09 PM) *
My idea of a legitimate claim has always been something that might at least pay for itself and possibly (eventually) for my time. With the work and dedication involved in staking and working a claim, I always thought to seek the richest ground I could find first would be the best idea. If I claimed every gold spot out there I'd be broke with not much to show for it. This is very frustrating.


I have the same view about proving a place worthy of a claim. I have prospected for gold in many spots the last 2 years and found gold in all but 1 spot. This year I found an area that showed good signs of enough gold to make it profitable. My brother staked a claim there and we are already anxious for springtime to go back and prove it profitable. There is more open area around it which I will be testing for hot spots next year. Club Members are likely to get invites so stay tuned! thumbsupsmileyanim.gif

Posted by: MikeS Jan 16 2017, 03:21 PM

I have a few more "claims for sale" scammers I would like to point out to to my fellow prospectors.

I will start with Mr. Weston Milligan of New York, NY. His Ebay handle is "claims20". I have watched Mr. Milligan file several fraudulent claims in the past year and should have made a post sooner.
These claims only exist on paper. I don't think Weston has even been to Colorado but I am positive he did not properly locate or stake these supposed claims.
I first noticed his activities when researching areas in Grand County or "Historic Grand Lake Mining District" as the ads Mr. Milligan puts out calls it. Don't buy anything from Mr. Weston Milligan (claims20)! sadno.gif

Posted by: MikeS Jan 16 2017, 03:56 PM

Meet Steven Cyros
"Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Department of Land Transfer Information, Inc." of San Clemente, CA.



Mr. Cyros has gone above and beyond to convince his victims that he is some type of authority in mining. He dresses like a federal officer, puts flashy lights on his truck and he even gets drone footage of his supposed claim sites. In his videos he talks like he is part of some large organization but as far as I tell it is just him and maybe 1 other con-artist who teamed up with Steven. His ads claim to have an A+ rating with the BBB but an easy search on the BBB website can find no record of him at all.

I have been seeing several sponsored links from him on facebook recently. I am not the only one to point out his scams. A few articles have already been written about his activities.

It is clear to me that Mr. Cyros has no interest in mining minerals and is only interested in mining wallets and bank accounts.

Many of these ebay scammers have a good rating on ebay because their victims have not figured out yet that they have been scammed.

Do not buy anything from this deceptive con-artist!!

Posted by: swizz Jan 16 2017, 04:05 PM

Cute costume.
It amazes me that there is such lax enforcement (basically no enforcement) by the feds or states or commerce dept to curtail this bullshit. Apparently no department is designated to go after these crooks?
They found the soft loophole in the mining system. More and more scammers are catching on and doing it. Illegal as hell, but nobody can stop them. Nobody has the delegated authority to cite or arrest them I reckon.

Posted by: MikeS Jan 16 2017, 04:26 PM

QUOTE (swizz @ Jan 16 2017, 03:05 PM) *
Cute costume.
It amazes me that there is such lax enforcement (basically no enforcement) by the feds or states or commerce dept to curtail this bullshit. Apparently no department is designated to go after these crooks?
They found the soft loophole in the mining system. More and more scammers are catching on and doing it. Illegal as hell, but nobody can stop them. Nobody has the delegated authority to cite or arrest them I reckon.


When pulling paperwork on Mr. Milligan a gov. employee confirmed my belief by saying that he "likely has never been to Colorado". Sometimes they know it but can't do much. There is very little regulation for this stuff. We are about it combined with local law enforcement when possible. By they way swizz Mr. Milligan is filling paper claims near your buddies real claim up on the mountain. You may want to toss him a heads up.

Posted by: swizz Jan 16 2017, 05:11 PM

Thanks Mike, I just informed Adam.
"grrrrr baby..... very grrr"

Posted by: MikeS Jan 16 2017, 05:45 PM

QUOTE (swizz @ Jan 16 2017, 04:11 PM) *
Thanks Mike, I just informed Adam.
"grrrrr baby..... very grrr"


He may be up there too but I meant "Lost Boys" in Grand Co.

Posted by: swizz Jan 16 2017, 06:24 PM

aaaah... no worries about them, they are definitely on top of their filings. happy088.gif
I will let Jeremy know next time I run into him though. I wish that city slicker Weston Milligan would come here at least once though so we could give him a good ol fashioned Grand County ass whuppin. biggrin.gif

Posted by: MikeS Jan 16 2017, 06:46 PM

QUOTE (swizz @ Jan 16 2017, 05:24 PM) *
aaaah... no worries about them, they are definitely on top of their filings. happy088.gif
I will let Jeremy know next time I run into him though. I wish that city slicker Weston Milligan would come here at least once though so we could give him a good ol fashioned Grand County ass whuppin. biggrin.gif


I think he plans to stay safe and cozy at his NY address. lol

Posted by: Crusty Jan 16 2017, 06:57 PM

Sorry SOBs taking advantage of greenhorns who watch gold shows on TV and think they're gonna strike it rich. Also giving them the impression they'll have more rights to "recreate" on the claim, with frequent mention of fishing and hunting. signs019.gif

Posted by: Rob Wilkerson Jan 16 2017, 08:15 PM

QUOTE (MikeS @ Jan 16 2017, 03:26 PM) *
When pulling paperwork on Mr. Milligan a gov. employee confirmed my belief by saying that he "likely has never been to Colorado". Sometimes they know it but can't do much. There is very little regulation for this stuff. We are about it combined with local law enforcement when possible. By they way swizz Mr. Milligan is filling paper claims near your buddies real claim up on the mountain. You may want to toss him a heads up.
Mike , it's ok to let the guys know it was me pulling that paperwork . I had good luck on buying 2 claims 5 years ago and this one from Miligan was a little sketchy on details. From Mike's coaching and with his help , I got enough info to go to BLM and pull the file. The deed had been transferred to me so that was good. What I can tell you is that the pictures he posted only vaguely resembled the actual claim . We have 3 good turns in the creek and it is a gold bearing stream so, I think we will find some gold there. The fella behind the window at BLM was glad I had found a good club and he did tell me he thought that Milligan was never in Colorado. With what I have learned so far from Core club members I have been able to find areas that I want to prospect this summer that are open for claim so, that is my future for new claims. Thanks for posting.

Posted by: MikeS Jan 16 2017, 08:39 PM

QUOTE (Rob Wilkerson @ Jan 16 2017, 07:15 PM) *
Mike ,.....Thanks for posting.


Your welcome Rob! smiley-cool14.gif

Posted by: johnnybravo300 Jan 16 2017, 10:38 PM

So many scammers. I can see how people fall for this. They sound like such awesome deals! Haha

I like the...."Have your own slice of Colorado where you can camp, fish, recreate, or just relax by the creek!".....Sold! Hehe


Posted by: MikeS Jan 18 2017, 11:04 PM

I would like to point out that both Mr. Wiest and Mr. Cyros are both filing and selling fraudulent "topaz" claims in Park County not far from my real claim. Neither of them can show a picture of their mineral discoveries but they are happy to show pictures from "nearby" mines to promote their scams. Mr. Cyros has slashed his prices on his placer claims in New Mexico where the main commodity is.......... fluorite. slaphead.gif Why would I want to mine the broken weathered bits of fluorite in the placer material? Mr. Cyros has no idea when it comes to minerals and mining however he is very focused on pretending that he does. signs019.gif

Posted by: johnnybravo300 Feb 15 2017, 08:49 PM

There are a few new claims up near tincup that Mr weist located 9/1/16 and sold to a guy in Denver and another in Wichita ks about the same day on or about 1/15/17. Probably another eBay sell and I doubt there's gold on either one haha.
Some people!

Posted by: johnnybravo300 Feb 15 2017, 09:28 PM

It seems like he and mr cyros are both staking claims along other legit placer claims and them selling them the next month after they "locate" the claim. I doubt either has ever visited any of this land they are selling.

Posted by: Crusty Apr 9 2017, 09:51 AM

SHou;d I buy this truck and some khakis and get in on this market? lol

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/697297873/overview/

Posted by: MikeS Apr 9 2017, 10:04 AM

QUOTE (Crusty @ Apr 9 2017, 10:51 AM) *
SHou;d I buy this truck and some khakis and get in on this market? lol


Make sure it has flashing lights and slap a fake officially looking seal sticker on the side. smiley-laughing021.gif

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