Promoter breaks "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" fans' hearts

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15628325%5E911,00.html

HUNDREDS of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans fear they have been conned after the promoter of a national convention on the cult television series vanished with up to $500,000 of their money.

South Australia's Office of Consumer and Business Affairs is investigating Edward Schumacher, who vanished in late April with the takings of the Slayercon 2005 convention, which was to be held in Adelaide on July 2 and 3.

Close to 1000 fans from around Australia, of both Buffy and a spin-off television series, Angel, had paid up to $800 each to meet stars of the two shows, which have cult followings and dozens of fan clubs and websites. Fans were told that six stars of Buffy and Angel – including Amy Acker (Fred), Julia Benz (Darla), Clare Kramer (Glory) and Iyari Limon (Kennedy) – were booked to appear at the convention when tickets went on sale in December.

The OCBA is investigating amid fears that Mr Schumacher has left Australia with the fans' money, but has been unable to find him. Mr Schumacher runs Scooby Gang Promotions, which purports to be a non-profit organisation. The OCBA has received 10 complaints from fans who have spent between $175 and $455 to attend the convention.

[Chovexani]

1. Damn, this is like Victoria Bitter pt. 2

Something similar happened in the LotR fandom...some insane woman claimed to be raising funds for a fan-based charity, even got Sean Astin involved, and ripped people off for a shitload of money. I can't find a link to it atm, but it was a fairly infamous incident.

Unfortunately with the growth of fandom you just can't trust people like you used to. I would be very, very wary of giving money toward any sort of convention, etc. unless I knew it was legit. :(