Hello, Oklahoma is my state and this is my situation:
I became acquainted with an individual through an internet car site, a forum which is a online discussion site for vintage Ford engines where we were both posting in online discussions.
After exchanging telephone numbers , we spoke on the phone and I mentioned I was looking for a particular engine intake for a car I was building. He said he thought he could get one and would check on it. He subsequently advised me he could , gave me the info on it and I told him I would take it. On June 16th, 2007 I sent him a check in the amount of $650. $500 for the intake, $50 for shipping and an extra $100 to take his ill wife out to dinner. (In a previous email and conversation, he implied his wife was seriously, perhaps terminally ill).
The check was negotiated through his wife’s account a few days later and that was the end of it. Numerous phone calls, emails and even a trip to meet him in Oklahoma City did not produce the intake. I finally sent him a certified letter on October 19th, 2007 demanding a refund of ALL my money. To date, I have received no reply.
I take it as fraud but both my local DA and the police dept. in OKC think it is small claims material. Now, my question is this. Since this transpired via the internet, can I sue him in my county or must I sue him in the county in which he resides? (the expense of having to travel 400+ miles, spend the night in a motel, and filing fees would be extensive, perhaps to the amount I was ripped off for)!
Any other suggestions on how to deal with this?
Appreciate any and all help!
Cargal

