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Science/Tech See other Science/Tech Articles Title: Is this Kudizoo story true or a ruse? OK, so a fellow you've never met - a Mr. Kudizoo no less - wants to buy for a whopping $1.8 million what is essentially a list of grant-money sources you rounded up on the Internet. You wouldn't be stupid enough to buy that, would you? Well, what if he actually sent you a check? What if your bank said it was legitimate? What if you spent a couple hundred thousand of it before the bank reversed course? What are you now - a scam victim or a con artist? Even a veteran federal judge can't quite decide which label to put on LaFollette software designer wannabe John Henegar. "This thing is just a conundrum from the very beginning," Senior U.S. District Judge James H. Jarvis said at a hearing last week in a bizarre lawsuit Henegar filed against an Ohio firm that was itself a potential victim. It also likely is criminal. Federal court records confirm that a probe by the FBI is under way. Henegar has been questioned by FBI agents. The agency is sticking to its ask-but-we-won't-tell policy on commenting about ongoing probes. Court records set out the following about a man Jarvis dubbed "the mysterious Mr. Kudizoo," Henegar, a technology company, two banks and a big fat check: Sometime in late 2004 or early 2005, Henegar said he began corresponding via the Internet and e-mail with Ahmed Kudizoo, who represented himself as an employee of Agilysys Inc., an Ohio-based firm dealing in computer servers, storage and software. Henegar told Kudizoo about his "140-page database of individuals and organizations which would provide grant money," Henegar contends in court filings. Eventually the two - who never met throughout the wheeling and dealing - agreed that Agilysys would buy Henegar's database for $1.8 million and some change. Oddly, Agilysys owed that exact amount to an IBM affiliate in Canada for various purchases and had sent a check for that exact amount to a "lockbox" address in Canada where IBM received mail, court records state. In early February 2005, Henegar contends he received his Agilysys check in the mail. That check bore the same number as the one issued to IBM, court records show. On Feb. 17, Henegar opened a bank account at a Home Federal branch in Campbell County and deposited the check. A week later, Home Federal gave him the OK to spend the money, saying that the Bank of Montreal, which issued the check, had declared it valid. Henegar spent roughly $200,000. He bought three all-terrain vehicles, two Dodge Ram pickup trucks and a Jeep Cherokee. On Feb. 28, Henegar received some serious bad news. The Bank of Montreal had taken a closer look at that check and determined it had been altered to put Henegar's name in the payee slot and the words "U.S. funds" next to the check amount. Home Federal seized the vehicles Henegar bought and filed suit against him, alleging fraud. Henegar, in turn, sued Agilysys, claiming the company had essentially stolen his database and tricked him by issuing a check and then declaring the check forged. He also accused the firm of slander for notifying the FBI. The case later wound up in federal court in Knoxville. That's where Jarvis came in. Attorney Michael Kelley asked the judge to boot the lawsuit. His legal filings outline two scenarios: Either a con artist named Kudizoo managed to steal the check Agilysys issued to IBM, forged it and used it to get Henegar's database or Henegar got his hands on that same check, altered it and then concocted the database story as cover when he got caught. Henegar and his wife, Diana, insist they are victims. "It's been one lie after another," Diana Henegar said in court last week. "None of this makes sense." On that point, Jarvis agreed. "There doesn't seem to be any motive for Mr. Kudizoo to have done this," Jarvis said. "He didn't get anything that was worth anything. This factual situation is very strange. Folks, you better get yourselves a lawyer. I can't do anything for you." With that, Jarvis dismissed the Henegars' lawsuit against Agilysys. Home Federal has won a judgment against the couple for the cash the bank has been unable to get back from the couple. The couple has vowed an appeal. As for the mysterious Mr. Kudizoo, Internet users beware. If he exists, he's still out there in cyberspace.
Poster Comment: Internet weirdness for your review.
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