In 2019, I flagged someone who had been stealing my design and even my pictures to try to sell “his” products to our community.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B3tPmpgmT
Shortly after, he deleted his profile but opened up a flurry of other ones, and while he “removed” pictures of my products, he did rip that of other prop makers. In 2020, he definitely made a switch to the Mando world under the name Monis. I did call someone on it for promoting his recaster work
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15sR9WMBxL
Every so often, I see another post of him resurfacing under another name/alias, on FB and on Etsy. In 2021 I even made a lengthy post about it
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/167SAE9hbn
Today, I have another friend request from the same person (under yet another alias, with another shop front). A quick look at the profile shows clearly this is a fake as hell – including the picture (not sure who they used but not him at all)… he is using the same Kboots rip-off he did from our boots when he first appeared as his banner picture.
I am certain it is the same person since the operating pattern is the same: a Punjabi factory in the exact same city specialising in leather jackets that also happens to sell SW costumes. The shop names have nothing to do with the actual FB profile (this time Galactic props vs Leather Closet). Most telling, they are still using the same pictures they were in the past, and every picture has a watermark “Gwabo’s”, the original name being used…
This time, he is using “ Galactic Props” to get some pseudo-legitimacy and focuses on the new website by removing the rest of the motorcycle leather jacket he used to have …
it seems to work since 90 of my friends have him on their list, including everyone who has commented on my previous posts about this guy. I have blurred out the profile pic of those who appear here out of respect and because I know that you disapprove of recasting practices. Still, it is disheartening to see your profile pic appear as well as misleading because you represent the best of the community, and for many, your picture appearing as a”friend” is a mark of endorsement.
