An update from Dan that is down in the comments - but I wanted to highlight it:
"He did have to pay back the money!! It took years but I’m pretty sure he paid back everyone he scammed (and there were dozens and dozens of victims that had been defrauded out of hundreds and thousands of dollars). I had to keep emailing the Los Angeles District Attorney every few months for YEARS to make sure he kept on top of it. Of course we were the last ones to be repaid. He was caught in 2019 and we were repaid two years later in 2021."
Thanks for highlighting that David. I think everyone will be very happy to know Pamphile had to pay and justice, for once, was done. Fantastic that Daniel stuck with it to its resolution. Makes me feel just a little hopeful that scammers can be made to pay retribution.
“She turned out to be a compliance and ethics attorney with a background in theatre.” HA HA HA HA HA! God this is the most delightful one-two punch I’ve read in ages. Please keep writing Daniel! #Knuckleheads4lyfe
Love that you turned bright red - that’s a New Zealand thing surely? I am the same - all gung-ho thoughts then turn beetroot when I actually say it out loud 😂
AND it has a happy ending? Absolutely wild, did not expect that. (Though I can't find any court details online... I note that searching up "James Pamphile" brings up this article so that'll be interesting when he finds out!)
From the Nathan For You episodes and the start of this story, I thought Brian was a bit of a con man himself. But by the end... I don't think you would've got there without him. The guy is clearly a walking tornado, and we all need a Brian in our life. Mines my father in law.
Years ago, we got ripped off by a travel agency. They realised too late they'd forgotten about daylight savings time, suddenly some layovers wouldn't work, and they demanded an extra 2k from us. I thought I'd exhausted all options and was ready to give in, but then FIL found out. He marched the whole family to the mall, we stood in the entrance to the agency, while he told everyone not to enter. "don't go in there - they'll rip you off". Making a real ruckus. We got escorted out by security after ten minutes, but not before he promised to come back next week to do it again. A few days later (and several angry phone calls from FIL), oh hey, turns out they don't need that money any more! That level of unwavering confidence is a borderline super power, I was astonished. I didn't know you could even DO that.
Brian, I wouldn't want you as a neighbour, but I'd definitely chuck a ball around a parking lot with you while you chuck insults at me. Good stuff.
Daniel - Incredible story, well written, thank you so much!
This is one of the most amazing stories I've heard all year, definitely better than all the law dramas on in my house (and they're on a LOT thanks to my dad). I want this to be a movie and then I want that movie to win an Oscar... Or seven.
"Once he called the other precincts and confirmed my story, he realised that I was not as crazy as my accent implied and began to arrange a sting operation" might also be my new favorite sentence of all time.
I love it. Only it would have been "thus is wat huppans wheen yew meess wuth a Neew Zeelunder". I especially love that you shouted at the baddie whilst also going red with embarassment.
This could well be the next Taika Waititi smash hit! While it must have been a harrowing experience at the time, this is one of those look-back-and-laugh life events that make one's time on this boiling little planet so damn entertaining. I love your writing style, Daniel, and look forward to future contributions to the Webworm universe.
Haha due to our present election coming up & contenders from the cheap seats (aka opposition parties & their 'leaders' ) I've adapted Knucklehead to f*cknuckle thesedays
I remember being in the car with my dad and his mate and someone cut us off and my dads mate yelling out the window “Watch it you fucking bubblebrain” and it’s always stuck.
Daniel - you make me proud to be a Kiwi! Love your writing style & dogged determination, plus all the plot twists (an ethics lawyer being targetted???) and the brash PI Brian with a social conscience ... But let's face it - the REAL shero is your partner for alerting the world about this scammer, eh? Just kidding, it was a team effort right down to the detective who took the time to check out your story & take a chance on a man with a weird accent!
And yes David - ALL Webworm articles are great but this was right up there! It will be hard to beat "That's what happens when you f**k with New Zealanders!" for sheer satisfaction when confronting a scammer ...
This is the absolute greatest conclusion anyone could've hoped for!! Glad it all worked out in the end for you, Daniel, and justice was seemingly served. It's not everyday the James Pamphile's of the world get what they deserve so it's nice to see hear about it once in a while! Brian is still my favorite and responded in the only way a Massachusetts man/woman/any of us really can: lovingly but with a slight insult as a term of endearment 😅😅. Also I now realize I spelled his name wrong last time and he'd probably call me a knucklehead because of it 😅😅.
Best story ever!! *Kermit waving hands*....truth justice and karma all happening before our eyes and it's real as well! Go Daniel and Brian, aka Batman and Robin. Love yas! ❤️
An update from Dan that is down in the comments - but I wanted to highlight it:
"He did have to pay back the money!! It took years but I’m pretty sure he paid back everyone he scammed (and there were dozens and dozens of victims that had been defrauded out of hundreds and thousands of dollars). I had to keep emailing the Los Angeles District Attorney every few months for YEARS to make sure he kept on top of it. Of course we were the last ones to be repaid. He was caught in 2019 and we were repaid two years later in 2021."
Thanks for highlighting that David. I think everyone will be very happy to know Pamphile had to pay and justice, for once, was done. Fantastic that Daniel stuck with it to its resolution. Makes me feel just a little hopeful that scammers can be made to pay retribution.
That’s great news almost heaven sent. Thanks for the update, homelessnesses everywhere is something to resist at every angle this is the outcome
“She turned out to be a compliance and ethics attorney with a background in theatre.” HA HA HA HA HA! God this is the most delightful one-two punch I’ve read in ages. Please keep writing Daniel! #Knuckleheads4lyfe
Just perfection, right?
Thanks so much Michelle! I will keep up the one two punches as best I can!
The grin that appeared on my face when I read that line....😂
I know! And the thought of Bryan going Jump Street. Coffee came out my nose. What a roller coaster
Certainly met his demise with Denise
I grateful for this inclusion of the "This is what happens when you fuck with NZrs" bit cos I would never want to tell anyone I said it
Love that you turned bright red - that’s a New Zealand thing surely? I am the same - all gung-ho thoughts then turn beetroot when I actually say it out loud 😂
I am so brave in my own head too 😂
Yep! I related immediately as I laughed out loud. Then cringed and mentally shrunk away.
AND it has a happy ending? Absolutely wild, did not expect that. (Though I can't find any court details online... I note that searching up "James Pamphile" brings up this article so that'll be interesting when he finds out!)
From the Nathan For You episodes and the start of this story, I thought Brian was a bit of a con man himself. But by the end... I don't think you would've got there without him. The guy is clearly a walking tornado, and we all need a Brian in our life. Mines my father in law.
Years ago, we got ripped off by a travel agency. They realised too late they'd forgotten about daylight savings time, suddenly some layovers wouldn't work, and they demanded an extra 2k from us. I thought I'd exhausted all options and was ready to give in, but then FIL found out. He marched the whole family to the mall, we stood in the entrance to the agency, while he told everyone not to enter. "don't go in there - they'll rip you off". Making a real ruckus. We got escorted out by security after ten minutes, but not before he promised to come back next week to do it again. A few days later (and several angry phone calls from FIL), oh hey, turns out they don't need that money any more! That level of unwavering confidence is a borderline super power, I was astonished. I didn't know you could even DO that.
Brian, I wouldn't want you as a neighbour, but I'd definitely chuck a ball around a parking lot with you while you chuck insults at me. Good stuff.
Daniel - Incredible story, well written, thank you so much!
I love your outcome. And how it was achieved!
I was curious when I wrote this if I end up hearing from James - especially if he's still working in real estate like his LinkedIn says he is!
As for Brian, I had no idea he had his own spin-off show till Dan wrote this piece, and now I can't wait to watch a few episodes!
Sorry, so many !!! in my reply. I just get excited sometimes (!)
This is one of the most amazing stories I've heard all year, definitely better than all the law dramas on in my house (and they're on a LOT thanks to my dad). I want this to be a movie and then I want that movie to win an Oscar... Or seven.
"Once he called the other precincts and confirmed my story, he realised that I was not as crazy as my accent implied and began to arrange a sting operation" might also be my new favorite sentence of all time.
It's good, right? Feel free to share it around - this one is a free Webworm for all!
https://www.webworm.co/p/thecrookpart1
Posted to Twitter or X or whatever it’s name is this week. Thanks David. Hope it brings more subscribers and readers.
I love it. Only it would have been "thus is wat huppans wheen yew meess wuth a Neew Zeelunder". I especially love that you shouted at the baddie whilst also going red with embarassment.
lolol I’ve just been rewatching the evergreen nz film Eagle Vs Shark and this is exactly it 😂🫠
The infamous stunned mullet.
Gold.
This could well be the next Taika Waititi smash hit! While it must have been a harrowing experience at the time, this is one of those look-back-and-laugh life events that make one's time on this boiling little planet so damn entertaining. I love your writing style, Daniel, and look forward to future contributions to the Webworm universe.
I’ve started using the term knucklehead...hadn’t heard it since I was a kid (probably my dad referring to me)
It's a term I had forgotten about also - and really glad to have it up my sleeve.
Haha due to our present election coming up & contenders from the cheap seats (aka opposition parties & their 'leaders' ) I've adapted Knucklehead to f*cknuckle thesedays
I remember being in the car with my dad and his mate and someone cut us off and my dads mate yelling out the window “Watch it you fucking bubblebrain” and it’s always stuck.
lol, I found myself saying a few times this week.
Such a fun read, Daniel. While it sucks that you had to wait this long to get it published, you happened upon an ideal audience for the story.
I am very, very glad it ended up here. Knew you'd dig it.
Daniel - you make me proud to be a Kiwi! Love your writing style & dogged determination, plus all the plot twists (an ethics lawyer being targetted???) and the brash PI Brian with a social conscience ... But let's face it - the REAL shero is your partner for alerting the world about this scammer, eh? Just kidding, it was a team effort right down to the detective who took the time to check out your story & take a chance on a man with a weird accent!
And yes David - ALL Webworm articles are great but this was right up there! It will be hard to beat "That's what happens when you f**k with New Zealanders!" for sheer satisfaction when confronting a scammer ...
So, I know it's a typo, but "hot on the hells of a rental scammer" is much more dramatic than heels and I'm here for it!
This is very embarrassing! My error, not guest writer Dan!
NOT embarrassing! Super human and adds a perfect note!!!
This is the absolute greatest conclusion anyone could've hoped for!! Glad it all worked out in the end for you, Daniel, and justice was seemingly served. It's not everyday the James Pamphile's of the world get what they deserve so it's nice to see hear about it once in a while! Brian is still my favorite and responded in the only way a Massachusetts man/woman/any of us really can: lovingly but with a slight insult as a term of endearment 😅😅. Also I now realize I spelled his name wrong last time and he'd probably call me a knucklehead because of it 😅😅.
Brian was honestly so amazing!! Behind the gruff, stomping, loud, Bostonian exterior I reckon the man has a heart of gold.
That's most Mass folks 🥰. We're loud and brash and over confident a lot of the time but we're pretty rad folks 😅
Here's another great example most Bostonians, Daniel 😅 https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8LoFEUq/
Is a rouse a _ruse_?
I think in Mr Wolfe's case it is most definitely a ROUSE, and I'm definitely not prepared to argue the fact with him, case closed 😅
Best story ever!! *Kermit waving hands*....truth justice and karma all happening before our eyes and it's real as well! Go Daniel and Brian, aka Batman and Robin. Love yas! ❤️