I was unfortunately scammed by Zeock more than a decade ago when I was young and stupid. He does enjoy torturing "young hot studs" and gets off on tricking them into asking for it. One thing to consider is that he truly believes that there is a conspiracy out to get him. He will not truly repent or be capable of feeling remorse until he is forced to take anti psychotics and come to terms with reality.

So those of you fellow people that have been scammed by him, you're angry at someone that is literally incapable of understanding that he has done anything wrong. He lives in a different reality.

Anyone that is defending him, know that he will turn on you eventually. He is charming as can be as long as it suits him to manipulate you. To the previous commenter wondering why he was released: That's part of the reason why he has been able to stay out of prison for so long. He has all the enthusiasm of an innocent because he actually believes he is.

Any interactions you have with him absolutely must be recorded or videotaped when possible. If that is impractical, write down your interactions with him immediately after, and collect witness statements and police reports. Do not get emotional, you will lose. This person has at least 40 years experience of emotionally manipulating people every single day. I've actually seen him lie to a Judge and DA and get away with it, and these are people that sniff out criminals every day. Do not try to tango with an expert of this caliber.

I have also seen him get violent when he starts to lose manipulative control of a situation. It's his last resort. Again, do not escalate, be rational, have witnesses at all times. Be factual and to the point. Always have an escape plan and do not let yourself be alone with him at any time. The more he tries to get you alone, the more sinister his plans.

Anything that he writes or says is absolutely 100% true... from his point of view. He fully believes his version of events, the conspiracies, everything. He is fully capable of getting others to his point of view and even making people doubt themselves. It's a superpower. Again, 40 years of doing something every single day makes you good at it. Do not believe anything he says, or anything people close to him say. Stick to facts. It's useless to argue with him, don't waste your energy.

When he calls you crying from jail, apologizing and recognizing the errors of his ways, it's all part of the act. Don't buy it.

I really hope he gets properly medicated so he can stop suffering, stop hurting people, and actually feel some remorse for the things he's done. Unfortunately I think our justice system is not properly equipped to handle this kind of mental illness. Just think what a skilled manipulator like Zeock could have accomplished in his 60 years had he gotten the proper diagnosis and treatment at an early age. And most importantly, the kids he's hurt through the years would not have had to suffer. As he is, prison is better than no prison, but it will just give him more fuel for his victimized worldview and won't really be that much of a punishment. He actually jokes and brags about his prior fraud convictions after the fact. He'll be out in 12 months with new fuel from being so betrayed and mistreated, and be even better at getting away with his scams and hurting people.

Nothing but tragedy.

Take it as a life lesson. If someone comes to you with something that sounds too good to be true, be skeptical. Learn to recognize when someone being curiously nice is just on the upside of a manic swing. If someone has a sad tale where everything is someone else's fault, imagine the other side of the story, and be skeptical of someone that takes no responsibility. Your anger at him is as wasted as a puppy that pees on your rug, he's every bit as capable of understanding or feeling, probably less so.

Oh yes, and best of all, if someone is threatening legal action, ignore it. Legal action comes by certified mail from an attorney, or by subpoena. It doesn't come from an Internet forum or email, and it certainly doesn't come from someone that can't even afford rent.

I'm afraid most of you reading this will not get the retribution you want and probably deserve, so if you get anything out of this, try to come away smarter. I'm not blaming the victims here, as I am one myself, but if you people can let go of some of your anger you will be able to move on and start healing.

It's been more than 10 years, glad I could get some of that out.

"JR, " I recognized your influence and explanations in some of these comments. You don't even realize it, but you've been playing the same game for a long time now. Technology is starting to catch up with people like you. You need help. People are not out to get you, they're not being unreasonable, and you haven't been betrayed. Everything is as a result of your own actions and I believe you actually cannot control yourself. You need serious medication, your dozens or hundreds of victims deserve that you feel some remorse for the decisions you've made with your life. I don't think you realize it, but you've directly caused enough suffering that if you live to 100 crying every day in agonizing remorse, it won't be enough for your victims. I know this message doesn't make any sense to you, but maybe one day you'll join us here in reality and a piece of this will get through to some part of you that is capable of empathy. There is no happy ending for you anymore, but the best possible outcome is for you to be medicated back to earth for the rest of your life, confess your crimes, do your time, and finish out your days as a walmart greeter somewhere. Even your mugshots don't show any kind of remorse or shame. You have the look of someone that is sorry they were caught, not for what they did. I feel like society has failed to get you treated, but it's also failed to protect your victims from you.

Best to everyone here.

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/168/480/568983/

http://www.bustedmugshots.com/georgia/woodstock/joseph-raymond-zeock/13354831

http://www.arrestcentral.com/joseph-raymond-zeock-2/

Joseph Ray was arrested. These are the links to the sites. I wanted to post this. I know I will never see my money but this is just for information just in case he gets out and starts this stuff all over again. I am a former employee that won my case in court and I am still going after this son of a bitch...one of my many life goals.