Conventions warn furries of repeat scammer from 2015 “Traceponies” scandal
by Patch O'Furr
Updated with many new scams added (September 2024)
A scam is targeting furry convention goers and vendors. It’s named Furry Swap Meet. Cons and fandom lawyers like Boozy Badger and Buddy Goodboy are putting out Bewares. The scam is advertising “partner” events to coincide with official events, but there’s no real partnership. It’s trying to use false impressions to rent dealer tables, compete with cons for attendance, exploit their hard work and ride their coat tails.
This isn’t a single-source complaint; it’s a united warning from many official channels. But after you read them, there’s way more to tell you. They don’t connect the history of greedy line-pushing by a practiced serial scammer behind it. You can connect the dots from this furry news story. Even if you don’t need bewares, it’s a fascinating case for how much manipulation a fandom can harbor.
*clicks through link sent to me for someone's new furry business idea*
…Oh.
Oh god no.
No no no no no.
— Col. Boozy Badger (@BoozyBadger) April 20, 2022
❗️IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT❗️
We have been notified of another organization claiming to provide vender spaces near our event.
BLFC is NOT affiliated or in ANY way connected with any other organizations offering vendor spaces.
— Biggest Little Fur Con (@BiggestLittleFC) April 20, 2022
NOTICE: We are in no way affiliated with any 3rd party ticket providers or "partner events.” All charity operations, registration, and vendor activities are managed in house. We urge you to think critically about 3rd parties claiming to be collecting donations or registrations
— AnthrOhio 2022: Tech Noir (@anthrohio) April 20, 2022
There's the boom. https://t.co/Jwp1b0Sv5I
— Col. Boozy Badger (@BoozyBadger) April 20, 2022
Okay, here’s the deal as far as I can tell: https://t.co/11CQBAu78G is an organization setting up events parallel to and unconnected to major furry cons. They work with Neil Wacaster, formerly of Artworktee, who’s been embroiled in controversy. I would not give them money. pic.twitter.com/0MhCw81CQW
— Buddy Goodboy (@BuddyGoodboyEsq) April 20, 2022
Updated with thread — A gracious thank-you to Buddy Goodboy for research and alerting the public too.
Jeffery Neil Wacaster is the person behind Furry Swap Meet, AKA Hot Fudge Husky / Neil Fox.
Jeffery Neil Wacaster — previously known as “Drawponies” — was a dealer operation runner rejected out of the My Little Pony fandom in 2015 for his “Traceponies” scandal (more on that soon). He then pivoted to furry fandom, bringing the same old tricks under a new brand. It worked, because furries haven’t reacted or documented things like bronies did. Then came problem after problem after problem…