[Satch]

Hi all,

here is my situation. I own a free dropship help website (membership service). I have a list of good UK dropshippers, and also a bad one with the middle-men etc on it.

I know of this particular website which is simply a conning middle-man. Anyway he contacted me to ask why he was on the bad list. I explained to him. He replied with lies telling me he uses this particular company but they also use him - complete rubbish as I spoke to the owner of the legit site and he told me where he gets products and the deals he has.

Anyway; I basicaly want to know if it is ok to post the e-mails and my replys that the conman is sending on a dropship forum so everyone knows and also on my site to all my members. Ive been told that if I do I will get in trouble. Because e-mails are sent on the basis that 'When an email is addressed to you - it's for you ONLY. Private and confidential to the one to whom it's sent.'

Is this true? Would it be illegal to in effect publish the e-mails (or lies) that he is sending me? If I can't then it kind of hinders me in trying to expose conmen like him.

Sorry Ive rambled on. Any replies are much appreciated!

[jpmorgan13]

post them. the truth is an affirmative defense in a defamation case. meaning, if the bad guy files a defamation suit, all you do is prove what you say is the truth. seems like you have done that so you have nothing to worry about. plus, you can file a countersuit to force him to pay for you legal fees.

i say post it.

[swantaylor]

Post It, people should be made aware of these scam artists

[MsNadi]

Not illegal. But people have been sued for making emails public in blog and message boards posts.

Something tells me though, if these folks are scamming other people - they're not going to prosecute for your efforts at the truth - because it'll bring a much larger issue to light.

Its that old "pick your battles" adage.

[Satch]

Im glad you replied with those answers!

I was going to create a document, bit like a story, with all e-mails exchanged with me so it would be simple and clear for dropshippers to follow and expose them truthfully. Looks like I can do that now!

Thanks again for your fast responses.

[riscphree]

Ive been told that if I do I will get in trouble.

That's not true to a certain degree. If the email contains trade secrets or you are defaming another person, then something might come of it (but highly doubtful).

Because e-mails are sent on the basis that 'When an email is addressed to you - it's for you ONLY. Private and confidential to the one to whom it's sent.'

I don't want to sound like an ass, but if you believe that, you are completely naieve. Someone can easily be pulling an MITM attack on your line and watching everything you do online and you would never know. Unless your messages are in any way encrypted, your above quote is really worthless, sorry.

From what I understand without seeing the emails, if you were to recieve a complaint/subpoena from a court, I think with a half way competent attorney you would be fine.

[breatheeasy17]

I say just take that dropshipper off your list completely

[buynick]

I agree with riscphree. If you make claims that you can't backup with proof he could start a defamation case. They are very tough to win though because the burden is on him, not you. I would post it, especially if he makes himself sound like an ass.

[NeeJam]

The data protection principles/acts cover emails in the EU i don't know if they stand in the US but if the scammer is in the EU you better be careful about publishing it