Wednesday, May 19, 2010

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Consumer Alert: Beware Rochelle Moore 'Events' Requiring Non-refundable Deposits

Please be very cautious of any 'events' requiring non-refundable deposits involving Rochelle Moore, her 'agents,' her relatives (Moore, Whelan, et al - see below), and especially involving day tours (magickal tours) in Ireland or pagan events (Midsummer, etc.) 
Apparently there are ongoing investigations by authorities into possible deliberate fraud by the above parties. From a group facilitator for listing pagan events in Ireland:
Greetings one and all.

This is a quick message for the benefit of members.

For those unaware the "Litha/Midsummer Ball" which has been porported to be hosted by author Rochelle Moore and company has been brought into serious question.

If anyone was considering attending and had paid the €50 deposit could they please contact the authorities ASAP. It appears that Glendalough Hotel where the event was due to happen has no confirmed booking for this event. (Sehnga EDIT: Bernie at the hotel, who had handled the supposed 'booking' for this event is extremely upset, and Moore & Co has vanished. You may contact the hotel at Telephone: 00353 (0)404 45135  Fax: 00353 (0)404 45142   Email: Info@glendaloughhotel.ie
) 
PIE cannot confirm details and has attempted to contact parties involved to no avail. While we must concede this does not equate with proof of guilt or wrong-doing we did feel that in good conscience a warning MUST be issued to all members ASAP.

We'd also like to apologize to members for any disruption these messages may be causing. We are currently revising our submission process for the advertising of events to secure the safety of members in so much as we are capable. As always we must continue to caution members against releasing personal details online or making payments for ANY event without first checking all details are true and correct. Mistakes can and do happen.

Best wishes,

Níall/Abhainn
Forum Facilitator
abhainn1@pagansineire.com
Website: www.pagansineire.com   Facebook Group: Pagans in Eire
Níall MacShiúrtáin 15 May at 22:42

UPDATE:

We have received an updated message from Níall MacShiúrtáin:
............................................
"Níall MacShiúrtáin May 19 at 11:00am Reply
Sorry about this for folks whom this is old hat.

After my last message to the group Isault from Irish Pagans contacted myself to clarify some misnomers I held. First, Irish Pagans offer to advertise events from around Ireland that may be off interest to the Pagan Community. They do not get involved in the organisation or the hosting of the events directly. So I would like to thank Isault for contacting PIE/myself and helping to clarify matters.

As for the "Litha/Midsummer Ball" which was due to be held in Glendalough. Speaking specifically of the Litha Ball, Isault was able to inform myself that Rochelle Moore along with a band due to appear pulled out of the event due to some internal disagreements between the organisers. It seems as though the remaining organisers intend to host the event at another venue which remains undisclosed at present.

I'd also like to extend apologies to Rochelle Moore if any of our previous comments reflected negatively upon her. This was most certainly not the intended effect.

Níall/Abhainn
abhainn1@pagansineire.com
www.pagansineire.com"
..................................................


I think Níall is very sweet and very politically correct, but his apology to the dodgy Moore & Co is premature, to say the least. The entire event was being orchestrated by Rochelle and her family members:
 

click to enlarge
  Google Earth puts 7 Carmanhall Building in the middle of a street intersection; can anyone verify this 'office' exists - and why isn't there a phone number? There used to be - but it was phony. 
A last warning regarding any groups, organisers, events, etc on the Internet:

If the only method of contact is email, beware.
If they require a high non-refundable deposit, beware.
If the only method of payment is PayPal, be extremely aware. PayPal is a third-party processor, and anyone can open a PayPal account and later disappear if they choose; there is nothing you can do to pursue them. You can complain to PayPal, but if they are a rip-off & run, your money is gone, and the most PayPal can do is close their PayPal account. If they have withdrawn their PayPal funds daily, there's nothing PayPal can, or will, do. If you have paid through PayPal and do not normally use PayPal, if you try for a refund you will have to let PayPal access your personal bank account.

I have run a successful internet business, dealt with PayPal extensively, been involved in internet security, and my husband is an IT professional who deals with security, databases, etc ad nausum. Please be very careful. Any legitimate group will have a verifiable street address, phone, contact people you can reach & actually speak to, and will accept payment methods other than PayPal. You should also be able to confirm the venue booking with the location host.