Michael Bodrug Colorado Land Fraud Angel Fire, New Mexico

I purchased in good faith, 25 acres of land in the San Luis Valley Development, San Luis, Colorado under contract with Michael Bodrug, who at the time resided with his wife, Sherry and their 6 kids in Tarpon Springs, FL.

I was shown photos of the area, including those of the Sand Dunes Natl. Park, and Blanco, CO which were near the purchased land; and signed the agreement thinking I was getting land I could retire on and build a home on.  Michael gave me info on well drilling in the area, and photos of his home he was building in the said development, as well as photos of his wife and kids in their new life in New Mexico, after they had relocated there and his wife and her mother opened a consignment shop in Angel Fire.

I paid monthly payments as specified in the contract and had no reason to doubt his credibility until we made a verbal agreement to initiate a new contract and when signed, he would file the deeds in my name and have them mailed to me.
Several months went by and I was contacted by a female "employee" of his, confirming my address, name spelling, etc.; and said the deeds were on their way to me.

End of contact.  After too numerous to count phone calls, the same volume of letters, and even a trip to the land site to check it out first hand and contact him; I never heard from nor spoke with him again.  All my calls and letters have been unanswered and after a year and a half of frustration, I am filing this report.

I am very angry at myself for being taken in by him, and angry at him for leading me on as long as he did; and then just making off with my money (over $11,000 paid to date) leaving me with nothing to show for it.  I would very much like to contact others who have experienced this scam, and possibly get some of my money back.