The young cyclist had just learned an age-old lesson, thanks to New Age technology.

"I recently tried to purchase a bicycle fork on the Internet," Dan Borgschulze told us. "But it appears I've been scammed out of $270. The seller asked me to send him money through Western Union or Money Mart and use a password. Upon receiving the item, I would give him the password so he could collect the money."

But things didn't go according to plan.

Weeks went by and the bicycle fork never arrived. The seller was no longer answering Borgschulze's e-mails.

Eventually, the young consumer returned to the Hamilton Money Mart expecting to reclaim his $270.

Surprise!

"On May 30, Money Mart told me that my money had been received. They advised I file a police report. I paid for a service so I could safely and securely send money with a password attached.

"Instead, my money was given away without question. I'm 19 and my only mode of transportation doesn't have a fork, so it's useless. My 2005 Norco Sasquatch is my passion."

It appeared the money was collected by someone in Moose Jaw, Sask.

As we've previously warned readers who buy and sell on the Internet, however, don't take anything for granted. Con artists can use any name or e-mail address they want.

On June 4, Action Line wrote the seller, whose e-mail address appeared to be operational. We also wrote a spokesman for Dollar Financial Group Inc. of Berwyn, Pa., Money Mart's parent firm.

Money Mart operates 350 branches across Canada. Dollar Financial purchased the Canadian company from its founders in 1996. Dollar Financial owns and operates the largest international network of retail financial services stores, with more than 1,335 locations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

On June 9, this story took a surprising turn for the best.

"I got a call from Money Mart today, saying they are investigating the issue and will be reimbursing my money. I just have to sign a form so they can hand matters over to the Moose Jaw police and find the guy. This has definitely lifted my spirits."

Spokesman Duncan Fulton confirmed Borgschulze's money was refunded by Money Mart.

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Update: The former operator of an Oakville career counselling firm and the silent partner behind a recruiting agency has been charged with violating Ontario's Consumer Protection Act.

Both firms are out of business.

John Gardner has been charged with failure to refund a consumer's money and with false and misleading representation. Similar charges were laid against two numbered companies, 6316352 Canada Inc. and 6316361 Canada Inc. Both firms operated from 700 Dorval Dr., Oakville. The charges are posted on the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services' Beware List, www.consumerbeware.mgs.gov.on.ca.

As Action Line reported Feb. 7, Bill Harse paid $2,849.40 to Gardner in November 2006.

If Harse secured a job thanks to Gardner's efforts, he was supposed to pay an additional $2,440. If he failed to secure a job within a year, his money was to be refunded.

Harse claims he never received a job interview, let alone a job offer.

When he asked for his money, Harse was told the counselling firm (which carried on business using the name Cornerstone) was out of business and Gardner was now running a recruiting firm (which carried on business using the name RJK Group of Companies).

The recruiting firm collected commission from employers once workers were hired.

The RJK Group was evicted by its landlord early this year, leaving employees unpaid.

The matter went before a Burlington court yesterday and the next appearance will be on July 21.

If you have a consumer problem, call 905-526-4665 or e-mail

amacrury@thespec.com. Not all calls and letters can be answered.