Paid $70K to RangeConverter for solver source code -- received obfuscated files. Formal dispute ignored since January.
I'm posting this because private resolution has been exhausted and I want the community's perspective on realistic next steps.
Who was involved
- Seller: RangeConverter (rangeconverter.com), a poker strategy / solver site
- Our contact: Craig (Discord: "Craig — RangeConverter.com")
What we paid
- 2020: $30, 000 for a custom Short Deck solver
- 2026: $40, 000 for the "full source code" to their Squid Solver
- Total: $70, 000
What we received for the 2026 purchase
- Java files that appear to have been processed through ProGuard or a similar obfuscator. Variable names, class names, and logic flow are intentionally unreadable.
- Compiled JAR dependencies, including what appears to be LGPL-licensed code (GNU Trove), without corresponding source.
- A solver with unresolved bugs that Craig repeatedly denied existed, despite video evidence.
This is not "source code" in any meaningful sense for a transaction whose entire purpose was to obtain readable, modifiable code.
What happened privately
- Months of back-and-forth trying to get actual source code or fixes.
- On 2026-05-21, after we politely requested a fix within a reasonable window, Craig responded in a private message with "Fuck you." Screenshot attached.
- On 2026-06-03, we sent a formal written dispute to RangeConverter's support address, outlining the technical and contractual issues and requesting a substantive response within 3 days.
- As of today (2026-06-18), RangeConverter has not responded. No acknowledgment, no counter-proposal, no request for extension.
Why I'm posting now
At this point, private resolution appears exhausted. I'm posting because:
1. I want to understand whether other buyers have had similar experiences with obfuscated "source code" deliveries.
2. I want advice on realistic cross-border enforcement options against a seller that has gone completely silent.
3. I want to warn other potential buyers to verify exactly what "source code" means before paying.
I'm not looking for a witch hunt. I am looking for practical advice, and I'm happy to share more evidence privately with anyone who can offer informed guidance.
What I'm asking
- Has anyone successfully disputed a high-value software purchase with a remote seller?
- Whether anyone has successfully reported LGPL/open-source license violations to the organizations that enforce them?
- Are there poker-software-specific forums or consumer protection mechanisms worth pursuing?
All DMs welcome. I will not reveal my real identity or location, but I can provide additional documentation privately.
Thank you for reading.
1 Reply
Update — escalation notice sent, Discord share deleted, still no response.
Since the original post:
- We sent a formal written dispute to RangeConverter on 3 June 2026. The requested response deadline passed on 6 June with no reply.
- RangeConverter has now been silent for 19 days. No acknowledgement, no counter-proposal, no request for extension.
- We therefore sent an escalation update on 22 June, giving RangeConverter until 25 June to reply. That second deadline has not yet expired.
- A summary of the case was shared in RangeConverter's official Discord community. It was deleted rather than addressed.
We are continuing to document this publicly because private resolution has failed. If you have had a similar experience with RangeConverter or Craig — especially around "source code" deliveries that turned out to be obfuscated — please comment or DM.
We are also looking for practical guidance on:
(a) Cross-border enforcement against a seller that has gone completely silent;
(b) Whether FSF / SFC LGPL compliance reports have worked against commercial sellers in practice.
All communications are confidential and we will not disclose our real identity.
