DireWolfM14, as ThatsMod is already present here and to give an equal position for both parties, would you mind to retract the negative tag for now --or at least change them into neutral-- until it is proven which side lied and which side told the truth?
I don't think that's a good idea. It's my opinion that there's enough evidence suggesting ThatsMod did scam the OP. Even though ThatsMod is participating in this thread, it seems like his story is full of holes and he hasn't provided anything to cause me to doubt the OP's story. And I'm a reasonable guy, that's all it would take; something to cause me to doubt the OP's story.
Furthermore, like ThatsMod himself said earlier, the tag doesn't prevent him from working on the 2 or 3 super-secret confidential projects he's got going on, or seeking out more work.