I have not been defrauded by this person and El..........what you are attempting is noble. Trying to get your money back/items and helping fellow victims is admirable but what you are describing maybe cannot be done.
There is no......what is essentially a "class action" in small claims. And grouping a group of ......let's say "defrauded folks" together to go over $5000 is not how it works. Every instance is very individual......and it's own contract and not tied into any other....... so each instance is its own cause. Trying to prove "fraud in the inducement" will be very difficult since there is a history of "satisfactory performance" with multiple people. This is all Tort law and will only be solved with civil litigation.
Everytime I read something about this guy not giving items back I always think........... why doesn't anyone take him to small claims court? After all i feel this is the only real recourse.........and a lot cheaper than an attorney. Each state has its own laws governing small claims court but one may be able to file in his home state. If that's the case you will almost certainly get a judgement in your favor because it's unlikely this person will show up. Enforcing the judgement would be the next step. All this way cheaper....even the serving to appear........than hiring an attorney.........and cleaner and enforceable.
Or you can just write it off and keep everyone informed of said persons untrustworthy nature.
Good all..........and good on you El.