Legal Question in Business Law in North Carolina

It is legal unless he has no trespassing signs on his property. I am puzzled - if he took the money without delivering, why would you want to fly all the way to California only to be out plane fare as well? And what aree you going to do if he tells you that he is not giving you anything and to get off his property? And what if he is a scammer? He may not even really live in California.

In the future - don't do stuff like this or deal with locals only so that if there is a problem, you can dispute the charges on your credit card or, in the worst case, sue.

You may have to gather evidence and give it to the police if this man is really a con artist and is within the US.

You can always try contacting the NC Attorney General and see if they will write a letter on your behalf.