<human>: Hi Reddit! I need some advice.

I moved to a new area recently and was looking for a place to get some trees. I finally found someone who was willing to help me out and met him Saturday night to make a trade. The only way that we corresponded was through email. I was definitely skeptical about the situation, but desperate to get some trees, so I decided to take the risk. He seemed legit, but there were some things that just weren't adding up. He entered my car and told me that I had to give him the money and he'd be right back out. He even gave me his cell phone as 'collateral'. This all set uneasily in my stomach, but I gave him my money and took is phone and waited. About 15 minutes later, I realize that he isn't coming back. I look at the phone that he gave me and it won't turn on. I open the back and the battery and sim card are both gone. At this point I realize that I've been taken advantage of and I've lost almost $400. I feel like a fucking idiot. There are so many things I wish I had done differently at the time. But what can I do now? I have a dead phone, his email address, and his name (probably all not his). With what I've got, is there anything I can do to intimidate him or get retribution?

Any help would be appreciated.

Give me the gist of the text in a nutshell
<bot>: Looking for trees, gave a guy money with his phone for 'collateral' and he never came back. What can I do to get retribution?