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Original poster

Is this a scam? Gold ring through the post

25 replies

ScammedOrWhat · 16/07/2020 23:02

My parents received a parcel containing a ring box with what appears to be a gold ring inside, with a label on it for $125.

My Dad googled the name on the packaging, which took him to a courier service. He called the contact number, and they told him they were just the courier and gave him another number to call.

He called that second number and they claimed to not understand and gave him an email address to contact. He has now emailed them.

Is this a scam? It certainly feels like one.

OP posts:
Allflightscancelled · 16/07/2020 23:14

I've no idea but I wouldn't pursue it further. He's done enough and anything else increases his risk of getting scammed. If anyone contacts him about it tell them where they can collect it, when, and if they don't it's getting binned.

LouiseTrees · 16/07/2020 23:14

Two potential eventualities I can think of.

  1. Someone in the street is waiting for a ring and it’s gone to the wrong place because of a useless courier.
  1. Someone has hacked into your parents bank of PayPal of whatever and using their money to buy stuff but forgot to change the address before it was sent there
GoodMorningSunshine · 16/07/2020 23:17

I’ve also heard of where they get it delivered to an address and then send a ‘courier’ to collect it, saying there has been an error... so shifting of dodgy goods.

I wish things like this didn’t happen. I hate it!

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LonginesPrime · 16/07/2020 23:18

Or, the ring is worth nothing and OP's dad arranges to transfer $125 to them for the value of the ring.

Stupid though, because who would pay for unsolicited jewellery?

Rebeccasmoonnecklace · 16/07/2020 23:19

Who was the parcel addressed to OP? Was it your parents names? If so I agree with PP to check with bank that no money has been taken from their accounts.

allfalldown47 · 16/07/2020 23:20

This has happened to a friend of mine this week, she received a gold ring neither her or her husband had ordered. I kid you not!!

ShinyFootball · 16/07/2020 23:21

I'd just leave it tbh. Put it away somewhere. Keep the packaging.

Keep an eye on bank account withdrawals that look like the same amount.

Paddingtonthebear · 16/07/2020 23:21

Sounds weird, I would advise parents to check their credit rating for searches, change any passwords for PayPal etc and to keep ring in a drawer for 6 months then would bin it. I wouldn’t make any more contact with courier etc

tabulahrasa · 16/07/2020 23:22

I have one!!!

The tracking number is for an order I placed, but, for a smart hula hoop...

I ordered it while drunk from a Facebook ad Confused I know, I know, ok, rofl

So, they’ve probably ordered something else.

Original poster
ScammedOrWhat · 16/07/2020 23:26

The package was addressed to them I think - I'll go and check tomorrow.

They said they've checked their credit card and PayPal account and can't see any suspicious payments.

But my Dad gets a bit confused, I wonder if he's ordered it by mistake..

OP posts:
Original poster
ScammedOrWhat · 16/07/2020 23:27

They live in a rural place so I really wouldn't want them allowing a courier to come and collect it from them.

They don't live on a street, so it's unlikely it was posted through their door by mistake.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 16/07/2020 23:29

Probably wouldn't hurt to have a chat with their local police. There's usually a team who deal with scams/potential fraud.

Original poster
ScammedOrWhat · 16/07/2020 23:32

@allfalldown47

This has happened to a friend of mine this week, she received a gold ring neither her or her husband had ordered. I kid you not!!
Has your friend followed it up? How weird
OP posts:
goatley · 16/07/2020 23:32

Sounds very odd to me.

I have heard of similar scams whereby someone will make contact re the package. I can't remember how they carry it out though, it's late.

Just tell them not to do anything in haste - or call any premium rate numbers

sleepyohsodleepy · 16/07/2020 23:34

Someone in work had this very same thing today. They took it down to their local police station.... Person had received a parcel which allegedly contained a Cartier ring. It was correctly addressed to the person with a return address of China. The property was retained as found property and the police are going to make further enquiries to try and establish if this is a scam. I've heard of it happening a lot so it may well be that someone emails/contacts the recipient and asks for payment for them to keep the item.

tabulahrasa · 16/07/2020 23:35

@goatley

Sounds very odd to me.

I have heard of similar scams whereby someone will make contact re the package. I can't remember how they carry it out though, it's late.

Just tell them not to do anything in haste - or call any premium rate numbers

If it’s the same as mine, there’s no way to contact them on the parcel.

I had to go through everything I’d ordered to work out where it was from, I’ve emailed them now, but not had an answer yet (it was only yesterday it arrived)

It’s a shite hula hoop, I can tell you that much Hmm

Skybooks · 16/07/2020 23:36

This happened to me a few weeks ago, it was delivered to me at my address but with a name I dont use.
Googling the senders address shows its pretty common. Apparently new businesses in China use my name and address but their money to make a purchase so they can show they export and have feedback from a uk resident.

I'm still confused.

Buttybach · 16/07/2020 23:39

Its called brushing apparently and its a way companies produce fake reviews www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2019/10/25/americans-are-still-receiving-unordered-packages-from-asian-e-criminals/#6ca6663e69f3

alexdgr8 · 16/07/2020 23:39

contact their local trading standards, usually county council or unitary authority.

Original poster
ScammedOrWhat · 16/07/2020 23:39

[quote Buttybach]And another x
www.reddit.com/r/RBI/comments/5kn545/received_an_unexpected_package_from_china_today/[/quote]
That sounds like it... I can't understand why they'd send the stuff though, why not just write fake reviews?!

OP posts:
Original poster
ScammedOrWhat · 16/07/2020 23:43

I've contacted the online scam advice service on Citizens Advice Bureau.

I've told my Dad not to communicate any further with anyone.

OP posts:
CloudyGladys · 17/07/2020 01:25

I think the idea is that you will throw the ring away, as a PP has advised you to do, then you won't have it to return when the senders request it so will need to send them the money instead...

Good call regarding CAB. If you have a Community Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let them know as well as it's likely other people could be targeted as well.

DeeAitchCee · 11/03/2023 16:34

I received a delightful fake Cartier ring (!!!!!) yesterday from China, I have a suspicisous transaction on my CC bill from Hong Kong, I thought I was placing an order with Fat Face Outlet, but did not receive a confirmation email. I reckon they've sent me this horrible ring but kept my money, I'm raising a scam complaint with my CC company and hoping to get the money back. I'll keep the ring for now in case the scammy company want the thing back again!!!!!

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