Urgh. Fallen for a scam

[BingeOnChocolate]

Yep. I know I know, Facebook market place is full of scammers and I should definitely know better but I was sucked up in thinking I was finally going to get my hands on a dyson airwrap complete. I've been wanting one for ages but every time I go to buy it, it's out of stock so resorted to second hand.

Scammer said they moved due to studies, which seemed reasonable as I checked the profile, and said they would post today recorded delivery if I wanted to bank transfer. Stupidly after even discussing with DP at the possibility of a scam I transferred the funds apparently to their 'dad' as 'she' had a new phone and didn't have her banking app set up yet. My banking app confirmed the name was a complete match which made me feel reassured and I did click I was buying online goods - hopefully that will help with any recall should funds remain. The scammer did send a photo of the parcel showing my address whilst in the post office but when asked for a tracking reference refused to provide one.

I resorted to asking a friend to message to see if it's available from their account. Low and behold, it apparently still is and they encountered the same spill I did

However, I have managed to locate the toe rags actual Facebook given their name is unusual as per the banking transfer. They are 17 and posted photos of mummy and daddy's car complete with number plates and subsequently found their mum's Facebook as a result of them commenting on the photo. Again, lots of public information including them holding a senior job in the NHS....

I have already reported to action fraud and my bank but the likelihood of having my money back is zilch. I'm half tempted to message the mum and ask if her child X has bank account ABC then I suggest they make arrangements to return the funds but equally don't want to get into a tit for tat. I know it's definitely them though as the sort code of the bank matches their Facebook location and google says it's a little village.

somewhat pointless thread so I can vent at how stupid and naive I was for a bloody hair styler.

Lesson firmly learnt and I'll just need to be quicker when the in stock emails land next time

[HalzTangz]

@Abigail12345654321

Isn’t it possible it isn’t a scam at all and the young seller didn’t reply when you asked for a tracking number because they didn’t send it via a tracked service? Surely now they are most likely panicking that you will claim it never arrived, and demand your money back?

Not when Seller is still advertising for sale to others

[BingeOnChocolate]

@ravenmum The message I've sent is very much not a point of fingers but as put in an earlier message, more of an FYI. I've said I've been scammed by someone called ABC and transferred money to account ending XYZ. Explained the situation and how the conversation went and asked if it is their child they ask for the money to be returned. Equally if their child is not the scammer and caught up in something, then they are aware before it becomes more sinister. Definitely made sure it's not a pointing off the fingers because as others mentioned, it could be the child is a victim too. The child's name is very unique id say so I'm very confident I'm not referring to the wrong child plus they live in the same area as the sort code. I'd have thought anyone taking someone's identity would either open accounts digitally or far away from the home address, not in the same village that people might know the same person they are identity stealing for.

Police are involved to an extent. Everything is don't through Action Frauds online portal and it takes 28 days to review apparently then go to the police. I've uploaded what I have but again made clear I'm concerned if they aren't knowingly scamming people then the child could be a victim too.

Nothing from the mum account yet. My bank have confirmed they are liaising with Lloyds to freeze the other account so at least that's moving forward I suppose.

I like the suggestion of dyson Twitter - I might contact them to ask when is the long likely to be in stock as they only have a small width long barrel available as an additional attachment to buy. I guess I could buy the standard have all the proper warranties etc and buy the additional bits as and when maybe should have explored & done this to begin with

[BertieBotts]

It's not a very competent scam, so it probably is the 17 year old.

The typical scam when they're professionals is to say that they will send a friend/courier to collect the item and then there is some kind of payment you have to make to the courier in order to "release" the money. Same script every time.

Would be quite nice if it was a misbehaving child and they get a bit of a shock and are scared off doing it again!

[ravenmum]

28 days to review? The criminal community must be thanking them for specifying the window they have for committing crimes!

[Miraloma]

Do you really need the long attachment? I have 24 inch extensions and the standard barrels are absolutely fine!

[Seesawmummadaw]

I don’t understand why you haven’t told the police?

[BingeOnChocolate]

@Miraloma Oh do you? I have 24" in too but when I went onto it online, it says the standard is for up to shoulder length hair which is why I've been searching only for the long. Maybe this is the way forward - standard size, see how I get on and if need be buy the long for the £30 it is later on.

Silver linings to this I suppose is all the airwrap recommendations and advice!

[CoralBells]

@Derbee

I can’t believe how many posters still think there’s an airwrap

I hope you get your money back. These people have often got unsavoury parents who won’t be of any help, but I hope at least the police will follow up

I think people mean that if it's an amateur scammer, then now the op has tracked down the mum and mentioned getting the police involved they might send an airwrap to get her off their case

[Nofacedetected]

@HarrietsChariot

I'd have gone straight to the police. Every day that you delay, more people are likely to be being scammed. The Dyson is "still available" after all.

Agreed. But then there wouldn't be the opportunity for OP to have a long drawn out thread with lots of over invested posters asking "any news, OP?"

[ilovemydogandmrobama2]

We were almost scammed - and it was oh so plausible.

Scam went like this - I was looking for Golden Retriever puppies, and there was something posted that two puppies needed rehoming. The owner recently died and the, 'cousin,' was dealing with the estate, but didn't want to sell the puppies. So far so good.

Was then asked to fill in a questionaire about previous experience with dogs, who would be at home with the puppies, where we lived etc. We were sent photos of the puppies which didn't look photoshopped

Of course finding out that we were in the South West, they were in a village just outside John O'Groats.

They asked if we wanted to pick the puppies up, or have them delivered?

Initially we said we were going to pick them up, and then scammers went quiet. We asked to see vaccination certificates, or Kennel Club registration and there were, 'reasons,' why it couldn't be produced.

At this stage we were fairly confident it was a scam, but played along for a bit longer - we asked for the puppies to be couriered and was assured that the courier company was, 'independent.' There was a website with the, 'courier company,' which tbh was almost believable.

Was then asked to pay for the courier fees of £800 and nominate an airport.

I did call the action fraud line offering information and they said they couldn't do anything as no fraud had been committed, but said that puppy scams were a regular occurrence

[BingeOnChocolate]

@Nofacedetected @HarrietsChariot I did go to the police prior to starting the thread along with the banks - I also reported the posts as scam on Facebook after taking the screenshots as advised on here to do. I just went down the hole of wanting to find out who had scammed me and then when I've found them, created the thread as was unsure if to contact the mum.

[BingeOnChocolate]

@ilovemydogandmrobama2 oh very close call for you! Did you manage to find a reputable place for a puppy in the end?

[TartanJumper]

There are a couple of options here:
Identity theft/clever scam = in which case the mum/dad should know so they can take appropriate action t protect their minor child (and the dad who's been dragged in)
Child is a scammer = in which case, the parents need to know, so they can take appropriate action.

Third but most unlikely scenario is that the parents are colluding with child.

I would message her, detailing nothing but the facts. Bear in mind the slim chance of option three, however, when speaking with her.

[Wiredforsound]

As others have said, she may not read the messages or even be a regular FB user. If you know her name you could probably find her on LinkedIn or find her work email.

[SchadenfreudePersonified]

@CovidCorvid

I’d definitely message the mum and threaten to contact the police.

This.

In fact I would have contacted the police already.

[HollowTalk]

You'd make a great detective!

[Muchmorethan]

In regards to the parent, if you don't get any joy, I'd inform them that l know where and who they work for and will inform their work place.

[ravenmum]

@Muchmorethan

In regards to the parent, if you don't get any joy, I'd inform them that l know where and who they work for and will inform their work place.

OP has no idea what the parent's role is in this - they may even also be a scam victim. She can't put their job at risk on that basis, and if she did threaten a stranger in this way, I would guess they might actually be able to file a complaint against her.

[incywincyspidery]

I sell on Facebook Marketplace through my business, among other online places,. Most customers are local and collect, but there are a surprising number who ask for delivery and happily pay by bank transfer. I always suggest Paypal but very few use this. I book the courier immediately and send them tracking so they don't panic that they've been conned but I'm staggered how many are so trusting in the first place. My items don't cost a fortune but we're talking an average of £70-£80 parted with per item and some buy more than one. There's no way I'd do it. It's not just if you don't receive the item. What if you receive it and there's a problem? You might feel it's been wrongly described or it might have been damaged in transit. Then you just have to hope the seller is happy to take it back but they're hardly likely to pay your postage. Even if they do take it back, what if they still don't refund you? Really, don't do this people. (Unless you get me as a seller- I'm lovely 😁)
So sorry you've been stung OP.

[Twentypast]

Don't rely on Action Fraud to take any action. Someone opened an online account in my name and bought £5,000 worth of goods to be delivered to a different address. I knew nothing until I received an invoice. Despite the company having the name and address of the recipient neither the police nor Action Fraud were interested. All Action Fraud do is collect information for statistics.

[Gonnagetgoing]

Could you post on a local neighbourhood forum? Not sure if you could post what it’s about but say you need to contact the mum’s name urgently?

[BrilloPaddy]

I'd have posted the messages on her FB page and tagged her...... far more difficult to hide from. Do the same with the mother if you can.

They will likely ignore your message.

[Itsnotallaboutyoubaby]

Hopefully they will message you soon!

[babyyy1926]

Really hope you get it sorted

[mcmooberry]

If she doesn't read the message maybe you can do what others have suggested and put a message on her FB wall.