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

[CleopatrasBeautifulNose]

Micro sellers but its a safe place to buy I mean

[HalzTangz]

@2389Champ

Excellent news that your bank was supportive on this occasion but I’m always disappointed at banks’ attitudes generally about fraud. Surely if they hold an account, it doesn’t take too much to do some investigation into whether the account holder is genuine? After all, to open an account in the first place you need to provide several items proof of ID and address.

I opened my account purely by making a recording of me saying a certain phrase. I could have put any name I wanted and I wasn't asked for any ID

[Blindstupid]

[quote ZoyaTheDestroyer]@Blindstupid PayPal goods and services protects you too as a seller. Nobody should be using bank transfer for online selling. Are you avoiding fees?[/quote]
Not avoiding fees as such - I could easily add them on to my asking price. I fully describe and photograph my items, detailing and showing any flaws, so the buyer know exactly what they’re buying. Im happy to answer any questions and take further photos if asked. I’ve twice been scammed by buyers, eBay sided with them, as eBay always does - very rarely do sellers get a chance. Due to that, when I sell anywhere on private sites now I do bank transfer, or PayPal friends and family. In my experience, buyers know they can’t scam and we have a much better transaction experience. I send everything signed for, or next day tracked, depending on value. I watch the tracking and always follow up with the buyer to make sure they’re happy.

I realise not everyone is as fair and meticulous as me. I realise some don’t want to buy this way so either we’ll negotiate an alternative or we don’t go ahead. I’m a personal seller so this way suits me. If I were a business selling loads of items then it would be a different story.

[hairybakers]

Ah, pleased to see your update OP.

[amispeakingenglish]

I'd contact the mum and ask her to send my money back and mention I her senior job position! I'd also report to police as this needs to be nipped in the bud, its not a jolly wheeze by children, its defrauding people out of money. Not everyone will be like you and track them down, I have done the same as you in the past and got a result. Good for you!!

[riceuten]

You've nothing to lose by approaching the Mum, but the likelihood is

a) the FB profile has been hijacked
b) the bank account belongs to a "money mule" who receives and passes money on to the true criminal

[Bunmytsnumani]

So you just take it for what it is? Make a move and contact the mom and father! And ask politely.Also contact the police, do you really want this to others to happen too?

[tryinghardnottocry]

I lost £700 when I fell for an email advising of a change in baking details from a supplier - paid it and of course a few days later it transpired that someone had hit into the sillier email account and sent reminder letters and changing back details

I went cold and really really learnt my lesson - and that may be a positive for you - it’s all very well hearing and been given advice but when you go cold and know you have been duped then you will remember it and by nature going forward be far more careful - and remember it could be a much larger sum you may have saved yourself in the future -

[MaverickDanger]

@Bunmytsnumani I’d recommend reading all of OP’s posts on this thread - she’s already done exactly what you’ve just told her to do.

[amispeakingenglish]

Glad bank has refunded you, but you do need to report this as she is stil scamming others.

[FrozenWillow]

What an awful situation to be in It can happen to anyone. Even the scam detector on youtube who has done lots of work with the police in the UK and others, was recently scammed as well. His name is Jim Browning and the youtube video is entitled "My channel was deleted... HOW?" and he explains how the scammer got him. So please don't beat yourself up. Even the experts can get scammed. We're all human and we all get bad days were we are really vulnerable and open to manipulation. I hope you get your money back.

[MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Can you find a Facebook page for her local community, join it and then post on there?

[Bunmytsnumani]

Nah no time for that

[anotheronenow]

So invested in this thread and hoping the Airwrap shows up now they know you're onto them. You could have a second job as a PI OP!

[Dibbydoos]

I do wish scammers would put their inventiveness to good caused finitely!

I'd definitely contact the mum. I bet she knows nothing and will sort it out, well for your sake I hope so. Good luck.

[BingeOnChocolate]

@anotheronenow Still no airwrap. There was a parcel delivered today and I got dead excited but turns out it was DP starting Christmas shopping - he's Mr Organised

Message to mums still not showing as read but if she's declined the message request then it won't show she's read it. So, nothing further to update and doubt there will be any updates given my Banks refunded me anyway

top tip: always make sure you select correct transferring of funds reason as without having done this, I'd have lost the money completely according to my bank.

[FrozenWillow]

Just seen you have your money back. I am so relieved for you. Hopefully the mother sees the message soon. If this was any of my kids I'd hit the roof.

[Miisty]

My son(who has severe mental health issues)used to sell coins on Facebook He sold the coins and posted them off with receipt from the post office These people then said they had not received them PayPal still taking money from his account leaving him nothing to live on

[Wineandroses3]

Glad you have got your money back but can I ask what’s a dyson air wrap?(I know what a dyson is , I just think Hoover. How did you even hear about it? I never seem to know about these things that everyone is buying until the very last minute! Are they amazing?

[Bignanny30]

The parents are probably involved !

[Delshan123]

Omg that was a tense 9 page read…I’m so glad you got your money back OP but equally…I REALLY want mum to read the message and see what she says!! 🙏🙏🤞🤞🤣🤣

[StargazerAli]

If the parents are aware of this scam and they hold a senior position within the NHS they're certainly leaving themselves open to vulnerability. I'd have to get a message to this mother somehow; I'd certainly want to know if it was my child.

[CandidaAlbicans2]

If mum doesn't reply to your message I'd try her NHS email address. It should be easy enough to get hold of if you already know she's in a senior position, plus they tend to have a format eg first name, dot, surname, at NHS dot UK (you'd need to check this though).

[ny20005]

She's a silly silly girl.

I'm glad you got your money back. The banks will block her account as a beneficiary of fraudulent funds. She may well have her account closed & a fraud marker added.

That will stop her opening a bank account anywhere for 6 years.

I had a similar case the other day when a 19 year old realised the error of their ways & wanted the block removed as their employer said they couldn't work for them without a bank account. Eh no 😂

[Redland12]

I keep getting Carphone Warehouse ringing! Offering the latest iPhone for a ridiculously cheap monthly deal. A number came up on my phone which was about 40 miles from me, I am in The south west. Where are you calling from I asked? London she said, no your not I told her, so I asked her where Carphone warehouse head office is, she read out their address, yes I said, what part of London is that? Not a clue! Needless to say she hung up! Be warned. I have reported it to them.