Scammed on Facebook. Need help

[Whatintheworldgirl]

I'm clearly a dumbass. I've been scammed out of £140 on Facebook marketplace. Which may not seem much to some but this is a huge amount for me. What can I do? She is refusing to refund me. I don't know what steps I can take 😭 any advice? Besides telling me I'm stupid. I already know I am. So frustrating!

I'm sorry this has happened to you OP I hope you are ok

Can you drive? Say you will give it to her in person

I don’t think there’s any point naming and shaming on FB. I’d bet any money that the drivers license and the picture she’s used as her profile pic isn’t even her!

No advice as I can’t see how you’ll get the money back, so sorry this has happened. People are awful. £140 is a lot of money! Heck even £40 is!

She's already paid. She me waiting for her item.

I was contemplating getting a train to the address on her drivers license but then as PP posted it might not even be her and also if it is wouldn't that seem threatening if I just showed up? Obviously I wouldn't be threatening I'd hope for a civil conversation, or even if she genuinely does have the phone to collect it. Absolute nightmare

You're not an idiot, you haven't done anything wrong. Online purchases are so common now, scams are common too and most people will fall for one at some point.

You're not an idiot, these people know what they're doing and trick kind and trusting people. You see all the time that intelligent, good and savvy people fall for scams- it can happen to anyone!

Take the practical advice above and when you're a bit calmer you can look into some articles that advise on how to avoid scams- take it as a learning curve, you're now much safer as you'll be more wary in future.

I'm sorry this happened to you, it's not fair x

This type of thing is so awful. The police will say it’s a civil matter or go to action fraud but if they just did something about this stuff and there actually were consequences it might stop happening.

They will attend massive supermarkets that have revenues in the millions for minor theft and spend resources pressing charges for crimes like that but tell people with no money that they need to fund any action themselves through the civil courts.

It’s not the police’s fault - it’s the politicians.

I’m really sorry this happened to you, it’s not your fault , just an expensive lesson learnt.

Thank you! I feel like such an idiot! I'm not going to name and shame. I think you're totally right! I might try and search Facebook for the name on the license and see if there are any other accounts that have the same photo and seems more legit and maybe message them to let them know that someone is using their info? The account that is attached to market place has about 160 friends so genuinely thought it was real!

This happened to me I put a deposit down to hold a car and when I turned up the lady at the address didn't know anything about it, she said they have had so many people turn up stating the same. I contacted police and fraud action got a crime number and spoke to my bank who go the money back for me. I would contact bank they may be able to get it back for you.

Contact your bank and see if there is anything they can do? I'm not sure if there is but it's worth a shot!

Such horrible people out there!

I'm sorry this has happened to you OP. I'd be messaging people on her friends list, tell them what she's really like, use a 2nd facebook name if you need to. And if she posts on her local buy / swap / sell pages i would report her to the admin.

Well this is where my stupidity really takes the cake. Apparently she couldn't get into her banking app, as this old phone I purchased was hers and she's selling due to upgrading. So she sent me her friends bank details 🙈🙈🙈 urgh the more I think the more absolutely shocking my stupid brain is

So sorry this happened to you OP, please don't beat yourself up about it, sadly it happens so often, scammers are getting so good, it can be hard knowing who is actually genuine.

People are so good at replicating passports and driving licences these days, the actual driving licence may be completely fake.

Have you spoken to your bank? I would definitely see if there is anything they can do at their side? They maybe able to recall the money that was transferred?Just make sure you keep all the messages between you both for evidence as they may request that. They may not be able to but at least you will have peace of mind knowing you tried.

Hope everything works out for you OP.

I've just done this. I've messaged a few people on her Facebook saying this:

Hello there! Sorry for such a random message but do you know (Her name) or her friend (her friends name) Do you know either of them personally as I can see you’re on (her name) friends list? Need help with a police matter but you will not be mentioned at all. Just need clarification that either of these people are real and not committing identity theft.

Does that make sense? Or have I been stupid. Brains moving at 1000 miles an hour.

For the love of god, dont send the remaining amount just because she sends you a tracking number! She could send you an empty box!

Make a note of her fb account and go to the police.

Huh? I don't understand

Also weve pretty much all been there! Its horrible when you realise!

Thank you so much. I will!

Thank you! It's stressful isn't it. Thank you for being understanding

Just spoken to my bank. Apparently there's been scam detected on her account? Just waiting to see what they can do. Fingers crossed. I'm now concerned if this person is using this poor girls ID it could get this girl in trouble!

Going to sound harsh but bollocks to the other girl, not your problem, hopefully your bank will be able to do something to get your money back.

If her account has been flagged then hopefully you will get your money 🤞

The driving licence wouldn’t have been hers.

I would tell her that you are going to the police and will be giving the name on the bank account as well as the driving license unless she gives you the money back.

I would still give the police both names (especially the one on the bank account).

It’s one thing to be fraudulent and scam people out of money but it’s another thing completely to use someone else’s identity and possible steal someone’s bank account.

Oh OP a lot of us have done similar! I ordered a personalised gift some years ago through Facebook and sent the money straight away, £70.

Took me over a week to realise I'd be scammed! It's been sent in the post I was told, the guys excuse was he was working overseas on a bloody military ship and had posted before he left. Still roll my eyes at myself years later 🤣
Do log it with action fraud, someone I know recently got scammed and has been successful going down this route.

And don't be so tough on yourself! We've all misjudged a situation, or person.