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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To name and shame someone who ripped me off?

76 replies

LookingMP · 10/03/2016 12:14

I have a very detailed post I could put here (and I'm not sure which part of the forums would best suit it) but as it mentions the guy's name (who will no doubt be attempting to do it to others as he's a con artist), I wanted to ask if it's okay to name him, first. Thanks.

OP posts:
breezydoesit · 10/03/2016 12:19

I wouldn't...I get you're annoyed but naming someone could be construed as libellous

molyholy · 10/03/2016 12:20

Please (maybe not name him), but there may be other posters who could benefit from reading your experience.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 10/03/2016 12:25

I wouldn't name him, as others have said it could be libellous, however with enough detail and rough location etc it should help others to be aware.

Scootergrrrl · 10/03/2016 12:27

Has there been any police involvement? While you can't discuss an on-going active court case, any conviction for the behaviour you describe would be a defence in a libel case.
Otherwise, if it's just your word against his, I think MNHQ would pull it pretty sharpish. I'm sure they wouldn't want to be opened up to a libel suit, even if the bloke in question is a class A shitbag.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 10/03/2016 12:27

Obviously I'm not MNHQ, but, If I had to guess I don't think MNHQ would allow it, incase there was any come back on them,, and of course naming someone breachers confidentiality, so I'm confident. They can't allow it.
You will of course be able to speak of your experience, though.
But obviously I do not want to and can't speak for MNHQ, so Id email them to ask them.

Original poster
LookingMP · 10/03/2016 12:37

Thanks for your input. I've emailed MNHQ and asked them. I'd stand by anything I said legally and am happy for MNHQ to have my details even if I didn't plaster them in this forum.

OP posts:
Original poster
LookingMP · 10/03/2016 12:38

And I don't want to mention any police involvement in a public forum, so I appreciate it will come across as "my word against his", and he is indeed a "class A shitbag".

OP posts:
MadamDeathstare · 10/03/2016 12:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BillSykesDog · 10/03/2016 12:49

If there is police involvement no. You could screw up any chance of him being prosecuted.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 10/03/2016 12:49

Absolutely. Madam.

firesidechat · 10/03/2016 12:53

If this was a business transaction then name and shame him on the appropriate review site. I wouldn't do it on here because it starts to look vindictive and we really have no idea if it's true. I don't think mn will allow it as it would create a dangerous precedent.

Original poster
LookingMP · 10/03/2016 12:55

MadamDeathstare - The details would leave anyone in no doubt that it's only one individual and no-one else with the same name. Point taken, though.

firesidechat - What would be the appropriate review site?

OP posts:
Trollicking · 10/03/2016 12:55

Could you just describe what happened with no names and warn people to be careful Confused. I'd I bought something from gumtree and I sent a bank transfer but the guy didn't turn up... Or something?.. Would that work?

If it's eBay then you can report him

Otherwise you need action fraud.

firesidechat · 10/03/2016 12:58

I wouldn't know would I because I don't know who he is or what he did. If he's a dodgy plumber then it would be a review site for tradesman.

nextyearrodney · 10/03/2016 13:12

He's not connected to forever living or another MLM is he? There is a whole thread over in money matters about some of the characters caught up in that charade.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 10/03/2016 13:20

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub_judice

If he has acted illegally then go through the proper channels to prosecute him

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 10/03/2016 13:29

MN will be very cautious about being seen to publish anything defamatory after the she who cannot be named debacle.

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6641693.stm

MistressDeeCee · 10/03/2016 13:54

I would do it, but think about where is the most appropriate place. It likely isn't here

People like that regularly get away with doing wrong to others, because so many people are prepared to hold "bad secrets". I've never understood why that is.

But yes if theres an appropriate review site etc then do it there.

RebootYourEngine · 10/03/2016 13:58

Are they a tradesperson? Could you leave a review on something like checkatrade.com or similar?

Or report them to the police or trading standards.

Original poster
LookingMP · 10/03/2016 14:00

I thought we were going to go into business together to run a comedy club near Manchester. He turned out to be a big con artist. I just don't know where to turn. I don't want to detail any police involvement here, but I'm happy to spill all the beans to anyone who wants to listen.

OP posts:
LurkingHusband · 10/03/2016 14:01

Could you leave a review on something like checkatrade.com or similar?

Checkatrade won't accept bad reviews (he who pays the piper, etc).

Icompletelyunderstand · 10/03/2016 14:07

Best just give as many background details as you can without naming him on the thread, tell us what happened and anyone who thinks they know him and may be at risk of being conned by him too can PM you for the name.

ImperialBlether · 10/03/2016 14:25

That made me laugh, comparing a baby 'expert' (quotes as I don't know whether she actually is or not - hardly even heard of her) to a terrorist.

Original poster
LookingMP · 10/03/2016 14:27

Icompletelyunderstand - Which is the best forum on here, on which to name him, please?

OP posts:
firesidechat · 10/03/2016 14:29

The only thing you can do is talk to the police and do this properly. Naming and shaming could get you into all sorts of trouble and what would it achieve? The chances of anyone else on mn coming across him and getting scammed are almost zero.

By all means start a ranty thread and get it off your chest, but don't say anything that could identify this person.