To ignore or not - attempt at fraud

[anothernameagain000]

Sorry if this is long, I run a service based business and around a year ago a man got in touch asking for a quote - he had a ridiculously high budget for what he needed, and also had reviews to say he was fraudulent in his own business, and after a conversation I had the feeling he may have mental health issues so went down the route of “sorry I can’t take anything on right now”.

Since, he has added my business on social media under several different user names, has commented on posts etc, all a bit strange. Have blocked several times but then adds again under a different user name which I don’t realise until his odd comments come up.

Yesterday he sent me a text message (again a new number) offering a “free holiday” if I just pay an admin fee of £100, which is a very obvious attempt at fraud.

I suppose really this is more - what would you do? I just ignored for how. I assume that, as nothing has really happened there’s not much point in reporting, but he’s making me feel very uneasy.

It's weird but I have no advice other than continue to do what you are doing. There's not really anything to report to the police as such.

It’s hard to explain really - his business obviously is fraudulent- but so obviously that it’s hard to imagine that he does anything with it. His attempts to get money are so obvious that I cannot imagine anyone falls for it (I’ve seen online that he’s tried things along the lines of fake receipts etc). Sorry know I’m being a bit vague but, bearing in mind that All I did was a quote once a year ago, and have been almost stalked online since I’m really wary

Would this be something that trading standards would look into ?

If I were a bit braver I’d be tempted to spend the £100 for the “holiday” at which point I guess a fraud would take place, but I’m more creeped out by the stalking side, and fear that I’d end up with lots of bad reviews for my business all from him

I would suggest informing trading standards & the police. If he is a registered company you could also notify Companies House

I'd report to the police, and let them work out how best to deal with him. He sounds like a but of a worry.