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AIBU?

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Original poster

To regret helping a stranger

292 replies

regrethelp · 19/12/2018 19:58

I was stopped by a lady in a 2 seater convertible that she forgot her purse in a building nearby. Building was locked and she had not enough fuel to drive all the way home (outside London).
She wanted money for fuel. She drove me to nearby ATM machine and I withdrew money to lend her.
She told me she is an artist, I can find her online. Only told me her first name. I trusted her and didn't check details. She said she comes to my area 2 times a week to work on a stained glass project.
She promised to call in 3 hours. It's been over 2 days I haven't heard from her.
I sent her text and called her and got no response (her number is valid, she gave me missed call for me to have her number).
I feel stupid. Amount is not that big (£40) but I told her politely I am out of work and would need money back.
I usually help people (friends/family)going out of my way and most times I have found those people unappreciative.
I don't want to chase the lady but I feel very upset for being taken advantage one more time. I am feeling worse also because I am in abusive relationship and already feel pretty depressed.

OP posts:
Beeziekn33ze · 19/12/2018 22:00

OP You need to talk to the police and your bank, I hope you've done these things by now.

1Redacted1 · 19/12/2018 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

straightjeans · 19/12/2018 22:20

Money's gone. Just thank your lucky stars she didn't have a partner in crime waiting to do something more sinister.

Patroclus · 19/12/2018 22:45

Fraudulent misrepresentation. If this is real she and her car will be on CCTV.

SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst · 19/12/2018 22:55

Any single one of us could be scammed. No one is 100% turned on all the time.

I can honestly swear that under no circumstances whatsoever would I get into a complete stranger's car and allow them to drive me to a cash machine in order to withdraw my own money to willingly donate to them on the basis of a sob story. Never.

Hmm
SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst · 19/12/2018 22:59

I am sorry you have gone through this. No one deserves this. Why don't we all chip in £5 each to you for Christmas goodwill that we're not all like that?

If this isn't an audacious act of sock-puppetry, then the irony is jaw-dropping.

Let's send money to the complete stranger with the sad story to compensate them for (allegedly) being taken in by a complete stranger with a sad story ... 🤔

Neweternal · 19/12/2018 23:02

Yeah yeah! I've got it, stupid point taken. I just feel sorry for OP. I get giving to charity sensible, just empathy kicks in!

FoxFoxSierra · 19/12/2018 23:03

I think you have lost your money op. Please speak to the police, I would be amazed if this was the first time she's done this. A woman local to me was convicted of fraud for going up to strangers in the street with a sob story and getting them to hand over cash, she had done it hundreds of times so take no notice of all the people calling you gullible.

SushiMonster · 19/12/2018 23:04

I’m awaiting the ‘we have no reason to believe the poster isn’t genuine BUT DONT SEND MONEY TO RANDOM POSTERS” MN post.

picklepost · 19/12/2018 23:08

That fuel thing is a total scam, they're everywhere. Sorry you've been tricked, it's horrible.

FestiveNut · 19/12/2018 23:08

@sushimonster it's on the first page.

OP, did you get her license plate?

SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst · 19/12/2018 23:09

She took you to an ATM to withdraw cash. That's pretty fucking illegal as well as awful

How is it 'pretty fucking illegal' to drive someone to an ATM to voluntarily withdraw their own money from their own account to give to you? It's not like the OP was forced to withdraw the money under duress.

jenthelibrarian · 19/12/2018 23:13

Report scams like this to Action Fraud [there's a website and phone number]

I recently had a phone call early one Monday morning, from someone claiming to be a police officer in a real London police station.
I was slightly shaken as both my kids are in London, and I'd been there that weekend. And it was very early in the day for me.

He claimed my bank card had been used for a fraudulent transaction.
I checked I had my cards, and then began to get suspicious.
The caller told me to hang off and ring 999!
I called 101, miraculously got through and they checked up for me.

They admitted there was no chance of police following up on my one report but that a call to Action Fraud helps them to track and to track down scammers.

cheesywotnots · 19/12/2018 23:16

There will be cctv showing the car, OP withdrawing money and possibly going back to the car.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 19/12/2018 23:18

I honestly think the op is a scam, hoping for charitable mumsnetters to reimburse a hero, helping a victim of a horrible scam. I’m not convinced, an I phone owner without Apple Pay? And who? Really who,gets Into a strangers car to drive to give them money? P...lease.

ButteryParsnips · 19/12/2018 23:19

But OP agreed to do all that. Telling lies isn't illegal. Though if the police know, they can at least warn others.

GlitterStick · 19/12/2018 23:20

Sorry, you lost me at you got in a stranger's car and let them drive you to a cash machine to get your money out!
Sorry to sound harsh, but blimey, we tell our kids this - never go off with strangers especially in their car!
You were kind, but far too trusting. I too think you've been scammed sadly

SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst · 19/12/2018 23:20

There will be cctv showing the car, OP withdrawing money and possibly going back to the car.

In other words, evidence of a voluntary act on the part of the OP.

FestiveNut · 19/12/2018 23:24

Yes, voluntary, but if OP can track her down, she could take her to small claims court as it was a loan, not a gift. Failing that, Judge Rinder?

cheesywotnots · 19/12/2018 23:26

I was thinking more to use as evidence to identify the scammer if it really happened and oP wants to report it to the police

GlitterStick · 19/12/2018 23:31

Jesus. Please tell me that all donate a fiver post upthread was a badly come across joke?!
For goodness sake, I'm sorry but it could be anyone on the internet, this thread itself could be a scam!
Not saying it is of course, but some people need to get internet savvy.

HollowTalk · 19/12/2018 23:36

If this is true, which I doubt, then the woman parked in a position that couldn't be picked up by the bank's CCTV.

SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst · 19/12/2018 23:38

Yes, voluntary, but if OP can track her down, she could take her to small claims court as it was a loan, not a gift. Failing that, Judge Rinder?

Absolutely. The small claims court, for £40 voluntarily handed to a stranger with zero evidence of what was agreed at the time, and a minimum initial fee of £25.00 to lodge the case, with no guarantee of success.

And in the event that this woman can miraculously be traced, what's to stop her saying that the OP only gave her £10 and it was agreed as a gift, or that she's already paid her back £40 in cash?

There's absolutely no proof of what was agreed, or of what actually happened.

user764329056 · 19/12/2018 23:38

OP am not going to comment on the 40 quid loss except to say wish people would stop bashing you, you’re already feeling bad enough. Money comes and goes, but what is concerning is the abusive relationship, please try to focus on getting help, advice and support

Lovingbenidorm · 19/12/2018 23:41

Stitched up like a kipper I’m afraid

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