I have been scammed and sold a stolen bicycle

[Roostersmum2]

Yesterday I cheerily bought a bicycle from gumtree because I wanted to get fit and improve my mental health. Feel free to search up my thread here asking if IABU to go and buy it. I don't know how to link.

So I collected the bike and all seemed fine. The man said he's a cyclist and is only selling because he has upgraded. He seemed like a nice guy.

I took it for a ride today and stopped for a few minutes to catch my breath, sweating hot.

Two teenage boys crossed the road to ask if I needed the bicycle because if not they'll give me £10 for it.

I thought they were just being cheeky so I laughed it off and said no thanks I've just bought this.

One proceeded to tell me it's illegal. I asked how so, and he replied that it's an "ofo" bike.

I don't know what an ofo bike is. I've lived in London three years, on the outskirts, and ive never once used rental bikes.

I came home quickly and looked online and they were right, it's the same bike, same thing spray painted black.

I then examined it properly and it's clear that underneath the frame there are specs of yellow where the top layer of black paint has chipped off.

I thought the frame was a bit unusual and different to the mountain bike I had years ago but I don't know anything about bikes in genetal so I wasn't to know.

I almost had a panic attack cycling home as a police car drove toward me and pulled up. I got off the bike ready to speak to them and explain how I'd just bought it but then they went into a house behind me.

I'm at home now having a cry.

Fucking bastard.

DH is going to ring him in a moment and say we're bringing it back tomorrow and want a refund otherwise we are calling the police.

I don't think we should ring ahead personally because that gives him a heads up that we now know.

Alternatively I could ring the police myself now and kiss goodbye to the £45

Panic over, thanks

I was taken aback when told they're illegal that's all and it was embarrassing.

I then panicked because the first thing that sprung to mind was the Santander "Boris bikes" that are still used in the city, and I know that if you took ownership one of those and ripped the boxes off then you would be breaking the law.

I had never heard of OFO or knew that they were no longer in business until now.

It does now seem like the lads were chancing their luck.

I felt humiliated by the fact people think I was riding around on a stolen rental bike.
In the nicest possible way calm tf down. Do you really think people are that interested?
Stop caring what other people think

Do you really think people are that interested?

Had I not been approached about it on the second day of owning it and the first time I'd taken it for a proper ride then I would say no.

Hopefully that's the first and last time it happens.

Some teenage boys are complete prats. As a rule, anything a couple of unknown teenage boys say to you in the street, especially if you are a lone woman, should be disregarded.