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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get this person into trouble?

325 replies

Iwishiwereheather · 10/03/2021 21:27

I was purchasing some furniture a couple of months back through Instagram. I put a deposit down through PayPal and then the person blocked me. I paid through ‘friends and family’ therefore no payment protection.

Very annoyed with myself but learnt from the incident.

Logged into my PayPal last night and saw the person still in my contacts. They have now updated their email address to their work email - think [email protected]

I’m tempted to contacted their place of work seeing as they’ve linked an account that scams people to their work address.

Aibu or should I just leave it?

OP posts:
Lochroy · 18/03/2021 06:08

Using the company logo as a profile pic?!? That sounds even more dodgy.

MsTSwift · 18/03/2021 06:48

Op this happened to us In the summer and we are not stupid 🙄. Dh reported to PayPal and he got his money back! Not sure how he did that tbh.

It was £90 for some trainers from Depop for dds birthday the ones she wanted not available in shops. The scammer had hacked a reputable seller so we thought we were dealing with her. It was pretty sophisticated.

Fatladyslim · 18/03/2021 07:17

Have you heard anymore OP? I hope you get your money back. £250 would be a lot for me too and I understand how shit it must feel to save for something, find what you want and then never get the product. It's not just about the money, it is also about the disappointment and knowledge you went without other bits and scrimped a bit more than usual for nothing.

Could you take the seller to small claims court? I don't really know the legalities of this but might be an option? Smile

Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 18/03/2021 11:47

I would report to police, so you can say that to him and the company. Otherwise they may well come back asking why you didn’t.

NoseOfJericho · 18/03/2021 14:04

Reporting to Action Fraud might prevent it being done to someone else, so not wasting Police time.

incenseandpeppermints · 18/03/2021 14:18

OP this is horrible for you.
If you go to the Small Claims Court I think you'd stand a good chance of recovering your money and Scammer would be shamed in court.
Keep going x Smile

okokok000 · 18/03/2021 16:31

@incenseandpeppermints

OP this is horrible for you. If you go to the Small Claims Court I think you'd stand a good chance of recovering your money and Scammer would be shamed in court. Keep going x Smile
Agree, difficulty is that the Judgment would only be worth pursuing if he has assets. I know from experience Court bailiffs are generally not that effective.

Out of interest op. Is the person you actually dealt with personally registered with the FCA? If so, they would be interested in this sort of behaviour.

CoraPirbright · 18/03/2021 21:53

Got my fingers crossed for you OP. Hope the company hauls this rotten bastard over the coals and makes him pay you back!

radioband · 19/03/2021 09:23

I clicked on this thread to see if there had been an update, I’m shocked at some of the responses! I’m glad you’ve handled this the way you have, why should someone get away with behaving like this. We’ve all been naive at times, it doesn’t mean you should be out of pocket. Sometimes we have to love and learn but my god you’ve had the opportunity to give this guy his comeuppance! Good luck, I hope it results in you getting your money back somehow.

radioband · 19/03/2021 09:24

Live not love 🤣

HereIfYouNeedMe · 19/03/2021 10:16

If you know his name and where he works maybe the police will do more? Completely right in what you've done so far! You can email them again and say you'd hoped it would be resolved but you've now filed a police report so they should expect an officer to visit. Actually do it and give them the police reference number

Ladymouse · 19/03/2021 10:40

OP did you even try to report it to PayPal it may be worth a try. I have had a few complaints with paying for things through PayPal and they do genuinely always seems to want to help to resolve it. Good luck and stay positive 🤗

BalloonSlayer · 19/03/2021 10:57

I think the fact that you haven't heard anything may be good (ish) news actually OP.

If they have sacked him or started disciplinary proceedings against him they would not be able to tell you.

If however they believe him and think you are a troublemaker, they would definitely be able to tell you.

So I think it's a case of "no news is good news." Except it doesn't look like you are getting your money back. Sad

StoneofDestiny · 19/03/2021 10:59

Completely right in what you've done so far! You can email them again and say you'd hoped it would be resolved but you've now filed a police report so they should expect an officer to visit. Actually do it and give them the police reference number

Agree totally

stayathomegardener · 21/03/2021 22:12

I'm rooting for you still.

Original poster
Iwishiwereheather · 25/03/2021 19:57

Hi, not really an update but people were very supportive so for anyone who cares

  • They are still investigating
  • Scammer changed his PayPal back to personal email and removed company logo as profile photo.

^ Either just a coincidence or he was actually spoken to. I just hope he got the scare he needed to never target someone again.

OP posts:
Karwomannghia · 25/03/2021 22:48

Hope so and hope you get your money back soon.

baileys6904 · 26/03/2021 11:27

Glad there appears to be movement, and let's hope he learnt his lesson! Di you get your money back?

Original poster
Iwishiwereheather · 26/03/2021 17:10

Well he’s now blocked me on PayPal - he used to show in my ‘send again’ section but has now disappeared - so can only assumed he blocked to try and cover his tracks.

No update from the company despite it being obvious now that the fraudster has been made aware. Perhaps telling him to remove all evidence I’m not sure.

Anyway doubt there will be another update so thanks again everyone.

OP posts:
Jillybons · 26/03/2021 17:14

Personally I wouldn’t which is clearly an unpopular opinion! I would call them out on it though and message them on LinkedIn and say that they need to refund you and stop this. It’s totally shitty of them but I just don’t think it’s worth their job

Original poster
Iwishiwereheather · 26/03/2021 17:19

@Jillybons

Personally I wouldn’t which is clearly an unpopular opinion! I would call them out on it though and message them on LinkedIn and say that they need to refund you and stop this. It’s totally shitty of them but I just don’t think it’s worth their job
Well your advise is 2 weeks too late. People really should read the thread.
OP posts:
Emeraldshamrock · 26/03/2021 17:28

I doubt they told him to remove. He mustn't have heard of a screen shot.
Remember he's no idea what you're doing with the information, he is probably expecting the police any minute.
I hope he is sweating.

RunningFromInsanity · 26/03/2021 17:42

If I was the scammer and you had sent that to my company, outwardly they would probably say the same ‘we are investigating’ etc but internally I would probably be in deep deep shit!

I’m glad you did it. Even if you don’t get your money back, his bosses now know the kind of person he is, and that he has dragged the company into it- which is a massive no no for any employee.

BRB2021 · 26/03/2021 19:56

You mean you haven't been waiting for @jillybons incredible pearls of wisdom OP?! Well how rude of you Grin

At least you know that his firm has discussed it with him as you've been blocked! Idiot, hope he'll think twice next time

Garlia · 26/03/2021 20:05

@Iwishiwereheather

Well he’s now blocked me on PayPal - he used to show in my ‘send again’ section but has now disappeared - so can only assumed he blocked to try and cover his tracks.

No update from the company despite it being obvious now that the fraudster has been made aware. Perhaps telling him to remove all evidence I’m not sure.

Anyway doubt there will be another update so thanks again everyone.

That definitely shows something has happened and I hope he's lost sleep over it! What a shit.

Also, cannot believe some of the victim blaming here. OP you were a victim of a scam, totally not your fault and could happen to any of us. Can't believe these low lives can scam and live with themselves. Sad