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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:
ItsMarch · 11/03/2021 10:52

£250? Wow. I wouldn’t hesitate to report. To anyone who would listen!

silkpillowcases · 11/03/2021 10:52

This is great OP!! And not an insignificant amount of money so hopefully you'll get it back

MrsSwears2Much · 11/03/2021 10:52

I hope the shit gets his comeuppance! £250 is a lot of money to me. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with that! Also, now you know who he is you can take him to small claims court!!

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 11/03/2021 10:56

I doubt that they'll tell you what, or whether, action was taken because their internal procedures would be confidential. You might get a follow up saying that the case has been investigated. Best case, of course, would be a refund into your Paypal, probably followed by a super pissed-off email from slimy Scott.

Brainwave89 · 11/03/2021 11:16

Just to be clear, you are saying that this person ripped you off and did not supply the goods? that you have followed all relevant complaint processes and they have disappeared and committed fraud? If so as an employer I would absolutely want to know a staff member was a fraudster and if this is in financial services an investigation would be required.

Original poster
Iwishiwereheather · 11/03/2021 11:19

It’s a lot of money to me too. But at least I learnt a valuable lesson - never use family and friends on Paypal when paying for goods. He was just dumb enough to use a work email otherwise it’s likely nothing would have ever happened to him.

I’ll be curious to see what his excuse is when hopefully questioned - to explain away me transferring money into a PayPal account sort of linked the company - because he’ll have to do some quick thinking when presented with this. I know I won’t be told but it’s satisfying to think about,

The feel of dread I had when I saw that he’d blocked me and stolen the money - well I’ll hand him his dread back.

OP posts:
LadyCatStark · 11/03/2021 11:22

This would definitely be gross misconduct at my work or DH’s. Well done for standing up for yourself and others!

GrumpyHoonMain · 11/03/2021 11:23

This is a scam and all companies are very interested in whether their employees are involved in them. If they are told then by law they have to investigate whether he’s misusing his role because fraud is a financial crime and by not doing so they would leave themselves open. My company has a clear procedure and will request bank/paypal statements from the accused to prove their innocence - we have even sacked a few people.

Bmidreams · 11/03/2021 11:24

That is so much money!

missrm · 11/03/2021 11:30

Amazing! Good for you. What an absolute horror. X

Original poster
Iwishiwereheather · 11/03/2021 11:35

@GrumpyHoonMain

This is a scam and all companies are very interested in whether their employees are involved in them. If they are told then by law they have to investigate whether he’s misusing his role because fraud is a financial crime and by not doing so they would leave themselves open. My company has a clear procedure and will request bank/paypal statements from the accused to prove their innocence - we have even sacked a few people.
What if he says that he sent the goods? And it just comes down to his word vs mine.

The only evidence I have is the PayPal translation and what email address the account is linked to.

OP posts:
missrm · 11/03/2021 11:36

He would have proof if he sent the goods to you. Shipping receipts, tracking etc. Plus - why block you if he sent them? Also - you only paid a deposit.

Original poster
Iwishiwereheather · 11/03/2021 11:44

@missrm

He would have proof if he sent the goods to you. Shipping receipts, tracking etc. Plus - why block you if he sent them? Also - you only paid a deposit.
True. Also I’m guessing he would be in trouble just for having a personal PayPal account in his work email.
OP posts:
SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 11/03/2021 11:45

I hope his little bumbum is squeaking more than a couple of angry mice.

Good for you for trying to get it sorted out. He stole your money.

You owe him fuckall.

GrumpyHoonMain · 11/03/2021 11:54

The burden of proof would be on him. Trust me it’s not going to end well for him - even if he refunds you, he may still face gross misconduct.

BlackBucketOfCheese · 11/03/2021 11:56

Is there a way that you can get a photo of him having blocked you?

Comeonmommy · 11/03/2021 12:24

Did you ever try to get money back through PayPal? I know a few people who have successfully won disputes when paying friends and family - might be worth a shot (if you haven't already tried).
I'd be keeping an eye on their email address as I'm assuming if they are fired the company name bit of their email will change back.....

LApprentiSorcier · 11/03/2021 12:30

My only concern would be if it's wholesale identity theft and the email address has been stolen from LinkedIn or similar - an innocent employee might be going through an interrogation - but hopefully they would be able to prove it wasn't them.

solicitoring · 11/03/2021 12:31

Pissing myself at this. Well done op. Hope squeaky bum gets fired ASAP. Clearly not laughing that you have been scammed. I would report to the police by the way - if he has a decent job eg in financial services they probably would be interested.

Scammers like that need their arses handed back on a plate. Fucker.

Pinkfreesias · 11/03/2021 12:36

I'm on Glasgow. I'll let you know if I hear him crying all the way to the Job Centre!! Seriously, well done to you, OP, for taking back your pride. I hate scanners of any kind and hope he gets his comeuppance!

MintyMabel · 11/03/2021 12:40

At most if they did they would let them off with a caution.

And if they did it again, it would be shown they already had a caution for it. And a third time.

Far more effective than some random email to their boss which can be blown off by them.

OneForTheJourney · 11/03/2021 12:58

Well done @Iwishiwereheather scummy bastard will hopefully get what's coming to him!

B33Fr33 · 11/03/2021 13:00

I'd email them directly to their work email asking for a refund.

Winniewonka · 11/03/2021 13:12

Well done OP for your tenacity! It's most likely that he has scammed other folk too.

BRB2021 · 11/03/2021 13:13

@B33Fr33

I'd email them directly to their work email asking for a refund.
She's gone one better and hopefully brought embarrassment on the scammer
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