AIBU to think this is a well known scam?

[EvaRoad]

....or have I just been unlucky? (Name changed as too outing)

At the end of July my girlfriend dropped her phone and it broke "beyond repair". She was distraught, did not know what she was going to do and needed a new phone. I suggested she asked her friends or asked her family but ultimately she made it clear that if I didn't get her a phone then she would not be able to contact me anymore. I was in a difficult position, her birthday was coming up, so I eventually relented and purchased her a new phone on a contract. Anyway, I never got to see the phone, as she kept on making excuses not to see me, and then last week she said she had "got back with her ex", didn't want to see me again, and blocked me. Obviously she's still got the phone and I've now got to pay for the rest of the contract.

What really gets me is that this is the second time this has happened to me, my previous girlfriend did something similar, breaking up with me within a few weeks of getting her a new phone a couple of years back.

So is this a well known scam, or have I just been unlucky? Do girls really drop their phones as often as they say?

you are being childish OP as you are not behaving like any reasonably sane adult would...

DISABLE
THE
PHONE

she doesnt love you, never did, and never will. Sorry x

Of course you’re being bullied. She’s realized that emotional blackmail works on you (as soon as anyone EVER says “if you loved me, you would do X,” you drop them immediately), so she’s just going to keep trying forever - calling you tight, childish, claiming you didn’t do enough. She’ll just keep trying to insult you until you give in. Don’t feel badly, OP. Feel angry! £760!!! Get that phone back and try to sell it to get some of that money back. Or if it’s within 14 days, RETURN IT!!! It’s not a “gift” freely given when you’ve been scammed (do we not allow people to get scammed money back? Of course we do).

Also, maybe consider why you keep getting girls who scam you. Do they know each other?

No they definitely don't know each other. I was stunned when most recent girlfriend said she had dropped her phone. I said to myself "This can't be happening again."

I’ve never heard of anything like this in a normal relationship. She sounds like a career thief or scammer. you say you’d known her for years? That’s weird. Is she a friend or associate of the woman who did this to you before?

Very strange. I hope you get your money back. And never fall for “if you loved me you’d give me money” again.

So stunned you did it again? You had or have 2 phone contracts for ex partners

This thread though

What about the IMEI thing - reporting it as lost.

Yes I will report the IMEI number as "lost" in the morning. O2 are not open at this time.

Imei has been suggested multiple times,multiple posters. Op isn’t responding to that advice
It’s all he said, she said yadda yadda

If you decide not to continue with us after just four weeks, I want my phone back. I don't think that is unreasonable

Wait, are you trying to manipulate her into getting back together with you?

It has progressed since my day.

You communicated with your beau by that folded up paper thing that you flapped about with your thumb and finger and courted with a lucky bag.

She sounds ghastly. Get your phone back then get some therapy to explore why you keep falling for such horrible women. Are you perhaps too focussed on looks?

I was expecting you to say she's younger than 30s. She is so very immature for her age. Good riddance I say.

No scam I just think you've been unlucky and dated users. They wouldn't play such long games to scam a phone and you knew them both for a decent amount of time. I think anyway.

Report it to 24 hour support line
You’re adept online, you’re here and you’re texting your ex

From O2 website 24 hour support
Lost or stolen device support available 24 hour a day
If your device has been lost or stolen, we're available 24 hours a day to help. We can block your device, and send you a new sim with your existing number.

It's kind of unattractive that you said to her you bought her something with the proviso that she carried on going out with you (don't get me wrong, I'm not saying any of this is ok.)

Thanks @ExpressoDoubleShot, when I called them on the number on the bill, they just said they were closed and that I should call back tomorrow when they were open.

@me4real I did not say any of that at the time. I only wrote that having posted here and having received advice from Mumsnet.

That’s the billing number. Lost/stolen phones etc is a separate department. Have you never interacted with a phone company/credit card/bank?

Block her number so she can’t ask you for more money, and brick her handset. You are never getting that phone back, but she’ll continue to dangle the possibility of getting back with her to screw more money out of you if you let her.

She's blocked me and I've blocked her. Definitely not a good evening.

This is a joke?

No, not a joke. Sorry if you think it is.

I hope you get it cancelled this is so unfair

Why are you faffing on mn, contact O2 the website says it’s 24hr support
All this time said,she said. Pointless. Disable the phone.Deny her access
Get your priorities sorted. Call o2
It’s of no consequence what she said. Or what you said.