Is this a police job? Threatened by Vinted seller

[Reasonswhy]

I know I’m not, but posting for traffic as no idea what to do.
Item for Christmas arrived today and was clearly fake so applied for a refund via Vinted. I’ve had a series of threatening messages from the seller saying he needs the money, and he has my address so will come and find me. He included a photo of himself holding an air rifle. I’m not easily spooked but feel really scared now as he does have my address and seems very angry. I’ve filed a “help” through Vinted but they may not even read it for 48 hours. Do I call 111? On my own with 2 kids so feel really on edge.

Definitely report him without a doubt x

Report it. That's a terrible threat and I think it's a police matter.

Those messages he has sent you are a direct threat to maim or kill. Straight to police, please, do not waste time on forums. Is the seller based in the UK?

Please report NOW to police and stress the exact content of the messages. You want to see a police officer TONIGHT.

Its the same story, as well. The French woman bought a 'Louis Vuitton' bag for £400, seller offered a risible discount then sent threats with the photo.

It was laughable that he also wrote 'this isn't a threat' when it so clearly is!

He’s full of shit. His ‘black friends’? Don’t make me laugh. He’s trying to frighten you into paying him. Please try not to worry because there is more chance of King Charles knocking on your front door and asking to borrow a fiver. He’s just a poop.

Having said that, he’s obviously frightened you and you need to feel comfortable and safe in your own home, so reporting to the police is the way to go. Hopefully, an armed response team will be kicking his door in later this evening and putting the fear of God into him.

That’s looks like a plastic gun, nevertheless, you seriously need to call the police never mind 101. You’ve had a direct threat to you and probably your children. He has your address. Don’t wait for anymore advice. Do it right away x

Brilliant

This whole page is posters telling the OP to report it to the police.
She has.
You can "see all" her posts by clicking on where it says that on the bottom right.

This happened to a friend of a friend too. Same photo. It must be a regular occurrence/ well organised scam? I sincerely hope the police take it seriously and are able to glean the necessary information from vinted to shut them down.

Address is for delivery when buyer clicks it’s disclosed

Bloody hell I would be terrified! I hope you are reassured seeing everyone say it’s a scam

That’s awful. Vinted is the Wild West!

Scary, but he's totally full of shit - no one's coming after you for the sake of £70, especially not ex-cons. He's been watching too much TV. That said, I'd absolutely report and hope the bastard gets taken down so he can't try this on any more people!

@Reasonswhy
I saw your updates, however, your situation seems to fit with Action Fraud. Please call them and explain you've been threatened - because you have been - and you can also let them know you've reported to your local police.

www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime

In case it helps you get a response from Vinted quicker - here is the email address for their legal team: [email protected]

update: they called to ask me to email the image and messages as they are busy, and they called back quickly to say they have studied the image and it’s not a real gun, said very common on vinted 🤷‍♀️and that they will come to see me next week to take down details. Didn’t seem to think it was serious which I am surprised by but I guess it’s also reassuring?

Vinted is full of scammers. I highly suspect the majority of those messages are copied and pasted from similar conversations they've had with other people - some of them seem like replies to non existent messages plus I've seen similar 'black friends' messages on Reddit when I was researching these threats myself.

Vinted probably won't do anything about it. I had a very similar experience with something I purchased at the beginning of the month. I sent them back but still haven't had my money back from Vinted and they won't tell me why. The seller is still able to buy/sell through Vinted despite selling counterfeit goods and making threats.

The seller quoted my address and full name and told me they would be visiting my family. Lesson learnt for future - don't use full name and use a drop off point.

Also don't use it to buy any new designer goods. I wouldn't usually but a family member wanted something for Christmas and sent me a link as it was cheaper there than JD Sports. Never again!!

Also...no one has visited me yet.

Hope you get it sorted and feel somewhat reassured that's it's unlikely to come to anything.

bloody hell id be so scared!
changing my settings to have parcels delivered to a local place rather than home from now on!

I agree there’s no serious threat due to the wording but it’s still frightening.

I’m glad you reported it and report it straight away if there are any other concerns.

It wouldn't be reassuring to me because there are plenty of other weapons, and a man doesn't need anything other than his fist to do damage.

Do you have somebody who can come round to be with you? Have the messages continued?

How awful! I would put money on that not being an actual picture of him or that he has a gun - however you cannot be sure so you have to take it seriously. What an asshole

Gosh - that's scary in itself that the police see this happening a lot. To be honest no one but the dickhead himself knows whether it's a serious threat.

That's something, I hope you feel reassured.
It happens often on Vinted?!
That's shocking.

My thought before opening the thread was “no, just get your refund and block”. But reading those messages, fuck sake. That’s appalling. No wonder you’re scared. Creepy bastard that he is.