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.

It’s always a shock when you’re at the receiving end, but from the info you have supplied I am sure you have nothing to worry about. He’s just a nasty little prick, trying to scare you into submission.

I’m confident he can be traced by police, it’s unlikely he is abroad unless you noticed foreign postage on the parcel?

Speaking of which, how was it delivered? Courier or Royal Mail? No sender details on the parcel? What about a post mark?

I think that you definitely should report this to the police. I can understand how frightened you must be. I think it's terrible that this person you bought from on Vinted is sending you these threatening messages. I would be afraid too. I'd definitely ring 111 it's really serious. Vinted should do more to help and support you. He could just be trying to scare you but if someone was doing this to me I'd be frightened. It really would be a good idea to talk to the police about it and keep all of the messages he is sending and showing them to the police. What a horrible and nasty person he is to do this to you. Hope that the police can help and reassure you in some way.

I know its easier said than done but try not to worry. I cant say ive met many dangerous thugs but the ones that I have met would never travel to a woman's house (with children inside) over a £70 tracksuit. Sounds like some meff trying to scare you to get some money from you because they know you are entitled to a full refund. In future stick to inpost for safety but for now try switch off and get some rest. 💕

It depends, I used to do 'physical label' and it would print the buyers address onto there. If you scroll down on digital labels often the buyers address is there too.

Bless you OP, this would've spooked me too. I get all my Vinted parcels sent to pick up points now - one arrived at my home once whilst I was out so my neighbour kindly took it in but then didn't give it back to me until after the 48 hour report window and the item was broken 😓So now I choose pick up points as the 48 hours doesn't start until you pick it up. If you have a pick up point near you might be worth picking that in future for peace of mind?

Sorry if someone's already pointed that out, I haven't read all the replies 😅

She has. The police are not interested.

Get a ring door bell or camera outside if you can. I would be so scared. What an absolute nut job.

Jesus what the hell is wrong with Vinted?!? They really need to sort themselves out...The police said themselves that this is common thing to happen on vinted 🫨

Thank you.
It wa delivered by inpost, printed label…packaging was black so no obvious postal location or stamps I can see.

I know, I’ve had a reply from a customer service agent from vinted to say they’ve blocked him as a seller and I know one person there probably can’t do anymore but there was 0 acknowledgment of how serious it’s felt.

Okay, that’s another line of enquiry for the police to track him down then… 🚨

Omg, OP! How absolutely awful for you. I've never had any issues with Vinted, but recently been reading an awful lot about scammers on there, and the fact Vinted just don't seem to care. Hope you're OK and it gets sorted.

Might not help but a friend told me of exactly this type of incident on Vinted including the threats and gun image. Nothing came of it - sounds as if it's a disturbingly regular event on Vinted but also not one that is followed up on. Just intended to frighten and doubtless very effective. So sorry OP, hope you manage to get some sleep tonight and that the police provide some decent support tomorrow. xx

UK firearms specialist here.

That’s a direct threat using a firearm: an immediately arrestable offence. The fact it was an air gun makes no difference, although not needing a licence as cartridge weapons do, it is still controlled under the Firearms Act.

I suggest this is a 999 matter. This idiot will probably get a visit by armed officers.

Absolutely appalling. So sorry for what you are going through!

So sorry to hear about this awful cretin threatening you. How scary for you. You've logged it with the police and they should be able to track him via his phone I imagine? A good thing for the future is to get packages sent to either a shop or outdoor parcel locker.

I dont think he can get your address if it was delivered by Inpost. Only if you have it sent to your house. It's why I always do click and collect so people don't know my address. Was it a sticky label that would be printed by Inpost or one the seller stuck on? If it was one printed when the seller sent it then it's highly unlikely he even saw your address.

Regardless though the police need to investigate this.

Update: Just seen the photo. It’s not an air gun.

That’s probably an imitation Type 56 (Chinese AK47 copy). It’s not a firearm and is not a firearms offence. But it’s maybe a RIF (realistic imitation firearm) making the image a threat under other legislation.

Also I've just checked a parcel I've received recently by Inpost with Vinted and had it click and collected. There's nothing with my address on so I think he's probably lying.

This is horrific! Surely Vinted have a duty of care and should automatically report to the police any user who has threatened people, and also provide police with all known personal details, for tracing purposes?!

This is so disturbing OP that a scammer can create a ploy within I would call a deregulated system. Once something is created in your imagination its a concern but not just for you for all . We are worrying at how this can happen along side you tonight because that horrible seed of what if should never have been planted. I am truly Shaken on your behalf and you have proven yourself to be very rational in the face of something so ugly and brutal. How dare that threat be there. I hope the community on here can help weaken that threat by taking it to pieces forensically which I see u have had some good contributions with this.
A lot of scrutiny will come from awareness u made here and so you have a lot of people in many useful areas watching out for you with this alongside the Police.
That will give you back some faith in humanity I hope.
The Scammer is being watched over that their address will be looked into that they can’t feel safe hidden in my view a deregulated platform because this will have so much attention they won’t be allowed to get away with this and that includes the platform if they don’t take it seriously! I wish you peace of mind soon OP

Stolen goods, surely? Hence the need to put people off sending back and requesting refunds. The chutzpah of the threat suggests the seller does normally and the police shirk it off (yes it’s an imitation firearm, but the threats are there).

OMG I’m so sorry this is happening to you OP. I am shocked at the rubbish response from Vinted (deleting my account and never using again) and I’m shocked at how little the police have done. I hope you are ok.

Absolutely!

I feel so bad for you op and I hope you got some sleep. Youve also completely opened my eyes to the dangers of putting my home address on vinted!