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.

There's been news stories on similar experiences. Sadly it's not unusual

I hope you did - it absolutely is a 999 issue. He is armed, has your address, and could turn up at any time

Get real?
You have no idea who he is or what kind of a risk.
Don't dismiss this woman's genuine fears.
Plus I think we agreed upthread what a vile racist he is with this so called Black cohort.

Upsetting as it is, it is not a 999 call but do report to 101. He could live anywhere in the UK and highly unlikely to traipse all the way to your house for £50.

Obviously, in the very very unlikely event, he does show up at your door it is 999.

Call 999 asap.

Save screenshots of your communication with the induvidual and get the police involved

OP I hope you did call 999. The picture isn’t of him, I very much doubt he’s going to try and do anything BUT he’s made a direct threat of violence so 999 all the way!

At work, we have been told to contact the police through the online chat option, it is monitored by the 999 handlers, so if they think it's an emergency you will get a quick response, if it's not urgent, they will still get back in touch with you quicker than the 101 phone line.
You access the online chat from the police forces website.

What an absolute wastrel.

To those saying they choose deliver to a store so the seller doesn’t see their address - they do still see it. The address of the buyer is still printed on the parcel regardless of it it’s being delivered to a store, locker, or the buyer’s house. If they choose to print their own label, or get the digital label that is printed at a machine in store, they’ll see it.
Yodel tracking receipts have the buyer’s address on them for definite.

Yes!

Wow those screenshots are scary. TBH I’d feel inclined to just let it drop even though it’s not right and they shouldn’t be able to intimidate people.

I have to say though if something seems too good to be true, it usually is (eg brand new designer clothes at a bargain price).

I'd bet my bottom dollar this is the case, but best not to take the risk. I had a similar case when selling my car years ago. Seemed legit at first until they asked me to front the money for the collection.

I had a bit of fun stringing them along and they started threatening to come to the address and punch my face in. Thing was, I was living with my boyfriend at the time in the flat above the boxing gym he owns. I was like 'yeah, come down the boxing gym but you'll probs get punched back'. He never showed up. 😂😂😂

I'd probs be a bit more sensible nowadays though tbf.

I can still see his profile being active as of 20 minutes ago.

That’s true, I get Vinted delivered to my work address (although actually pick up from a shop close to my house) for this reason.

Ouch, didn’t know that! Is there a way not to show the address if a parcel is being store delivered? I suspect not

Haha, that's classic. Yeah it's such nonsense. I'm just really pissed at how he uses the very existence of black people as a threat of violence.

Not that this will make you feel any better, but this is a known scam on Vinted. The scammers list fake goods at a weird amount with pence like yours.
Sometimes they send a leaflet instead of the goods, other times it's fake stuff.
They don't want the account closing, hence the empty threats.
Usually they aren't based in the UK, but have a 'warehouse' here that they ship the rubbish from.
I guarantee he's just trying what he can to get you to complete the order, and it's empty threats - allbeit a little scary.

I don’t think so!

Have you spoken to 101. If not cal 999 and their call handler will advise you.

Please continue trying to get through to the police.
And report him to vinted as well.
Scary stuff. Some really deranged people out there!

Yeah I wasn't trying to belittle her fears. I'm sorry if that's how it came across. It's just super unlikely anything like that would happen.

I had someone threatening to come and slit my throat at work once, (not personal as they didn't know who I was or me them) I knew it wasn't true, well I hoped, but was still on edge for the rest of the day!

Good luck with that. I was threatened and actually attacked. Police did nothing. Just received an email from the IOPC today recommending I now go to the CPS and request they review the decision and then maybe 'try' a judicial review. I also reported firearms (two people subsequently shot dead) and here I am fighting to be heard.

Yes, we're all hoping that it's just an empty threat, but nonetheless - how chilling.
I'm glad the threat against you didn't happen, what a horrific thing to be threatened with.

They can, but you'd be surprised how often they make mistakes. Even a single login will break open an entire line of enquiry.

They can avoid detection, yes, but that doesn't mean no one should bother investigating.

Did you report them?

Thank you all so much, you are all so supportive. They are sending officers round at some point this evening, said they’ll try before midnight as I have young kids. I’ll update when they’ve been.