A "friend" has taken mums money

[whingewhinge]

Sorry I didn't know how to describe in the title.

Mum needed some work done in the house and bumped into an old friend who said he would do it for her. He quoted and asked for deposit which she gave him in cash. This was months ago, it's becoming evident he won't be doing the work or returning the cash. There is no contact, only texts discussing the money.

Is there anything she can do?

If he’s admitted receiving the money in texts, surely that counts for something? Hope someone with more knowledge will come along here to advise you.

Thanks so much for replying. The texts have her begging for her money back or for him to start the work and him promising that he will but then coming up with an excuse why he hasn't (no van, poorly, away etc) but it's now been about 8 months so it's clear he's no intention of either.

Thanks for replying, I'd be really grateful if anyone had any legal advice too

I’d notify the Police. This is is obtaining money my deception.The texts are ample evidence

@whingewhinge

Call the cops

Not a friend anymore so no need to worry about upsetting the friendship.
Send a letter before action then small claims court should sort it out if money isn't returned.

Ah I forgot to mention the small problem that she doesn't know where he lives. She has his full name, approximate age and his dads name (she went to his dads old house to find him but he had moved)

Will the police help without his address?

How much money?
if it's £50, cut losses and learn.
If it's £500, small claims court or solicitor's letter perhaps.
If it's £5,000 - police.

Do local libraries still have the Electoral Roll? If so you could find his address there (he may well be still at his parents). Good luck to your mum OP, this is grim

£3,500. She's poor, on minimum wage, a widow. She's sacrificed for that money.

Thanks I did mention electoral roll, I'll get her to see what she can find.

Thanks so much everyone.

I would be posting on a local Facebook page- saying does anyone know this man- can they get in touch!!

I would go to the police

Your poor, poor mother. Please go to the police. It sounds like you have enough identifying information. What a bastard.

Sorry your mum has had to go through this. Agree with everyone else. You have evidence of the "contract" by way of text messages, so you can go to the police to report the deception and theft and go to Small Claims to claim back the money. Tell her to keep every scrap of evidence, screen shot onto your phone and print, so you have hard copies.

The first thing to do is make sure you have saved copies of the text messages as this is your main proof of what was agreed. The second thing you need to do is track down where this guy lives so you can start court proceedings against him.

I suspect the police will consider this a civil matter but it can't hurt to report to them anyway.

Thank you so much everyone. This has really helped. Thanks again

This

Trading Standards often have an interest in cases like this, tell them and Police ASAP.
Not FB it might alert him to move to other end of country.

The posters advising to go to the police are wrong. It's a civil matter, the police won't touch it.

In your shoes, I would take over in a more business like manner - their relationship may make him think he can keep stretching it out.

I'd first call him and tell him you want the money back or you'll not only plaster his face and name all over social media but will contact the police (bluff) and go through small claims. Worth a try first in case it scares him into repaying.

If that didn't work, I'd find out his address and would go through small claims...try the electoral roll, contact mutual friends, visit somewhere you know he goes and follow him or failing all else, put his details on community groups on Facebook asking for help with his wherabouts.

What a rotten thing to do!
Yes, can you the most stern member of your life ring and advise the matter is now in your hands. Give him 7 days to return the money in full or you will report him for fraud and will take legal action. Even if it's a bluff, something like that might scare him into compliance.

If he's in any kind of trade, report him to trading standards and any official body overseeing his trade. Play hard ball! This is deception and my guess is that he will have done it before!

Try 192.com. You'll have to sign up for credits and hope he doesn't have a very common name, though.

You can employ a people tracer for around £50. It would be well worth it. What an arsehole. I'd also report to police, they have access to databases we don't. Your mum may be in a long line of people he's conned. I hope you get it sorted out.

Have you tried calling his number yourself from a phone he doesn't know? Or you could text him asking if he can come and quote for some work, then confront him? But, really, this is theft plain and simple and you should call the police. They may be able to trace him just from his number.

Having done this several times (and allowed people far too long to string me along!) now I just issue small claims court proceedings quickly - no more chances. 24 hour warning then get the forms in.

You send him one text message saying the following "I no longer wish to proceed. You have 24 hours to transfer £3,500 back to the following account XX-XX-XX XXXXXXX, I will issue small claims court proceedings on [DATE] if I have not received the funds by midnight tomorrow. These will include court costs as well"

You then pay someone to find out where he lives (I think we paid £80 when we had to do this an ours was quite difficult to locate), they did it within about 2 hours. It is surprisingly easy.

You issue the proceedings quickly to him. I would guarantee you will be paid just after issuing the proceedings UNLESS he is bankrupt/without funds....but you aren't going to find that out until its done.

Ooh these people tracers? Where would we find one? She contracted a private detective who quoted £1000!

Have a Google. There are loads out there who will do for a fixed fee or no fee if they can't find the person. It's worth a shot.