Fraud by a guy | Mumsnet

Kate2324 · 2024-03-07T21:23:25+00:00

I’ve been a victim to a fraud.. I met a guy and it was great for a few weeks..then he told me he is short on money..about 300£ …I gave him 250£ cash..the day after he moved to another town and blocked me from WhatsApp and even threatened me..after I sent him an email that I will evolve the police he sent me WhatsApp that his phone was hacked (but actually he haked my phone and deleted all our conversations) he told me he would pay me back but never did. what are my options? Thanks!

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 07/03/2024 21:27

Unfortunately I dont think you have any options apart from to write this off as a learning experience.

You won't get the Police interested in this unfortunately, especially for a relatively low amount and if by a miracle they were, it would be your word against his and he would no doubt say it was a gift.

coldcallerbaiter · 07/03/2024 21:29

Cash? How was it sent? Is this cash notes or via a bank?

Original poster

Kate2324 · 07/03/2024 21:31

I have evidence that he wrote me he would give me back the money

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DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 07/03/2024 21:35

You could try small claims court if you have proof, but if he pleads poverty (assuming he turns up in the first place) and offers £1 a month to repay, then that might be the best you get, if you get anything.

Personally, I'd be inclined to put it down to a bad experience and leave it behind. I can't really afford to lose £250 but I couldnt afford the time or effort to get it back like that.

Original poster

Kate2324 · 07/03/2024 21:36

He just came here on a student visa..to make troubles apparently.. I thought about small claim.. I don’t want to give up

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DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 07/03/2024 21:39

You might not want to give up, but it is probably your best option unfortunately. You will spend so much time, energy and possibly more money trying to recoup what you have lost.

outsidethemug · 07/03/2024 21:41

What do you mean when you say he hacked your phone? WhatsApp is pretty difficult to hack since it uses your mobile number

Sparklfairy · 07/03/2024 21:42

Small claims only works if you have his address, sorry if I missed that in your OP.

Sometimes naivety is expensive... but you can try small claims, and also the police. The latter won't get your money back but perhaps he's done it to others and eventually build a case against him?

Original poster

Kate2324 · 07/03/2024 21:43

somehow all the conversations between us disappeared..videos,pictures…all of it

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Throwawayme · 07/03/2024 21:44

Well that was silly. I agree with pps. I think you'll have to write this off as a lesson learned and don't give 250 quid to someone you barely know again.

outsidethemug · 07/03/2024 21:47

I truly doubt you will get any success with this, not without a huge amount of effort, hassle and stress. I think you need to chalk this up to a bad experience, learn not to lend anyone money unless you can afford to lose it particularly not men you hardly know.

outsidethemug · 07/03/2024 21:48

And what is your evidence?

ILoveSalmonSpread · 07/03/2024 21:49

Part of me wants to say 'more fool you' but I bet he had a silver tongue.

Unfortunately, unless you have details , there's not much you can do.

IncompleteSenten · 07/03/2024 21:50

You won't get anywhere without any proof I'm afraid. Did you not take screenshots of his messages?

You learned an expensive lesson.

Schoolrefusa · 07/03/2024 21:52

I'm so sorry you've had this horrible experience. I too would put it behind me and in a.way be grateful it didn't go on longer as could have been even worse . I understand you not wanting him to get away with it though but it'll hard to get anyway I suspect unless you have his address and enough proof still

Original poster

Kate2324 · 07/03/2024 22:08

after I said I would evolve the police he released the WhatsApp block and told me he will transfer tomorrow..then I sent him an email telling him to return the money otherwise it will escalate so he sent me an email saying he will pay me in two days because his money is stuck in his account..more lies

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AllEars112232 · 07/03/2024 22:22

Kate2324 · 07/03/2024 21:36

He just came here on a student visa..to make troubles apparently.. I thought about small claim.. I don’t want to give up

do you know where he is studying? Are you a student there too by any chance?
This is a long shot (and is unlikely to get you your money back) but you could make a complaint about him to the college where he is meant to be studying. Given his nature he probably has already had issues with other people. This might be taken seriously by the college and could cause him problems.

Original poster

Kate2324 · 07/03/2024 22:26

AllEars112232 · 07/03/2024 22:22

do you know where he is studying? Are you a student there too by any chance?
This is a long shot (and is unlikely to get you your money back) but you could make a complaint about him to the college where he is meant to be studying. Given his nature he probably has already had issues with other people. This might be taken seriously by the college and could cause him problems.

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Yes I know where he study’s…I would go there but it’s over an hour drive… I also have his car plate number so if I want I can ask the authorities for his address…but it’s a good idea to approach to the university..Thank you very much!!!

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Bananawotsit · 07/03/2024 22:32

I would register it with the police and tell the uni. It prob won’t get your money back but if he is scamming other women it could help to build a profile/evidence against him.
Sorry this has happened to you.

Honeysuckle16 · 07/03/2024 22:47

If you’re prepared to put in some time and effort to try to get your money back you could take these steps but you’ll need screenshots of texts/copies of emails of him agreeing to pay you back. Without written evidence, you’ve not got a case unless he admits the loan. **

Report to the police and ask for a copy of this report; write to his college to make a personal complaint, contact DVLA who may give you the address associated with the car if you explain the circumstances; if you obtain his address, take out a small claims action against him.

Original poster

Kate2324 · 07/03/2024 22:59

Honeysuckle16 · 07/03/2024 22:47

If you’re prepared to put in some time and effort to try to get your money back you could take these steps but you’ll need screenshots of texts/copies of emails of him agreeing to pay you back. Without written evidence, you’ve not got a case unless he admits the loan. **

Report to the police and ask for a copy of this report; write to his college to make a personal complaint, contact DVLA who may give you the address associated with the car if you explain the circumstances; if you obtain his address, take out a small claims action against him.

Sounds like a good plan! It’s not just the money..I don’t want him to do that again..he is a guest here and it’s driving me crazy this kind of behaviour

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