I have been scammed...

dj_richard05 · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 4

A guy named Leon(which I dont think is his real name) had put up his ad for the Iphone 3gs ...He also left his contact number. I called him up regarding the ad. He said the phone would be shipped by next day delivery. He gave me his bank details and since I had a doubt, I took a screen shot of his ad. He removed the ad when we had a deal for the phone. The next day he called up again asking about the money. He said he wanted me to visit the bank and keep the phone call on so that he could listen to me talking to a bank cashier regarding the money transfer as he mentioned that his internet banking was disabled and all. He called me several times during the transaction but once the transaction was done he never answered. I feel stupid bout it. I have all his bank details. Is there a possibility that I could damage him somehow. Im very frustrated. Plz someone reply.

dj_richard05 · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 4

He has put up the ad again ...

http://www.gumtree.com/london/20/48801820.html

NottinghamSte · Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 14

lawnman · Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 5003 Location: Ahm a Fifer!!!!!

One born every minute!!!!!

dj_richard05 · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 4

ok guys ...plz help me out here ...I dint knw about it ...I am new on gumtree.

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 7534

did you transfer money to his bank account?

if so immediately get to the police and tell them what has happened

guys

if you cant help please dont post
im sure the op feels bad enough

dj_richard05 · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 4

Thanx mate ...I have his bank details...I would go 2 da cops 2day ...

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1275

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1275

jonin60seconds · Gumtree Admin Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1275

Laramint · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 9 Location: London

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 7534

Im intrigued

how are his bank details gong to be false?

if so how will he collect the money?

Laramint · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 9 Location: London

They may be false but they may also be genuine.There is know way of telling except via the banks security dept.If he gets his money then... we will see.

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 7534

No, you said they would be false. what would be the point in that?
it would just bounce back

a more likely scenario is
the bank account must either be real and belong the scammer
in which case you get to the police and they contact the bank as the bank will do nothing with you dorect

or

it is real but belongs to a mule who perhaps thinsk he has a legit work form home job taking 10% of the money and passing on 90% by untraceable western union to the scammer.

there was a bit about mules on the bbc site today
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8361657.stm

Laramint · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 9 Location: London

Yes,both those outcomes are possible but I would suspect it to be the second one as these "tec toy" scammers love to cover their tracks well.For more about this scam go to bbc and look up the bbc3 show "The Real Hussle"

llewelyn · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 10

I feel I have to keep you all informed about this scam which my elder daughter faced last week so as to prevent any of you or your children falling for it.

My daughter was desperate to attend the Muse concert and so she put an advert on Gumtree for those wanting to sell their tickets to contact her. So she got this phone call from someone offering her two tickets for £150. There was someone else who offered her e-tickets but then she thought that such tickets may be fake so she decided to go for the former.

The seller asked her to transfer the money to his bank account and gave a name and an account number and sort code. He said he would send the tickets by FedEx later in the day once he had confirmed receipt of the money. My daughter transfered the money (and the account number and sort code only was required by her bank to perform this transaction). She of course felt that doing this was quite safe as money was going from one bank to another and that her bank would be able to assist recover the money in the event of any problems. I was at work and not aware of all these happenings. Later the same day my daughter tried to contact the seller but his phone number was no longer working (he obviously purchased a new chip for the purpose of this fraud). Well, the tickets did not arrive and both banks say they cannot do anything as she had transfered the money. Isn't that great for a Bank like the Alliance and Leicester to protect the account of their customer who is using his account to rob others!!

Now for the next part of the Muse concert saga. My daughter was simply desperate to go to the concert so again unawares to me, she arranged with some other seller on Gumtree on the day of the concert to meet up somewhere and buy two tickets off him against cash payment. She and her friend went and met this guy, paid him ( I have not been told how much) and went off to see the concert only to be refused entry as the tickets were fake! I only got to know about it this evening as a letter arrived from the police for her and she did not want to me explain what it was about so I asked my wife when I got the chance and was give the above information.

Buying on E-bay is safe especially if paying by Pay Pal, anywhere else be careful. If meeting and buying tickets, it would be a good idea to ask the seller to bring a recent utility bill in his or his parents names and his original birth certificate/passport so you can note down the details. Everyone has a mobile phone these days so use it to get a good photo of the person with his/her permission so you can give it to the police if the need arises. If the person is a fraudster he/she will not agree especially to the photo and you will have saved yourself some cash!

Be safe everyone and take care.

LITTLEMUMMY · Joined: 22 Nov 2009 Posts: 4 Location: N.IRELAND