Oh dear - scammed.

Heres my personal story that started today.

I was interested in some speakers advertised on Gumtree ( very good price- you know the style)

kept saying to myself if its too good.. etc, but i was really interested.

Yep - you guessed it i transferred £100 to his account, and surprise he has disappeared.

Should I forget it or follow up?

I have reported to Gumtree although not expecting much, and I mailed the bank whose details he gave me to say there was fraudulent activity going on.

Any other ideas?

These were his details at the time just in case someone recognises them.

Lloyds bank
Account number: 28540468
Sort code: 30 97 90
Address : 77 church street fordingbridge hampshire SP6 1BB
Bank accounted noted (BW)

Many thanks

keith

Welcome to Scamwarners,

Please post he emails he sent you and email address. Remove your personal information from the emails.

You can report it to Action Fraud. http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Thanks for the welcome Byron.

here is the transcript of the conversations - including my dramatic ( ) final statement!

Unless someone knows how to trace the original e-mail address from Gumtree, then I am not sure I can find his e-mail.
When I go to Action fraud, and fill out the boxes , it just refers me to citizens advice?

Should I be ticking certain other boxes?


Gumtree Mail
To
me

Mar 11 at 11:47 PM
This message has been sent through Gumtree mail, which keeps your email address private. We recommend that you always reply this way and be wary of anyone asking you to use their private email addresses. If there is anything about the message that you think is suspicious, do not reply and report it to the Gumtree team. We will get back to you asap.



Yes still for sale don't no much about them what sort of info would you like to know thanks


Subject: keith replied to your ad: Tannoy berkeley speakers
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2015 22:48:04 +0000
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]



Dear mark,


You have received a reply to your ad: "Tannoy berkeley speakers" posted in Stereo Speakers & Speaker Cabling for Sale in Fordingbridge.




From: keith


HI, 

are these still for sale? 

any more details on the drivers?- or pics?

keith 


me
To
Gumtree Mail

Mar 12 at 12:48 AM
HI, mark,

thanks for the reply.

Could you by any chance provide a pic of

1) the cabinets
2) the drive units (from the front and back if poss)- and what size they are?

have you tried them to see if they are working?- Sometimes the rubber around the speaker surround completely disintegrates?

If they are good - would you take £80?

I can collect hopefully at the weekend.

Many thanks for your help

Keith


Show message history
Reply, Reply all or Forward | More



Gumtree Mail
To
me

Mar 12 at 1:32 AM
I will send a few pictures as soon as I'm back from work in a few hours about 4ish
The drivers are 15" there is no rips in the rubbers and all seem to work fine I have taken 1 out the box and they have a gold cover on the back I think it is plastic and there is also writing on the back and from what I can remember I think they say tannoy monitor. Sorry don't think they will still be for sale at the weekend as I have a lot of intrest in them



me
To
Gumtree Mail

Mar 12 at 8:48 AM
Thanks for the reply- and thanks for letting me know the other interest.

O.K, I will take a chance!

How would you like the  the £100?

I can pay Paypal, or Bank transfer straight away.

i look forward to hearing from you  as soon as possible.

many thanks

Keith


Gumtree Mail
To
me

Mar 12 at 9:49 AM
Hi there sorry I've only just got up long nite last nite bank transfer is fine I will go on to gumtree and remove the add in the next few minutes thanks


Mail

Mar 12 at 1:21 PM
Hi,

Thanks, hope your heads alright.

All I need is you account details - and your address!

Will do the transfer straight away.

As mentioned probably pick up at the weekend - possibly Sunday if that's o.k?

Will let you know otherwise.

Many thanks

Keith.



Show message history

Yes I'm all good thanks
Lloyds bank
Account number: 28540468
Sort code: 30 97 90
Address : 77 church street fordingbridge hampshire SP6 1BB
Any time at the weekend is fine
Thanks mark



Hi there Keith are you wanting the speakers still? No problem if not if you could just let me know that would be great thanks



HI Mark,

Have made the payment to your account.

Let me know you have received it  before I get in the car - its a long journey from Norwich!

Cheers

keith




Hi Mark,

Planning to  drive to you tomorrow to pick up speakers  ( i.e  Saturday )

Arriving  mid-afternoon hopefully.

Can you confirm you got the payment?

My mobile is
home line:

Do you have a number I could have to let you know when I am near?


Hi Mark,,I am really hoping you have got my replies recently?

Just to confirm

Yes I still want them


As promised, I paid yesterday by bank transfer

I am now waiting for you to confirm you have the money before I set off tomorrow ( saturday) to pick them up.

Please let me know you have received all this!- thanks

keith
Show message history



Hello Mark - or  whoever you are today.

Just to let you know I have informed Gumtree of your activities, and have also informed  the bank branch with the details you gave , informing them of your fraudulent activity.

Trust me , I will trace you.

Hi and welcome, Don.
Sorry to hear you were scammed.

While it is comical, your "dramatic" ending is the wrong approach to take.

If the scammer thinks you have reported him, he will change his details immediately. It only takes a minute or 3 to get a new email account, and new persona's are just seconds away. If they keep their email address, they are easier to follow and warn about.

Good luck in the future.
HB

Thanks for the reply

It was the heat of the moment I'm afraid - but you are right.


Cheers

keith

welcome to the race, man. The human race. We all have done that at some point in time.

It is just something I wanted to point out to you so other potential victims might be saved from being scammed as well. I hope there is not a next time for you being scammed. But if you do see signs of it in the future, try to remove your own emotions / instincts from the situation, so it can benefit others. It is not a behavior easily learned ( if you are like me, anyhow).