Lapland New Forest Scam. How to get money back...

John-Boy_9

Anyone seen any "fairground" people travelling up the A34/M40 in a hurry.

BTW, Tesco/Mastercard have changed their tune since the "closure".

I can't see Vic Reeves sorry, Mears signing for anything in the next few weeks in the way of recorded deliveries.

lisa_cz

kirasia wrote: »

I still don't understand, so how do you know these 'healthy 'huskies'' are from this top british kennel, and why are they sending their dogs to such a shambles?

Don't quote me but I think that the Azgard kennels rank about 4th in the country in terms of success. The huskies at the event had their names on their kennels some of the dogs were Azgard ...... therefore originated from that kennel. (MAY I POINT OUT HERE THAT THIS EVENT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AZGARD KENNEL WHATSOEVER). I was just pointing out that the dogs would be very closely representing the breed standard and that the dogs on display at that event would actually be some of the finest that the uk has to offer. (but I agree most people would have pictured and been expecting to see the american heavy dogs) and would have been alarmed by how light they actually are.
The Kennel actually at the event was the Greentrail kennel (a working kennel) I expect that they were fooled into what to expect as were the rest of you). All I know is that those dogs are very much loved family pets. All I can say is that I was offered the job for this event but thankfully turned it down.

savemoney

To keep the peace

matchew1974 wrote: »

Dorset Police said officers at the scene were told the site had been closed permanently and that contractors were packing up and leaving.

Why are the police there i wonder ????

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7765080.stm

GomerPyle

You are absolutely spot on duffman12

I think that this was intended to be a much more low key scam and it was never envisaged that it would become national and international news, and that's what's blown it sky high. You only have to read the Daily Echo story to see that this is causing acute discomfort to some people in authority.

I wonder who is providing the merchant facility for any other similar enterprises thinking of setting up shop.

The love for children, furry animals and bewildered elves is heartwarming, but barely credible when coming from the mouth of a "convicted fraudster".

Is the site down again ?

H.P.Bazxter

duffman12 wrote: »

Been lurking for a while, read this thread from quite early on and have followed it all the way through! It really is an interesting read, I love the vigilante justice that people brought together on the Internet can muster! GomerPyle, brilliant work! I think it is great how much information can be dredged up on people!

At the moment I am in two minds as to if this is a scam or not. I think deep down I know it is, but a few things are bugging me. The statements released on the website, and the new pictures which actually show the place are a bit out of character do you not think? If it was a complete scam, surely Mears and Co. would have set up the site, got shed loads of advance bookings as they did, cobble together a fairground as they have done, but then surely they would drain the funds from their bank and run? Why are they trying to clear their name if not? Its not like anyone is going to read it and after all the bad press still go and buy tickets? They have milked the money out of people, why keep up with the charade?

I think what has happened is that it was a scam, but they did not intend SO many people to indulge and it has spiralled well out of control for everyone. They did not expect so many people to turn up, and for the complains to be on such a high level and for the media to react as they have (quite rightly) done.

I really hope their funds have been frozen and they can't get any profit from this (hopefully they will loose money!). The picture on the Daily Mail article (which is brilliant by the way), of Mears just sums up the kind of crook he is. Not being prejudice, but if I saw that picture out of context I would think he was dodgy as hell!

Someone a few pages ago raised a good point, that the staff would have to be CRB checked before working with children. Maybe contact the agency who supplied some of the staff and check this? Although if they did work through an agency then maybe the did have one carried out.

I think as people have said before, just get as much dirt on the people / companies / event in general and throw it to the authorities, the more that is brought up, the quicker hopefully things will get done.

I think they are protesting because;
1. their funds are frozen and they are now expected to make refunds,
2. they are planning to pull another con in Midland,
3. the exposure by media was so overwhelming, they now realize that they won't be able to pull any more con unless trying to look like they are mending the flaw here.

I do think it is a con, with some planning and efforts (well, at least they didn't bring in some white mongrel and painted on them, or anything like that!)

Gorginoo

How about if I paid £90 with a Mastercard (Sainsbury's)? Any chance of getting our ££'s back????

BargainGalore

I also think its a con, the sooner the authorities put fraudsters like that behind bars the better. Its despicable what con artists do, but to spoil it for kids when at this time of year its meant to be such a special time, it's unforgivable

Why is it time and time again people like that are allowed to run companies when they have been convicted of fraud.

Shame on this low life and his brother

Hats off to that Alton towers for letting people in for free who have tickets for this scam

duffman12

GomerPyle wrote: »

You are absolutely spot on duffman12

I think that this was intended to be a much more low key scam and it was never envisaged that it would become national and international news, and that's what's blown it sky high. You only have to read the Daily Echo story to see that this is causing acute discomfort to some people in authority.

I wonder who is providing the merchant facility for any other similar enterprises thinking of setting up shop.

The love for children, furry animals and bewildered elves is heartwarming, but barely credible when coming from the mouth of a "convicted fraudster".

Is the site down again ?

Its up here, all the links take you back to the home page though.

GomerPyle - have you, or anyone else, managed to find any link between the one in the Midlands and this one? Again I am in two minds as to whether they are related or not. The Mears family are from Brighton, thats why they chose a location close to home, it doesnt make sense that they would try another one further afield. Surely if they wanted to stay low key then they would do it in the Midlands from the bat so there was less link to them?
It does seem too similar not to be related, maybe its just friends of theirs who thought about trying a similar scam themselves?

BargainGalore wrote: »

Hats off to that Alton towers for letting people in for free who have tickets for this scam

Agreed! What legends for offering that, granted they are getting some great press out of it so its not nothing for nothing, but still, thats great customer service!

fribbleblib

John-Boy wrote: »

Anyone seen any "fairground" people travelling up the A34/M40 in a hurry.


Looks like they need not go now - it seems set to not open at all
http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/12/04/lapland-festival-may-be-dropped/

saintslou

My mother-in-law has recieved a phone call from her credit card company to say her card has been stopped 'due to suspicious transactions'. She last used the card to buy £350.00 worth of tickets for Lapland New Forest. It has been used to buy mobile phone credit - she has a contract phone, a plane ticket - she was already of the country on a ship, amongst many other things! So beware people, I am not blaming anyone as that would be really wrong of me!!!!! It's a bit strange though dont you agree???!!! :huh: