Possible scam ? advice sought

DAR999

Hi

Wasnt sure where to post this so this seemed the best place here.

My situation is as follows:

A small company in London advertised and I agreed to purchase a brand new TV that was unwanted. The company had a small website, checked out on companies house and the MD of the company (also with companies house) agreed a price and that I would pay £700 upfront and £400 to follow when received. I did a bank transfer which the guy confirmed receipt of and proceeded to communicate on and off for a few days (including saying that it would be delivered by one of this drivers on a certain day) - and nothing arrived and all my phone calls and emails now going unanswered.

I have sent recorded letter to his office address and also his (presumably) home address and to the company secretary who also lives at the same address (possibly his wife).

I have since found out that his office address is one managed by another company for lots of other companies. Also the letter to his home address is being returned as he is no longer there.

So am guessing this is probably a scam but the reason I went through with this as I couldnt believe someone registered with companies house (so i have his DOB, bank account details, addfress history) would go to this lengths to take my money.

So this is about two weeks ago - it is probably a scam but I dont know why someone would continue to communicate with me after I sent the money.

I have spoken to solicitor and I have up to 6 years to track him down and take action, thats a along time to avoid detection - but clearly there is a risk that i may never get the money back as finding him and getting my money are two different things.

I am not in the habit of sending money so am inclinded to purse this in a cost effective way.

My solicitor has suggested a tracing agency - not sure how good these companies are ? Anyone any experiences of these ?

Any one else have any other suggestions or thoughts on this ?

Thanks David

fwor

DAR999 wrote: »

it is probably a scam but I dont know why someone would continue to communicate with me after I sent the money.

At a guess, he will have been pulling the same scam on several other people, so needs to keep things looking Ok until he's got money from all of them before doing a runner.

It's quite a lot of money to lose, but I'd say from my own personal experience that you will probably save yourself a load of time and aggravation just by putting it down to experience. In my case I spent more on small claims court fees and Garnishee Orders and whatever than I was conned out of in the first place, and never got a penny back.

If your conman is good at not being found and already has CCJs against him then it won't be a fun experience, if mine was anything to go by.

browneyedbazzi

It sounds like a con to me - as the above poster said, I would think it's pretty unlikely for you to get your money back through small claims etc because people who do this type of thing are quite good at hiding (and hiding the money!).

I would suggest that you report it to the police and trading standards - I know of at least one person who's currently spending some time as a guest of Her Majesty for taking money for goods that he had no intention of ever supplying. If it gets to court you may be awarded compensation for your loss.

Sadly, trading standards services vary alot depending on where you are, and most London authorities don't have very good reputations. Even if they can't/won't/don't get the chap for your case, it really helps for authorities to have the information because it may help prevent others from becoming victims in the future.

vax2002

Name and shame to prevent fraud ?

prowla

Anybody asking for a bank transfer or Western Union should immediately arouse your suspicions.

DAR999

Thanks for all your feedback. I am sure it is a scam - the bit that surprises me is that someone has done this as a company director who does appear to have a 8 year or so history of existing - I am assuming that companies house and hmrc might have a wider interest (more likely to pursue him) . The company secretary looks like she is real too in that I can see her address history, and some other personal history for the last 8 years online.

Point taken about not throwing good after bad - but equally I do have a moral problem with people doing this kind of thing so anything I can do to cause them "pain" (not physically I hasten to add) so they are less likely to do this again will make me feel better even if I dont end up getting my money back. otherwise if its this easy to steal people's money I might give up my job and take up a new and more lucrative career (joke)

David

pineapple

It might be worth getting in touch with this lot to see if they will take it up
http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/gotastory/

DAR999

So I have learnt a bit more this evening by searching around on the internet. The individual is a Terrence Frank Downes - born in 1976 and a guy with the same name was in front of Maidstone Crown Court until July this year (seems to much of a coincidence as Maidstone is only a few 10s of miles from the address I had). I cant tell what he was up for or can I see the verdict but for a CC must be reasonably serious. Am going to call the court tomorrow to see what I can find out and what they will tell me (or not). I am wondering if I can track down the prosecuting solicitor as they must have a tonne of information on this guy. If anyone has any further ideas then do let me know.

Thanks, David

DAR999

Just thought some of you may be interested in progress here....

...so the court whilst not revealing specifics has confirmed that this chap was up for 4 offences of a similar nature but unfortunately was not found guilty and then he did me about 4 weeks later.

Have spoken to the CPS who has pointed me to the police - hopefully that this chap has some previous (although not gulity in the eyes of the law) and has immediately gone off and done the same (who knows to how many people) means that there may be some wider motivation to track down and pursue this guy.....

I'll keep you posted and if anyone has further thoughts/recommendations then do let me know.

David

hethmar

Well, it is fraud, so defo the police. Take it the court had his address details.

DAR999

Yes I hope so though the court wont give me too much information at the moment - but have reported it to the police now, connected it to the case number (wonderful thing the internet) so given there is prior history here I would hope that somewhere down the police process there is a wealth of information on this guy and the police will be motivated to sort this out.

I may still not get my money back but am more hopeful that it will be harder for him to do this kind of thing again. It may take a long time to sort out but I am more hopeful some justice will be done in the passage of time!

David