Ripped off via Gumtree (2)

gb12345

truparel wrote: »

And I am guessing there is no way I can get the full name and address of the guy, from the account number and sort code, cos of data protection act. So fustrating!! But agreed will report to police, as really don't want this to happen to anyone else.

Yep, the bank will block your request due to the DPA.

Chances are though that the details used to open the account will be fake. As long as the scammer has access to the account long enough to collect the money from his current scam he won't care that it eventually gets shut down - he will just move to a different bank and open a new account.

soolin

truparel wrote: »

And I am guessing there is no way I can get the full name and address of the guy, from the account number and sort code, cos of data protection act. So fustrating!! But agreed will report to police, as really don't want this to happen to anyone else.

That scammer will be long gone.

The only protection people have is common sense, these scammers are 'lucky' if they find one person in 10,000 who will fall for this anymore.

gb12345

soolin wrote: »

these scammers are 'lucky' if they find one person in 10,000 who will fall for this anymore.

But the fact they carry on proves that even with these aparently poor odds the return is worth it. To them, it is a numbers game - put the offer in front of enough people and you will get a bite.

It is the same with spam - send out a million emails and even if the % responding is miniscule, the return justifies the costs.

It takes 5 minutes to place an add on Gumtree or Craigslist targetting a popular event, if they only get 1 taker then they have earned £100+ for that initial 5 minutes, plus any time they spend "selling" the deal to the victim and then fobbing them off with courier problem stories (if they even bother with that - many will just block the victim as soon as the money is received).

Herongull

truparel wrote: »

And I am guessing there is no way I can get the full name and address of the guy, from the account number and sort code, cos of data protection act. So fustrating!! But agreed will report to police, as really don't want this to happen to anyone else.

The police will have powers to get the name and address of the person from the account number and sort code.

However unless the scammer is stupid, they will have used a fake/stolen bank account.

Stupid criminals do exist, which then makes it very easy for the police.

Even if the criminal is not stupid and the bank account id is fake, your information (eg how/when the fake account was set) may provide a piece of information which helps them eventually track down the criminals.

Yes, always report these things to the police - often they can't do anything but occasionally it can make a big difference.

Fishingtime

I have got 2 tickets to see Elvis Presley this coming weekend in Manchester.
Only £70 each can I interest you in them ?

bod1467

He won't be able to come on stage until he's finished his shift at the chip shop.

Fishingtime

No apparently Jim Morrison is covering Elvis's shift this weekend

gb12345

yoxford2008 wrote: »

No apparently Jim Morrison is covering Elvis's shift this weekend

If you're going to try and scam someone at least make it believable.

Everyone knows that Elvis is appearing in Slough this weekend, Manchester is a week on Friday.

Fishingtime

Ok I hold my hands up
I am just a scammer

Cleverme

Hi, I am another victim please I really need your advice..
Ripped off on Gumtree last Wednesday .. I contacted the seller via email for an IPad 3 32GB and he gave me his phone number, so my husband phoned him, he provided a faraway location to ours. I was surprised when my husband offered the payment via bank transfer.. I was really stupid because I didn't stop him n only wanted the IPad.
The guy sent his full name and full bank details quickly. He asked us to text him the address which we did. And he said DHL booked for 2pm. everything was perfect.
We phoned him at 4pm he said the parcel will be with u at 5pm tomorrow..
We waited for sure nothing has arrived we phoned him and texted him no response.
The following day which was yesterday my husband went to the local police with all our evidences they said " we cannot deal with it is your problem and the website" we called Gumtree they said nothing to do with us you have to call the police.
Called the police 101 they took all the information basically to call us back... nothing!!!!
To be honest, my husband said just leave it we have learnt not to be stupid. But because I know how much time it took us to save £250 I want really our money back bearing in mind that the scammer has my address and name.

Any advice will be appreciated.