Help! Camera bought in shop was stolen

lucystardust87

My boyfriend bought a camera in a camera shop earlier this year. He's now been contacted on Facebook by someone saying this is his camera - the person got my boyfriends details by running one of his own pictures through a website for people who've had cameras stolen, it then identifies online images (in this case Flickr) taken by the same camera using a unique identifier. From my boyfriends Flickr page he's managed to find his Facebook and linked in pages.

This person says it was stolen a week before the date on my boyfriends receipt from the shop. At first we thought it was a scam because he has been messaging my boyfriend and all his family on Facebook and also emailing us! But looking into the dates I think it might be real.

What should we do?

DUTR

lucystardust87 wrote: »

My boyfriend bought a camera in a camera shop earlier this year. He's now been contacted on Facebook by someone saying this is his camera - the person got my boyfriends details by running one of his own pictures through a website for people who've had cameras stolen, it then identifies online images (in this case Flickr) taken by the same camera using a unique identifier. From my boyfriends Flickr page he's managed to find his Facebook and linked in pages.

This person says it was stolen a week before the date on my boyfriends receipt from the shop. At first we thought it was a scam because he has been messaging my boyfriend and all his family on Facebook and also emailing us! But looking into the dates I think it might be real.

What should we do?

Why even entertain any dialogue with the sender?
If the messenger thinks the camera is his and has not claimed off any possible insurance, then he is to take it up with the relevant authorities, if your BF has bought the item in good faith from a traceable seller then , I don't see what any of you are worrying about.

jonesMUFCforever

Tell him to go to the shop to discuss it with them.
As long as he still has his receipt or can provide evidence that he paid for the camera legitimately he should not be in bother.

lucystardust87

I'm a bit worried because he's now taken to calling my boyfriend - his number was on his linked in!
He's said that there's a police investigation and has asked us to hand over the camera.

elsien

If there is a police investigation and the police want the camera they can ask for it themselves. I wouldn't be taking the word of some random person off the Internet.
And there's always the possibility that if it was theirs and they've claimed off the insurance that it now technically belongs to the insurance company. Sit tight till you hear something more official.

jonesMUFCforever

I would also tell this person to stop calling him and to go through the police.

atolaas

Call his bluff! Get in touch with the police and find out if what this person is saying is true. If not, its got to be a scam. Whatever you do don't hand over the camera without getting in touch with the police. Call 101 for non emergency calls. He can say all he likes...but you have no idea if he is genuine. Let the police handle it and get your bf's number changed ASAP!

whitewing

I would either sit tight, or phone the police on the 101 number and explain the situation.

I wouldn't hand over the camera to anyone other than the police (if they have to have it), nor would I contact the shop at this stage.

I wouldn't necessarily say anything to the original person, unless you actually tell him that you are seeking advice from the police yourself. If he did turn up at yours then I would call the police immediately on 101, rather than hand anything over to him.

force_ten

tell them you will speak to the police if and when they knock on your door, and tell the person to stop bothering you or you will report them for harassment

you said the camera was bought from a shop, what kind of shop and do you have a receipt for the purchase?

lucystardust87

Thanks for the advice! We have sent a short message back on Facebook saying not to contact my boyfriend or any of his family (this guy has now phoned up his Aunt too) and we've said we are going to report it to the police as a scam attempt.

lucystardust87

It was from a fairly large chain used camera shop, and yes we do have the receipt.