BEWARE! Blackpool Seafront Scam

Nosskibird_2

I have just returned from a weekend trip to Blackpool and would like to warn everyone about the scam that took place at the hoopla stall (by the Fun Palace) on the central promenade which resulted in my two friends and I losing £220 in cash.

We were lured in by a man claiming to ‘give’ us so much help to win the hoopla game that it was impossible for us to lose. We would win our money back, £50 in cash, a bottle of champagne and/or a giant teddy bear. In return he asked us to promote the stall to everyone we could.

We paid £10 each and couldn’t throw the hoops over. He then brought them forward but charged us £20 each for the privilege. He kept promising to put the stump right in front of us so we couldn’t lose. By then we were trapped into thinking the only way to get our money back was to keep playing.

There were 3 men altogether and all very intimidating. Saying things like we were tight fisted and couldn’t give up now or we’d lose. We told him we were out of money but he urged us to go to the cashpoint, again promising each time we were one step away from winning over £500 in cash. Eventually we had no money left, went into our overdrafts and still he said we had to pay £75 each for another go. I begged him not to take my money as I had no petrol to get home and realised what had happened. He just said it was how he makes his money.

We just didn’t think it was possible for someone to be so devious and caniving in a friendly place like Blackpool. After speaking to our hotelier, she told us that it happens on a regular basis and the council and police take no interest. I have also read on forums around the web of people’s exact same experiences. I really urge you make others aware of the scams taking place.:mad:

sinizterguy

That is a really bad situation to have gotten into.

You really should have walked away after the first or 2nd time. Not much you can do about it except to warn others not to fall into the same trap.

In your situation I would probably have paid to try again maybe twice ... But I certainly would not have paid more move one step forward.

Discodee

blimey! That's terrible. We were in Blackpool last week. We go every year but we never have a go at these games. Not worth it. Why would they give you £50 a bottle of bubbly and a cuddly toy? A proper operator couldn't afford to do that.

Good of you to come and warn people though mate. Hope it didn't spoil your time there too much. Police in Blackpool are more concerned with catching motorists (Have you seen all the speed cameras????) than catching criminals

alchemista

Still file a police report if you think a law was broken. You could also try doing a small claims lawsuit if you'd like.

However, people are likely to say you fell for it. You thought you were paying money to cheat the system, so you're not really innocent.

Thanks for warning others though.

Mishy

Warning Bells from the beginning if you ask me.

You are better not getting involved with cons like that because you always come out the loser.

Its the same with those stalls that have the Big teddies on them. They get some of their crew to walk around with the Teddies making it seem easy to get them on the stalls.

Sorry for you loss though but that might make you a bit wiser next you enter their lair!!

geo555

This is why you never win.

http://www.cashloopholes.co.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=390&highlight=

Poppycat

Sorry to hear that, it was brave to post this. Sadly these vermin pray on peoples greed, I saw that scam on the real hustle last year, its still on tv at mo.

I would never do any fairground stalls there as bent as hell.

C_Ronaldo

I wouldnt have given him a penny,

phanco

I don't think there is a scam here - you paid money to increase the odds of winning by moving the post closer. You still didnt win, but kept on paying and playing.

That you kept on playing, and paying money that you could not have afforded to lose, was an decision you made. This was a street trader in a seaside town, for goodness sake not the manager of your local electrical superstore.

I must admit that I was tempted to post a "does your mother know you were out in the big town on your own" type comment but decided against pure sarcasm - and if you warning helps some other avoid the "scam" of being greedy and thinking they will get something for nothing from a stranger on a seaside town promenade - then I suppose some good will come.

D_e_n_i_s_e

you are a sucker for gambling

iv taught my kids never to gamble, you will always end losing (and 99% of people always do)

dmg24

There is nothing illegal going on here, just people being greedy and thinking they can get something for very little.