BEWARE! Blackpool Seafront Scam

katskorner

Sorry that you got taken in by this. It is a shame you didn't walk away at the start but you didn't and unfortunately paid the price. I remember a time when I was at Uni that a couple of friends and I went to a discount sale. I was a bit wary when they locked us in but we got duped into parting with over £100 on our credit cards - I am very money savvy and it was also due to the intimidating nature of the men there and being scared of not being let out. Once we figured out that the doors were open and we could make an escape, I faked a panic attack and they didn't want my friends to call an ambulance so they gave us our money back sharpish. I never got duped again and hopefully I never will.

It may have been an expensive lesson, but I can promise you it is one you will never forget and it will actually make you far more savvy and stronger. Don't let it put you off going to Blackpool again as it is a fun place to go for the weekend (my 3 year old adores it!). But be careful in future and walk away!

All the best.

urbanite

Its a shame that you got scammed, you should have walked away after the first £10 as people have already said, but you can't say that intimidation was the reason you lost so much money.
Your pride and ego may be the cause, but if you walked away you wouldn't have suffered the 'intimidation' that you said you did.

If you want even, then go back this weekend and beat the crap out of them with baseball bats, but that still wont get your money back.

Learn and move on.....

FelOn_2

They must have seen you coming. Go to Skegness next time.

Lakeuk

I would recommend everyone watches 'The Real Hustle' thats regularly shown on BBC3 and you'll see how easy people are taken in by these sorts of scams and I expect the OP was taken in the same way - you can see the sort of people who get targeted.

Was the OP scammed in this case, yes, he/she was targeted, the scammer new what screws to turn to get what they wanted - I wouldn't be surprised if the OP was marked as a target well before reaching the scammer. This has been going on for decades and it's not just in Blackpool, it's anywhere you'll find tourists/shoppers (non locals).

In the 80's on holiday in Cornwall we went to the tourist markets and everytime they had cheap gameboys/walkmans scams where people who stick it out to the end leave with just a cheap fake camera - it still goes on.

Have I been scammed, No, could I be scammed, probable yes along with everyone else who thinks it couldn't happen to them, so far I've spotted these scams and have just looked on with interest (until the scammers intimidate you to move on), I also carry next to no cash so I'm no interest to the scammers once they know you've got nothing. But if you watch 'The Real Hustles' it's open you up to alot of scams.

'The Real Hustle' broadcasts on BBC3:-
Wednesday 29/08/2007 at 22:45
Thursday 30/08/2007 at 21:30
Friday 31/08/2007 at 01:30
Friday 31/08/2007 at 21:30
Friday 31/08/2007 at 23:30
Saturday 01/09/2007 at 02:45
Saturday 01/09/2007 at 20:20
Saturday 01/09/2007 at 23:35
Sunday 02/09/2007 at 02:00
Monday 03/09/2007 at 01:35
Monday 03/09/2007 at 20:30
Tuesday 04/09/2007 at 01:25
Wednesday 05/09/2007 at 22:45
Thursday 06/09/2007 at 21:30
Friday 07/09/2007 at 01:25
Friday 07/09/2007 at 19:00
Friday 07/09/2007 at 23:30
Saturday 08/09/2007 at 02:40
Saturday 08/09/2007 at 20:20
Sunday 09/09/2007 at 00:20

marleyboy

Definately saw you coming, I bet he couldnt beleive his luck. No doubt he packed up for the night after you left, If you ever see a guy with 3 cups n a pea, for god sake keep walking.

Tha_Business

I Would Have Punched Him In The Nose.

beancounter1968

Living proof that there is at least one born everyday! I admire your bravery in admitting that you where taken in in such a gullible way. I live in Blackpool so I will warn my two children.

chocodawn

Just reading through this thread, I do feel sorry that you lost your money but even more sorry for the people who have chosen to just make nasty and 'clever' remarks about what happened. Anyone can be conned by the people that make a living from tricks like this and I say you were right to warn people against it. Just move on now and u'll not fall for a scam hopefully again!

freebie_junkie

pretty foolish of you all (and greedy) to fall for that! if youre gonna gamble remember 'you are not investing money but buying fun', its up on posters in slotties halls and casinos all over the country.

Woby_Tide

I was also scammed in a similar way not so long ago. I managed to get the money back though using a foolproof plan I obtained from a friend later.

If you PM me £10 I'll guarantee you get your money back(actually make it £30 and I'll throw in an Eeyore)