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Possible Gumtree scam?
LeKabu
Posts: 6 Forumite
Hello.
I recently advertised an ad on gumtree for wanting to buy a phone. I received a message from a lady who is selling the phone I wanted so we further messaged each other through gumtree messaging and then progressed through emails.
She had messaged me regarding the phone I wanted and I travel to collect it from her however, I live in London whilst she lives in North Yorkshire. So she proposed that she could send it through postage if im willing enough. At first I was very cautious but she then tells me, she will send all her details such as passport ID, billing information/gas bills proof, and her bank account details and phone number. This ought to made me believe she is actually legit. I agreed and yes, she sent me pictures of the documents via email. So I know where she lived etc..
The way in which I paid her the £370 was through cash transfer in bank, I went to her bank and deposited the cash and she confirmed she received it and will be sending it the next day asap, as her post office had closed. I promptly emailed her saying she does send it the next morning. And the next morning I do get an email from her saying she had sent it and should be here in the next 2-3 days (apparently, we don't know that)
She sent it on the 1st of November and expected to arrive 3rd or 4th. Did not arrive today, so I will be expecting it tomorrow. Now I know it is too soon and I've pretty much contemplated and agreed to myself that I may actually have gotten scammed... but it felt believable in a sense that why would the potential scammer continue to email me even after receiving payment from me. I have emailed her today regarding if she had written the correct address, the time of writing this post, so I should get an email from her soon (if she isn't a scammer..)
So my question here is that, is there anything I could do if this IS a scam? I have researched online of gumtree scam victims and know that you can't really get money back as it isn't counted as fraud and really, I was only associated with her bank and not mine. I have read that I could make a small claim court but I am only 18 years of age and would have no clue what I am doing...
I recently advertised an ad on gumtree for wanting to buy a phone. I received a message from a lady who is selling the phone I wanted so we further messaged each other through gumtree messaging and then progressed through emails.
She had messaged me regarding the phone I wanted and I travel to collect it from her however, I live in London whilst she lives in North Yorkshire. So she proposed that she could send it through postage if im willing enough. At first I was very cautious but she then tells me, she will send all her details such as passport ID, billing information/gas bills proof, and her bank account details and phone number. This ought to made me believe she is actually legit. I agreed and yes, she sent me pictures of the documents via email. So I know where she lived etc..
The way in which I paid her the £370 was through cash transfer in bank, I went to her bank and deposited the cash and she confirmed she received it and will be sending it the next day asap, as her post office had closed. I promptly emailed her saying she does send it the next morning. And the next morning I do get an email from her saying she had sent it and should be here in the next 2-3 days (apparently, we don't know that)
She sent it on the 1st of November and expected to arrive 3rd or 4th. Did not arrive today, so I will be expecting it tomorrow. Now I know it is too soon and I've pretty much contemplated and agreed to myself that I may actually have gotten scammed... but it felt believable in a sense that why would the potential scammer continue to email me even after receiving payment from me. I have emailed her today regarding if she had written the correct address, the time of writing this post, so I should get an email from her soon (if she isn't a scammer..)
So my question here is that, is there anything I could do if this IS a scam? I have researched online of gumtree scam victims and know that you can't really get money back as it isn't counted as fraud and really, I was only associated with her bank and not mine. I have read that I could make a small claim court but I am only 18 years of age and would have no clue what I am doing...
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Comments
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Do you have a copy of her passport and bills?Please do not quote spam as this enables it to 'live on' once the spam post is removed.
If you quote me, don't forget the capital 'M'
Declutterers of the world - unite! :rotfl::rotfl:0 -
Money_maker wrote: »Do you have a copy of her passport and bills?
Yes i have a copy of her passport and bills. The water bill also containing her full address etc.0 -
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As above i can send you a passport and copies of some bills saying your the queen.
If you ask someone for a copy of anything like they they are likely to tell you where to go, so when someone offers to supply it without you asking it must have got your spider sense tingling?
The problem was the unsafe payment method. You put cash into an unknown bank account. Was it a UK bank account?Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...0 -
usefulmale wrote: »How have you verified that the passport and bills are genuine and that they belong to the person you have been dealing with?
That's also exactly why i question whether it is a scam or not
I've done google image search of the pics she sent and nothing shows up. I'm not so sure now. 0 -
forgotmyname wrote: »As above i can send you a passport and copies of some bills saying your the queen.
If you ask someone for a copy of anything like they they are likely to tell you where to go, so when someone offers to supply it without you asking it must have got your spider sense tingling?
The problem was the unsafe payment method. You put cash into an unknown bank account. Was it a UK bank account?
Yes, it was a UK bank account. Account was Santander0 -
Sounds more scammy than a scammer in a scam shop to me. gumtree is not designed for long distance sales, and I would mistrust any stranger asking for a bank transfer . The willingness in sending random paperwork by email also makes me nervous, I find that more suspicious than reassuring.
If seller hasn't given you tracking details then I would think you will never hear from them again.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.0 -
Let us know what happens, best wishes for tomorrow.:)0
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Yep, I guess what you guys are saying adds up. She hasn't even replied back to the message I sent her today. Hard to accept but whats done is done though I wont ever forget this.0
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You have been scammed.
As soon as you paid through your bank you might as well have thrown the money in the bin - it is gone.
Hope I'm wrong.0
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