I have been duped by an old friend (£200). What are my options?

ldsfit

I apologise if this is the wrong forum, i can't see where else it would fit.

An old friend of mine from my school days (we're talking 15+ years ago) messaged me on Facebook recently stating he was stuck abroad needing £200 to pay for a new passport as he had miss-placed his. He wanted me to meet a member of his family in London (he said i was the only one in London he knew, hence contacting me) who doesn't have online banking (and this was a Sunday) who would give me £200, and then i would transfer £200 via my online banking. I had a new phone so my online banking needed me to enter the bank to attach the new phone to my card, which i couldn't do as it was a Sunday. Anyways, although it's been a long while that we had seen each other (we had messaged back and forth on FB over the years), and he said his family member was struggling to meet, i offered to send him the £200 from my partners account, on the trust he would pay back the next day when he landed. I would genuinely hate to be stuck in his position so i offered this, to which he obviously accepted. He was incredibly thankful blah blah blah. He then tried over several days to send the money back, or at least claims to try, however his bank "were holding his funds due to him trying to access his money abroad. as a safety precaution". Over a number of days, he continued to message asking if the money has arrived. However, it never did. Now he won't return my calls, and has now blocked me from his Facebook.

I have a phone number he was using and i have pictures of the facebook conversation, alongside the text messages. I feel stupid that this has happened, when i think about it i was silly to believe someone after not seeing them for so long, however i had no reason to think he would do this. He genuinely sounded in need (we had a phone convo before we sent the cash to him).

It's £200 and i can get over it. However, it's the principle. I don't know his address, although he mentioned where he lived and what he did for a Job. Funnily enough, i actually believe his job role as he mentioned things about it that somebody just wouldn't make up on the spot. Either that, or he's a brilliant fraudster. Ha!

Anyways, i know i was silly to do this. But what are my legal options? Of course, there is the small claims court, but i need to send a Letter Before Action but i don't have his address. Does anybody know how i can get his address? I may have his job role and the company he works for. He also has an uncommon name.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Deleted User]

You have been scammed, worse you have been scammed by an old "friend".
As for getting it back the chances are slim, have you tried the electoral register for his address?

elsien

This is quite a common scam where people's emails have been hacked.
It's entirely possible that it's nothing to do with your friend and he is unaware that you've paid money to someone purporting to be him.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/money/2013/nov/13/stranded-traveller-phishing-scam

DCFC79

elsien wrote: »

This is quite a common scam where people's emails have been hacked.
It's entirely possible that it's nothing to do with your friend and he is unaware that you've paid money to someone purporting to be him.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/money/2013/nov/13/stranded-traveller-phishing-scam

That's how its looking to me.


OP you need to find where he lives and write to him, its an old classic scam.

[Deleted User]

Yep. It wasn't your friend who scammed you.

This particular trick started a few years ago and still looks to be surprisingly popular today.

forgotmyname

This scam was advertised on TV for ages. The moneys gone.

Google internet scams so you dont get caught again and tell everyone you know about the scams you find.

AnotherJoe

It does sound like a classic scam but the OP said they had a phone conversation with them.
Plus he was usinga FB ID he's been using "for years" so it just sounds as if the "friend" is a low life unless his Facebook details have been hacked in which case I'm surprised it was only £200.

ldsfit

Guys, I really appreciate the time you have taken to respond but please read the OP.

I had a phone conversation with him and a Facebook conversation with him, the same account I have conversed with over the years. He has also sent me texts AFTER the money was sent. It’s not a “scam”. Besides, why would a scammer continue to converse once they have the cash?

[Deleted User]

ldsfit wrote: »

Besides, why would a scammer continue to converse once they have the cash?

Because as soon as you realise it's a scam, you may tell everyone else connected to his Facebook account. It's more profitable for him to max out the opportunities first.

Have you tried getting in contact with any mutual acquaintances to see if they too have tried to help him get home?

worried_jim

Bob hope and no hope.

takman

ldsfit wrote: »

He wanted me to meet a member of his family in London (he said i was the only one in London he knew, hence contacting me) who doesn't have online banking (and this was a Sunday)

Telephone banking is usually 24/7 so the "friend" could have easily transferred the money this way or if they had cash they could have used Western Union to send the money (even on a Sunday).

ldsfit wrote: »

Guys, I really appreciate the time you have taken to respond but please read the OP.

I had a phone conversation with him and a Facebook conversation with him, the same account I have conversed with over the years. He has also sent me texts AFTER the money was sent. It’s not a “scam”. Besides, why would a scammer continue to converse once they have the cash?

Just because it was someone you know doesn't mean it wasn't a scam. The fact they made up the story about the "friend" (see above) means they scammed you.

Although it was obviously your friend and not an unknown person if you had a phone conversation with them.