Travelled with a friend who hasn't settled expenses

elsien

lon_85 said:

elsien said:

Without her address, absolutely nothing unless you know friends or family who might be able to intervene with her. 

Do you know she’s actually moved? Have you been to her last address to check?

I did try and reach our to her sister on Facebook but no reply :-( 

Good point I haven't been to her last address to check but she told me she will be moving to luton to be closer to her mum who is in a care home - I contacted the care home and left a message for her mum to call me back, no contact yet. 

I’m not surprised the mother hasn’t phoned you back, if she has just moved into a care home she’s probably wondering who you are and why you’re calling, 

flaneurs_lobster

elsien said:

lon_85 said:

elsien said:

Without her address, absolutely nothing unless you know friends or family who might be able to intervene with her. 

Do you know she’s actually moved? Have you been to her last address to check?

I did try and reach our to her sister on Facebook but no reply :-( 

Good point I haven't been to her last address to check but she told me she will be moving to luton to be closer to her mum who is in a care home - I contacted the care home and left a message for her mum to call me back, no contact yet. 

I’m not surprised the mother hasn’t phoned you back, if she has just moved into a care home she’s probably wondering who you are and why you’re calling, 

There's a care home to call? And a mother who actually exists? 

sourcrates

Classic scam, she was on the make, you were the mark, and it all went as she planned.

The back story is likely fake, and not a first time for her either I`d guess.

We do see stories like this on here every now and again, I`d say there was little chance of getting anything back here, just walk away, lesson learned, and try not to be so keen to accept strangers at their word in future.

Brie

You might try seeing what friend invites you get on facebook that may be related to her.  And start a "have you seen X?  She owes me money and I can't get hold of her".  It will unlikely get your money back but it will spread a warning to others  so that they don't fall for the same thing.  

Grumpy_chap

Hopefully, regardless of the £350, the OP enjoyed the holiday, found the company of the friend pleasing and they got all the benefits they hoped for.
As scams of this nature go, to only be down £350 seems like quite a light penalty.

lon_85

Emmia said:

lon_85 said:

Grumpy_chap said:

You are unlikely to ever get this money.  Probably not worth pursuing.

How long have you known this friend?

Not long - lesson learned to not travel with friends you meet online :-(

If you met online, did you develop the friendship offline, before suggesting the travel, or was this "meeting someone online to travel with"?

If it's the latter then frankly her the backstory could be a complete fabrication.

We did meet offline and we even travelled together before this trip - where all expenses were paid immediately, which is why I trusted this person.

lon_85

flaneurs_lobster said:

elsien said:

lon_85 said:

elsien said:

Without her address, absolutely nothing unless you know friends or family who might be able to intervene with her. 

Do you know she’s actually moved? Have you been to her last address to check?

I did try and reach our to her sister on Facebook but no reply :-( 

Good point I haven't been to her last address to check but she told me she will be moving to luton to be closer to her mum who is in a care home - I contacted the care home and left a message for her mum to call me back, no contact yet. 

I’m not surprised the mother hasn’t phoned you back, if she has just moved into a care home she’s probably wondering who you are and why you’re calling, 

There's a care home to call? And a mother who actually exists? 

Yes - she forwarded me a screenshot of an email from the care home as they were asking about financial support for her mum. That part is definitely true as they did take my message for the mother. 

lon_85

Thanks for your help everyone  I've learned my lesson, it's sad but there are people out there who pretend to be a friend and prey on individuals for their own benefit - I just wish there was more legal rights for peopls who are owed money as this is just an open highway for anyone to start doing this, knowing full well that they will get away with it. 

Grumpy_chap

lon_85 said:

Yes - she forwarded me a screenshot of an email from the care home as they were asking about financial support for her mum. That part is definitely true as they did take my message for the mother. 

How long will it be before there is a request for your to support the care fees for the mother?

elsien

lon_85 said:

Thanks for your help everyone  I've learned my lesson, it's sad but there are people out there who pretend to be a friend and prey on individuals for their own benefit - I just wish there was more legal rights for peopls who are owed money as this is just an open highway for anyone to start doing this, knowing full well that they will get away with it. 

There are legal rights but you need to know where the person is to enforce them.