Need to track down an individual/business - URGENTLY

[GuildfordPaul]

Hi Guys,

I hope someone can help me with some ideas on this.

Mate of mine is getting married in 4 weeks, and the photographer has gone AWOL.

Phone line dead, website taken down, house sold in June.

2 big issues, he needs to find out urgently if this guy is still alive/working/doing his wedding, and he also has a £200 deposit.

I've tried everything I can think of, general google searches, 192.com, bt.com, yell.com, whois.net etc etc.

The website URL hasn't expired, so can only assume its been pulled, I assume his photography business was sole trader or partnership as no details on Companies House.

Any ideas how to track someone down that seems to have disappeared?

Based on 192 searches, I have his full name, and his wife’s full name - we have company name and website address - old residential address & old phone number - and even his personalised number plate.

My friend is going round the old address tonight to see if they have any details on where the previous owner went, could be a good start.


Cheers guys, if anyone has any ideas it would be hugely appreciated.

[LeoSayer]

He is looking for another photographer first though, right?

[scotal]

GuildfordPaul said:

Phone line dead, website taken down, house sold in June.

Write off the £200, find another photographer. The first choice appears to have done a runner.

[Yugguy]

If he's bought a canoe recently you're fked.

[ewenm]

scotal said:

GuildfordPaul said:

Phone line dead, website taken down, house sold in June.

Write off the £200, find another photographer. The first choice appears to have done a runner.

Sort the lack of photographer first, then chase the missing money.

[Centurion07]

GuildfordPaul said:

....phone line dead, website taken down, house sold in June.....

...if this guy is still doing his wedding...

I would say chances are probably not!

The only thing I can think of would be to contact the DVLA with the plate & get his details from them (with any luck he's registered the plate to a new address). Not sure how it works so you might need to invent a cover story about him not stopping at the scene of accident. DVLA might want a crime number etc so you might need to look into the details before you try that one.

[Blib]

Yugguy said:

If he's bought a canoe recently you're fked.

[Mekon]

Even if he says he's coming, are you gonna trust him? Sure, try to get the £200 back, but get another photographer ASAP.

[scotal]

ewenm said:

scotal said:

GuildfordPaul said:

Phone line dead, website taken down, house sold in June.

Write off the £200, find another photographer. The first choice appears to have done a runner.

Sort the lack of photographer first, then chase the missing money.

I appreciate that £200 is a reaosnable sum of money, but your mate has seen the last of it.
It might be worth phoning a few local photog's see if they are getting queries from other couples who this guy has let down.

[ascayman]

my father is a wedding photographer he knows a lot of people in the trade so might be able to help on both counts

pm me if you like.

[scotal]

Might be worth puttign ap ost in the photog section of PH as well, some pretty talented people in there. Might be able to help.

[GuildfordPaul]

Cheers guys, he's already on the case trying to find another photographer, but like most of us doesn't like to be screwed over for any amount of cash.

With a number plate, i assume if you find a bent/warm hearted copper, a plate check would reveal address etc?

I know a few BiB's, but as I understand it, they can't just randomly do checks for their mates!

[Justayellowbadge]

Contact EmmaP on here. Highly recommended.

[Zen.]

I'd recommend http://www.blokewithacamera.co.uk/socialindex.htm

[Olf]

Just make sure the photographer gives you rights to all the photos and the digital masters as part of the price. Even if it's after say a year to allow them to make money from prints ordered by relatives etc. Otherwise if the next person does a runner, dies, or goes canoeing you'll have you piccies safe.

[GuildfordPaul]

cheers guys for all the photography pointers, but my job is to help him find the guy, his mrs is sorting another photographer, but when i speak to him next i'll pass on all the suggestions.

So - any more ideas on how to track him down?

[Justayellowbadge]

He's gone, man.

Is it worth it for £200?

[Zen.]

GuildfordPaul said:

cheers guys for all the photography pointers, but my job is to help him find the guy, his mrs is sorting another photographer, but when i speak to him next i'll pass on all the suggestions.

So - any more ideas on how to track him down?

Do they not have wedding insurance?

[Reidy10_0]

You should start this topic in the photography section.
It is a small world

[bcfc_fan1]

If it's that important then a Private investigator? I'd be rather annoyed too as have has this sort of thing happen to me before. Hate conmen b*****ds. I wouldn't like to say what I'd do if I came across his car...