Have I been scammed??

[Saul Goode]

Spotted an item in the Pistonheads classified that I was looking for, seemed a good price but not unbelievable.

Sent an email asking if the item was still available, and payment method.

Got a friendly email back saying that it was, and could pay by bank transfer.

Seller then sent me their bank details (sort code & account number) and I transferred money. Not a massive amount but over £100.

Seller emailed next day to say that the money had cleared and item was in the post.

We had already agreed that the item would be sent recorded delivery, so I asked for the number.

That was 3 days ago, not heard anything since.
There was a telephone number on the advert, but it was through phonesafe and it has now been removed.

So, I have a number of questions...

Can I claim the money back through the bank (is the same as mine)if the item doesn't arrive?
Do I need to call the police?
Would a scammer happily send me their bank account details?
Can I trace any other information through their email address?

Any advice or help would be appreciated.

[Dick_Phallus]

There is a postal strike going on...

[mboon]

I had this mate, sent with parcel force and has said they are on strike... parcel force are not on strike and have no sign of a parcel from him or his address.. Paid the same as you with the same details, this was on a BMW forum tho... currently waiting for monday, if I dont get my money back I will be calling the police and my bank. Also reported him to the forums

[TooLateForAName]

Saul Goode said:

Can I claim the money back through the bank (is the same as mine)if the item doesn't arrive?

Nope. If you had paid by credit card yes, but the bank followed your instructions - they won't pick up the tab for your being scammed.

Saul Goode said:

Do I need to call the police?

Maybe. Doubt if they will be interested though at this point.

Saul Goode said:

Would a scammer happily send me their bank account details?

It happens.

Saul Goode said:

Can I trace any other information through their email address?

Yes, email headers may show interesting things. what sort of email address is it?

Saul Goode said:

Any advice or help would be appreciated.

I would wait a little while. People are slow posting, people go away and dont answer emails. I would be more worried if you'd recived a parcel with a brick in it or something - because then they would have proof of posting and you signing for it.

Do you have the persons name? Address? username on PH?

[Saul Goode]

Saul Goode said:

Can I trace any other information through their email address?

Yes, email headers may show interesting things. what sort of email address is it?

It's a yahoo.co.uk email address, looking at the IP source it is possibly through a T-Mobile phone? 149.254.56.42

Saul Goode said:

Any advice or help would be appreciated.

I would wait a little while. People are slow posting, people go away and dont answer emails. I would be more worried if you'd recived a parcel with a brick in it or something - because then they would have proof of posting and you signing for it.

Do you have the persons name? Address? username on PH?

I have a name, and my bank confirms it is a legitimate account. No address or username unfortunately.
The advert stated the item was in Scotland, but the bank account was opened in the Midlands. It is possible that the person has moved though.

[scoterz]

I've just had the same problem! couple of days ago, they left a mobile number which doesn't ring anymore, i've emailed them quite a few times but i've had no reply since friday.
Got there bank details and paid in the money with cash i got the receipt for it too is there a way i can it back through the bank?

[Mr Will]

scoterz said:

I've just had the same problem! couple of days ago, they left a mobile number which doesn't ring anymore, i've emailed them quite a few times but i've had no reply since friday.
Got there bank details and paid in the money with cash i got the receipt for it too is there a way i can it back through the bank?

If you have their bank details then the police should be able to track the payment. As far as I know there is no way to reverse the payment just by talking to the bank.

Can you send the details of the advert to [e-mail] so that we can investigate further?

[RacingPete]

Also check out this site which PistonHeads are a member of

http://www.vstag.co.uk/

This provides up to date advice and the correct procedures for dealing with scam activity

[raufmalik2]

I saw you were scammed by someone on pistonheads. He wasnt a pakistani with a Birmingham accent was he by chance. My username is his name. The scammer I know is Rauf or Atif Malik. I am looking for others who were scammed by him. There are in face 2 people scamming on car parts.