action fraud - useless!

[mrphil]

Hi all,

Anyone ever had a successful dealing with action fraud, my mate has been swindled out of £535, he bought a samsung s4 of the bay, paid by bank transfer, the seller sent a postal receipt but the tracking number just keeps throwing up no data or something....

Its been over a week, and the post office told him, that its VERY rare that a tracking number doesn't work, once its scanned at the post office its on the system!

Hes gone to the local police station in Birmingham to report, hes told theres nothing they can do, and he needs to logon or phone action fraud who then put it through the correct departments, said to keep all documents, emails etc.

Hes logged on to action fraud and followed the on screen quiz, and at the end told, its nothing they can do, and he has to phone consumer advice, citizens advice!

hes fuming hes down over £500, the seller is adamant they sent it and have the proof...

is this really how online shopping going? Is it just a stint to get people back to shopping locally as the risk is to great to buy online?

Few years ago, you could walk in to the local plod shop, speak to CID, and it gets sorted but you might be lucky to get your money back, but at-least you have closure something has been done and the person will end up in court!

anyone have any experiences?

[MsDG]

The police are talking Billy Bollocks. If you believe a crime has taken place (i.e. Fraud). Then go back to the police and report the crime. If they refuse to log the crime then ask the officer for his details and ask them to write down why they are refusin

However be damn sure 1st that you can't resolve it yourself 1st.... like reverse the payment etc

[BigBrand]

Did he not pay via PayPal on eBay?

[mrphil]

he spoke to the officer, and the officer was helpful, he wasnt like piss off its not our problem, just said its out of there hands, that it needs to be logged via action fraud, which then goes to a london and then goes to whatever division the perpetrator is for it to be investigated further.... if theres a case

[Rhinoz]

Did he not pay via PayPal on eBay?

He said he paid by bank transfer.

I think some dodgy delivery guy has had it and removed the tracking number hence why the company don't know what's happened as they know it's an inside job.

Surely it was sent insured ?

[mrphil]

no paypal option was there, the seller offered collection or bank transfer, but due to the distance bank transfer was easier.

my mate believes the guy sent it, but then royal mail said that all tracking information is on the system as soon as its scanned in and accepted hence why hes gone to the police

[mrphil]

He said he paid by bank transfer.

I think some dodgy delivery guy has had it and removed the tracking number hence why the company don't know what's happened as they know it's an inside job.

Surely it was sent insured ?

Well.... the seller said he sent it tracked and asked for the £6-£7 postage, which he believed was the special delivery, but it was sent 1st class recorded on the receipt which cost £6.75

genuine mistake or blatant... difference is special delivery is insured £500 and 1st class £44

[evilsatan]

What is the sellers feedback like? Has he sold stuff of high value recently to buyers with high feedback?

Contact the seller and see if it was insured, a phone of that value should have been and he should have sent special delivery. Ensure the seller still has the receipt and request his help.

[BigBrand]

He said he paid by bank transfer.

I think some dodgy delivery guy has had it and removed the tracking number hence why the company don't know what's happened as they know it's an inside job.

Surely it was sent insured ?

Not being funny, but what kind of idiot pays £500 over Ebay for a mobile via bank transfer? Crazy in it's own right.

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[mrphil]

feedback is good, 150, not much selling though, sold a few items, rolex, currency, iphone4 with good feedback

hes co - operating, but my mate needs to cover his tracks and have some sort of protection

[evilsatan]

Can you send me the auction number? The seller should have listed the method of postage on the auction, if he advertised special delivery and sent recorded then your friend may have a case chasing a refund from the seller. If not I am not sure who's responsibility it is.

[mrphil]

this gets better.... just spoke to him now... he done the deal out of ebay, said he emailed and sorted an offer out via email exchanges, the listing has gone now?

seems to me hes been a dumb ass, i personally think the seller was legit, £500 in ebay fees - whats that about £40? so i think the seller had a good result, hes provided proof of postage, and is emailing back to replies...

as some one said maybe some knob within the royal mail force has took dibs on parcels and well.... got lucky..?

[blaggard]

this gets better.... just spoke to him now... he done the deal out of ebay, said he emailed and sorted an offer out via email exchanges, the listing has gone now?

seems to me hes been a dumb ass, i personally think the seller was legit, £500 in ebay fees - whats that about £40? so i think the seller had a good result, hes provided proof of postage, and is emailing back to replies...

as some one said maybe some knob within the royal mail force has took dibs on parcels and well.... got lucky..?

Deserves everything he got I'm afraid.

[evilsatan]

Never buy something expensive from someone you aren't sure you can trust via bank transfer outside of any protection that ebay/paypal can offer. With something like a phone you shouldn't even do this on collection as they can report it lost/stolen after you have paid them. I can't see this ending well for him now and even if the police do open a case for him I'd be surprised if they actually did anything about it. Best route would be to pursue the mail handler with the help of the seller, hopefully the seller feels some responsibility so will put pressure on the office he sent it from.

[TAR]

Im not being funny m8, but ur m8 cant be very bright. To buy a phone through email and a bank transfer is asking for trouble.

[mrphil]

No hes not the best tool in the box to be honest, his desire for the latest tech has landed him a little out of pocket and red in the face

[akimba]

Royal Mail have been pretty shite for me recently as I sent something special delivery guaranteed for next day before 1 and it took 2 weeks and a lot of phone calls for the other person to get it.

If he got the tracking number then keep ringing RM and tell them to pull finger out or do an investigation.

[Goldberg]

You can buy it outright from a reputable shop for that nearly!
I don't even think he can claim of his house insurance as he has never had the phone and never had the IMEI etc..

Has he spoken to his bank on this?

[burner1]

The seller may well have started out 'legit', but once they realised the way the sale was going (it was taken out of ebay's usual trading regs) and their arse was basically covered, they could well have chanced their arm. Just my opinion.

[Bald Bouncer]

Life Lesson - move on wiser and and lighter