I've just been a victim of an internet scam for £525.00. Can someone advise me what to do please?

Question

I have paid £525.00 to a Canadian woman for some figurines. The money was paid into her bank in Montreal 10 days ago. We had lots of communication prior to payment and I thought she was a genuine person. I now discover to my dismay that she has not sent the parcel, the information about the parcel was lies and everything relating to this transaction was lies and deceit. She now has my money and I have no items. I've phoned the woman in Canada and she denied that she was the person to whom I've been e-mailing and who received my money. She said that the woman in question had moved to British Colombia and had used someone else's name in all her e-mails and to receive my money via the Bank of Montreal. Could someone please give me some guidance on how I go about reporting this woman to the Canadian Authorities and trying to get my money back. I don't have a Credit Card; I used my Switch Card, which is a direct payment from my bank account. I need urgent advice please. Thank you

Thank you everyone for your help; it's much appreciated. If there are any Canadians on this site, could they guide me on the best way to take up the matter with the Canadian Police? Are there any websites I can log on to for constructive advice in simple layman's language? Thank you fellow yahooers!

Answer 1

Anything $300 And Up Should Be Reported To The Police. As Long As They Know, They Can Investigate The Situation And Track Her If She Attempts It Again.

Answer 2

I am sure if you search the internet for Canadian police in Montreal and/or British Columbia, you can find the details and make a report directly to them.

You should also inform your bank and see if they can offer any advice.

Unfortunately the "crime" has been committed in another country and there is, I would imagine, very little the British police could do to help you - especially as, in the bigger picture, it is not particularly serious - ie, not murder or something.

The problem with the internet is that it is very easy for people to be anonymous and you NEVER know who you are talking to. Whilst many people can be very naive and trusting about these sort of matters, I hope that you have learnt a lesson from this and will pass this onto your friends and family so that they won't get caught out in this type of scam.

And I am sorry, but I really would not hold your breath expecting to get either your goods or your money back!

Answer 3

I think you will need to report it to the police in the first instance to get some sort of crime reference number. Call your local station and ask for advice.

Get in touch with your bank first thing in the morning to see if they are able to help in some way.

If this was an E-Bay purchase or one made through Paypal there is a payment protection system in place.

Its obviously going to be extremely difficult to recover any of this money. I'm sorry you have been ripped off :(

Answer 4

there is not much you can do although I wish there was. A credit card is safer, but now you are on your own. Yes, a private attorney is a good option, but it may cost you more in the long run in fees for letters tryingto find her than the original expense. i am sorry for you. All high streest banks have fraud squads - they will try to help you if you are lucky, and find a sympathetic ear. I got some money back from Western Union moneygram - they were not going to bother sending the money to the person it was destined to go to, nor were they bothered about returning it to me. Luckily, one of the fraud officers worked on it for me,but it took days.

Answer 5

i was victim of Internet scam.only not in that way.i ordered from a couple of firms on the net and i don't know which firm but one of the order takers must have taken the number and security code and used it to get £4000 worth of things with it.i was away at the time but saw it when i looked at my statement.my bank was very good and re payed the money and are investigating it as are the police.it wasn't a credit card.see your bank and the police you want this person prosecuting there will be others she has done it with.

Answer 6

tell the authorities and contact your bank with who you have your switch card with, tell them what has happened and answer all of the q's asked to you, and when you tell the authorities by you they with contact the authorities in canana or where ever they are.
also next time you buy something over the web use paypal as if something like this happens with payments with paypal you will or should get most if not all of your money back.
hope that helps.

Answer 7

Begin by informing your bank of the scam. They might have the resources to help you and to return your money. Go to the website where you performed this transaction and let them know about it as well -- they might be getting complaints from others.

Answer 8

This happened to me last year with a Canadian as well. I had tried to call their local authorities but nothing much they had done.

Answer 9

I presume from your statement that you've got copies of your emails,you must know , or can find out ( from her emails )where she lives in Canada, get in touch with the local police, make contract with one person, send them all you correspondence, she might even have a police record,my Yahoo email is registered , so if you want to know how to do some of these things get in touch with me OK ? good luck

Answer 10

Go to whoever is in charge of your switch card and ask them who is in charge of the account that recieved the money. report it to Canadian authorities.