Scammed

[treeno]

I couldn't fine any forums that deal specifically with this sort of stuff, so I thought where better to go for advice than good old BCF. Before I start I realise I am a complete fool. I guess I've always been too trusting and being a student with relatively little money was blinded by the potential of this rather than seeing the risk... No need for a lecture on what an idiot I am, I already know!

Anyway, me and me friend fell for the 'white van speaker scam' a couple of days ago. Have a Google if you aren't sure what it is. I won't go into too much detail because it was pretty much the same method as is documented online. Anyway, we parted with £400 each and now have some knock-off speakers.

We reported this to the police and a nice officer set us up with an appointment. Just got back from that, and this different officer was not very helpful, seemed to be apportioning more blame to us than the scammers (yes I realise we are partially to blame, but we are the victims after all). In the end after asking her sergeant she claimed that it is a civil matter and I need to take it up with trading standards! I was pretty shocked by this but thought I'd go home and get some opinions before trying to escalate it. Am I right in thinking this was fraud and a criminal matter?

I took down the reg number of the van these guys were driving, and although I assumed it would be stolen or something she said she had looked it up and it was not reported as stolen. One of the guys also came into the bank with us so he will be on their CCTV.

TL;DR: Bought 'Acoustic Energy' speakers out back of white van. By the time we had paid and got home we find out unsurprisingly that they are no such thing. Police officer says it is a civil matter. I think it's fraud?
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Current ride: Ninja 500R

[J4mes]

You spent £400 on gear out of the back of a van?





Sorry, not much help.

Tried citizens advice? Was there anything in the box, or just bricks?

Guess it could be "goods not as described" or miss sold but I'd guess they were both civil matters.

[Andy_Pagin]

Zero chance of a fraud investigation, try trading standards.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Ste]

You paid cash, didn't get a receipt and didn't look in the box?

[lihp]

What was the fraud?

Your speakers aren't knock-off, just a shit brand that sounds like another.

[treeno]

[Tracey Suntan-King]

A hard and expensive lesson well-learned. You must feel sick.

I can't see any way of "legitimate" redress because you are partially responsible by falling for it. However, as for "illegitimate" redress, why not use BCF as your starting point? Publish the reg no and descriptions, also use use FB, Twittier etc, ask people to share.

At least that way you'll use your experience to warn others and cut these scammers' profits.
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Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're probably right

[treeno]

[Andy_Pagin]

[Poseidon]

[Suntan Sid]

I'm surprised you got any speakers at all.
Whenever I've heard of this scam before the "mark" has normally ended up with a carboard box containing a breeze block!
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Rogerborg]

What evidence can you produce that the goods were mis-described? Your word vs theirs?

Eh, it's obviously fraud by false representation as per Fraud Act 2006 Section 2.

It's also obvious that Dibble thinks that you're a contemptible mug and that they've got real crimes to be solving, like speeding, or Sharleene texting that Shardonna is a slag.

Complaint, professional standards, IPCC, Police and Crime Commissioner, MP, press. Chop chop.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[JP7]

As Rogerborg says, you've got a case for fraud by false representation. Proving it is another thing, though.

Most frauds are now investigated centrally by Action Fraud, which is managed by City Of London Police. They collate the information and send enquiries out to relevant forces to investigate.

Try sticking a report in at www.actionfraud.police.uk and see what they say.

[Ariel Badger]

OP, do you want your drive tarmacking? I have a load left over from a motorway job we worked on earlier.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[BTTD]

Fifteen years ago I was on my lunch break when some bloke offered me just such a tempting deal. I declined, despite it being better than half price.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Especially when it's some dodgy bloke in a van.

[andyscooter]

are you still on your lunch break
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[covent.gardens]

[map]

[Rogerborg]

You know what I've just realised?

Those demands for payment that Plodforce sends out to the keepers of stolen and recovered vehicles?

The costs that the legislation is crystal clear that they can only recover from the thief, not the owner?

Perfect place to report them.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[bugeye_bob]

Sounds like an episode of Minder . . .

[Keir]

ive got £1000 worth of laptop here for just £100 if you want.... I promise it wont just be a box containing bottles of water.

Why you ever thought parting with £400 to some random bloke in a van was a good idea ill never know.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[scorps]

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Do not presume that I am male.

[Commuter_Tim]

[willis1337]

To get your money back, get (steal) a white van, sell speakers to two unsuspecting students.

edit (as I am feeling guilty taking pi55 as I have been caught out on a scam and lost 2.5k)

IMO police are a waste of time unless you hand them a conviction on a plate with supporting video / photo evidence, even then they may be too busy.

Learn your lesson, move on.
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Current bike: KTM SD1290GT
Previous bike: BMW K1300S

[Bomberman]