Scammers

[f/1.2]

We have had a very busy year with weddings this year and as we just won’t have the time for a proper holiday any time soon. I asked my missus to find us somewhere for a few days just to get us a break that we could also take our dogs too.

She had joined a few groups on Facebook to find somewhere after struggling to find somewhere on AirBnB etc. Quite a few people recommended somewhere that seems to fit the bill so she went ahead and booked us a few days there.

Then yesterday a random post popped on her Facebook saying that the whole thing was a scam and that the place doesn’t even exist. All the photos and videos were of somewhere completely different. We had already paid in full so thought the money was lost but our banks fraud department have paid us back.

They seemed so legit she spoke to them on the phone as well as emails and social media messages etc. and they even mentioned they would pass our details to their niece who was getting married.

Have never been scammed before we are always very careful when paying for anything of significant value. Was surprised that the bank agreed to pay us back when we had paid by bank transfer, glad they did as losing a £1000 would have hurt. We weren’t the only ones scammed off course there was quite a few. Feel bad for those who banks maybe won’t be as understanding as ours was.

Honestly a bit shocked that it happened at all. Our kids were annoyed as well so have managed to find somewhere else now. Just goes to show how easy it can happen.

 

[Box Brownie]

We have had a very busy year with weddings this year and as we just won’t have the time for a proper holiday any time soon. I asked my missus to find us somewhere for a few days just to get us a break that we could also take our dogs too.

She had joined a few groups on Facebook to find somewhere after struggling to find somewhere on AirBnB etc. Quite a few people recommended somewhere that seems to fit the bill so she went ahead and booked us a few days there.

Firstly what crappy thing to have experienced

Social media is perhaps a bit like say nav.....as in you need to know where you are going before you start out and social media "recommendations" unless from persons you know personally are just oh so questionable.

Then yesterday a random post popped on her Facebook saying that the whole thing was a scam and that the place doesn’t even exist. All the photos and videos were of somewhere completely different. We had already paid in full so thought the money was lost but our banks fraud department have paid us back.

Has the scammer been reported to FB as well as what (based on what you say) all of the reviews of the place. Hmm! or are the reviews the genuine place but the scammer as indicated has mis-appropriated the identity?

They seemed so legit she spoke to them on the phone as well as emails and social media messages etc. and they even mentioned they would pass our details to their niece who was getting married.

Sounds like a skillful scammer who has bilked many people

Have never been scammed before we are always very careful when paying for anything of significant value. Was surprised that the bank agreed to pay us back when we had paid by bank transfer, glad they did as losing a £1000 would have hurt. We weren’t the only ones scammed off course there was quite a few. Feel bad for those who banks maybe won’t be as understanding as ours was.

Honestly a bit shocked that it happened at all. Our kids were annoyed as well so have managed to find somewhere else now. Just goes to show how easy it can happen.

I am pleased that you have got it sorted out and will hopefully enjoy your much needed break.

 

[Raincloud]

Makes you think who you can trust when booking somewhere to stay! Hotels.com have scammers too!

 

[Mr Bump]

its just so easy to do nowadays with FB there are groups of people just sat in back rooms making up scam after scam all day long

 

[f/1.2]

The police called around earlier. We weren’t the only people to get in touch.

The police believe that the scammers used a hacked bank account to take payments then emptied the account at a cash machines. They said the cash machines were mostly in Birmingham. I am based in N.I and the place we booked was based in N.I. Although apparently they have ran the same scam in other areas of the U.K.

All presence of the place is gone. All social media accounts deleted, email address no longer exists, website is gone. Phone number was a pre-pay mobile number which is now deactivated.

They weren’t very hopeful they will ever catch them which is sort of what we expected. We were one of the lucky ones whose bank agreed to refund the payment. Many others haven’t been so lucky.