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An old friend of mine from my school days (we're talking 15+ years ago) messaged me on Facebook recently stating he was stuck abroad needing £200 to pay for a new passport as he had miss-placed his. He wanted me to meet a member of his family in London (he said i was the only one in London he knew, hence contacting me) who doesn't have online banking (and this was a Sunday) who would give me £200, and then i would transfer £200 via my online banking. I had a new phone so my online banking needed me to enter the bank to attach the new phone to my card, which i couldn't do as it was a Sunday. Anyways, although it's been a long while that we had seen each other (we had messaged back and forth on FB over the years), and he said his family member was struggling to meet, i offered to send him the £200 from my partners account, on the trust he would pay back the next day when he landed. I would genuinely hate to be stuck in his position so i offered this, to which he obviously accepted. He was incredibly thankful blah blah blah. He then tried over several days to send the money back, or at least claims to try, however his bank "were holding his funds due to him trying to access his money abroad. as a safety precaution". Over a number of days, he continued to message asking if the money has arrived. However, it never did. Now he won't return my calls, and has now blocked me from his Facebook.
I have a phone number he was using and i have pictures of the facebook conversation, alongside the text messages. I feel stupid that this has happened, when i think about it i was silly to believe someone after not seeing them for so long, however i had no reason to think he would do this. He genuinely sounded in need (we had a phone convo before we sent the cash to him).
It's £200 and i can get over it. However, it's the principle. I don't know his address, although he mentioned where he lived and what he did for a Job. Funnily enough, i actually believe his job role as he mentioned things about it that somebody just wouldn't make up on the spot. Either that, or he's a brilliant fraudster. Ha!
Anyways, i know i was silly to do this. But what are my legal options? Of course, there is the small claims court, but i need to send a Letter Before Action but i don't have his address. Does anybody know how i can get his address? I may have his job role and the company he works for. He also has an uncommon name.
Any help would be much appreciated.
I have a phone number he was using and i have pictures of the facebook conversation, alongside the text messages. I feel stupid that this has happened, when i think about it i was silly to believe someone after not seeing them for so long, however i had no reason to think he would do this. He genuinely sounded in need (we had a phone convo before we sent the cash to him).
It's £200 and i can get over it. However, it's the principle. I don't know his address, although he mentioned where he lived and what he did for a Job. Funnily enough, i actually believe his job role as he mentioned things about it that somebody just wouldn't make up on the spot. Either that, or he's a brilliant fraudster. Ha!
Anyways, i know i was silly to do this. But what are my legal options? Of course, there is the small claims court, but i need to send a Letter Before Action but i don't have his address. Does anybody know how i can get his address? I may have his job role and the company he works for. He also has an uncommon name.
Any help would be much appreciated.
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