gaining money through false pretence

[Honestbloke]

hi I lost a close friend in Oct this year. Her next of kin was too upset to deal with arranging headstone. , so delegated it to her nephew. He told me that the next of kin was not willing to pay and that he looked to me to help with half of the cost. On that basis I gave hin £1200 on the understanding he was going to give this to undertakers. Needless to say I found out he hadnt done this and had spent money for his own use. Also on contacting next of kin she said she had given him £2000 on the understanding he would give to undertakers. He didnt. He lied to both of us and received in total £3200 which he spent on himself. He admitted this to his father and so money is spent. We live in Scotland...what can we do if anything?

[PallasAthena]

Have you notified the police?

Before considering the legal.routes the for recovery consider whether he has any.money or assets or how you would obtain money if you won a court order against him

[Honestbloke]

Have you notified the police?

Before considering the legal.routes the for recovery consider whether he has any.money or assets or how you would obtain money if you won a court order against him

Not yet. Would the Police investigate this as theft or fraud or would they say its a civil matter?

[Honestbloke]

been to the Police, who say it is a civil matter