Jakester Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 7 minutes ago, uk_lefty said: Tell tale signs of a scammer for me: User only joined Facebook this year. Facebook has been around 15 years or so, if you've only just joined now and you're looking to buy gear... Nah. In fairness, I don't use Facebook - initially didn't want to, then had a job where it was discouraged, and now - no thanks. However, I have seen some stuff on FB marketplace which I haven't seen elsewhere, so (had it not gone) I would have joined just for that reason. Not everyone late to it is a scammer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 28 minutes ago, Jakester said: In fairness, I don't use Facebook - initially didn't want to, then had a job where it was discouraged, and now - no thanks. However, I have seen some stuff on FB marketplace which I haven't seen elsewhere, so (had it not gone) I would have joined just for that reason. Not everyone late to it is a scammer! True. Its just one of the things I would look out for though. The guy who just bought a multi effect off me was completely sound, but he originally offered PayPal and sending his own courier, which is a way some scams are done. He was genuinely just trying to reduce cost and have some control. It's a minefield for both sides. In a separate post I've also pointed out people using English as a second language are always buying furniture and baby stuff I sell on local Facebook groups, so I'm not prejudicing against anyone without perfect English, but again it's something to watch out for. It's almost like trying to fill a bingo card! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 12 minutes ago, uk_lefty said: ........ It's almost like trying to fill a bingo card! That's a good analogy. The best you can do is be aware of the warning signs, but there will be exceptions, some good some bad. I'd imagine that horrible fraudster, Mick Mason looked totally genuine with no alarm bells, unless you really researched. On the other hand I have bought things where the only way I could do the deal was to pay through PayPal and send a courier, which now looks dodgy as hell, I'm not out to scam anyone, but the seller doesn't know that. The scammers make it difficult for genuine buyers who live in regional extremes of the country as well as buyers. My son is selling a phone on Facebook, because of lockdown a lot of people have asked him to post it but I've told him it's just not worth it. The buyers want to pay through PayPal goods to protect themselves but that leaves my son wide open to getting scammed, even though most of these buyers are probably genuine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mic mac moe Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Heads up...... scammer still active,now selling gym gear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeK Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 I wish I had seen this post a couple of weeks ago. Paid £67.50 for a PM4 monitor that was being advertised. Had upgraded to a PM5 thats the reason for sale. Never turned up, then found he still had the item up for sale and a PM5! Bank details were for Mathew Smethurst. Reported scam via Facebook but I doubt anything will be done. If the posts here are from Jan, he is still active taking peoples hard earned money 7 months on. Must be making a fortune! I will not be so naive next time, I thought Marketplace had traceability to follow up. You can't flag up to warn potential victims, as you can on ebay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Glad the plod are on the case 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 How ever did Mason get before a judge? Do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mic mac moe Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mic mac moe Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 See above for email address. He plays with a take that tribute show “Everything Changes” . Will be at Blackpool Viva showbar next weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spcollins Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Hi, so I’ve just been ripped off by a guy who goes by the name of Mike Smethurst of Facebook marketplace, supposedly in Sheffield. Bought a bass pedal for £45, never turned up, no reply to emails and messages. Is that the same guy being discussed here possibly? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnPatroller Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Skrill is a legit platform, as a pp said. But it's a red flag. People are only on there once they've been booted from Paypal for scamming. I speak from experience ... However, Skrill do have report features and can also ban its users. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 3 hours ago, Spcollins said: Hi, so I’ve just been ripped off by a guy who goes by the name of Mike Smethurst of Facebook marketplace, supposedly in Sheffield. Bought a bass pedal for £45, never turned up, no reply to emails and messages. Is that the same guy being discussed here possibly? How did you pay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Facebook marketplace seems to be totally uncontrolled. I think the only way I’d buy anything off there unless I was collecting it. I’m very wary about selling stuff on there too, I’ve always insisted on cash on collection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 4 hours ago, Spcollins said: Hi, so I’ve just been ripped off by a guy who goes by the name of Mike Smethurst of Facebook marketplace, supposedly in Sheffield. Bought a bass pedal for £45, never turned up, no reply to emails and messages. Is that the same guy being discussed here possibly? I would say there was a high probability that its the same guy as Matthew Smethurst Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon08 Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Looks like he's still active mikesmethurst on Facebook Market Place selling pedals that never arrive and then they can be seen back up for sale. Electro-Harmonix Canyon Delay and Looper, Danelectro DTE-1 Reel Echo Tape Simulator Pedal plus Boss Chorus are what I can remember. He also had some Sonos and football memorabilia up. My own stupidity allowed be to be taken in although his messaging banter was good and of course my purchase never arrived. Reported to Facebook and they can see the messenger conversation. So I think he is down now and I will be looking into ways to retrieve by money. Any advice on successful methods? Ideally he needs to be dealt with via the legal system once and for all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 2 hours ago, Jon08 said: Looks like he's still active mikesmethurst on Facebook Market Place selling pedals that never arrive and then they can be seen back up for sale. Electro-Harmonix Canyon Delay and Looper, Danelectro DTE-1 Reel Echo Tape Simulator Pedal plus Boss Chorus are what I can remember. He also had some Sonos and football memorabilia up. My own stupidity allowed be to be taken in although his messaging banter was good and of course my purchase never arrived. Reported to Facebook and they can see the messenger conversation. So I think he is down now and I will be looking into ways to retrieve by money. Any advice on successful methods? Ideally he needs to be dealt with via the legal system once and for all. Action Fraud and/or the local police. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 (edited) The police dont seem remotely interested. How has this thieving oik still managed to be striping folk ? Its being going on over a year, and thats just here. I guess the law has bigger fish to fry Edited January 8, 2022 by fleabag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon08 Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 This is what he had up. Rest assured I will be going for him and need to get as many of those caught out in contact as these things always go better with the authorities if the scale of offending can be shown. So please spread the word on other forums as i suspect a large number of people have lost out and the method now looks to be lower value items so people just look to put it down to experience. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill R Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 On 10/01/2022 at 09:33, Jon08 said: This is what he had up. Rest assured I will be going for him and need to get as many of those caught out in contact as these things always go better with the authorities if the scale of offending can be shown. So please spread the word on other forums as i suspect a large number of people have lost out and the method now looks to be lower value items so people just look to put it down to experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill R Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 Looks like I got scammed too. Tried to buy a Reel Echo pedals before Christmas. Seemed a bit of an obscure choice for a scammer so seemed legit. Chatted on messenger and all seemed fine. When I tried to pay through marketplace checkout it got cancelled five minutes later. He claimed not to know what was wrong and suggested PayPal. Should have rung an alarm bell when he asked if I minded sending payment as friends and family (which of course removes your protection) but I stupidly paid up and even wished the b*stard a merry Christmas! Here we are weeks later - no response to messages and the feeling I’ve been had. Google his name and end up here. Not sure what I can do to recover money - Facebook didn’t take the cash and PayPal will no doubt say “you should have paid him as a business seller.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 2 hours ago, Bill R said: Looks like I got scammed too. Tried to buy a Reel Echo pedals before Christmas. Seemed a bit of an obscure choice for a scammer so seemed legit. Chatted on messenger and all seemed fine. When I tried to pay through marketplace checkout it got cancelled five minutes later. He claimed not to know what was wrong and suggested PayPal. Should have rung an alarm bell when he asked if I minded sending payment as friends and family (which of course removes your protection) but I stupidly paid up and even wished the b*stard a merry Christmas! Here we are weeks later - no response to messages and the feeling I’ve been had. Google his name and end up here. Not sure what I can do to recover money - Facebook didn’t take the cash and PayPal will no doubt say “you should have paid him as a business seller.” Thanks for signing up for righteous bump. Complain to your local police fraud squad. Someone had his actual bank account details up the thread. Cops should be knocking on his door verily once one takes an interest. If you look in ''his cousin'''s thread Mike [Hunt] ( can't remember his actual name at the minute but exact same M.O.) there should be a link to a national crime squad focusing on these side income stream internet swindlers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 On 18/07/2021 at 03:48, LeeK said: Bank details were for Mathew Smethurst. I hope you reported to https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ I don't do bookface so I can't look into the allegation he is the original Mick Mason with new bank account. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 Hoping Mr 1 post Leek left an email with BC admin. If this Smethurst is indeed Mason he's for the high jump this time around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill R Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 Reported to Police Scotland today. They are going to call me back Monday morning to get more details. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 It can't be the same person, can it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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