Scam???

By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics and access other forums reserved for members. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today by clicking here.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

Hello All

I have a quick question for you.

I’ve recently been trying to source a loan quite urgently. I visited www.gumtree.com/london/loans and e-mailed off several enquiries in response to ads on there.

I’ve had a couple of responses so far from two different people. Both of the e-mails look very similar although with slightly different figures etc.

They are both wanting a loan transfer fee to be paid by Western Union. I’m thinking it’s a scam and I was wondering if you’d seen the likes of this before?

Thanks

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:04 pm

First of all Welcome here! Very Happy

Second, oh YES it is a scam.
Gumtree is known to be a source for scammers.
You are asked to pay by Western Union.
These are indices that it is a scam.

If you're on this site with your real datas (name, e-mail address, home address, etc.) DO NOT reply anymore to those people.
It's for your safety.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 7103 Location: Yes

While fees for applying for loans are not illegal, and indeed quite common, any reputable lender will deduct the fee from the proceeds of the loan, not ask for them up front** and uhhh, never by Western Union. Wink

** Certain exceptions notwithstanding.

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:12 pm

Amy

YES - IT'S A BIG SCAM!

Do NOT reply anymore to these people. Also, if you have handed over any information such as phone number etc, you may get calls from so called "loan companies" They will also be scammers. Do not hand over any information to them unless they can verify their credentials. e.g FSA (Financial Services Authority) number, company registration number and a phone number for you to call back to.

Gumtree is a huge market for scammers to do their business. If in doubt - ask away here!

NTBS

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:13 pm

It's a common scam. They don't provide loans, just ask for a fee by WU. If you do pay the fee, you'll never hear from them again.

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:14 pm

^^^^^ Or you might, from a company insisting they can get your money back... (for a small fee by WU of course)

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks everyone Smile

This is exactly what I thought. One of them has sent me Western Union details for his erm, Barrister who is in Nigeria, despite saying he is based in Italy. The other guy has sent me Western Union details which have the address listed as Italy. I am thinking that they are one and the same person.

Thanks

Amy

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:37 pm

Hi Amy

Yes, they will almost certainly be the same person!

Welcome to the Eater.... please do stick around - you might enjoy it! Laughing

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:40 pm

Hi Amy, and welcome to the Eater.... Very Happy

By all means stick around and have some fun baiting scammers, but do NOT have anything more to do with those that have already contacted you.

They already have some of your personal details and it simply isn't worth taking risks.
Drop them like a sack full of wet shit.... Very Happy