Jon08

Considering he's still defrauding folk and his earlier activity keeping bands deposits from nonexistent venue bookings plus his conviction how can he just be getting away with it??? I will be speaking with a mate who is former police officer and asking how to complain to made the loudest noise on this so something gets done.

I had national press interest on him and they even purchased an item from him but then said who they were once item never arrived. Not sure what happen in the end but I know they were running things past their legal folks. Maybe they got cold feet or not juicy enough story. Back in the day my associates would have resolved the problem very quickly for me. Of course these days one has to take a different approach which is rather long and in this time more folks are scammed. 10 months now since his clever banter caught me out and 90 quid disappeared but I won't stop looking for ways to take him out, legally of course............

Do we actually know his town/county of residence ? Open letter to the relevant Chief Constable basically listing his illegal activities signed by those who have been scammed complaining about the failure to prevent his activities. Delivered to Police with a notification that the letter will be made public(local/national press) within 3 days. All those scammed able to provide screen shots, Paypal transaction records.

I'm on a number of Facebook groups and it appears to be rife and I'm talking about possibly hundreds at it. The scammers are now using photos of other users and sometimes even their names! Some folks are having to post copies of ads saying this not me. Last week I tested four sellers with items at very low prices and sure enough all asked me had I got a cash app. After saying no two dropped out but the other two stayed with me suggesting Paypal friends and family. I still have an angle that I'm working on but it may not end as hoped.

I have always thought that the only way to put a stop to him is using the press . We need a local paper or ideally TV or Radio in his area to start the ball rolling then others will pickup on the story. I have spent some time researching a number of journalists who have covered online fraud including Facebook marketplace. I will try contacting two in the next few days. If his local BBC radio station has any form of consumer program how about all of us who have been scammed contact them? As he's not a business I doubt local trading standards will be able to take any action. Once the press get involved, senior police will instruct that action must be taken, never known it fail....

Is anyone who has been scammed cordinanating a response to get him shut down ? We need to be able to prove the amount of his fraud to generate interest. As it seems like he's pulling in several hundred quid a week. Thanks to those wise sages going on about the likes of friends and family. Yes it's wrong to use it, yes scammers use it but Paypal have listened to me and taken some action. Can we not just post about getting together and stopping him.

He was scamming last year in December and before that I believe. I thought Trading Standards only are interested in businesses not private sellers on the likes of Facebook but worth a look, thanks.

Looks like he's opened another PayPal under Mick Smethurst as opposed to Mike...

Doubt the Police will be interested, just so much of this happening......

If he's not got Paypal now it could be as a result of others and my complaints to them. Stopping his ways of getting cash is a start. Can someone who has not been blocked by him attempt to "buy" something and see how he asks for payment. Also those who have been scammed by him via Paypal report the transaction to Paypal even though you cannot get a refund because you used Friends and Family. I raised with them that their platform is aiding fraud and while i know my error was to agree to payment in that method they are stilling enabling fraud to take place. As they have been duly advised in an official complaint. I managed to get an online live chat by entering the complaints procedure. I have something else I am working on but cannot share it in open forum but please can those have been scammed by him private message me with the details of he transaction . Date, equipment and amount paid.

PM me and I will update you...

I'm trying a different angle besides Action Fraud who i suspect are snowed under with all of this type of all too easy fraud.

If you can still see Facebook Market Place posts by him click the report button and choose the option scam. The report button appears when you view a sellers commerce profile.

He best way to get things moving with the Police is everyone provides how much they have lost and we can show he's probably on £300-£500 per week. Add that up and it's not the odd 45 quid a pedal it becomes more interesting to the Police. It would appear you can no longer go online to the local Police for Cyber crime you have to go to Action Fraud. I am about to contact them with my and some other peoples experience. If you have lost out to him PM me details and I will add them. If we can show the extent of his activities more chance of movement. Also I am looking at Facebook as once they have been told how he is acting on the platform and given proof, they are breaking their own rules and in fact aiding the procedure of fraud. I have taken on national companies in the past and won a multi national would be even more fun........

Cannot believe he's still on there selling thought they had closed him down. I suspect he does not have any of the items he's "selling" but lifting the pictures from other folks adverts from Reverb and such. I will be looking into getting something done with Facebook it's rediculous that he's still getting away with this.

I also "purchased" the Reel Echo and a Boss Chorus, he was good with the chat but didn't want to know when I offered to do Paypal business plus extra to cover fee or direct into bank account . Yet he offered tracked postage for friends and family Paypal. That should have warned me ! Paypal don't want to know as it's Friends and Family but if the Police get involved they may have to. Bit wary of posting too much on open forum, but am taking PM's as if can gather a list of those scammed.

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.

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.