Bill R

Quite possibly. However, if “Smethurst” is able to get himself back on marketplace after the dozens of times I’ve reported him, I doubt he’ll have much trouble getting the post back up.

Ah, my bad. Missed the word “scam” in the FB Marketplace post. Feel bad that I reported the listings as scams now!

Now he’s Mason Smith. The Clown pic makes me feel like he’s laughing at us all.

Don’t know. I tried to use that option when I got scammed but he simply cancelled the payment and suggested PayPal instead.

https://www.facebook.com/matt.smethurst.334

Just a heads up that he now appears to be using the name James Smith to scam people. Same stuff as before.

Just watched a show on daytime BBC called Scam Interceptors that looks at a online fraud - maybe the world of Facebook marketplace scams would be on interest to them?

To be fair they did say they would investigate it fully and do what they can but they were pessimistic about getting a result due to the factors I mentioned. You would think there would be some sort of National fraud squad that could collate all this information and pursue it. I can’t be the only person who reported it to the Police. Facebook are also culpable. I must’ve reported his profile and his listings over a dozen times but he’s back posting stuff within a day or so. You would think after reaching a certain level of complaints someone might take a closer look.

Quick update. The police finally came round to see me this week (I reported the scam in January). I gave them all the details - screenshots of my Facebook chat with Mr Smethurst, PayPal payment notification. He had just posted more scam items on marketplace so I showed them that too before reporting him again. I also gave them the address of this thread and the details I’ve gleaned from here. They thanked me for all this but basically said there is very little chance of stopping him. 1. Facebook are apparently very arsey about handing over user data to the police so very hard to get much even with an account name and address. 2. I live in Scotland and apparently cross-border cooperation between Scottish and English police is abysmal- English police aren’t interested unless basically the Scottish force has got rock solid evidence to convict. Before they left one of them told me that if you want to commit a crime and get away with it then this type of fraud is perfect.

Even after reporting a search for “Mike Smethurst” returns the following.

I just looked and all that stuff was still listed (or relisted) I’ve report him as a scammer for the umpteenth time.

He’s back on Facebook again. I’ve reported his account three times as a scam but he keeps getting back on. He appears to have added some new gear to his latest batch of listings which I have also reported.

He’s back on Facebook again. I’ve reported his account three times as a scam but he keeps getting back on. He appears to have added some new gear to his latest batch of listings which I have also reported.

He’s back at it on FB again. Just reported him again.

Same here. Report him to the Police. He’s still on Facebook selling stuff right now.

Thanks for replying. My call with Police Scotland yesterday was mostly just confirming details. I should be getting a follow up call from someone in next day or so.

He is still listing stuff on Facebook marketplace.

Yes. I can pretty much kiss my money goodbye but only have myself to blame for being taken in.

Does anyone have contact details for the Steve Gilbert mentioned in this thread? Had a search on FB but there’s quite a few!

Reported to Police Scotland today. They are going to call me back Monday morning to get more details.

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.”