Ipswich: Police warning following Gumtree scam
Thursday, October 11, 2012
1:26 PM
PEOPLE in Ipswich are urged to be aware of scams as a result of an incident involving the website Gumtree.
Earlier this month, police officers received a call from a victim who lives in Ipswich, who stated that she had seen an advert on Gumtree for fishing equipment priced at £200.
She made contact with the seller, who arranged for delivery through Parcel Force, once she had e-mailed a Ukash voucher code.
She sent the code via e-mail to the seller, which was redeemed, but the fishing equipment was not delivered.
The victim received an e-mail, allegedly from Parcel Force, stating that the item would be delivered on a specific date – but it was not.
Gumtree states on its own website that buyers should be wary of buying items without seeing them and police are backing this and urging people to be cautious at all times when dealing with unknown sellers and callers.
Although Ukash is a perfectly legitimate and useful way to transfer funds between known and trusted parties, it should not be used for purchases from unknown sellers or to transfer money to callers where their identity can’t be established.
People are asked to be vigilant and think before responding to any online, telephone or other contacts from unknown parties.
People are advised never to send money or give out personal information under these circumstances.
For advice on how to use Ukash vouchers safely, visit www.ukash.com/uk/en/alerts/security-tips.aspx
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6 comments
In light of this so-called "story" and the police response, perhaps people should also be "warned" to be careful and be sure to look both ways when crossing the road.
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bigger niche
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Ukash ... the very same payment that has been used in the metropolitan police IP trojan doing the rounds, who on earth governs a system like this?
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observerofmany
Friday, October 12, 2012
I assume this problem could occur with any purchase where the purchaser does not exchange the item for payment in person. So it could happen with any notice in a shop window, any website offering goods for sale or any newspapers' classifieds. So it could potentially happen to anyone purchasing from the classifieds in the EADT or Star and not just those using Gumtree.
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Johnthebap
Friday, October 12, 2012
This ukash is ok if you do know who your sending money to I will agree.but I know of a person who has been sending money to Lagos to a supposedly beautiful woman,even the photo shows to to be this beautiful woman,wanting to come over to marry this friend he sent a large sum of money over by ukash then was asked for more e g .flights,hospital money for her nans treatment,hospital money for her treatment after supposedly having an accident on the way to the airport,this list goes on (my friend is not the only person I have heard about) he has spent in excess of a £1000 on this person accumulating debts of about double this amount all told.of course it was a scam and sadly my friend learnt a valuable lesson.a woman this beautiful would have been snapped up ages ago. Sad world we live in I'm afraid.
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mamamia
Thursday, October 11, 2012
It happened to me the same advert ,i reported it to the police and they told me my Ukash voucher was cashed in romania . The advert was so convincing and the email seemed ok it was ALEXA@ROYALGUILDDOGS.ORG please do not send ukash via gumtree it is a con
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Robert Bulmer
Thursday, October 11, 2012
It happened to me two months ago and i reported it to the police ,they told me my ukash voucher was cashed in Romania.The seller was so convincing even the email address was good it was Alexa@royal guild dogs .org and it had me fooled ,i would never use Ukash again on gumtree
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Robert Bulmer
Thursday, October 11, 2012