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Lost deposit through fraud

  • 14-03-2014 4:59pm
    #1
    appleb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 320 ✭✭


    My sisters (x3) and their families regularly go on holidays together each year. In the middle of February, they found a luxury apartment that would accommodate the group (18). They found this through a reputable online company (uk based that helps owners directly rent their apartments).

    They sent an email of enquiry through the website to the owner. Normally then, after initial inquiry, each party email direct to each other. This happened and after checking availability, it was agreed that my sisters would send a deposit of €4300 directly to his bank account.

    All fine up to this point. My sisters had requested that he (the owner) would let them know when this arrived. A few days passed and no word. However, they felt that it was on its way (Spanish bank account). After a few days they got a phone call from the owner. He informed them that his email account had been hacked and they had unwittingly been corresponding to the hacker. And, yes, you have guessed it- they had transferred the money to the fraudster.

    Their bank tried to request the funds be returned but the account had been cleared out.

    They have contacted the Garda, fraud squad, etc but no one seems to be interested. They have also contacted the website and they are taking no responsibility. They believe the real owner is genuine (his reviews are good and he has been listed on website for years, also website confirm that this happened).

    Any idea of what they should do next?:mad:


Comments

  • #2
    Mikros
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 505 ✭✭✭Mikros


    Ouch. That whole set up sounds like a fraudsters dream - you send money directly through a bank transfer to a person you never met, with no guarantee and no insurance in place?

    I hate to say it but I'd say that €4300 is gone and you have little to no chance of ever seeing it again.

    If all the website does is facilitate contact between two parties I can't see how they can be held responsible. As the fraud technically happened in Spain you would likely have to make your complaint with the Spanish authorities and perhaps engage in some form of civil action over there to try and recover the funds. I have no idea about Spanish law so can't really help.


  • #3
    appleb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 320 ✭✭appleb


    Mikros wrote: »
    Ouch. That whole set up sounds like a fraudsters dream - you send money directly through a bank transfer to a person you never met, with no guarantee and no insurance in place?

    I hate to say it but I'd say that €4300 is gone and you have little to no chance of ever seeing it again.

    If all the website does is facilitate contact between two parties I can't see how they can be held responsible. As the fraud technically happened in Spain you would likely have to make your complaint with the Spanish authorities and perhaps engage in some form of civil action over there to try and recover the funds. I have no idea about Spanish law so can't really help.

    I agree that it doesn't look good. Hindsight is a great thing- should have used PayPal etc etc.
    I have used this website numerous times before with no problems (as have they). I know I will be more careful in future!! Feel sorry for my sisters as that's their holiday gone! Thanks for your reply.


  • #4
    Mikros
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 505 ✭✭✭Mikros


    appleb wrote: »
    I agree that it doesn't look good. Hindsight is a great thing- should have used PayPal etc etc.
    I have used this website numerous times before with no problems (as have they). I know I will be more careful in future!! Feel sorry for my sisters as that's their holiday gone! Thanks for your reply.

    No worries. I'd feel sorry for her as well, I'm sure she was acting in good faith but €4k is crazy money to be firing across to a stranger. You can never be too careful with online transactions, especially where you have no comeback. I hope someone else has better news for you!


  • #5
    RainyDay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,925 ✭✭✭RainyDay


    Mikros wrote: »
    €4k is crazy money to be firing across to a stranger.

    Really, this is the most important lesson here. Paying up front for a holiday rental like this is very questionable in the first place. I'd also be a bit cynical about the story that the renters email was hacked - just seems a little too convenient to me.

    Is the renter still offering properties for rent on that site? Try stinging them, by getting in touch from a fresh email address looking to rent, and see what comes.


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