Online fraud & impersonation

dubby1978

Hi guys,

Have a bit of an issue here.

I run a small online business which a few days ago was unfortunately found out to have been impersonated and used for fraud and scamming buyers. Basically the individual used my same full name and same profile photos to scam people. The community I sell on now think I am the scammer. The fake page was of course deactivated after the scammer had taken a few peoples money. The scammer asked for payment by Amazon gift card, and I managed to ask the buyers affected what the gift card numbers were, because I thought I could maybe pass them on to the Guards and Amazon could let them know maybe which account they were redeemed on?

I have a suspicion that the person involved is a local person, who set up a rival business after hearing about my ideas. This guy has verbally threatened me before in public, and is the only person who would want to harm me or my business.

I am really angry and genuinely sick to my stomach about this as it is dragging my name through the dirt and could possibly be ruining my business also.

Is there anything I can do in relation to court/Gardai maybe? Worth my time reporting this? So sickened about this. I worked hard on my business for the past number of years and this guy is trying to completely ruin it.

All comments and suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks,
D.

Mr. Incognito

Contact the guards. Defamation would be a civil action you could explore

dubby1978

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Contact the guards. Defamation would be a civil action you could explore

Rang the Guards already but will be making a visit next week to make a full statement.

What happens if this guy is under 18?

How am I to prove this also? It was online, and the page was deleted before I heard about it.

goz83

dubby1978 wrote: »

Rang the Guards already but will be making a visit next week to make a full statement.

What happens if this guy is under 18?

How am I to prove this also? It was online, and the page was deleted before I heard about it.

The page may have been deleted, but there is still a trail to follow. Online fraud division is where it will be going.

dubby1978

goz83 wrote: »

The page may have been deleted, but there is still a trail to follow. Online fraud division is where it will be going.

I'm guessing if he's under 18 he can't be held responsible?

MarkAnthony

dubby1978 wrote: »

I'm guessing if he's under 18 he can't be held responsible?

Depends on his age. 12 is the age of criminal responsibility but the DPP has to give permission for anyone under 14. Also the guards will be less interested in a minor, usually.

Civil action may be more problematic, speak to a solicitor.

dubby1978

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Depends on his age. 12 is the age of criminal responsibility but the DPP has to give permission for anyone under 14. Also the guards will be less interested in a minor, usually.

Civil action may be more problematic, speak to a solicitor.

This guy is less than a year under 18. He knows exactly what he's doing. He has also verbally threatened me in the past few weeks.

Pat Mustard

dubby1978 wrote: »

This guy is less than a year under 18. He knows exactly what he's doing. He has also verbally threatened me in the past few weeks.

As regards a civil case, if he's 17, he's not likely to have any money or any assets at all.

Although there are various steps that can be taken to protect intellectual property, getting an order against a 17 year old might cost you money which you might not get back.

WRT a 17 year old, I'd be inclined to let the Gardai handle matters.

Big Nelly

Hey dubby1978, any feedback on this?

Would be interested in what happened.....

Thanks

dubby1978

Big Nelly wrote: »

Hey dubby1978, any feedback on this?

Would be interested in what happened.....

Thanks

Nah Neil you're grand.