This really sucks and honestly has gotten me in my feels. It was only £170 but I only had 200 until the 10th, and I have driving lessons and a gym membership, food shopping to do. It's just a real punch in the gut — how can people do this and live like that?
I was in Leeds on Saturday and an Irish man pulled up to me just on South Parade. He said he needed help and that his car was broken into last night, they stole his bank cards, his laptop, etc. I at first thought he was asking for money, but instead he asked to send me money and I take it out the cash machine for him. I agreed, thinking I was helping a guy out when he just wanted to get home! He sent me 200 euro = 170 pounds on what I now know to be a fake AIB app on his phone that looked so damn legit — he was showing me transactions and everything. I got him out the 170 and he was like "god bless you son, thank you friend" and left.
Now, until about 2 hours ago I was still hopeful it would come through, as AIB don't transfer on weekends to UK banks I read online. But it got to the end of Monday when I really got into my head about it. The email I got saying a payment was on the way turned out to also be fake. Fake email, and AIB don't email you saying you are getting a payment, I learnt. Which is when I looked into it more and learned about the "Irish scam" I think it's called, and then it all started to click and sound just like what has happened to me. Called the police and made a report. I tried to ask my bank for a chargeback etc, but they couldn't as it was done through an ATM.
So unless the police catch this guy I won't be seeing the money, and if I do it's 6 months down the line from catching him. Just really sucks this guy's off doing whatever with his life and he left me broke till payday with probably no guilt on his mind. It really does suck a lot.
Been on the up with my mental health and generally very positive about life, and then something like this happens to me for a first time. Really does feel like a setback, a punch in the gut. Lost a little of the faith I gave to him that day :(
Sorry, I just wanted to rant about my situation. Thank you to anyone who read. Have a blessed day.