Any options to deal with a scammer who has turned into online harasser?

[nfotiu]

We're feeling a little frustrated about what to do here.

So my stepson had a baby a year ago, and we hosted a 1 year birthday party. As sort of a last minute thing, we decided to get a photographer. My wife went to her regular local Facebook mom's page asking for a recommendation, and got one. We paid her $300, she showed up took some pictures, and looked like she had professional equipment. She seemed a bit off, but not too bad. She had messaged that she would send the photos within 10 business days.

After a couple weeks we got nothing. My wife messaged her and she said she was busy but never agreed to 10 business days. Waited another week or two, and then she said she was sick with COVID so it would be awhile. My wife posted back to that fb group that she had issues with someone recommended in the group and just wanted someone else to take photos. She actually never even mentioned who the person was and there would be no way of identifying her.

Then the photographer lady went crazy and said if she doesn't take that down, she'll hear from her legal team, and we'll never see the pics. So I just told my wife to take it down and at least have a chance of getting pics since it's her only first birthday.

Waited another week, and some other excuse about everyone she knows being in the hospital with COVID.

So my wife posted in the FB group to avoid her. Then she got about a dozen messages from others who have been similarly ripped off. And actually someone sent her a message that she's been sued on Judge Judy for doing the same thing!! https://www.facebook.com/10006353901...9803131235400/

So, whatever, we're out $300. A bit sad about no pictures, but the stories people sent us we're a lot sadder.

Well, now the woman is creating fake FB sites for my wife and her 18 yo daughter and others in our family with all sorts of crude nonsense about how they are strippers and screw their step dad, and is spending hours creating all these FB profiles and joining local groups with them.

We called the police, and they don't appear to be very helpful. I have a legal plan through work, I started trying to get a lawyer through, but won't get anything from them until at least Monday, but probably Tuesday since it's a long weekend here.

We're reporting to FB, but that's a slow process and she is constantly creating profiles.

Any advice on realistic actions to take?

[DoubleK]

I have nothing to add aside from people are messed up.

That really sucks.

[blender]

Hunt her down and destroy her.

Seriously, though, create a fake FB account, reach out to her and hire her and when she shows up, do whatever you feel is sufficient to get satisfaction.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

We're feeling a little frustrated about what to do here.

So my stepson had a baby a year ago, and we hosted a 1 year birthday party. As sort of a last minute thing, we decided to get a photographer. My wife went to her regular local Facebook mom's page asking for a recommendation, and got one. We paid her $300, she showed up took some pictures, and looked like she had professional equipment and stuff. She seemed a bit off, but not too bad. She had messaged that she would send the photos within 10 business days.

After a couple weeks we got nothing. My wife messaged her and she said she was busy but never agreed to 10 business days. Waited another week or two, and then she said she was sick with COVID so it would be awhile. My wife posted back to that fb group that she had issues with someone recommended in the group and just wanted someone else to take photos. She actually never even mentioned who the person was and there would be no way of identifying her.

Then the photographer lady went crazy and said if she doesn't take that down, she'll here from her legal team, and we'll never see the pics. So I just told my wife to take it down and at least have a chance of getting pics since it's her only first birthday.

Waited another week, and some other excuse about everyone she knows being in the hospital with COVID.

So my wife posted in the FB group to avoid her. Then she got about a dozen messages from others who have been similarly ripped off. And actually someone sent her a message that she's been sued on Judge Judy for doing the same thing!! https://www.facebook.com/10006353901...9803131235400/

So, whatever, we're out $300. A bit sad about no pictures, but the stories people sent us we're a lot sadder.

Well, now the woman is creating fake FB sites for my wife and her 18 yo daughter and others in our family with all sorts of crude nonsense about how they are strippers and screw their step dad, and is spending hours creating all these FB profiles and joining local groups with them.

We called the police, and they don't appear to be very helpful. I have a legal plan through work, I started trying to get a lawyer through, but won't get anything from them until at least Monday, but probably tuesday since it's a long weekend here.

We're reporting to FB, but that's a slow process and she is constantly creating profiles.

Any advice on realistic actions to take?

You need to find the meanest nastiest lawyer you can find, and turn them loose on her, bury her in lawsuits bankrupt her with legal fees and take her house. Also keep your facebook group up to date on this harassment by her.



The police should be acting, she's scammed you out of money, even though its 300.00 its still a crime.



Also go to the Calgary Sun, they love stories like this.


If someone wrongs you, you have a right to destroy them.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

You need to find the meanest nastiest lawyer you can find, and turn them loose on her, bury her in lawsuits bankrupt her with legal fees and take her house. Also keep your facebook group up to date on this harassment by her.



The police should be acting, she's scammed you out of money, even though its 300.00 its still a crime.



Also go to the Calgary Sun, they love stories like this.


If someone wrongs you, you have a right to destroy them.

I'm in Virginia. But good point about media. I think we have some local TV stations that have reporters who do things like this. Our local police have just told us it is civil so far, and the FB stuff didn't really have them caring much. Fully plan on getting a lawyer, but that's always going to be a frustratingly slow process.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by blender

Hunt her down and destroy her.

Seriously, though, create a fake FB account, reach out to her and hire her and when she shows up, do whatever you feel is sufficient to get satisfaction.

Yeah, those fantasies go through my head, but probably end up with me getting shot at or something.

[blender]

The fact that you are in the USA does put it in a completely different context. I thought you were in Calgary. Shouldn't have assumed.
Go armed.

[blankall]

Your only options are to ignore her until she goes away, contract Facebook about harassment, or then contact the police.

[djsFlames]

Contact Jim Browning.

[Reggie28]

Bring the virtual world to the real world. It’s amazing how it changes the context. You just have to decide how deep you are willing to go and go that deep right from the start.

Or just ignore it and hope it goes away. Probably better advice.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Probably the best thing to do is let her tire herself out. Will end it the fastest. No win situation. She’s bananas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by blankall

Your only options are to ignore her until she goes away, contract Facebook about harassment, or then contact the police.

Yeah if she has been sued for the same thing clearly this is a pattern of fraud.

If you really want to put in the effort organizing all effected parties together and going to a lawyer and then police is the best idea

Just depends if they want to get overly involved continuing with this nut job

[Deegee]

Originally Posted by blender

Hunt her down and destroy her.

Seriously, though, create a fake FB account, reach out to her and hire her and when she shows up, do whatever you feel is sufficient to get satisfaction.

I think you were right the first time.

Create a fake FB account and hire her, but say it's for a couple months away and that it's important to her that you hold the date so ask for a mailing address to send her a cheque right away.

Once you have the address sue her for fraud and harassment.

Only if you have capacity too, I mean she may not have the means to pay you, but screw her. I'd spend some effort tracking her down for that out of spite.

On a related note, I am now thinking my wife charges way too little for photos.