Family caught by online caravan holiday scam
TWO little boys were left "very disappointed" after their first caravan holiday turned out to be a scam.
Jade and Steve Burt, from Saltash, were left "livid" after being told the eight-berth static caravan they had booked online for their first holiday with their nephews didn't exist.
-
Jade Burt's young nephews Coby, 5, and Ty, 3, were left bitterly disappointed
The couple had seen an advert for the caravan on a free-ads website and had enquired if it was available for the August bank holiday weekend.
Mrs Burt, 28, said: "The advert said the caravan was at a campsite in Hayle and it even had pictures. When we asked if it was available the man told us he had received a lot of interest but that if we paid the £350 in full he would secure the booking.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
"We had promised the children a holiday in a caravan because they have never been in one. This was the only place we could find and we had the man's name and bank details so we didn't think it was dodgy."
But when Mr and Mrs Burt and their two nephews Coby, 5, and Ty, 3, turned up at the campsite after a two-hour drive, they were told the caravan did not exist.
Mrs Burt said: "I was angry. I had two small children jumping around my feet and trying to explain to them there was no caravan was very difficult. They got really upset and were very disappointed. My husband was livid."
The couple then spent another £400 to stay in a nearby chalet.
Police, who are now investigating a series of seven false representations in the last seven weeks, are warning people to be wary.
PC Steve Northcott, of Charles Cross police station, said: "We have had one victim from Loughborough who travelled down to Cornwall with her five children, one of whom was disabled, to be told there was no caravan. The poor woman was absolutely distraught.
"People who are considering renting caravans or chalets from these sites should always use the authorised payment methods like Paypal.
"These offenders are preying on people who want a bargain - people who can ill afford to lose money.
"This is a particularly despicable crime that is affecting a lot of children.
"We need to bring these people before the courts to prevent further offences and to ensure their victims get the justice they deserve."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting crime reference number ED/12/4060.
Comments
by imalady
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 4:50AM
“I am a caravan owner & we ask for a £40 none returnable deposit up front then 2 seperate payments before the holiday starts. But there has be occasions when, for whatever reason families have cancelled. So I have been forced to sell quickly on ebay. But i have also advertised on freeads. Cant see anything wrong with advertising this way, but yes pay pal or credit card is always the safest route. Been scammed myself over Theatre tickets thankfully i payed by credit card but i found it all very distressing. Hope the family get their money back & the horrible person caught & dealt with.”
by PLYMFOX01
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 11:54PM
“Poor people having their holiday ruined by some lowlife. I echo what trudie2010 has said to be honest. Paypal is one of the safest ways to pay for something such as this. My sister in law owns a caravan in Cornwall and she accepts payment through Paypal.
Am glad these people got another holiday but I hope they will be more careful when booking their next holiday.”
by niugnepyzarc
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 9:22PM
“onionrings are you a ginger virgin then? because you seem to be the one insulting people over the net here, I was just commenting on the story :P
pot calling kettle black mate.”
by Dan_Spartan
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 1:10PM
“How disturbing to find out you dont have a caravan booked.
It is normal to pay upfront for caravans.
I go on caravan on holidays to cornwall all the time surfing, I highly recommend the "£10" holiday deals that are often in the herald (expect to pay about £70 - 90) Its by heaven holidays”
by onionrings
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 2:16AM
“@niugnepyzarc
does your mum know your up this late?
The internet, making ginger virgins all across the world wiser and braver.”
by niugnepyzarc
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 1:01AM
“whoah god forbid I have an opinion on a messageboard meant for opinions you fool :P If you cannot see the stupidity in forking over 350 quid to a bloke in the freeads for a holiday then theres no hope for `ya` `pal` :P”
by niugnepyzarc
Monday, September 10 2012, 10:27PM
“you book a holiday through the freeads what do you expect? that is a new level of stupidity, atol/abta protection is there for a reason and all genuine holiday companys have some kind of protection along those lines, giving a bloke over the freeads your money without any protection what so ever is the equivalent of buying a car from a dodgy second hand place and then not expecting to find anything wrong with it.
Sympathise with the family as I do it doesnt take a brain surgeon to relise booking holidays in such a way is not a good idea.”
by Vinnie_Gar
Monday, September 10 2012, 4:14PM
“TWO little boys were left "very disappointed" after their first caravan holiday turned out to be a scam."
I prefer Rolf Harris' version.”
by bacardi
Monday, September 10 2012, 3:57PM
“The police did trace the scumbag hes called Lee Baxter from Saltash but when they went to arrest him he'd done a runner, probably with all the money he has conned out of people. He was very convincing even asking how many passes they needed for the holiday camp etc :-(”
by marc1964
Monday, September 10 2012, 2:00PM
“If they had camped with other caravans in central park , it would be free, all the amenaties are close by. The police and PCC will protect you and you can go when every you want and can leave all your rubbish behind.
Joking aside poor lads not getting a holiday but it is buyer beware especially when they want full payment up front”