Totally Frenched Out

From the blogger formerly known as Samdebretagne

Saturday, September 6, 2008

I couldn't make this up if I tried...

**Scam Update**

The other guy has basically given up since he thinks that, as a black man, that the police will pretty much tell him to go f**k off since we don't have any hard proof. He's also worried that she will turn around and porte plainte against him for defamation and he's had some past troubles so he wants to stay clean this time. So I asked him for the girl's number and decided to call her myself.

The first time, she was all defensive and acted like she had no idea what I was talking about (as if the dude hadn't ever called her) and that she had no way, under no circumstances, ever sublet her apartment to qui que ce soit. I told her I didn't want any histoires, I just wanted my money back and that was it. She said she would call me back later. She did, and then had this whole story set up about how she actually had sublet her apartment out to a guy during her vacances, and she thinks he's the one behind all of this. And how she's a victim too because he never paid her for the rent like he said he would, plus he turned around and scammed us. So the only solution is that all of us go porter plainte together at the police station. I asked why she hadn't said that the first time around, and she said it was because she was worried I was from the agence immobilière and she didn't want to get into more trouble since she already owes them so much money. I talked to the other guy about it afterwards, and he is still sure it's her and that she's just doing this so she appears innocent as well.

I keep going back and forth - there were times when I really believed that she had no clue what was going on. She really did seem upset at the idea that random people were walking around with keys to her apartment, and she kept asking me if her stuff was still there. And I mean, she was even ready to pay for me to come back to Paris this weekend so we could go to the cops together ASAP. And she's called me four or five times since to try to convince me to come back. But still, I keep coming back to the fact that she is in all this debt and yet still managed to go on vacation for two weeks. And that she wasn't honest with me right away about subletting her place. It just seems like every time one of us talks to her, she says she'll call us back, which makes it seem like she needs time to make up a story. So I don't know. She called again this morning and woke me up, but I told her I would call back later. Either way though, I'm stuck - I can't prove anything and if the other guy gives up, it's pretty much over....

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17 Comments:

Blogger L said...

But if subletting is illegal, then she doesn't have any recourse either for her story that she sublet her place to an evil guy who scammed everyone else. The police will tell her they can't do anything like they told you. I think you should keep pressing her. Nicely, but firmly, like you said you don't want any histoires, just to get your money back. As the secretary at the university here in Toulouse said to someone on the phone "Tout le monde a des problèmes. Mais la vie c'est trouver des solutions" so cut the crap on not being able to give you your money back. And going on vacation sounds fishy as well if she's so far in debt.

September 6, 2008 at 11:14 AM  
Blogger The Inside Skinny Girl said...

Why not just say to her, "Give me my 1500 back and I won't report you to les flics." and see if that works? Tell her you have a friend on the police force you've been talking to and he's going to pursue it further if she doesn't cooperate. It's underhanded, I admit, but then you're not dealing with an honest person here.

September 6, 2008 at 1:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You could also tell her that you are going to change the locks and you'll be happy to give her the new keys when you get your 1500 back. I don't know if it's the same there, but here you can just change out the key chamber w/out replacing the whole thing. Or Is that extortion? I don't want you to get in trouble!

September 6, 2008 at 1:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

duh, I forgot, you aren't there...ah, well, worth a shot!

September 6, 2008 at 2:20 PM  
Blogger Doc said...

The vacances/debt thing doesn't shock me at all--remember this is France, and les vacances are more sacred than Christmas.

September 6, 2008 at 3:18 PM  
Blogger J said...

Yeah, going on vacances when you are broke isn't surprising for French people... I know plenty of people who have serious money problems (can't pay rent, etc.) but still spend money to go on vacation. She just sounds like an idiot. I wouldn't give up! Is the other guy "living" there or did he find another place?

September 6, 2008 at 4:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think try the Bold Soul's idea...that sounds good. I reckon she did it as well...why oh why would she have that thing about the police after her on facebook...but WHO THE HELL brags about crime like that? Maybe biker gangs? Weird. So weird.

September 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM  
Blogger SDhillon said...

I know I sound like a mother (which I am!), but you should be careful - I wouldn't plan on meeting with her. You do not know what kind of freak she is (or her boyfriend). I also think "the bold soul"'s idea is good. I am sure she is not telling you the truth and is in on it. Also, maybe you can find an article that was in the paper about scams like this(wasn't there one recently?) and contact them - maybe they can help.

September 6, 2008 at 5:41 PM  
Blogger Patricia said...

The "pinkchoquet" above was from me, but my comment came up under my daughter's name - she was on my computer again!

September 6, 2008 at 5:44 PM  
Blogger A Tank said...

oooh i really like the idea about changing the locks... if there's any way you can go about that, that would be AWESOME. she couldn't go to the cops, because she'd have to tell them she ripped you off! anyway, i think she's still guilty guilty and you should keep trying to get your money back.

September 6, 2008 at 6:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do not give up. She is telling you bullshit after bullshit. Tell her you are going to report her to les flics and the agence immobilière. If she gives your money back, then you'll forget about her. I think she is actually getting extra time right now. Be carefull, she might vanish soon. Maybe find some French guy that is assertive enough to scare her. You're very lucky to be in contact with them, do not give up! Like I said in your earlier post, subleting is illegal but not a crime. The only thing she faces if the realtor discovered she was subleting would be to be evicted from her apartment. That's it. The police doesn't get involved in subleting cases. This scam though is a crime.

September 6, 2008 at 8:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

threaten to put her pic and histoire up online in one of the french BBs. and change the locks fer sher.

September 6, 2008 at 11:57 PM  
Blogger Non Je Ne Regrette Rien said...

okay, I've had company a few days and have just now read your past few posts and all I can say is 'je suis desolée'... I SO had this weird twinge in my stomach when I read you gave him cash and ALSO had a weird feeling but then I was all, no Kim that is just you being your obsessive self.

THAT SUCKS! christ, I'd want to get mad AND get even.

September 7, 2008 at 9:38 AM  
Blogger Mignonne said...

ALSO, check your email, there is a referral for you regarding a studio. cheers!

September 7, 2008 at 12:39 PM  
Blogger leon's life said...

It seems that you are not the only one, this is Switzerland but ...maybe try contacting them to see if they can

http://archives.24heures.ch/VQ/RIVIERA_CHABLAIS/-/article-2008-08-534/escroquerie

September 8, 2008 at 12:22 PM  
Blogger leon's life said...

Another story from the same source. (sorry that I don’t know how to post a link correctly but a copy + paste should work)

This story could be yours, so it makes me think that the girl is telling truth. As I never understood that if she was involved why she would give you the keys to get in to her place, that just makes no sense at all.

http://archives.24heures.ch/VQ/LA_COTE/-/article-2008-08-1568/arnaque---une-jeune-lausannoise-ravie-d8217avoir-deniche-un-appartement-a-neuchl-a-ete-flouee


It looks like she just scared because she sublet something she shouldn’t have been subletting and is worried about the consequences this may have. At the end of the day she has been stupid , but she not the one out of pocket by + 1500.00 euros is she ! Try the site les arnaques.com they may have some advice or at least point you in the right direction.

September 8, 2008 at 1:15 PM  
Blogger leon's life said...

Yes me again - As for the holiday thing I don’t find this shocking. She is perhaps of Portuguese origin ( nearly 800 000 people like this in France) and is staying with her granny. You never know. . .

September 8, 2008 at 1:33 PM  

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