Getting scammed on Carousell: what happened and what you should do

Hey guys. This incident happened only last week and is still ongoing, hence I will keep all of you updated constantly about the results. Meanwhile, all the victims are planning to take action, and more are coming up as we speak.

-What happened-

A Carousell seller had multiple accounts (three have so far been suspended, and we suspect a fourth may have been her friend or something) smearrunaway and runawaygirls which has since been changed to girlyloots and lovelylooted. More info below.  

Using the multiple accounts she has scammed more than 30 victims already (myself included) and the money that she has scammed has been estimated to total to more than $1000 SGD. I'm putting this post up so all of you know what to do cos I felt so helpless myself. I want everyone to know how to deal with it when you guys get scammed too. What should you do? And I also want to write down properly exactly what happened because I want this accident to be known. And I don't want it happening ever again to anyone else. This is not intended to slander or defame anyone.

Let's start with the item I bought: the saboskirt galaxy dress, the pricing was $35 which I thought was pretty reasonable because most saboskirt items on Carousell are priced between that range anyways. To clarify this is conversation for two items, I almost bought another as well! She is delusional if she thinks that by providing one picture of the parcel it makes her innocent. Nope. 

From this scam alone, I have lost $40. I AM A STUDENT. I've had to work as an online seller to earn the money and I deserve to be spending my money and given the goods I paid for. Parents of this seller please assist if you can thanks. 

-Why I didn't suspect-

~1. It was a new account, hence the lack of reviews was possible~

Many new accounts maybe haven't complete deal so no review, not much suspicion there.

~2. The fact that people don't offer MEETUPS is quite normal~

Some people work full day or have school and activites full day hence no MEETUPS, it's not an uncommon thing

~3. No real life pic provided is not exactly strange either~

Sellers may sometimes feel that if it's exact to picture there's no need to provide anything more. Or else lazy take picture and stuff. Quite normal.

~4. Already had her account and phone number, as well as her picture, in case.~

Scam also must make sure people can't track you down right? Obviously won't suspect.

-How we uncovered the scam-

~1. Didnt offer registered mails but the reasons she gave was different. Also no vid proof~

She told me she can't drop by the post office, okay loh. 

But she gave a different reason to another buyer, mentioning her mom COULD stop by. Funny how her mom got time eh? Also no video proof to be provided that the mail actually went into the mailbox. Anyone can just paste stamp on stuff take picture right. But video proof harder to escape from. Also never provided me back of parcel which should've had her address. Obviously don't want us to find her.

~2. All the bad reviews on all her accounts. Also she blocked us if we enquired afterwards~

Up to now she has almost 30 negative reviews about her and all are accusing her of scamming. Please check if you're a victim too! She has blocked us if we whatsapp or try to call her, and not replying text. 

Here are some examples: 

~3. We found out that few accounts were using same account number. She also had a previous account already existing on Carousell~

After we reported the case the Carousell admins also suspended one account that seemed to be the only one giving her scam accounts a good review? You know why? COS ITS HER OWN DAMN ACCOUNT. Either that or her friends. Her Instagram name was changed rather similar to that username afterwards, with the whole sunflower thingy. She also changed the account name like her other accounts. 

Can you tell she changed her story from buying 4 items to 7 items? 

Also, both her accounts which were smearrunaway and runawaygirls now changed to lovelylooted and girlsloot and she DELETED ALL HER LISTING SO NO ONE COULD RETRIEVE THEIR CONVERSATIONS. thankfully, the admins have restored it for us when we emailed them. 

These are the newly created accounts: 

Items sold are extremely similar and so are the terms and conditions.

~4. A user created a post about the scam revealing everything~

A user on Carousell has already created a post on the scam. Her name is @vibescented. Please check her scam post! A lot of victims are appearing there. There is also a Facebook post. 

~5. More and more people surfaced about being scammed and also how much and none received their packages~

Up till now the count of victims has reached over 30. With that, we calculate an estimated 1000 over Singapore dollars being scammed away by this person in less than two weeks. Another Facebook user has actually come up to one of the victims saying that her husband's mistress was our scammer, and that she was going to help him pay with OUR MONEY, 4k in road tax and insurance. THIS HAS TO STOP. 

-What we are going to do-

~1. Her personal information~

We have so far gotten information about her brother and are trying to get hold of him or this girls parents. 

Her full name is Charmaine Tan Hui En. She is 19 years old. 

The account number she uses to cheat everyone is POSB SAVINGS 228-63060-8

Her mobile number is 90670373

We believe that she studies at AMK ITE. If any of her friends or family see this please contact me. 

We have several of her pictures. Note that all this is google imaged. 

If you google kinkylustdope you can find her social media accounts but we believe she has since changed her name, or deactivated and so on. 

Her friends have tried to talk to her and she refuses to admit it. 

She also denied it to her brother. 

Our bare minimum is to get back the money that was taken from us unlawfully. Please help us if you know anything. Thank you! 

~2. Request all victims to make a police call or report ASAP~

Many of us have also made a call to the police and went in for interview and report ASAP. The more we stand up for ourselves the better the chance she is stopped.

~3. Consider legal action~

Consider getting a lawyer and suing her if you can. 

UPDATE: CASE CLOSED, received my money back! http://eatdressblog.blogspot.sg/2015/11/updates-on-carousell-scam-case-closed.html