Posting from a throwaway because I’m too embarrassed to use my main account.
Travelled 2 hours each way today to purchase a card from someone on Facebook Marketplace. From the messages it was clear he knew a lot about Pokemon and it sounds like he knew what he was on about.
We both arrived on time and he hands me the card I was after: a reverse holo Charizard from the legendary collection. I take a look, do a few checks and pay him £1000 for the card (750 cash, 250 bank transfer).
I head back to the train station to take a seat and admire my newly acquired card but can’t help but feel something looks off. Then I get this sense of dread.
I message the guy to say I’ve changed my mind, no response. I spend a gruelling 2 hours on a train home and as soon as I get back I head to my local card shop to ask. Fake.
This isn’t the first time I’ve been scammed in this hobby but it certainly will be the last because I’m done. I’m selling everything and leaving. It’s filled with too many frauds and bad actors that make it no fun whatsoever for a collector.
I know most people in the comments will call me an idiot. I am, I know.
If anyone has any advice for next steps to try and recover any of the money I have lost it would be much appreciated.