A Co Down primarily based candle-making enterprise is warning different small companies to stay vigilant to scammers on the run-up to Christmas after they had been conned out of £11,000.
ichael Morris first arrange the Bearded Candlemakers in 2013 from his love of tales and smells.
The merchandise have proved well-liked proper throughout Northern Eire and the Republic of Eire, the place he sells his candles in plenty of stockists.
He took to social media to inform the story of being made a latest sufferer of what he has referred to as an “horrendous rip-off” the place the scammer posed as somebody from their accountancy agency and paid visits to them in individual, underneath the guise of serving to them organise their funds.
The hundreds of kilos Michael thought was going right into a enterprise account was, nevertheless, being siphoned right into a crypto account which he has been advised can’t be recovered.
He has since arrange a GoFundMe web page within the hope that family and friends members would possibly have the ability to donate what they will to assist preserve the enterprise afloat and to recoup any cash they misplaced by way of the rip-off.
On the GoFundMe web page, Michael mentioned: “We have set this up on the variety request of our household and associates to assist us by way of a reasonably tough time. We have been victims to an horrendous rip-off by way of the enterprise.
“It has left us in a horrible state of affairs, and we’re not sure if we will get by way of it financially.”
He defined the rip-off began after they stuffed out a enterprise survey they believed was despatched by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to hyperlink native companies collectively.
“It requested who my accountant was, the web supplier, our stationary provider and so on. Then adopted with native options to make use of as a substitute. I stuffed it out and despatched it again within the equipped envelope,” mentioned Michael.
“Then a man supposedly from ‘our’ accountancy agency referred to as out to the studio, and that is when it started.
“He launched himself, and I mistakenly mentioned it was good to fulfill him in individual, as I had solely handled him over the cellphone and by way of e mail earlier than — he was utilizing the title of an precise individual from the agency.
“He had come out to assist me with my VAT returns, which he was ready assist with — he will need to have had coaching or expertise with accounts/taxes/VAT. He was charming, pleasant and educated.”
Throughout these conferences, the scammer advised Michael that he was speculated to be establishing funds that may pay payments, taxes, hire, and so on — however these weren’t being paid and he was in reality directing the cash into crypto accounts, which the police have since advised the small enterprise proprietor is “untraceable and will not be recovered”.
“The quantity stolen is within the area of £11,000 — however as a result of nearly all of that was tax funds, he has primarily stolen double that, as a result of the tax nonetheless needs to be paid,” he continued.
“Now we’re working our socks off to get by way of this, working workshops, pushing presents, going to markets and doing all we will, however it’s a big quantity to get again.
“What has made it worse is that our materials prices are spiralling uncontrolled. Within the present financial backdrop we do not assume we will survive with out asking for assist.
“I really like my enterprise. I really like each scent I’ve made. I really like each connection I’ve made. I’ve made unimaginable associates by way of the enterprise. I’ve gotten to work with unimaginable folks, and I’ve all the time felt that what we’ve is greater than a candle enterprise.
“So, that is my story. I do not need my candle journey to finish right here. If you happen to can assist in any tiny manner, be it a quid, a like, a comply with or pat on the again — that may be superior.”
After solely establishing the GoFundMe web page three days in the past, the small enterprise has already recovered a lot of the cash by way of the kindness of consumers and individuals who have sympathised with their scamming ordeal.
As of this morning, over £9,700 was donated in the direction of changing the £11,000 stolen.
Police have additionally issued a warning to companies to be “on guard” following the incident which they’ve identified was from a scammer in Downpatrick.
A PSNI spokesperson mentioned: “We all know how distressing it’s for a enterprise proprietor to be scammed out of their hard-earned cash.
“It is very important stay vigilant. Scammers will go to nice lengths to trick folks and make the most of their good religion.”
