Can a foerigner report someone?

Can a foerigner report someone? (Full Version)

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littlekitten1 -> Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 2:34:28 AM)
Ok... I'm turning to you guys, cos you often seem to have some good answers to things. And Im guessing that since a lot of you have tried having long distance relationships, you can relate and perhaps you know about about what Im about to say. So I have this friend(yes it's a friend, and not me :P) ... She's been in a long distance relationship with her bf-thingy for a year or two now. I forget. They eventually decided to do BDSM, and he wanted to be the Master. But this guy is a friggin weirdo, I can say that much. He seems to be of the conviction that calling himself a dom/master, gives him every right to abuse and mistreat my friend as he wishes. She finally got to spend 6 entire months with him in Scotland(he's Scottish)... She lives in the US though. So... Foolishly enough, she sold a bunch of her rings and jewelries and gave him the money for safekeeping for once she'd return. Problem is, he's fucking weird, and also he doesn't know how to spend money. She got 1000 pounds out of selling her stuff. But now that she wants her money back, he's creating a fuss. Not only that, but he considers it his money. She tried asking for some of it because she was running out of her own money, but was told she'd have to make it up again. So yea... a little understanding on just how iffed up the situation is. She wants to break up. In the end, she doesn't care about the money. 1000 pounds is a nice chunk, but can be re-made in 1-2 months depending on status. Her problem is that he has a necklace and a ring that have very high sentimental value to her. She's considering going back just to retrieve those, but that means that she'd have to yet again spend a few months with that psycho(yes, I consider him that, due to other things he's done and his very insane, circular logic). Anyway what I'm asking is... is there any way a foreigner can report a Scottish citizen. She doesn't really have any evidence that the money is hers, but the necklace could at least be vouched for by her and her family. So is it actually possible to take any legal actions in situations like these? would Scottish police just laugh at her if she turned to them? Does anyone have any experience which such matters? Or would she actually have to sue in order to get back the items that are rightfully hers? Any help is appreciated. I tried googling this stuff but nothing useful comes up. And you might wonder why I'm writing this on behalf of her... well.. I'm one of the few friends she has, and I really really care about her. I want to help her at the best of my abilities, and it sucks seeing a good friend in this situation.

Karmastic -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 3:01:19 AM)
disclaimer: i don't know shit about Scottish law, but i presume it's based on UK law, which the U.S. jurisprudence is also based on (and i know a bit about that). short answer: yes, your friend can lodge a complaint, even as a foreigner or non-citizen. she can sue for the the money, but it will be a "he said she said" thing. from what you've described, there's no actual crime that's been committed. giving the goods or money to him created what's called a "bailment". him keeping it isn't usually a crime, unless there's some other pattern of economic crimes (doesn't sound like there is). same thing for the jewelry that hasn't been sold. all that said, it's probably fairly useless (but worth trying) to contact the local authorities to see if he's known as a scammer or something (some pressure or police visit) can be done. but any criminal complaint will still need a complainant, in person eventually. it's just not worth it. same for suing. she could try to scare him with a lawyer letter from a local barrister, demanding some settlement before getting the authorities involved. if he is worried about coppers, that might work. chalk this up to expensive lesson learned. edit ps: re Scottish and UK law, and U.S. law - all based on common law. A bailment is a common law concept... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailment

frazzle -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 4:45:53 AM)
She needs to phone the local police, who will advise her as to if an official criminal complaint cant be lodged. (if you know the exact location in scotland i can dig the number up for you) If they say its a civil matter, find a local solicitor, get them to write him a letter, it may scare him into returning her stuff. ( the lawsociety.org.uk list all solicitors and there areas of expertise). Feel free to contact me on the otherside if you need more info.

littlewonder -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 6:47:31 AM)
Well I'm not trying to be mean, but your friend doesn't seem to have a very good head on her shoulders. She gave a complete stranger, some guy she met on the internet that she never met until then, money and jewelry to hang on to???? Really??? If it was me, I'd write it off and forget about...sentimental or not. Yeah, I've lost sentimental stuff before due to other reasons but ya know, life moves on and eventually you forget those things. The sentiments are in your memories, not the object. Your friend might wanna think about not rushing into things and being so desperate next time and you can't save your friend from making stupid decisions. She's an adult.

littlekitten1 -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 7:14:49 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: littlewonder Well I'm not trying to be mean, but your friend doesn't seem to have a very good head on her shoulders. She gave a complete stranger, some guy she met on the internet that she never met until then, money and jewelry to hang on to???? Really??? If it was me, I'd write it off and forget about...sentimental or not. Yeah, I've lost sentimental stuff before due to other reasons but ya know, life moves on and eventually you forget those things. The sentiments are in your memories, not the object. Your friend might wanna think about not rushing into things and being so desperate next time and you can't save your friend from making stupid decisions. She's an adult. I know... Shes just becoming 20 years old... Her upbringing and life so far has lead her to be very naive. She's gotten in some extremely bad situations due to her naiveness. It really sucks seeing a friend hurt themselves like this, but I cant do much except be there for her when shit hits the fan :( Believe me, I was just as baffled as you when I was told that she'd given him the money. I've scolded her a bit, because he's already proven once, he cant be trusted with money(but a much smaller amount). Thing is, they spent 6 physical months together, and she decided then that she would indeed come back. I actually have no idea why she left her necklace though. It would have been easy enough to take back. I'm guessing she left it as an item to remind him of her. Hm... but it seems that there might not be an easy solution for her :( I was hoping her lesson wouldn't have to be as expensive as it seemed. But well... maybe it's for the best. Sometimes people need a hard slap across the face when they keep making the same errors they always did. And maybe this is that slap she needed. But I really don't blame you for your reaction. I've been keeping myself very calm and patient, despite her constant bad decisions with this guy >_< My only goal is to be there for her(I care about her a lot, so i just want her to be happy). And honestly, I just want her to get the necklace back so that nothing holds her back from breaking up with him. Im tempted to just tell her to do, but people have tried, and I think I'm the last person she needs to hear it from. Thanks anyway, forum ^^ Oh and thanks Frazzle, I'll tell her to try what you said... Even though I think all hope is lost, it doesn't hurt trying :p

OsideGirl -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 7:22:16 AM)
Whew......at least she hasn't been kidnapped and held against her will as a drugged up, nonconsentual sex slave. Her questions need to be asked to the authorities, not to you. There is nothing you can do, what happens now is entirely up to her.

littlekitten1 -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 7:35:49 AM)
Well... Knowing the guy... And if he wasn't living with his parents. I wouldn't put it past him to do just that >_< sad as it is. Then again, I may be overreacting :p (I know what you're referencing though) Either way, I know it's up to her. But I think she's not thinking straight lately, so im trying to help in any way I can. but I think I will let the case run its course.

Missokyst -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 8:09:54 AM)
Ok.. Naive is understandable sometimes. But, this is how some lessons are learned. It is the mistakes we make that teach us what does not work. She probably lost her stuff because she did give it to him. I don't think I would be throwing good money after bad in court costs and travel, because if it did go to court she would have to go back. Hard lesson, but maybe she will dent that innocence a bit and remember this the next time. quote: ORIGINAL: littlekitten1 quote: ORIGINAL: littlewonder Well I'm not trying to be mean, but your friend doesn't seem to have a very good head on her shoulders. She gave a complete stranger, some guy she met on the internet that she never met until then, money and jewelry to hang on to I know... Shes just becoming 20 years old... Her upbringing and life so far has lead her to be very naive. She's gotten in some extremely bad situations due to her naiveness.

frazzle -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 8:42:49 AM)
If its a civil, small claims court case, she can have someone represent her, so wouldnt have to travel back. And if he lives with his parents, it may well be worth contacting them directly, explaining the problem and see if they will help. Assumedly she got to know them both if she was over here for 6 months.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 9:13:54 AM)
She went and stayed at the family homestead for six months? Why cant she just ask his mum to send the necklace back? Presuming he hasnt hocked it. Write the whole mess off and be glad she hasnt lost anything serious.

Missokyst -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 9:26:37 AM)
And cost? I mean sentimenal value is nice, but sometimes it is worth shucking emotional attachment to move on. She might contact the parents, but that is as much as I would do. I still think the court thing is throwing good money after bad. The best thing that came from this as I can see is learning a lesson.. IF she did. quote: ORIGINAL: frazzle If its a civil, small claims court case, she can have someone represent her, so wouldnt have to travel back. And if he lives with his parents, it may well be worth contacting them directly, explaining the problem and see if they will help. Assumedly she got to know them both if she was over here for 6 months.

littlekitten1 -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 9:56:55 AM)
Oh she tried contacting the parents. Thats the first thing I advised her to do. But I think it just made things worse. She doesnt have his parents number, so she tried asking his sister for help, and then they all got angry at her for trying to involve the mother, and supposedly being a 'bitch'. x_x Yea... They are a hopeless case I think... Though I just know I'd never raise my kids to steal money and then let them get away with it.

TNDommeK -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 10:12:46 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: OsideGirl Whew......at least she hasn't been kidnapped and held against her will as a drugged up, nonconsentual sex slave. Her questions need to be asked to the authorities, not to you. There is nothing you can do, what happens now is entirely up to her. This^^^ Didn't we get a thread like this a few months back?

littlekitten1 -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 10:47:37 AM)
Eep... I hope you're not insinuating that Im trolling x_x Anyway I just noticed I made a horrible typo in the type. Poop.

Moonhead -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 12:36:05 PM)
Given that she'd have to re-enter the country for even a small claims court case, and that (as has been pointed out) this is all hearsay, paying somebody to break his legs and then asking again might be more effective than legal proceedings. (Though I'm with Lady Hib and Karma that she's fucked up and has hopefully learned a lesson without taking any physical harm. Chalking it up to experience might be a better move.)

kalikshama -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 1:13:10 PM)
quote: She's considering going back just to retrieve those, but that means that she'd have to yet again spend a few months with that psycho Why a few months? She shows up, gets the stuff, and leaves. However, I recommend against this as clearly she lacks the presence of mind to pull it off. I'm voting for contacting the local authorities or barrister and being prepared to write it off as a lesson learned. quote: She doesnt have his parents number, so she tried asking his sister for help, and then they all got angry at her for trying to involve the mother, and supposedly being a 'bitch'. Who care what they think of her? It's not like she has a child by this man and needs his relatives in her life. (I hope!)

littlekitten1 -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 2:15:57 PM)
Well all i can do is hope she lets go of him x_x Lol this is why contracts are a good idea even with people you think you can trust... When it comes to large sums of money.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 2:19:10 PM)
This is why you should keep your money in your own pocket!

littlekitten1 -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 2:24:09 PM)
In the end, that's the best solution.

LadyHibiscus -> RE: Can a foerigner report someone? (5/22/2012 2:26:35 PM)
It really is. If I had someone as a houseguest, they would be my guest. That doesn't mean that I would pay for their flight over, see what I mean? And I would give them the hairy eyeball if they didn't at least bring their plates to the sink and put their laundry in the right basket. It's just common sense, and I am a very generous person. I love giving gifts. I don't just write blank checks, or figure someone else is going to keep my gear safe.

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