**** ALERT - JUSTIN RHOODE

We were ****med these last holidays. Rented a place in Herm**** for a few days in January, through a private agent that had been recommended/ details passed on from a trusted friend, as he’d previously rented out their holiday house. It was March, pickings were slim and I was trying to accommodate parents with us as well. Paid up in full (obviously). Long story short, he stopped answering WhatsApp messages, didn’t take calls, didn’t reply to emails. We knew where the accommodation was, went there (at the pre-arranged time) but obviously the house was already occupied and when we managed to contact the owner of the house, he confirmed that it hasn’t been rented. We’ve since received an email from this ‘agent’ admitting to his deceit of the rental, ruining our holiday and asking for a payment plan to return the money he stole from us. Again, since our reply to this email, nothing. We’ve tried to open a case against him in Herm**** with the police, but bizarrely can’t as we were in Mauritius (we live here) when the transactions were made, despite it being from our SA bank account. We have since spoken to a lawyer who has advised that the costs and effort to try and recoup our money aren’t worth it. We have registerred a complaint with the Estate Agency Board (I think it is) and Herm**** Tourism, but at this point, I just don’t want anyone else to be ****med by this guy.

According to the lawyer I have every right to name and shame.

If anyone has any other suggestions to easily blacklist him, or to make others aware, please let me know.

At this point I’m trusting in karma.