Mark Wakeman, owner of Bakewell Pet Supplies, has been receiving multiple calls over undelivered online orders, despite his business not having a website
Hundreds of customers have been demanding to know where their online orders are after being scammed by fraudsters posing as a well-established Peak District pet shop.
Mark Wakeman, who owns Bakewell Pet Supplies, in Derbyshire, has been getting an average of 30 calls a day from people who are waiting to receive online orders from what they believe to be his store.
However, Mark’s store does not have a website and he knows nothing about their orders. This is because someone has stolen his business’ name, including his email and location, and is subsequently impersonating the store, Derbyshire Live reports.
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The shop owner has reported the situation to Report Fraud – formerly Action Fraud – however he says he is receiving no help for the problem. Mr Wakeman, also a local councillor, says the problem, which first came to light at the end of May, is getting worse and he is worried his business is going to suffer as a result.
He said: “Sometimes we have had as many as 50 calls in a day, and we have also had people turning up at the shop wanting to know where their goods are that they have paid for, and they can get quite angry. I have to break the news to them that there aren’t any goods and that they need to report the problem to the fraud people or at least to the police.
“They don’t seem to understand that there is nothing we seem to be able to do to get the other site taken down or stopped, and they blame us for the situation. I am very upset that nothing seems to be being done about it, and I feel so helpless.
“Initially, when we told the fraud people, it seemed to calm down, but in recent weeks it has just got worse. We have contacted everyone we can to try to get this sorted, but no one seems bothered.
“We are being warned to look out for fraud and scamming all the time, and then when it happens, nothing. Other businesses without websites could also be under threat.”
The 47-year-old took to his genuine Facebook account to explain the situation, but he says this doesn’t seem to have helped. The fake business is getting bad reviews on the uk.trustpilot.com site, which appears to be linked to the USA, but Mr Wakeman says people could interpret them as relating to his own genuine business.
He said: “In desperation, I have gone to Derbyshire Live to help get the message out there that people should not trade online with a company posing as us. We have also put our own message on the uk.trustpilot.com site, trying to warn people.”
The message says: “Please do not buy from this site, they take your money and no goods are received. We are Bakewell Pet Supplies, a small shop in Bakewell and do not have a website. These fraudsters are imitating our company and using our details. We are doing everything to get this site taken down. If you have purchased, please contact Report Fraud.”
Mr Wakeman added: “At one point, the fraudulent site seemed to be removed, but then when Report Fraud decided not to pursue it further, it went back up again – so I am at a loss to know what is going on.
“And we haven’t had any help from Report Fraud Victim Services support, probably because we are not the direct victims claiming money back, although the damage which is being done to our business could be incalculable.
“Anyone who has been affected by this should report it to Report Fraud, and maybe if some of the hundreds of people who have been in touch with us do that, then someone will please take notice.”
When contacted for comment on the action they would be taking in response to the incident, Report Fraud told Derbyshire Live: “Report Fraud can confirm that it received the complaint on May 29, 2026. It was assessed by the Report Fraud Analysis Service at the City of London Police, but has not been passed to a police force for investigation at this time.
“Over 850,000 reports are made every year. These reports are assessed against several criteria; unfortunately, not every case will be sent to law enforcement for investigative opportunities.
“There are different ways a report can be dealt with when it isn’t passed to a police force. These include the Report Fraud Victim Services supporting victims of cyber crime and fraud with specialist advice and helping victims to recover losses.”
Report Fraud does not have investigative powers but sends its reports to the Crime Services department, which decides if there is enough information to send to a police force for investigation, according to the Report Fraud website.
It recommends that any business, charity or organisation under a cyber attack should contact 0300 123 20240, and Victim Support is available on 08081 689111.
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