How I lost my shirt to TikTok fraudsters

Scam Maguire of falling for GAA gear 'sale'

- BY BRIAN FLANAGAN

FIRST, a confession. I'm that smug and condescending person that gloats to others about how I would never fall for an online scam.

I've sat through hundreds of online safety compliance modules and pride myself on having a Sam Maguire-level of cop-on when it comes to being potentially swindled online.

It’s never happened to me. And I was cocksure it never would. Annoyingly sure.

That was until around 7pm on Saturday night.

While keeping one eye on the Galway v Dublin Leinster Hurling Final and simultaneously supervising two teenagers sitting State exams, I found myself scrolling through TikTok when something stopped me in my tracks.

An O'Neills GAA sale. And at first glance, a bloody brilliant O'Neills sale.

As the parent of two teens that practically live in O'Neills GAA gear, this felt like a genuine find. A golden opportunity to grab a few Dublin GAA bits ahead of our summer holiday.

Not to mention the chance to pick up some Meath GAA merchandise for a man who's well past the age of sporting any GAA gear.

But a Meath jersey for €15. Where do I sign up?

Shorts for €5. How many would you like?