OK, friend got scammed. any recourse?

cristos71 · Dec 20, 2016

Well this might work, I recently accidently transferred money to the wrong account number. I contacted my bank to ask for a reverse transfer, this wasn't possible, the only thing they could do was contact the other bank who would then contact the person who had received my funds with a request to repay me the money within 6 weeks.

This was done but the recipient was an a-hole and basically decided to keep my money! The only thing my bank could then do was request the address of the recipient from their bank. This was done so after about 8 weeks I received an address and it was left to me to figure out how to recover my funds!

This I did, but that part of the story is for another day 😉

Still worth a try though to tell your bank you simply transferred to the wrong account number, they may well have a different protocol for this situation

WatchVaultNYC · Dec 20, 2016

I've recently done some research on how scammers can create the Ebay, Paypal, and bank accounts they use to do exactly this kind of thing. Unfortunately, a bank wire scam if done by someone who makes a living out of it can easily be untraceable. Tracking via IP may not be helpful.

You MUST not wire to anyone who does not have an existing online reputation to uphold.

Unless this was done by a complete n00b scammer, the money is gone, sorry.

bazamu · Dec 20, 2016

The biggest issue with wires is that you get a call from the bank confirming that a) you know the recipient, and b) the amount is correct. If you sign off on both of those things and then cry that your money was stolen, the bank can't (and frankly shouldn't) do anything about it.

CajunTiger · Dec 20, 2016

ChicagoFrog
The biggest issue with wires is that you get a call from the bank confirming that a) you know the recipient, and b) the amount is correct. If you sign off on both of those things and then cry that your money was stolen, the bank can't (and frankly shouldn't) do anything about it.

This is the point of a wire transfer, an irrevocable transfer of funds. The very reason they are used in legitimate business deals, but should never be used for any other reason.

RULE #1- If an unknown seller only accepts wire transfers, he is a scammer.
If you follow this rule...your chances of being scammed are reduced 90%

alam · Dec 20, 2016

cicindela
His bank can tell him where the money was sent via the routing number, if that is any help.

if the routing number is known, then we can check the details & location of the banking institution here http://routingnumber.aba.com/

CajunTiger · Dec 20, 2016

alam
if the routing number is known, then we can check the details & location of the banking institution here http://routingnumber.aba.com/

For what reason?
Knowing this info will do nothing to help.

al128 · Dec 20, 2016

dsio
We had a scammer attempt to hit people up last night, if it smells fishy, or they ask for wire, or want you to email them instead of contact via OF, hit one of us up and we'll look the guy over at the very least. If the guy is legit we won't say anything to him.

That kind of FREE service makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...👍

dsio · Dec 20, 2016

al128
That kind of FREE service makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...👍

You can feel warm and fuzzy just don't get complacent as that's when it becomes expensive.

alam · Dec 20, 2016

CajunTiger
For what reason?
Knowing this info will do nothing to help.

agree - after the $$ is wired, little or nothing can help, but if anyone decides to wire $$ to someone who claims to be in West Virginia and the funds are going overseas perhaps they can rethink the whole thing..

Northernman · Dec 20, 2016

I am a bit baffled by the way US banking operates. Our local system acts in a way more transparent way.
For instance transfers must have a corresponding name to an account.
Accounts are only permitted if registered by an individual with a valid social security number.
Still scammers around, but banks are obliged to investigate any report on fraud by themselves.
Failing to do so may make the bank partly responsible in the crimes committed.

Darlinboy · Dec 20, 2016

The best recourse...

a stiff drink and sympathetic ear.🙁

Maganator · Dec 20, 2016

As a slight thread hijack:

Suppose an item has been posted internationally (and the package was not sent tracked or insured ) and does not arrive. The package was paid for with paypal.

The seller loses his package and the buyer loses his money - what would paypal do?

**I appreciate that the solution to this would have been to have had the item sent tracked or insured.**

WatchVaultNYC · Dec 20, 2016

Maganator
As a slight thread hijack:

Suppose an item has been posted internationally (and the package was not sent tracked or insured ) and does not arrive. The package was paid for with paypal.

The seller loses his package and the buyer loses his money - what would paypal do?

**I appreciate that the solution to this would have been to have had the item sent tracked or insured.**

If buyer makes a claim, Paypal refunds the buyer. Seller has no proof of package being delivered.

Maganator · Dec 20, 2016

WatchVaultNYC
If buyer makes a claim, Paypal refunds the buyer. Seller has no proof of package being delivered.

And does Paypal try and get the money back from the seller - if he can prove the item was sent? There is no way to prove that the item was not received.

watchknut · Dec 20, 2016

Man, this sucks...the ultimate "noob tax"...I go back to the old days when there was no PayPal.

It was really simple, you talked to a seller on the phone, figured out if they were full of BS or not, and then send USPS Money Orders or occasionally sent a wire.

I would never buy a watch if I couldn't talk to the seller first...hell I still do this on ebay on the risky auctions. Have met some really nice people and gotten some really nice watches that other buyers overlooked because of low or no feedback.

The scams I avoided came down to whether or no someone was will to discuss their watch over the phone...anyone not willing to talk watches, especially one that is thousands of dollars, most likely has something to hide.

Your buddy got hosed due to lack of experience...valuable, but painful lesson.

WatchVaultNYC · Dec 20, 2016

Maganator
And does Paypal try and get the money back from the seller - if he can prove the item was sent? There is no way to prove that the item was not received.

Seller's responsibility to prove the package was delivered, not just sent. This usually means a tracking number marked "delivered"

Faz · Dec 20, 2016

cicindela
His bank can tell him where the money was sent via the routing number, if that is any help.

cicindela
Yes, I did not mean to imply it would get money back, just illuminate the scam process as you suggest.[/Q

cicindela
His bank can tell him where the money was sent via the routing number, if that is any help.

'have dealt with a rash of scams 7 years ago involving a ring of scammers here in Canada. I tried to help the victims (in the USA and Europe) by dealing with RECOL, the RCMP internet fraud unit. They were so swamped that not much was accomplished. Through all of this I learned it's through the banks that you are likely to have the most success. You have to push them as they basically facilitated fraud by allowing a fraudulent wire. One thing is for sure is you must file a report with your authorities as well as with the local authorities and push...don't let up. They might surrender the account holder's information tot the authorities and actually make an arrest...One such victim inTexas actually succeeded and a scammer in Toronto was arrested. The others weren't so lucky.

Faz · Dec 20, 2016

WatchVaultNYC
If buyer makes a claim, Paypal refunds the buyer. Seller has no proof of package being delivered.

Or sent for that matter..

Maganator · Dec 20, 2016

Faz
Or sent for that matter..

And if you can prove it was sent?

Will paypal try to recover the money from the seller if it refunds the buyer?

Faz · Dec 20, 2016

Nope...You need proof of delivery...So if you didn't require a signature from the recipient...SOL

OK, friend got scammed. any recourse?

cristos71

WatchVaultNYC

bazamu

CajunTiger

alam

CajunTiger

al128

dsio

alam

Northernman

Darlinboy

Maganator

WatchVaultNYC

Maganator

watchknut

WatchVaultNYC

Faz

Faz

Maganator

Faz

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