Money problems

[jmur5074]

Well, I don't have a real good knowledge of how fed laws work, so I thought I'd stop here and ask. A co-worker of mine has been duped, and duped badly. I told him not to do what he did, but he didn't listen. He was talking to a girl online, and over the phone, and she asked him to receive by mail, a money order from her, in his name that her place of employement (which is supposedly an american company)would make up for her. Then she wanted to have him cash it, and send the money back to her because where she was (overseas) there was no where to cash american money or money orders. So she sent him a Wal-Mart Financial Services money order. Well, I did some research and found out there are NO walmarts where she's at, so how'd she get a wal mart money order you ask?? Yes, that's right, it was counterfeit. So, now his bank withdrew $2,000 from his account, because he cashed a fraudulent money order, and being the receipient he was responsible (by the bank) for the money that wasn't there. He is currently $1,200 in the hole, with checks bouncing rapidly. He has reported it to some FBI reporting line, and he's filled out a form on an FBI website. He also went to Wal Mart financial services, and they said they don't have any part it in, because it was a counterfeit money order. Is there anything else he can do, besides what he's already done?? And is he in any sort of legal trouble because of his ignorance and gullibility??

[Piggy]

I don't think the federal government would prosecute him for two reason. They don't prosecute unless they have an air-tight case.....and in our area the property stolen has to exceed $30,000 unless other circumstances exist.

He'll never get his $2,000 back, and I can guarantee the FBI isn't going to investigate anything unless the suspects name is Bin Laden. Chances are this will be a hard lesson learned for him.

[jmur5074]

That's kind of what I figured. The IP came back to someplace in Nigeria, I think they were using a bouncer. I asked my Chief if he knew anything about it and he shrugged his shoulders, so I thought this would be the best place to go. Thanks, I'll have to let him know what you said. And give him a swift kick in the arse for being a doorknob! :D

[Nole795]

This is a typical Nigerian Scam. Have your friend contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in your area and report the incident if the check was sent to him via the U.S. Mail. USPIS may be working other cases similiar to your friends.

[jmur5074]

It was fedex'ed. I guess the IP address for this person has been "Blacklisted" by the FBI as being a scam. Anyone know anything about that?

[Swat1]

Doesn't matter that it was Fedex. The USPIS has oversight for all mail carriers including Fedex and UPS. Report it to USPIS, they tend to investigate these things with more vigor than the bureau.

Swat1*

[eff-bee-eye]

Was it really a "coworker" of yours, or did you get duped? :D Just kidding, but yes these so called "Nigerian" scams are the oldest Internet scams in the book it seems. Did you also file your complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov)? They are a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.

Make sure you report the email address (if there was one used) to the ISP provider as well.

Most people are able to catch these scams before falling for them (no offense to you or your friend), but it sure does suck for those that are victims of these crimes, and the fact is that most people will not get their money back.

[jmur5074]

Yes, it was a co-worker. Being that we both work in law enforcement, I'm astounded he was taken into this, especially after myself, and many other people we work with told him NOT to do it, because it was a scam. He told me he "reported it online" as well as to a local FBI office. I'm assuming he sent it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. I'll have to ask him, and recommend it if he didn't. And yeah, I told him he probably wouldn't get his money back, but he's hell bent on doing it. I said "good luck". I think he needs more than that.

[Kate]

I wonder if your friend got something similiar to the following email I received. Take notice the impeccable use of grammar and sentence structure Raul uses, as sick as the poor man is. :rolleyes:

Dear Friend,

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe
everyone will die someday. My name is Raul Blanco a merchant from Spain, I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer .It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided to give financial assistance to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Somalia and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organizations in Bulgaria and Pakistan; they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them. The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of four Million five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($4,500,000,000.00) that I have with a inance/Security Company abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations of your choice. If you know that you are willing to assist me in this matter, let me know, because you are going to deal with my Attorney, you can then discuss the percentage from there. My hands, Legs and all my entire body is very weak, so i will not always be very strong to respond to you. Though i have a Lap top in the Hospital which i will be using to know the position of things.Please i want you to indicate your interest in this transaction by sending your contact informations to my alternate email address which is ivinecool@netscape.net ,i look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

God be with you.
Raul Blanco.

[Nole795]

Doesn't matter that it was Fedex. The USPIS has oversight for all mail carriers including Fedex and UPS. Report it to USPIS, they tend to investigate these things with more vigor than the bureau.

Swat1*

Actually this is inaccurate...USPIS only investigates these types of cases where the U.S. mail is involved. USPIS has no jurisdiction with FedEx and UPS.

But you get do get green for the "vigor" comment.