OK, now what do I do?

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Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 9:51 pm

I created a new bank acct with no money in it, locked it down so no funds could be EFTed out. My scammer supposedly deposited $1000 in it, and wants me to return $850 to him via Western Union. I figure I will first stall him by telling him that my bank won't release the funds, because of all the Nigerian fraud, and that they will have to check the source and be sure the funds are real, which could easily take a month. Then, of course, I can send him on many wild goose chases with the wonderful Western Union ploys on this site. But how do I stall him for a month?

Newbie

Not quite a Newb Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 72

Did he really put money in it? If any money gets into that account, call the police right away and tell them what's going on. Any money they give you is stolen, or being laundered, or something else you don't want to be involved in, and you need to tell the authorities as soon as anything happens that might cast suspicion on you, and you receiving money from a shady source is definitely such an event.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 10:45 pm

If he DID put money in your account, notify a Mod by private message immediately and ask for assistance.

Bruin

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 2:49 am

Skamkween

This was not a good idea as you can inadvertenly get yourself into trouble with the bank.

It sounds like your lad has flashed your account with the money.

He has either got a fellow scammer working in a bank to temporarily transfer X amount into your account, and then you check it, see it's there and then send them the rest via WU.

They could have deposited a fake check into the account

They could have deposited money into it from someone who's bank account details they obtained from phishing.

The money could be transfered from a stolen credit card.

Seriously.....you do not want to involve yourself with this at all. Close the account and walk away from it.

Then bait the lad from a new account

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 3:20 am

You opened a real bank account? Shocked

If so, I'm with Lotta. IMO if the money is there, it most likely came from a fake cheque deposited into your account or from a victim's compromised (phished) bank account or CC.

If it shows as a straight deposit, its probably a fake cheque that will bounce sooner or later, probably sooner. The bank will take back the money and probably hit you with a bounced check charge when that happens. Don't touch the money. Tell the bank that you did not make the deposit and lock down the account completely. Close it as soon as you can.

If it shows as a wire or bank transfer (a bit more common), it came from a phished bank account or CC. This is called "money laundering", and can land you in a crapload of trouble. Have the transfer reversed then close the account immediately.

As Lotta said, you do NOT want to get involved in this.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 6:55 am

Quote:

Then bait the lad from a new account

Make that a new e-mail account, not a new bank account. Smile

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 7:17 am

Quote:

I created a new bank acct with no money in it

@ skamkween

Is this a real account or a faked one on a faked website, if it is all faked then no worries but if you opened a real bank account then do as the others said, CLOSE IT AND WALK AWAY Cool

If you opened a real account knowing that you were going to recieve funds which are, at least questionable, then you can be held to account on a fraud charge. and if it is a real account, did you open it with your real details