I believe I've been scammed....

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 22 May 2015 Posts: 11

Hello all,

First time poster, I wanted to share my experience with some folks who can relate. Here's the story:

I was in search of a loan, I have bad credit and. I assets so I can't get a bank loan or any bigger financial institution to give me a loan. Hence why I relied on searching online (kijiji/craigslist etc). I emailed a private lender and he called me back a few days later. He agreed to give me the loan and deposit into my bank account. Thinking back I know right away that sounds shady, never give out bank info etc....but I was extremely desperate and he was the only one to reach out to me, so I agreed. The loan amount I required was $2500. When he did the deposit, called and asked how much was in my account. There was $600, I asked why 600 when we agreed to 2500? He said he needed to "make sure you don't just run off with the money, I have to see if I can trust you" I didn't really understand but I went ahead anyhow and did everything he asked right down to the fine details. (Keep in mind I'm desperate for the loan so in my head I'm just doing what he requires of me to get my loan).

Next, e asked me to withdraw the funds, and go back into the bank and RE DEPOSIT them to his "friends" account, which he gave me the details for. Oh, and he said to deposit it cash, and NOT to use my card, if they ask say you do not bank with them. Hmmmm. He told me after I send it back he'd send te full amount, he was just seeing "if he could trust me, if I could follow instructions properly" I realize now there's red flags all over the place and this whole thing sounds shady as hell.

He repeated this process THREE times!! He kept sending $600 but that really didn't even help, I needed the whole amount. Kept telling him I don't want your $600, just send what we agreed upon, the 600 is yours so just take it back please. After the 3rd time, BOOM, my accounts blocked and I can't access anything!

I contact my bank, they ask me to come in and speak to them. They inquire about the deposits made into my account, they think I made them. I told them otherwise and explained the situation. Another thing to keep in mind, I don't have funds available in my account at all...... Obviously right away she said "this is why you never give out bank information" and informed me the deposits were made in cheque that were faulty/fraudulent/could bounce! And BECAUSE I don't have funds available to cover the amount deposited they are putting my account on hold until the cheques clear. They said since you withdrew the funds, if you still have them, you can put them back in and well re open your account, we just need to see funds available to cover these cheques. I told them it's gone, I was receiving a loan and used it(I did not tell them about re depositing, I'm not trying to get others involved, I'll take these hits myself and move on). I had absolutely NO IDEA whatsoever he was using cheques! I just assumed cash, never bothered to even ask.....so for now they are locking my account, I do not expect these cheques to clear so I'm now on the hook for $1800, and can't get into my account until their paid off! They're going to wait until they get the amount in full through my weekly pay cheques before re opening!! So as of now I have NO money available! None!!

I contacted this guy and told him look....just be honest, I don't care anymore, I'll take the hit and move on but I'd like to know if you screwed me or not. I informed him what the bank told me, he said they're lying, only used cash. He asked "If I used cheque, why didn't they provide you a name? There has to be a name associated with a cheque." I replied that I highly doubt the bank is going to lie about a cheque or cash. I contacted the bank again, got a new representative and they told me 100% positive it was cheques. "We can't give out a name until after something happens with the cheques, whether they clear or bounce. Call back in 3-5 business days" he(the guy) also told me I could get in trouble for money laundering.....WTF?!? Man are you KIDDING ME?!? I almost threw up when I heard that. 6-10 years in jail for THIS?!? And it wasn't even me!!

He kept saying they're lying he never used cheques etc etc. I said ok jut forget it man. Whatever. After I've had time to let it digest, I see what's happening. Deposit bogus cheque, make IDIOT me re deposit it and they take off with the money leaving me with the responsibility of paying off the cheques. Rinse & repeat. Idiot me never caught onto it, I feel like a total clown. This has completely RUINED me, behind on bills, have next to nothing for grocery, CANT EVEN PAY MY DAMN RENT!! I don't blame anyone but my stupid idiotic self for this. You live and you learn, I guess......anyhow that's it, I'll update once I wait a few business days and contact the bank again, but I'm 99% sure I'm on the hook for these deposits. Which means I'll be working 3 weeks FOR NOTHING! I've heard of this scam before, maybe because no ones this clueless, but that's my event.

Lastly, I know it contradicts the point of this website, but I'm not trying to "get back" or have this guy arrested or anything. I just wanted to vent to those ego could possibly relate, and just take my lumps and move on. Thank you for those who took the time we read this, and I appreciate any feedback.

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:10 pm

Welcome to Eater Kokanee and you can vent here. Sorry to hear what this scammer done to you.

It is not your fault.

If you would like to hurt this scammers business...please visit our sister site www.scamwarners.com and post all the information you have on this bastard.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

I am also sorry that this happened to you and encourage you to take Justcold's advice.

I would also suggest that you try to get in front of this by explaining everything to your bank in detail and making it very clear that you were the victim of an internet loan scam, including providing the account information that you redeposited into - that account either belonged to an accomplice or another innocent person who will find him/herself in the same situation that you are in now.

The bank will be able to start a fraud investigation with their counterparts and hopefully be able to stop other people from getting hurt and victimized.

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