Rip off Report
I was a victim of a devastating Internet Nigerian scam that took away my financial life. A cashier's check was sent to me for payment of a vehicle I was selling. Only after my bank assured me the check was cleared, the funds were put into my account, did I pay my bills and buy my wife a replacement car.
Those who sent me the check pressured me to return the money, because of a family emergency. I did. After paying my bills and replacing the car, and having to return the money, my bank removed the full amount of the cashier's check without notifying us at all. This put the account at first, over $11,000.00 overdrawn. The bank took no precaution in protecting the rights of their customer, (me), by researching the check, and making sure the check was good, nor, at any time did the bank notify us of their actions. Within only two minutes, the check was cleared, and put into our account. Also, the bank froze not only our accounts, but our family's accounts as well, again, with no warning, or notice.
We went to our bank for help. Not only did they not admit to their mistake, but also they offered no help, and simply lied about the entire situation. The Customer service manager stated that she would file a fraud packet for investigation. This was never done, in fact, though we were required to sign the fraud report, we never saw it, and the bank never made no effort to investigate, because the packet was never turned in. At my request of seeing the report, I was refused, and asked to leave.
I tried other ways to file a fraud pocket, only to be told that a report was already filed. To add insult to injury, the Service Manager advised us to take out a loan, charging us more interest, to pay off the overdrawn account, because of their negligence. I later found out that we were not the first that our bank has done this to.
Then, all our checks bounced. Daily charges from the bank were added, continuing to overdraw the account further. With no help from our bank, I decided to report the scam to those in local law enforcement. They said there was nothing they can no. The Sheriff's department said it was out of their jurisdiction, the F.B.I. Said they couldn't help, and the Secret Service wouldn't even take a report. I wrote to everyone I could think of in government. Most didn't even acknowledge my repeated pleas for help.
I filed a complaint with my Attorney General's office. The Attorney General's office, at first seemed willing to help. After following up on the report, the Asst. Attorney General, of which the complaint was assigned, sent me her report, filled with mistruths. Not only did she perjure herself on the report, but also she withheld crucial information from me in reference to my case, saying that in fact, she notified me. Nothing of the sort was ever done. The report seemed to, only help the bank, typical.
I notified those in local and city government. No answer. I notified those representing the state. No response. I wrote my Congressman and Women. No reply. I wrote my Governor, nothing. I even wrote my Senators, as well as the President of the United States himself. Nothing. My government, who are supposed to be servers of the public, is simply doing nothing more than protecting their own interests. They could care less about those who pay their salaries.
Today, I am finding out that this is a national problem, with many victims, a lot of them right here in New Mexico. Not only have people lost their all of their money, they have lost their lives in relation to these scams. I am asking that the media get involved; to help spread the word of these scams, as well as to pressure the government to do their jobs. There has still been no report filed, no fraud packet conveyed, no help given to the victims whatsoever. I have hired legal representation, and am now suing those at my bank for damages.
Randell
Albuquerque, New Mexico
U.S.A.
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