Expert: Alexander J. Hay - 6/21/2003

Question
I've been the victim of a scam. I was sent a $5,000.00 counterfeit check. I deposited the check in my bank, and when it cleared I took out over $4,000.00 to send to Nigeria via Western Union (as part of a sales transaction). Later the bank informed me the check was a counterfeit, froze my account, and debited me for the $5,000.00. Now I can't pay since I'm penniless, and there's a thief $4,000.+ richer. How can the bank allow a counterfeit check to clear? How can I resolve this mess? Any information would be enormously appreciated!

Answer
Call the police, and pay attention to warnings about how every single person doing business in Nigeria is a crook.  They are.  I have yet to see even 1 honest legitimate business deal come out of Nigeria.  They are all crooked.

Unfortunately for you, to make it even worse, it was not the bank's fault that you were cheated.  You made it very easy for the crook's, and you made it very difficult for the bank to help you.

I am sure the scam involved you helping them to obtain some large sum of money which they really shouldn't be getting, and since the act was illegal, they were willing to pay you 50% of the sum.  This scam rellies upon the greed of the victim to overcome their common sense.

Go to the police, give them all the information, and hope that someone catches them.  

Best of luck.