Hear hear.
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Hello, a few weeks ago I received a phone call from New York asking for my late sister who died several months ago, it was about shares for a media company, I knew nothing about these shares, and can find no proof, I was told by ,'carol' these shares are now mine and am being offered over £10 a share for the 3000 she allegedly held, after being sent transfer forms, etc; I was worn down by lengthy phone calls from her, and I have to pay a 'vendors deposit 'of £4000 to a company in the Philippines called Gam business support services (I can't find this company) before the shares are sold and I receive circa forty thousand pounds and the deposit back, the woman didn't have an American accent, more south east asian, my Bank refused to release the money saying there have been many scams originating from the Philippines, carol said I should insist they release the deposit money, I really don't know if I am being scammed or is it genuine, I'm a 65 year old man in a single household, I have no one else to ask it's causing me much anxiety and adding to my grief, has this sort of thing happened to anyone else?.....cheers
Hear hear.
ExaltedWombat For the love of god don't vote Liebour or freaky Green or loony LibDem.
I'm with everyone else on here and so pleased you heeded their advice. Action Fraud is the police Fraud service who are always looking out for scammers. They are based with the City of London police so if you (or anyone else) has anything to report would be good to provide scammers details to www.reportfraud.police.uk
DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY!!
Report to Action Fraud/ Police
03001232040
Contact your Sollicitors! Check with your bank? Check with the BBC scam hunters?
Definitely do not hand over any money!
Do not feel pressured!
If she calls you again try to stay calm and get all her details:
Name
Phone number
Company she works for
Where is she based
Tell her you do not have any access to that kind of money!
Sounds like a very dark and well organised scam to me
Good luck
Cillafan
Thank you for the replies so far everyone, they're much appreciated, I had my doubts from the start, but like the naive fool I am, I was swept along with it, how this carol got my late sister's details I will never know, no deposit money has been sent (thanks to my bank), and never will now, I will send her an email (then block her) saying I'm dropping out of the transaction, not that she deserves a response, attempting to scam a person in mourning (which is now worse, just when things were getting better) is absolutely atrocious
No, do not send an email to her, just block her. They would then have your email as well as phone number.
As other posters have said, did you give out any bank details? If you did, inform your bank so that they can check for suspicious behaviour, although of course, they are already aware of the attempt to scam you by refusing to send the money, but it’s better to be doubly safe.
These scammers are wicked, with no moral compass.
I agree with all the responses that this is a scam. If someone were to send money in such a case, against the advice of the bank, the bank would not refund it.
These scammers are shameful and target vulnerable people. So glad you haven't sent any money.
Seriously don't have anything to do with them and on no account send them any money...... It's a scam. If anyone asks you for money for them to send you money it's a SCAM! Keep clear.
I would heed the advice of the bank - if you send money then it is likely you will lose it and even more if the scammers have your bank details. don't feel embarrassed as scammers are very good at their job
If there were any shares the company would be getting in touch by letter not phone call and they definitely would not be asking for any money to sell the shares, commission is taken after the shares are sold and then the balance sent to you. Have you checked your sister's bank or building society statements for any dividend payments, normally October and May time. If none show up then it is a scam and your bank did the right thing. You should report this. I am sorry that you are going through this I am at present dealing with my ( late) husbands affairs and it can be very time consuming plus distressing.
This is most definitely a scam. If you have your sisters bank statements you would be able to look through them and see any deposit from dividends of shares. No one will ask for money upfront.
Good luck. x
It's 100% a scam. Do not send any money. Next time they ring put the phone down immediately. Do not engage in any conversation. Sorry about the loss of your sister. Best wishes.
Read first couple of senences - its a scam. If your sister had intended you to be beneficiary they'd know more than your email address.
Rijedaim
I'm with everyone else on here and so pleased you heeded their advice. Action Fraud is the police Fraud service who are always looking out for scammers. They are based with the City of London police so if you (or anyone else) has anything to report would be good to provide scammers details to www.reportfraud.police.uk
It’s called Report Fraud now.
Considering the eye watering amount of tax payers money it consumes and its appalling success rate it should be shut down.
It’s not fit for purpose.
If this was a genuine company about to pay 40,000 dollars to you then they would not want/need a deposit from you beforehand. This is definitely a scam and it needs reporting to the police together with any email addresses etc you have for these people. If they ring again just tell them you have handed over all their details to the police and then put down the phone. You can then block their number so that you don't have any more contact.
If it sounds too good to be true it is. Don’t reply to emails and if you block they will know that your email is still live and can pass on to fellow fraudsters. Best to ignore and delete
Please don't, this does not sound right.
It's a scam. If those shares are yours then you wouldn't have to pay anything to receive them and certainly not 4k! The shares don't exist and the caller wasn't in America, they're scammers probably in India or Africa and if you hand over any money that will be the last you see of it.
PommiePrincess
Don't put yourself down. These scammers are professionals and could fool the smartest of people.
I keep saying "We are lucky to be aware of what scams look like ... so far ..."
Def a scam. My thinking is that if it feels like one it probably is.
Having said that, there are 2 possible share inheritance frauds:
1. They have seen a report of a death and tracked heirs to try to extract money, which it seems to be in this case
2. Deceased does actually have shares (often through employment or changes to banking or campaigns if they are not normal investors) and the scammer is trying to take the shares from you.
No way this isn't a scam
.
What a ridiculous and unnecessary comment which does nothing to help the OP and his dilemma.
Please refrain from posting your political opinions. Not everyone would agree and no-one is interested in them.
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25Avalon
Sure not sorta
I can't understand why Grandsnet dont have an Edit button.
.
Missiseff
Where? Where?
Silly! Silly!
.
Have you watched "Scam Intercepters' on TV?
This is a typical scenario.
Gransetters are wise and have advised you well, but if you still feel unsure, get in touch with your local Citizens Advice Bureau and speak to a real human!!
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