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Legal, pensions and money

Possible scam, advice please

(114 Posts)
Cillafan Thu 30-Jul-26 13:28:08

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

Usedtobeblonde Sat 01-Aug-26 05:35:32

I am finding it hard to believe that posts have reached 5 pages with the same advice which was obvious from the second post.

Ziplok Sat 01-Aug-26 08:24:27

Usedtobeblonde

I am finding it hard to believe that posts have reached 5 pages with the same advice which was obvious from the second post.

It might be obvious from the second post, but the more who post saying the same thing may reassure the OP and perhaps give others pause for thought, too.

Cath9 Sat 01-Aug-26 09:21:18

I agree with them all, that it is definitely a scam.
I also want to add, how people can put more stress on someone that must be already feeling low after losing a sister must not be well in their mind.

EmilyHarburn Sat 01-Aug-26 10:50:56

I'm sure y;our bank did you a good turn by refusing to allow you to transfer any money. This must be a scam. No one has to pay for what is rightfully theirs after a death.

ferry23 Sat 01-Aug-26 11:02:39

Usedtobeblonde

I am finding it hard to believe that posts have reached 5 pages with the same advice which was obvious from the second post.

I was hoping that adding my agreement would not only reinforce the advice, but that after all the advice given, the OP would return and confirm that she hasn't contacted them. But from what I can see there's been no word.

Shelflife Sat 01-Aug-26 11:46:04

Cillafan, please do not send this woman an email. If you do that you are inviting her to open more communication with you. That is the very last thing you need! Block her and do not communicate in any form.
Talk to your bank again if you have any worries about this. Good luck and thank you for highlighting what can happen .

Usedtobeblonde Sat 01-Aug-26 12:23:11

I hope I haven’t put the OP off by my rather crass post.
Just sometimes, I act before thinking hard ,apologies.

Ilovedogs22 Sat 01-Aug-26 14:27:52

Please just quickly block them.
They don't understand pleasantries!
Ps. Welcome to Gransnet. 👍

Cillafan Sat 01-Aug-26 19:26:15

Once again, thank you for all the messages of advice and support, it's all very welcome,please keep them coming, particularly if you've been scammed, as mentioned, I will not contact this 'Carol' again, I've blocked emails and mobile phone calls from her, unfortunately she has my BT landline number also, I'll have to ascertain if she can blocked there too, I will contact the Fraud advice companies, and tell them everything, there was no Solicitor involved when my sister died, we shared a house, and made official, witnessed wills several years ago, leaving our estates to one another, no other relatives involved, if she does phone again, I will just tell her she's been found out, and threaten her with legal action should she contact me again, I have the name address of the company 'office', in New York, I will report it all, thanks again.....[smile}

Cillafan Sat 01-Aug-26 19:30:26

I haven't contacted them, apologies for the delay in response

Cillafan Sat 01-Aug-26 19:31:57

ferry23

Usedtobeblonde

I am finding it hard to believe that posts have reached 5 pages with the same advice which was obvious from the second post.

I was hoping that adding my agreement would not only reinforce the advice, but that after all the advice given, the OP would return and confirm that she hasn't contacted them. But from what I can see there's been no word.

Apologies for delay, I haven't, and won't contact them

Cillafan Tue 04-Aug-26 11:00:44

Just to add to this, I've blocked international calls on my BT landline, it was easier to do than I thought it would be, I don't know anyone abroad, now this 'scammer' is blocked (whom I'm also going to report), I'm hoping they'll get the message, and leave me in peace !

Nannan2 Sun 23-Aug-26 11:36:11

O.M.G of course its a scam! Dont give anyone any money! If it was genuine im sure your relatives lawyer would have let you know if youve inherited any shares they held.!!