what can I do?

[marag]

I'm sure that I'm a victim of a scam because I asked information at the embassy but they didn't know what should I do, only that I have to denounce these people to the police.
So here I am, what can I do? Is there a possibility t
o have my money back?

[jolly_roger]

Welcome to the forums marag.
Your descriptive is far too brief. However if you have sent money to a scammer or scammers via WU, moneygram etcetera it's gone! That's why scammers favour the method because it is a faster and easier way to fleece you. By sending money to people you do not know by WU and other wire services, you are leaving yourself wide open to abuse when things go pear-shaped. The only way to retrieve your funds, if the scammer has not collected. But if the slippery scam artist has collected the amount, it simply walks out the door and I'm afraid you have lost.
I wish there was better news for you.

[Clair]

Hi marag, Can you give us a little more information? If you sent somebody money through a service such as Western Union or Money Gram. There is no way to get it back. Yes you should file a police report, but it is unlikely that they will be able to do anything about it.

[marag]

A family contacted me to offer a job as aupair and then contacted me their barrister, they asked me a found to be sure that I have enough money to stay in London before my first salary, they told me to send money with Wu. Than they asked me for vaccination and other things.. everytime I asked for an explanation for these things they answered me that was the rules.
Last week they asked me other money for health insurance, but I have the card that is valid ib all the European county and that I used when I worked in Holland, so I understood there was something wrong. I know that It's too late. But know what I have to do with these people? Police can do something?,

[Scott Mitchell]

marag, I'm very sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately what you've described is a common au pair scam. Could you please post any emails and addresses the scammer was using? It will help to expose their crime, and help prevent other victims from falling for the scam.

As the others have said, it is also important for you to understand that you will be unable to get back any of the money you sent. The same scammer may contact you again (using a new name and email address) claiming to work for an agency that can recover your money. Do not fall for this, it is just another form of fraud intended to rob you of even more money. Likewise you should ignore any threats the scammer may make if you refuse to send any more money.

[marag]

This one us from the family
<[email protected]>
: > >Beloved *****, > > How are you doing? We are very glad reading from you as always and > >also very happy to know you are having an amazing time over there. How > >is your fathers health? Hope he is getting better by the day. We have been > >very busy with work of late that we do not have much time to read your >
>messages and we are very sorry about that. Have you been in contact > >with barrister? I will be contacting the barrister tomorrow to complete the > >process of the contract so you can join us. We inform Evans grandparent > >of your arrival and they are very happy that they also can not wait for your > >arrival. Have made your room and i will upload to you in our next > >email. > >Kindly contact the barrister as soon as possible and do get back to us as > >soon as you so. > >We love you, >Sinclair family.


This id one from
----Da: [email protected] Data: 4-lug-2013 1.01 : Re: R: Re: R: Re: R: Re: R: TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM(DO THE NEEDFUL)

ATTENTION APPLICANT:

I got your mail and i am glad to inform you that your travel deposit has been confirm and secured on your behalf and your documents would be stamped, processed and issued to you. The next documents you are required of should be sent to my email box as soon as possible to enable complete all works and finally shipped your travelling documents to you..

Good luck. Bar. Katie Wedds.

[jolly_roger]

I notice the scam artist used the at consultant dot com email address. The forums are littered with the consultant email address. It is a free email (from mail.com) anybody can sign up with and use, much like yahoo etcetera. Sad to be saying but the consultant address has been used in many, many scams before.

[marag]

Thank you for all the answers, it's a very sad thing to be Sure of the scam.
I feel so stupid because I doubt so much and only at the end I've done something...
I'M going to denounce everything to the italian Police bit without hope that something can Be done

[marag]

They contacted me again asking for documents, saying they are worried,.can you tell me what to do? I don't think that ignore is enough...may I have to voci their email address?

[Clair]

It really is best to just ignore the emails. Do NOT get their email addresses closed. They will just create a new one.

[jolly_roger]

marag. Please do not think yourself stupid nor be too harsh on yourself. You will have to put it down to one of life's unpleasant experiences.
re: They contacted me again asking for documents, saying they are worried.What the scammer/s really mean is they are worried because they will not be able to steal any more money from you.
When the target realises the scam, the tricksters sometimes move up a gear to try and pressure the victim.
Is important you know not to worry. Just ignore and trash the scam emails. The thieving tosser will see you are not interested and it will stop writing soon. Of course the downside is they will find another target. Look on the bright side because your report will save someone in future.

[marag]

Thank you!
Of course it would help me also because I will continue to search for an aupair job but now I'm aware.
I hope that there would be soon a method to find these people.

[jolly_roger]

Yes I quite agree. Is unfortunate that apprehensions of these scam artists is low and not a high priority. Law enforcement in parts of Africa is slack. Bribery and scammers paying local police to look the other way is common-place. The thieving tossers hide behind throw away email addresses, fake names, many use false locations which makes law enforcement officers difficult to track them. Yes there are some news reports of scammers being arrested sometimes, but too many of them slip through the net unfortunately.

[marag]

Hi!
I received these 2 emails...it's a scam, right?

Attention: Beneficary
How are you today with your family?, We want to inform you that $4000 was sent to you, it is available for pick up by you at western union right now, Test Question--Who?, Test Answer You, Senders name--Mary Ekwueme, you can contact Mr Ayam O.Ayam to give you the MTCN of the $4000 to pick it at any western union near you, call him with this number +229-98-06-89-74 right now or you email him for the MTCN ok ,Respond with in 2hrs but after 2hrs we cancel the payment the choice is yours ([email protected]) ,Get back to us today .
Best Regards Mr Jaga Suru


I write to inform you that we have been given the mandate to transfer
your full compensation payment of $1,500,000.00 USD via western
union by this government, on our WU Money give away promotion.
Reply with:
Names, Country, Tel Number
Regards,
MR. ROONEY G. FRAGA
Western Union Money®Mega Promotion
[email protected]

[Gateway]

Yes they are both scams