FBI - Canada - Scammed Friends

penrbrown
penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
in Chit-Chat
Here's the scenario;

1. You are Canadian. All of your friends are Canadian. I know it'll be hard to imagine, but it's relevant.

2. Your friend has been scammed out of $12,000.00 online.

3. She is contacted by the "FBI" and "Interpol" via phone calls and text messages. They tell her that the culprits who stole her money are from Toronto and Nigeria (relevant, because they are not based in the US and the 'victim' in question is not a US citizen - so why the heck is the FBI involved at all?). They say they've tapped her phone and her emails to monitor any further communication with the 'culprit'. They also tell her that as soon as the culprits are apprehended they are going to break the story to all the major news sources in America... because the world needs to know about this scam.

4. Later (after nearly a year) they tell her that they've apprehended the culprits and she will be required to appear in court in Nigeria as a witness. When she cannot attend an online friend (whom she's never met but who has been counseling her through the entire ordeal) is permitted to go in her place. So he travels to Nigeria to 'stand in her place' at the court trial.

5. This friend then comes to tell you the whole ordeal - which she's kept secret the entire time because the FBI told her she couldn't talk about it until it was over.

What is your response?

My immediate response is: It's a scam. The FBI would work through the local RCMP to contact her, not contact her directly, no? The whole thing just screams more scam. I will be approaching her to very gently urge her to seek the local authorities but I'm not convinced she will do so. At this point they've quite firmly got their hooks in her and she truly believes she's communicating with the FBI (no, she's not mentally ill, they're just very cunning).

Not sure how to proceed if she refuses to listen to advice here. The poor woman is clearly in over her head.

But let's play 'pretend'! How would YOU respond to this situation???
«1

Replies

  • _VoV
    _VoV Posts: 1,494 Member
    I agree that nothing about this seems right. She needs to contact local authorities who can help her.
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    Definitely a scam. I would tell her to contact the local police and tell them what's going on - they will attempt to figure out what's really going on.
  • mommared53
    mommared53 Posts: 9,543 Member
    This just screams SCAM! Also, I know I'm paranoid and maybe watch too many Lifetime tv shows, but it could even be human trafficing. Definitely she should contact local authorities.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    You are right, The FBI would not be involved, it's to make it sound official. It's totally a scam. if the FBI contacted me about something that had nothing to do with the United States I would report it to the police....THE REAL POLICE
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    You are right, The FBI would not be involved, it's to make it sound official. It's totally a scam. if the FBI contacted me about something that had nothing to do with the United States I would report it to the police....THE REAL POLICE

    So how would you tell this to your friend? Who is 100% convinced it IS the FBI? I'm just not sure how to convince her that she's being scammed and that her online 'friend' isn't really a friend. This has been a year in the making. She's very much convinced at this point.
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    You are right, The FBI would not be involved, it's to make it sound official. It's totally a scam. if the FBI contacted me about something that had nothing to do with the United States I would report it to the police....THE REAL POLICE

    So how would you tell this to your friend? Who is 100% convinced it IS the FBI? I'm just not sure how to convince her that she's being scammed and that her online 'friend' isn't really a friend. This has been a year in the making. She's very much convinced at this point.
    "Stop being a ****ing idiot and go to the police."
  • SteveHunt113
    SteveHunt113 Posts: 648 Member
    You are right, The FBI would not be involved, it's to make it sound official. It's totally a scam. if the FBI contacted me about something that had nothing to do with the United States I would report it to the police....THE REAL POLICE

    So how would you tell this to your friend? Who is 100% convinced it IS the FBI? I'm just not sure how to convince her that she's being scammed and that her online 'friend' isn't really a friend. This has been a year in the making. She's very much convinced at this point.

    "You've already been scammed once. Now, people have contacted you that you have never met. Someone you have never met has represented you in a foreign country. Do yourself the favor by actually contacting the FBI yourself. You make the call and contact them ... and use a pay phone if you are worried. Find out from the FBI if this is legitimate. The consequences of failing to do this could cost you more that the $12k you've lost already."
  • onedayillbeamilf
    onedayillbeamilf Posts: 966 Member
    I'm still trying to picture number 1. I've always had a strange fascination with Canada.
  • _VoV
    _VoV Posts: 1,494 Member
    I'm still trying to picture number 1. I've always had a strange fascination with Canada.

    Canada *is* totally awesome!! Number 1 would be great for relaxing imagery exercises. Visualizing being stretched out on a chaise lounge on a perfect island beach with a cold drink with a paper umbrella is so overdone these days.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    You are right, The FBI would not be involved, it's to make it sound official. It's totally a scam. if the FBI contacted me about something that had nothing to do with the United States I would report it to the police....THE REAL POLICE

    So how would you tell this to your friend? Who is 100% convinced it IS the FBI? I'm just not sure how to convince her that she's being scammed and that her online 'friend' isn't really a friend. This has been a year in the making. She's very much convinced at this point.

    I mean, some people apparently need to learn lessons the hard way and there's nothing you can do, I would just keep telling her to talk to the local police department first, that it doesn't hurt to be careful. I work at a Credit Union and we've seen people get burned and it's such a shame because by the time it happens it's too late to do anything about it.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    I'm still trying to picture number 1. I've always had a strange fascination with Canada.

    The first time I met my in-laws (i'm from B.C., my husband is from California) they were surprised and I'd almost say disappointed that I didn't have an accent.
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    My friends know that I am incredibly blunt about things and that is how I'd handle it. I'd sit her down and effectively call her a 'dumbass' and then list the reasons why what she's described is a scam.

    Yes, I've called friends dumbasses before, yes, they're still my friends.

    Set aside the fact that the FBI could not legally work with a Canadian citizen living in Canada without RCMP. Set aside the fact that Nigeria should raise all kinds of red flags on it's own. Just go with the fact that the scenario has the FBI not only condoning perjury, but actively implementing it, and that they don't want the RCMP involved. Generally if someone doesn't want the cops involved... they're criminals, not other cops.
  • _VoV
    _VoV Posts: 1,494 Member
    You are right, The FBI would not be involved, it's to make it sound official. It's totally a scam. if the FBI contacted me about something that had nothing to do with the United States I would report it to the police....THE REAL POLICE

    So how would you tell this to your friend? Who is 100% convinced it IS the FBI? I'm just not sure how to convince her that she's being scammed and that her online 'friend' isn't really a friend. This has been a year in the making. She's very much convinced at this point.

    "You've already been scammed once. Now, people have contacted you that you have never met. Someone you have never met has represented you in a foreign country. Do yourself the favor by actually contacting the FBI yourself. You make the call and contact them ... and use a pay phone if you are worried. Find out from the FBI if this is legitimate. The consequences of failing to do this could cost you more that the $12k you've lost already."

    ^^THIS. Direct and clear.
  • Dan112358
    Dan112358 Posts: 525 Member
    I think you should give your friends credit & personal info to me. I'll keep a close eye on it ... I promise ... :huh:
  • JenniBaby85
    JenniBaby85 Posts: 855 Member
    My Grandma has been scammed on a few occasions. They are called "televangelists" :happy:
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    I'm still trying to picture number 1. I've always had a strange fascination with Canada.

    The first time I met my in-laws (i'm from B.C., my husband is from California) they were surprised and I'd almost say disappointed that I didn't have an accent.

    Oh, I'm sure you have an accent :smile:

    OP, all you can suggest is that she contacts the relevant local (ie. canadian ) authorities.
    If she won't do that that, I would be fairly blunt and say "talk to whoever you want, just don't give ANY more money to anyone."
  • JenniBaby85
    JenniBaby85 Posts: 855 Member
    bump
  • cdnwinter79
    cdnwinter79 Posts: 26
    Sorry, but your friend's being dumb. She needs a swift kick to the *kitten* and she needs to get it to the RCMP ASAP!
    The FBI has absolutely no reason to be dealing with anybody in Canada without first contacting the RCMP. It's called jurisdiction. They have none in Canada unless invited by the RCMP.

    I would tell her bluntly that she needs to go to RCMP, and to not give anybody any more money than she already has. And also this Nigeria crap? There's absolutely NO WAY anybody from another country, would have to appear in court in Nigera without the authorities in their home country knowing about it.
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    I spoke to her tonight. She is bound and determined to believe this.

    A. She says she did speak to the RCMP but they REFUSED to help her.
    B: She clarified that she has never personally spoken to the FBI, her American online friend is doing all of that.
    C: I pointed out that how is it the FBI can MAKE a case out of this without ever speaking to HER, the victim? And stressed that the FBI would work through the RCMP to get this in order. They wouldn't ignore local authorities, or ask her to go to the US (which I guess they've done) to meet with them.
    D: I told her my concerns and doubts with the situation.

    In the end she seems convinced still but I'm hoping she'll consider the things I told her tonight. Haha. Some people eh? She's such a sweet lady but goodness! Can you be more naive?
  • avir8
    avir8 Posts: 671 Member
    Show her this thread.
    7lqKe.gif
  • foxyforce
    foxyforce Posts: 3,078 Member
    i stopped reading after i read FBI. i think it is so unfortunate that so many people are 'had' like this. older generations particularly aren't as tech savvy when it comes to understanding these scams....even scam phone calls. sad face.
  • rextcat
    rextcat Posts: 1,408 Member
    scammed hard core the fbi ant gonna call you about one you got to call them, and yes they would have notified your leos if the scam was big enough
  • halobender
    halobender Posts: 780 Member
    So I had this great idea to Google "how to contact the FBI" but, you know, if something ever came up I don't want to have that in my search history. But you could search that. And find a contact number for them, and ask her to, at the very least, call that number with you and discuss this with the FBI to determine if this is a real case or not. I get the feeling they'll think you're pranking them.

    I honestly hope this is a joke thread, I don't get how someone could actually be so naive. How did she not contact someone immediately? I mean ... I thought this kind of stuff was urban legend. I sincerely hope you're pulling our collective leg, OP.
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Your friend is an idiot.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    please at the very least get your friend to sign power of attorney to you or someone reliable. Then at least it can't get any worse.
  • PapaDunx
    PapaDunx Posts: 243
    Its called a Nigeria 419 scam (after the piece of legislation that outlawed it in Nigeria).
    Anyone who falls for this seriously needs their bumps felt!
  • Fatal1ty2k5
    Fatal1ty2k5 Posts: 333 Member
    Dem Nigerian princes fooled your friend

    Edit: Also how old is your friend? I thought only the elderly fell for these scams?

    Well the elderly and the incredibly stupid
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    I sincerely hope you're pulling our collective leg, OP.

    I really really wish I was... or at the very least that she's pulling MY leg. That would be a brilliant, relieving twist.
  • SteveHunt113
    SteveHunt113 Posts: 648 Member
    Reading that you talked to her and she is STILL convinced, it just upsets my stomach that she is about to be taken for a second time. One other piece of advice you should offer her, if she plans on going through with this scam: advise her not to give out any account information - they will damn sure ask for information about her bank account so they can "deposit" her lost money back into her account. And at that point, she can say goodbye to the rest of her money.
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    Reading that you talked to her and she is STILL convinced, it just upsets my stomach that she is about to be taken for a second time. One other piece of advice you should offer her, if she plans on going through with this scam: advise her not to give out any account information - they will damn sure ask for information about her bank account so they can "deposit" her lost money back into her account. And at that point, she can say goodbye to the rest of her money.

    I know. In all honesty the thing that scares ME the most is that she's preparing to travel down south to 'meet them' for the final court case. I'm trying to convince her to take a trusted friend with her... at this time she's insisting she's going to go alone but I'm working on her.

    I just can't believe she's fallen for this. In every other aspect she is a very intelligent lady. Just goes to show that with time and grooming anyone can become a victim.

Categories