Twist on overpayment scam

Post scam emails to warn other rental owners, or if you are not sure if an enquiry is genuine, put it up here and see what others think.
fmcewan
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Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2016 2:40 pm
Location: Scotland

Twist on overpayment scam

Post by fmcewan »

In over three years as an owner, I'd not come across the overpayment scam. And have only just joined Lay My Hat - trying to find out more. Not been into social media, blogs, forum chat but learning more.
I can understand how the scam works to release money from stolen cheques. But here's the twist - I have received a bankers draft, not a personal cheque!
I've had bankers drafts before, my direct booked Canadian customers like to use these. All above board. However, this was ten times the rental amount! The 'guest' wants me to transfer the balance to a 'travel agent'.
After much discussion, we suspect what's going on here is identity theft and illegal immigration. The owner ends up as travel purchaser, their name goes on the tickets, the fake guest has your name and address and false travel documents.
We've been to bank, police, and reported it to Home Office, who said it's a scam, report it to to Action Fraud. We did and it's not being followed up because we didn't lose any money. Huh!
The authorities don't seem to 'get it' and aren't interested.
I'm actually quite worried that the scammer or 'travel agent' might turn up looking for their money as we have no way of sending it back.
Please spread the word! And if anyone knows this one - how;d it turn out?
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oasiscouple
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Post by oasiscouple »

Presumably you haven't tried to pay in the draft, or have you? If you have reported it to your bank, have they confirmed whether it is genuine?

A few months ago, after several exchanges with a potential scammer giving an address in the USA who was interested in renting my naturist beach apartment in March, I let the dialogue continue to see what would happen. He ended up sending me a bankers cheque, i.e. a cheque which is not supposed to bounce, for about 20 times the rental amount. It had been posted from England and was drawn on a French bank. I took it to my bank who confirmed at first glance it was a fake as it didn't have the watermark of a real bankers cheque.

After receiving the cheque, I didn't hear from the guy again so to this day I don't know what he was trying on.
Honi soit qui peu y boit
fmcewan
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Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2016 2:40 pm
Location: Scotland

Twist on overpayment scam

Post by fmcewan »

Took it to bank to ask for advice, looked at it but didn't say it was a fake, just said it would be unwise to deposit it, given concerns.
Interestingly, like yours, the draft was from a French bank but posted to me with UK stamp and postmark.
Have been in touch with French bank who asked for more info. Have sent scan of draft to them, while they won't be able to see the watermark, should be able to check numbers and say if it's valid anyway.
The scammer was very insistent that I wait for draft to clear before making onward transfer.... all very odd,
Hells Bells
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Post by Hells Bells »

My sister had this happen years ago but draft was from the Bank of Ireland and posted from Cyprus. As potential client was supposed to be a soldier, she almost fell for it.
AndrewH
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Post by AndrewH »

I would say first, wait to see what the French bank has to say. The bankers draft might indeed prove to be genuine, but with the amount being 10 times the rent it immediately shouts SCAM.

I think you may well be right that this is a person trying to enter the country illegally, posing as a tourist in an effort to circumvent immigration procedures.

Alternatively, it may be a money laundering attempt. In both instances he is relying on your honesty to forward the excess to his co-conspirator "travel agent" (or in reality back to himself). Is it possible to find out any more about the travel agent?

I agree with 'oasiscouple' that you should file the bankers draft away carefully and await events, if any. I don't know, but I wonder if French bankers drafts have a life. For example, if it is not presented within say 60 days, the draft become null and void. If you were to cash the draft, you might become implicated in something unpleasant, so I wouldn't do that.
fmcewan
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Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2016 2:40 pm
Location: Scotland

Post by fmcewan »

Thanks all. Will sit tight and see if I get any further communication from anyone. Was quite surprised UK authorities weren't interested - forging a bank draft seems quite sophisticated, wonder how many others are being duped!
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oasiscouple
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Re: Twist on overpayment scam

Post by oasiscouple »

fmcewan wrote:Interestingly, like yours, the draft was from a French bank but posted to me with UK stamp and postmark.
Just curious due to the similarity. The cheque I received was posted from Manchester and the cheque indicated it was from Crédit Agricole Ile de France. Any match with your draft?
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paolo
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Post by paolo »

This is not anything more complicated than an overpayment scam. The bank draft is counterfeit. He is insisting you wait for it to clear to engender trust. As soon as you pay it in to your account it will show as credited, you will assume it is genuine. But the draft is then returned to the issuing bank, and only then does it become apparent that it was a fake. By then you have made your repayment.
Paolo
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