Alma
Menlo Park,#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 18, 2006
Linh, I am very happy to hear that none of you failed for this scam. Though now I am living in the US, but lived in Hungary for years. Based on my experience handling businesses there, I would like to share a couple of thoughts with the victims of this scam how to strike back - through the Hungarian connection. Why Hungary? Because it seems these guys are very good in deleting web sites, changing addresses, phone numbers, e-mails, but there is no way to delete a bank account history. There are many possibilities, I would like to mention three. First way: Report the scam your own police, giving them all the info about the scam, and the Hungarian bank account. Second way (a little more aggressive approach): Contact the UK embassy in Budapest. Embassies have the high skill to negotiate, cut deal with bad guys, without long arduous court process. Because in this case the scam business seems to be UK-Hungarian cooperation, the UK embassy might be even more interested. Third way (much more aggressive approach): Contact directly the bank. Write mail or e-mail. Erste Bank: Postal address: 1933 Budapest, Hungary; e-mail: [email protected] If you sent your money to any other bank, google for "bank name" + hungary - check the site for the English version tab. All big Hungarian banks have English speaking employees. A couple of words about the letter. Whatever subject line you use, put the word "FRAUD" in it. Give a brief description of the scam, because in the lack of the web site the bank need some ideas what it is all about. Ask advice, help, what to do. I would not recommend to demand anything, to lecture, to threaten the bank. Give the bank the chance to find the way to handle this case. The letter's main goal should be to awake the curiosity of the employee to the level when he/she opens the file of the relevant account. That account is the best proof of your claim. It lists the victims as well as lists the scammers to whom the money was distributed. Even if the bank misshandles the letters from the first couple of victims, after the apr. 5th complains they will start an investigation. The bank has both the opportunity and power to alert the appropriate authorites, as well as give YOU the info, how/where to pursue your case. Important disclaimer: I do not want to awake false hope in anybody getting back the money. Chance to cause some of these guys uncomfortable moments? Almost 100%. Chance the bank closes this account and might alert other banks too? 70-80%. Chance to get back your money? Less than 5%. (Chance they already spent the money: 90+%) Chance these guys start this SAME scam on another web site with another bank account in another country? 99+% P.S.: If the bank ignore you, come here, and fill a Ripoffreport on Erste Bank :-) Good luck for everybody.
Linh
Chester,#3Consumer Comment
Wed, May 17, 2006
Thanks Alma. Fortunately I had my doubts about this so called company. My friend wanted to try it out so he went as far as filling in the application form and sending his photo. However when he emailed them with his queries about their contact details and how does he pay, they would not give him any contact details. They sent him their bank details and told him as soon as they receive the money they will then supply a phone number. The cheek is they even sent him a very rude email telling him to stop bugging them with too many emails as they have many clients to deal with!! Needless to say my friend never sent any money after. Anybody in Hungary that may have any suggestions?
Alma
Menlo Park,#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, May 16, 2006
Please, think about this. Have you seen the UNSECURED application page? Sending, giving out all of your personal data, your picture, your signature, $500 to TOTAL stangers, to whom your only contact is an e-mail, who claim to keep your data "safely" on a third world Caribian Island??? So they can either run away with the money or worst, forge a document on your name to use it to commit crime???? Have you ever heard about the Nigerian scam? It is worst...