Complaint Review: First Atlantic Investment Group

Well guys I think we have all been had. Their number had been disconnected and the office bulding where they were supposedley located was all a set up, the others in that building had never heard of the company and had recieved phone calls about them also.

Unfortunatley I think we are all out of money for a little while at least. I know I am going to keep on reporting and trying to get my money back, I urge you all to do the same. I'm hoping that if we all do we can put a stop to this kind of scam and let the rest of thepublic know not to fall into this, maybe some good will come out of it. I woul say if you are contacted by the media to go for it, make a statement, inform others, let these scammers know they have messed with the wrong people this time! I received a letter from my Attorney General saying they were being investigated.

Best of luck to all!

Hi Nicole:

I have contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada (www.recol.ca), the FBI, local news consumer reporter John Matarese(WCPO Cincinnati, OH)who wanted to do a TV interview w/ me to talk about the scam , but I turned that down. I filed complaint with the Sudbury, Ontario Police and Phonebusters. Here is the message I received from Detective from Sudbury

Police:
"Richard Kress wrote:

I have spoken with OPP Phonebusters ( North bay Ontario Canada ) who are a data base for all complaints and who work with USA trade commission officers in trying to apprehend these people-they advise me they have several complaints on file re this company-You should be aware that just because you were given Sudbury as a destination for the moneygram it can be picked up by anyone identifying themselves as Sandra AND AS THE BAD GUY WOULD KNOW HOW MUCH AND FROM WHOM THE MONEY WAS SENT -IF western union is satisfied- they then can get the money anywhere in Canada-it can be traced as to where it was picked up and I will bet you it was not Sudbury most likely Montreal-you can forward your info to phonebusters for their info if you wish-email address is or call them at I hope this helps a bit-Sorry but I think your money is gone.
DET.d**k KRESS-"

I have not yet tried to contact my attorney general, but that is next. Please keep me updated with your situation and I will do the same.

Thank you.

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Well, it's 9:00 a.m. and nothing in my account yet, and to be honest, I'm not holding my breath. My husband tried to call this week and left a message for Matthew, but he did not respond. I tried to call them yesterday and today and got some wierd recording and it hung up on me. This happen to anyone else?? I am going to continue to pursue legal action because I will not be taken like this. I hope you all do the same and I'm sure we can stop them. With enough reports filed against them, someone has to do something. I ask that all of you keep posting on this board to update your situation. Thanks.

Ok Nicole, tomorrow is the day you're money is supposed to be back. Let us know how it turns out, maybe we can all rest easier. I have called Matthew everyday and left him messages reminding him I want my money refunded and that he picked the wrong person to steal from, and I will get my money back.

The Attorney General in Maine said they are going to post a press release about the company because they are actually running this out of Canada. So while it's doubtful any of us will have our money refunded maybe they can stop this from happening to others.

Good luck! let us know.

Hi I am sorry to hear about those that have been ripped off by these people. I want to tell anyone that is reading this NEVER NEVER pay any fees up front for a loan. If there are fees real lending companies will take it out of the loan or add it to the amount of the loan. I myself was almost a victim of the same people. What saved me was I tried to lookup the phone number of the address that was on the fax they sent and the man that answered the phone told me how the scam was working.

Hi Stacey, Matthew actually called you back??? I can't believe it. We left him so many messages it's not even funny. My husband did get vicious after about the 20th message with no response. So they claim they are not ripping us off?? Sure thing. I mean, that would be nice, but it just doesn't seem to be looking that way now does it.

I am supposed to get my refund on Friday 6/9 which is only 4 days away. But since I haven't recieved any phone calls from "Matthew" I'm assuming I'm not getting it back. Maybe my hubby will give him another ring. Please keep us all posted on any further phone conversations and let us know if you get your refund. I still pray I do, it was $4300 (plus moneygram fees and a "credit" of $300 that matthew said he'd give us). We'll see!

This afternoon after I had left many messages telling Matthew I have contacted the authorities and reported them to numerous Fraud departments, Matthew called me back, he assured me my money would be refunded on the 23rd of June, he stated that there have been no complaints about people not recieving their money back on the date stated it would be returned so therefore I should be assured it would be refunded. He asked me to stop alerting authorities because the company was not a "scam". I told him by the time the date passed they would probably be out of the countr with mine and many other people's money, so I wasn't going to stop making complaints and reporting them until the money was refunded.

I say we keep reporting them until all of us get our money back. Call whoever you have to, Portland police, FTC, FBI, Att. General offices, Western Union, Phone Busters, BBB and your local authorities, even the Portland media. That is all the people I have filed with and made complaints to. Lets keep pressuring them!

This afternoon after I had left many messages telling Matthew I have contacted the authorities and reported them to numerous Fraud departments, Matthew called me back, he assured me my money would be refunded on the 23rd of June, he stated that there have been no complaints about people not recieving their money back on the date stated it would be returned so therefore I should be assured it would be refunded. He asked me to stop alerting authorities because the company was not a "scam". I told him by the time the date passed they would probably be out of the countr with mine and many other people's money, so I wasn't going to stop making complaints and reporting them until the money was refunded.

I say we keep reporting them until all of us get our money back. Call whoever you have to, Portland police, FTC, FBI, Att. General offices, Western Union, Phone Busters, BBB and your local authorities, even the Portland media. That is all the people I have filed with and made complaints to. Lets keep pressuring them!

This afternoon after I had left many messages telling Matthew I have contacted the authorities and reported them to numerous Fraud departments, Matthew called me back, he assured me my money would be refunded on the 23rd of June, he stated that there have been no complaints about people not recieving their money back on the date stated it would be returned so therefore I should be assured it would be refunded. He asked me to stop alerting authorities because the company was not a "scam". I told him by the time the date passed they would probably be out of the countr with mine and many other people's money, so I wasn't going to stop making complaints and reporting them until the money was refunded.

I say we keep reporting them until all of us get our money back. Call whoever you have to, Portland police, FTC, FBI, Att. General offices, Western Union, Phone Busters, BBB and your local authorities, even the Portland media. That is all the people I have filed with and made complaints to. Lets keep pressuring them!

I posted my own message a couple of days ago regarding this company.

But to answer the previous question, The Portland police cannot act until they haven't refunded the money they said they would refund, so for some of us we have to wait until 23 June to file an official report with the Portland Police. Unfortunatley I think the scammers will be out of the country by then with our money!

The best thing for all of us to do is to keep reporting them to the State Attorney General of Maine, your local Attorney General's Office, the Federal trade commission, FBI and whoever else you can get to listen.

They have gotten alot of money in a little time, think of the people who probably haven't posted or reported this to any authorities yet. Spread the word so others don't fall into the same trap.

I would also close your bank account or at least call your bank since they have that information to inform them of what happened.

Good luck to all of us.

In Feb, 2006 I Recieved a call from captial trust financial, with the same script and every thing I was ripped off of 600 dollars. Last week I got a call from First Alantic Investments, The left a message on my telephone, when I called backed I trelized they have the same answering set up as capital Trust I knew then it was a scam so when I finally talked to someoneI asked them If this was a scam he insured me it wasnt, so when I asked ok how much money do I send to Canada this time he hung up.

I think the sell your info to other scam comapnys..... Also I applied on line for a personal 2 weeks ago with a company called Inspire Fianacial Services they had an address on the web so i did a reverse adrees phone number search when i called the number it was a accounting firm and the lady told me not to give them any info its a scam more than 20 people had already called there company looking foe a loan, she filed a police report so just be careful once agian the company web site is Insprie Financial Services. com

Hi Jerry, I have been in contact with the Portland Police Department and the Attorney General's office over the past week. Unfortunetly, I was the fifth person to call within 2 days on this so called company. At the AG's office, I spoke with Seth Blodgett. I forwarded all of my paperwork that First Atlantic faxed me.

I also contacted my local police department and they told me to call Moneygram/Western Union and find out where the funds were released (supermarket/staples.. etc). However, b/c I am not a member of law enforcement, they will not release that info to me b/c of a privacy act, so I need to call my PD again and have them do it. I was also told to call the Secret Service. YUP, the Secret Service! That is what they deal with, international fraud. So I have a call in with them as well.

The Police Officer also suggested the US Marshall. I guess he was dealing with a case similar to mine last year and these are all of the people that were involved. Seth told me that they have a high success rate of returning people's money, however, I'm not sure how long it will take. But I will not rest until I get my $4300 back. And I will try for the Moneygram fees too. This "Matthew Burke" is not going to get away with this. With technology these days, it's only a matter of time before they get caught. And I'm going to help do it! In no way, shape or form will I sit back and let them get away with this. I feel that if we all follow thru with this, we will all get our money back.

There are more than 5 people out there who have gotten scammed by these idiots, so we all need to file reports against them with the PD and AG's office. Let's go people!! Oh, I forgot to mention, when I called the AG's office, I actually ended up leaving a message with Consumer Protection.

Here are the numbers ~ AG 207-626-8800 Consumer Protection ~ 800-436-2131. Please keep me posted on what happens with you. I am more than happy to share any info I have to nab these guys. They messed with the wrong gal now!! :o)

Hi Jerry, I have been in contact with the Portland Police Department and the Attorney General's office over the past week. Unfortunetly, I was the fifth person to call within 2 days on this so called company. At the AG's office, I spoke with Seth Blodgett. I forwarded all of my paperwork that First Atlantic faxed me.

I also contacted my local police department and they told me to call Moneygram/Western Union and find out where the funds were released (supermarket/staples.. etc). However, b/c I am not a member of law enforcement, they will not release that info to me b/c of a privacy act, so I need to call my PD again and have them do it. I was also told to call the Secret Service. YUP, the Secret Service! That is what they deal with, international fraud. So I have a call in with them as well.

The Police Officer also suggested the US Marshall. I guess he was dealing with a case similar to mine last year and these are all of the people that were involved. Seth told me that they have a high success rate of returning people's money, however, I'm not sure how long it will take. But I will not rest until I get my $4300 back. And I will try for the Moneygram fees too. This "Matthew Burke" is not going to get away with this. With technology these days, it's only a matter of time before they get caught. And I'm going to help do it! In no way, shape or form will I sit back and let them get away with this. I feel that if we all follow thru with this, we will all get our money back.

There are more than 5 people out there who have gotten scammed by these idiots, so we all need to file reports against them with the PD and AG's office. Let's go people!! Oh, I forgot to mention, when I called the AG's office, I actually ended up leaving a message with Consumer Protection.

Here are the numbers ~ AG 207-626-8800 Consumer Protection ~ 800-436-2131. Please keep me posted on what happens with you. I am more than happy to share any info I have to nab these guys. They messed with the wrong gal now!! :o)

Hi Jerry, I have been in contact with the Portland Police Department and the Attorney General's office over the past week. Unfortunetly, I was the fifth person to call within 2 days on this so called company. At the AG's office, I spoke with Seth Blodgett. I forwarded all of my paperwork that First Atlantic faxed me.

I also contacted my local police department and they told me to call Moneygram/Western Union and find out where the funds were released (supermarket/staples.. etc). However, b/c I am not a member of law enforcement, they will not release that info to me b/c of a privacy act, so I need to call my PD again and have them do it. I was also told to call the Secret Service. YUP, the Secret Service! That is what they deal with, international fraud. So I have a call in with them as well.

The Police Officer also suggested the US Marshall. I guess he was dealing with a case similar to mine last year and these are all of the people that were involved. Seth told me that they have a high success rate of returning people's money, however, I'm not sure how long it will take. But I will not rest until I get my $4300 back. And I will try for the Moneygram fees too. This "Matthew Burke" is not going to get away with this. With technology these days, it's only a matter of time before they get caught. And I'm going to help do it! In no way, shape or form will I sit back and let them get away with this. I feel that if we all follow thru with this, we will all get our money back.

There are more than 5 people out there who have gotten scammed by these idiots, so we all need to file reports against them with the PD and AG's office. Let's go people!! Oh, I forgot to mention, when I called the AG's office, I actually ended up leaving a message with Consumer Protection.

Here are the numbers ~ AG 207-626-8800 Consumer Protection ~ 800-436-2131. Please keep me posted on what happens with you. I am more than happy to share any info I have to nab these guys. They messed with the wrong gal now!! :o)

I have a posting on this site already about getting scammed by this company as well. Can someone please help me or let me know what I can do or who I can contact to try and getting my money back. Has anyone been successful yet in getting their money back and if so, how did you go about it?

Are we going to have a problem getting it because we wired to CANADA? Does this company even exist? What did the Portland, ME Police say when you called? What did attorney general say?

Someone please help!
Thank you.