Complaint Review: Royal Oak Financial Group

I ALMOST didn't go through with this scam, but after the "loan specialist" assured me the loan was legit and seemed so understanding, I fell for it, hard!! Sorry the following report is so long, I felt details are important for those who are undecisive (like I was). DON'T DO IT!!
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I was called by Debra Johnson, saying she was with Royal Oak Financial Group, to tell me that I had been approved for a $10,000 personal loan. She informed me that since I was considered a "credit risk" and would have a hard time getting a loan from conventional lenders, I would either need a co-signer or purchase 'disability & life' insurance thru the "private lender's" insurance provider (Allenbury Insurance Group).

Since I could not think of a possible co-signer, I opted for the insurance. Debra said I would need to send $1,112.22 to a Daniel Moore, in Burlington, Ontario, through MoneyGram. When I asked her WHY I am not given the option to purchase insurance from a company of my OWN chosing, she replied that this "private lender" has their own insurance providers and she also made clear that she must "protect the identity of the private lender".

After pleading with a friend to lend me $1,000 for this transaction, I went to send thru MoneyGram. The clerk asked me if I know this person, personally, who I am sending the money to. When I told him "no", he informed me that there are a lot of frauds involving Canada and these kind of money transfers. I then thought to try calling Debra to confirm that this is not this type of scam, but I could not get thru to their # from my cell. I felt too uncomfortable with the situation, so decided to wait until I can verify that this is not a scam.

As soon as I returned home, I called Debra and told her the transfer fee was much more than I expected ($70), so I would have to try again tomorrow. I then checked the BBB on the internet and found Royal Oak Financial Grp to have NO COMPLAINTS. I typed "loan scams" into Google and found various articles speaking of this type of scam called "advance fee loan scams". It sounded earily similar!

So I forwarded these articles to Debra with a message stating that I certainly hope this type of fraud is not being conducted by them. I also pointed out that TWO of the articles reported that it is "against the law for a lender to require you to pay ANY fees prior to receiving the loan"! I also contacted what I assumed to be the REAL Royal Oak Financial Grp (assuming Debra's group was using their identity), leaving an email and a voice mail message letting them know that I fear I am being scammed by someone using their name and asked that IF this Debra Johnson actually does work for them and that my loan is real, please inform me so I know what to do.

The next morning I rec'd an email response from the (supposed) person in charge of Royal Oak Financial Grp, confirming that my loan "is official" and that "Debra Johnson is a member of our company" and that their is nothing to worry about. I also rec'd an email response from Debra, explaining that since they do business "internationally" there is a clause which allows the requirement of insurance.

She also said that I am given the OPTION of having a co-signer, so there would be no money required (at which point they would probably require your co-signer to buy insurance?) Debra said she understood my concerns and appreciates that I did some research (she was probably laughing at the fact that I didn't research "ripoff report")

Since I was in DIRE NEED of this loan and beginning to feel reassured, I decided to go ahead an return to MoneyGram to make the transfer. I spent $1,182.22, notifed Debra of the transfer, then signed and faxed the fraudulent paperwork, at which time she said my money will be direct deposited into my bank account in less than two days!

TODAY, two days later, I have spent my ENTIRE day trying to contact Debra to find out WHERE my money is. I left 6-7 voicemails and 4-5 emails even called another ext and asked (Linda Douglas) if Debra was there today. She confirmed she was there and said she'd give her the message.

Then I tried a Google search on just the company name, and almost fell on the ground after finding the reports here on "ripoff report", as well as a few other fraud reporting sites!! I am now SO FURIOUS and have vowed to do everything in my power to have this fraud ring put away!! I've left a couple "bit**ing" messages for Debra now, letting her know that she is disgusting and should not be able to live with herself with how she is tearing people's lives apart to make HERSELF a few bucks!! I'm sure I will not receive a response now.

It seems the # I've been calling still works, Debra Johnson's voicemail too. For any of you who want to try, the phone# I called is (888) 336-1311, ext 705 (Debra Johnson) ext 702 (Linda Douglas). ALSO the phone# on the website says (248) 246-2397 there is voicemail on that also!!

Robin Rae
Honolulu, Hawaii
U.S.A.