Approximately during the first week of August 2009, I applied for a $5000 loan with a company named US Lender Network Plus. During the last week of August 2009, I received a phone call from David Allen stating that he received my online application, and my loan was approved. The following week someone named Kevin Newman called me from this same company stating that my loan had been approved. When I spoke with Mr. Newman, he stated that he was calling from Ontario, Canado and that the company did business nationally and internationally. He also stated that due to my poor credit history and to secure the loan, he would need either first and last months payment of $462 or collateral such as a car or home. I opted for the first and last months payment. He told me to send this payment via Western Union to their account specialist, Marco Mabiala at the following address: 7880 Keele Street. Vaugan ONTARIO Canada. I sent this payment on October 8, 2009 at 7:30PM. I actually sent $462 plus the Western Union fee of $40.
The next day, Mr. Newman called me stating that everything had been processed, and my funds should be in my account within 3-4 hours. I checked my account 7 hours later, and the money was not there. I called the Lender Network Plus and spoke with Mr. Allen inquiring about my funds. He stated that a red flag had been placed on my account, and than proceeded to pass the call on to Mr. Newman. Mr. Newman stated that they needed an additional $350 to pay an international tax on the loan before dispersing it, and they would pay $50 of that for me. I refused to give them any more money, and asked for a refund. Mr. Newman stated on October 15, 2009 that I would receive a refund, and that the refund request had already been processed because I called a few days prior to October 15 requesting a refund which was communicated to them by me on their answering service. Mr. Newman stated it would take 14 business days to send me my refund. He also stated that they would mail it to me in the form of a cashiers check.
I called the Lender Network Plus two times on October 30, 2009 inquiring about my money. The first time, I called around 1:18 pm and spoke with David Allen who told me that Mr. Newman was not there and to call back in 20 minutes. I than called back around 5pm, and spoke with David Allen again inquiring about my money. Mr. Allen passed the phone call to a person who would not identify himself to me, and stated that they needed $150 to cancel my loan application. I asked him if he could explain why. He did not respond to me so I told him if they did not refund me my money, I would go take legal action. He said that would not be necessary. I than replied, Ok, then where is my money?. He still would not reply to me so I told him he would hear from me again and I hung up the phone.
In retrospect, I was a desparate for the money, and this is how I was scammed. It is never good to do things out of desperation because it never turns out good. Nevertheless, I am filing a fraud complaint with my states attorney in Illinois. If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it.