- Report: #976012
Complaint Review: Western Union - Internet
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Why?
Western Union
Internet, United States of America
Phone:
1-800-235-0000
Web:
www.westernunion.com
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Western Union Dr Samy Albader VICTIM OF FRAUD CLAIMS PAYMENT MADE TO A FRAUDSTER AGAINST FORGED DOCUMENT Internet
I am a victim of fraud and extortion of money by a scam and con artist presumably, located in Florida,USA. I have contacted Western Union Company but they
have refused to give me any desirable information except that the money has been paid to this
fraudster.
But a contact with the local police had revealed that Western Union had paid against a forged and fraudulent document (Drivers license) presented by the fraudster for identification purposes. They had asked me to contact the local law enforcement agency for
further information and interaction with them, which I did and got the foregoing information. You are requested to help me possibly for further steps. For your information, here is the story of modus operandi of the fraudster:
QUOTE:
Friday, November 11, 2011 at about 2.30pm, while driving on the highway, I received telephone call on my cell phone from a telephone # 0015073163947.The caller identified himself, after salutation and greetings in Arabic language in typical Arabic accent, as Doctor Samy Albader. He said, he came
from Saudi Arabia visiting United States of America along with his wife. He further said that my telephone number has been given to him by another person Doctor Muhammad who is living in Saudi Arabia and is his brother. The caller said that Dr Muhammad has asked him to visit Canada and specifically Mississauga where they used to live in the past and now are considering buying
a real estate property in this neighbourhood. The caller said he is visiting Mississauga to identify and search for a suitable property matching their financial budget and requirements, and would like to use my services as Real Estate professional since I am a Realtor.
After listening to the purpose of the call, I asked the caller to send me a SMS text message the names and telephone number of both persons so that I can return the call and set up an appointment for further discussion since he said he is coming to Canada by next available flight by Saturday night. The caller immediately responded and sent a SMS text message giving me the following names and numbers: Doctor Samy Albader # 0015073163947 and Doctor Muhammad
# 0096650845140.
Saturday morning, I called both telephone numbers respectively to verify their authenticity and credibility. The number 0096650845140 was responding by repeating the telephone numbers in Arabic language but there was no facility of recording voice mail message and would disconnect soon afterwards.
I called the other number 0015073163947, it was facilitated with recording a voice mail message using the telephone number itself as the caller ID and I recorded my message. The person called me back and narrated an issue that he and his wife was stuck at the airport at the Fort Lauderdale, Florida and cannot get on board because they do not have their valet and cannot use their
credit cards to buy the ticket for Canada flight. He said the Air Canada office said they can only issue air ticket to Canada for the next flight, if they receive payment in advance for US $ 978.00 for two persons @ US$ 489.00 per person. He said, he called his brother in Saudi Arabia but nobody is responding to the telephone call since it is late night and the call ended. This person called me again and started narrating his helplessness and told me that they have three hospitals in Saudi Arabia but this helplessness is so frustrating and disgusting. He further said, in his typical Arabic accent English that Air Canada only accepts Western Union remittance at this time since
banks are closed at this time of the weekend. He gave me Western Union Canada Telephone Number ( 1-800-235-0000 ) for possible contact with them. He asked me to look into it, if there is any possibility and if I can help temporarily and he will return the money next morning upon arrival in Canada in Mississauga. He said, he had booked a room in Novatel Hotel at Hurontario Street and Burnhamthorpe Rd intersection. I kept quiet and did not respond. At late evening, he called me again to inquire if I can extend any help in order to facilitate his travel to Canada. I consulted a friend and narrated the whole story. The friend said since the person is apparently coming to see you for business so it appears normal to help him to facilitate his travel to Canada. As a result I remitted US$978.00 in the name of Dr Samy Albader and sent SMS text message for MTCN # of Western Union in order to get cash for buying the air tickets for the travel to Canada. After
receiving the money, he called me back and thanked me and promised that he will see me next morning after arrival. Next morning, as promised by him, I called on the Novatel Hotel, Mississauga but there was no booking in that name and there was nobody by that name there. Therefore, it looks like I am a victim of consumer financial fraud. Please look into it. I am seeking any possible help.Thanks
have refused to give me any desirable information except that the money has been paid to this
fraudster.
But a contact with the local police had revealed that Western Union had paid against a forged and fraudulent document (Drivers license) presented by the fraudster for identification purposes. They had asked me to contact the local law enforcement agency for
further information and interaction with them, which I did and got the foregoing information. You are requested to help me possibly for further steps. For your information, here is the story of modus operandi of the fraudster:
QUOTE:
Friday, November 11, 2011 at about 2.30pm, while driving on the highway, I received telephone call on my cell phone from a telephone # 0015073163947.The caller identified himself, after salutation and greetings in Arabic language in typical Arabic accent, as Doctor Samy Albader. He said, he came
from Saudi Arabia visiting United States of America along with his wife. He further said that my telephone number has been given to him by another person Doctor Muhammad who is living in Saudi Arabia and is his brother. The caller said that Dr Muhammad has asked him to visit Canada and specifically Mississauga where they used to live in the past and now are considering buying
a real estate property in this neighbourhood. The caller said he is visiting Mississauga to identify and search for a suitable property matching their financial budget and requirements, and would like to use my services as Real Estate professional since I am a Realtor.
After listening to the purpose of the call, I asked the caller to send me a SMS text message the names and telephone number of both persons so that I can return the call and set up an appointment for further discussion since he said he is coming to Canada by next available flight by Saturday night. The caller immediately responded and sent a SMS text message giving me the following names and numbers: Doctor Samy Albader # 0015073163947 and Doctor Muhammad
# 0096650845140.
Saturday morning, I called both telephone numbers respectively to verify their authenticity and credibility. The number 0096650845140 was responding by repeating the telephone numbers in Arabic language but there was no facility of recording voice mail message and would disconnect soon afterwards.
I called the other number 0015073163947, it was facilitated with recording a voice mail message using the telephone number itself as the caller ID and I recorded my message. The person called me back and narrated an issue that he and his wife was stuck at the airport at the Fort Lauderdale, Florida and cannot get on board because they do not have their valet and cannot use their
credit cards to buy the ticket for Canada flight. He said the Air Canada office said they can only issue air ticket to Canada for the next flight, if they receive payment in advance for US $ 978.00 for two persons @ US$ 489.00 per person. He said, he called his brother in Saudi Arabia but nobody is responding to the telephone call since it is late night and the call ended. This person called me again and started narrating his helplessness and told me that they have three hospitals in Saudi Arabia but this helplessness is so frustrating and disgusting. He further said, in his typical Arabic accent English that Air Canada only accepts Western Union remittance at this time since
banks are closed at this time of the weekend. He gave me Western Union Canada Telephone Number ( 1-800-235-0000 ) for possible contact with them. He asked me to look into it, if there is any possibility and if I can help temporarily and he will return the money next morning upon arrival in Canada in Mississauga. He said, he had booked a room in Novatel Hotel at Hurontario Street and Burnhamthorpe Rd intersection. I kept quiet and did not respond. At late evening, he called me again to inquire if I can extend any help in order to facilitate his travel to Canada. I consulted a friend and narrated the whole story. The friend said since the person is apparently coming to see you for business so it appears normal to help him to facilitate his travel to Canada. As a result I remitted US$978.00 in the name of Dr Samy Albader and sent SMS text message for MTCN # of Western Union in order to get cash for buying the air tickets for the travel to Canada. After
receiving the money, he called me back and thanked me and promised that he will see me next morning after arrival. Next morning, as promised by him, I called on the Novatel Hotel, Mississauga but there was no booking in that name and there was nobody by that name there. Therefore, it looks like I am a victim of consumer financial fraud. Please look into it. I am seeking any possible help.Thanks
2 Updates & Rebuttals
RMB
Mississauga,Ontario,
Canada
WESTERN UNION PAID TO Dr SAMY ALBADER
#2Author of original report
Sat, December 01, 2012
So, is it normal too that Western Union would pay to the fraudster just by saying the MTCN # even it was overheard from someone else but would not verify the credentials or identification document of the person claiming the remittance???
They disclosed to the police investigation that the document they have on record is also forged and fraudulently mastered and manouvered to accomplish their ill-will transaction in Palm Beach ,Florida area.
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
Not much you can do.
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, November 30, 2012
This is a common scam. Western Union personal transfers are for sending money to people that you know and trust. The main reason being that they are untraceable, which is why scammers use this method almost exclusively. It's the same as handing cash to a stranger on the street.
" I consulted a friend and narrated the whole story. The friend said since the person is apparently coming to see you for business so it appears normal to help him to facilitate his travel to Canada. "
What is not normal is the request to send money via Western Union to a stranger. This is a guarantee that you are being scammed. When the scammer shows up at the other end with the right name and the MTCN number that you provided, your cash is effectively gone without a trace.
