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butterfly04 · Jan 24, 2009, 08:25 AM

I have friends that live in UK and want to move to US. They have asked me for assistance. They want to send money to me in my account that I have to open, and get a house for them.Plus they have also told me to make sure that the taxes ontheir money is paid. Then when they arive I can give their money back. SO they can start a life up here. How do I go about helping them? :confused:

tickle · Jan 24, 2009, 08:59 AM

I don't understand. They are going to send you money, you open an account for them, and buy them a house. Then when they arrive, you give the money back to them. That doesn't make sense. No, you can't do that. They have to come and buy their own house, in their name. What if there is a mortgage involved. They pay it not you. This sounds too much like a scam butterfly.

If I were you, I would have nothing to do with this idea. How long have you known these 'friends'?

butterfly04 · Jan 24, 2009, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by tickle

I dont understand. They are going to send you money, you open an account for them, and buy them a house. Then when they arrive, you give the money back to them. That doesnt make sense. No, you can't do that. They have to come and buy their own house, in their name. What if there is a mortgage involved. They pay it not you. This sounds too much like a scam butterfly.

If I were you, I would have nothing to do with this idea. How long have you known these 'friends'?

I have known them a few months. I know their address and names and have pics of them. I don't know them that well. I don't want to do it but they have 2 little girls and a baby boy. I feel really bad for them but then, I want to pertect myself because I have 4 children of my own that need me. Just needed to talk to someone and get some advice.I am really confused. I know if it was my family I would want to move to a safer environment.:confused:

tickle · Jan 24, 2009, 12:34 PM

There is nothing wrong with the environment in the UK. It is much like Canada. They have socialized medicine there, which they won't have in the US. I guess they haven't thought of that. But haven't you thought about what they are asking you. You said they want their money back when they get over. How can you do that if you are buying a house for them, which you can't do in the first place. I see a couple of red flags here which I definitely would not be comfortable with.

My suggestions is NO. You have your own safetyhood and that of your children to consider here.

They would have to come over the US as visitors anyway, and couldn't stay. So what is the point.

Fr_Chuck · Jan 24, 2009, 12:37 PM

There are some of the same international banks in the UK as in the US, so they can have a bank there with branches here.

And they can even buy property from there if they want,

This is a scam if I ever heard of one

lawanwadee · Jan 24, 2009, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by butterfly04

I have friends that live in UK and want to move to US. They have asked me for assistance. They want to send money to me in my account that I have to open, and get a house for them.Plus they have also told me to make sure that the taxes ontheir money is paid. Then when they arive I can give their money back. SO they can start a life up here. How do I go about helping them? :confused:

Here's the fact:

British citizens can enter US under the Visa Waiver Program, which simply means they do not need to apply for visitor's visa and they can stay up to 90 days.
Foreigners can buy homes, condos, whatever in US. (Almost 20% of multi-million dollar homes in US are owned by foreigners who do not reside in US permanently.)
Foreigners can invest in US stock market, commodities, etc.

So I don't see why they need your help... if they really have that kind of $$, one call to the lawyer would take care of everything. They don't need you except this is scam, and to me, it definitely looks like one.

lawanwadee · Jan 24, 2009, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by butterfly04

I have known them a few months. I know their address and names and have pics of them. I don't know them that well. I don't want to do it but they have 2 little girls and a baby boy. I feel really bad for them but then, I want to pertect myself because I have 4 children of my own that need me. Just needed to talk to someone and get some advice.I am really confused. I know if it was my family i would want to move to a safer enviroment.:confused:

Read this: 419.bittenus.com

You will see much more of how the scams go on and on...
Don't get involve in money deal with anyone ever!!

You see their pictures but it may not be them. One of our clients had online relationship with a woman from South America, she was gorgeous. After few weeks she started asking for $$, he sent her, things went on for almost a year until one day his nephew accidentally found IP address from one of her email... she was in Nigeria and probably not a woman... the one in the picture was a latina porn star and she did not even know her picture was used by scammers!

Fr_Chuck · Jan 24, 2009, 04:02 PM

While I don't talk about it often, I do real estate sales at least on a part time basis,

We have people from England, France and all around the world buy properties on a regular basis. One agent I know does almost nothing but this.

They email photos of homes to people over seas, and they may ( or at times maynot) fly over here for a visit to look at property. The money is all done by bank transfer ( bank to bank) to the closing company,

In fact unless you are a licensed real estate professional, acting as a buyers agent for them in buying a property is illegal.
** doing a buyers agent class today.