Money Stolen

BankerwithaB

Hi all,

I formally worked in a branch of a large chain of Jewellers, they were fantastic to work for and I did very well. I was very friendly with the assistant manager of a nearby store and we shared accommodation.

I decided the time was right to propose to my girlfriend and I wanted a specific diamond ordered, but obviously I wanted it a secret. To make the secret more difficult my girlfriend worked in the same store as me at that time. So I arranged with my friend that he would find the stone for me and sell it through his store, applying appropriate discounts (which was allowed).

I withdrew a large amount of money from my bank and gave it to my friend while he was in work, but at the top of the shop so no-one else would see. I also got no receipt.

Just over a week later the Assistant manager was fired for fraud. He had been engaged in a number of activities within the store and had benefited himself, it later transpired that he had a gambling addiction.

He claimed that he put the money on deposit but can't remember the number or the name he put it under. So I got him to sign and confirm that I had given him the money while he was working, in the capacity of the assistant manager.

How do I recover the money? Baring in mind that my friend has practically ruined his life and is on the verge of going to jail. I would ideally not like to be the straw that breaks the camels back.

Also I got exceptional references from the company and referrals. I would ideally not like to !!!! them off.

Finally (sorry its so long), if I do go after my friend (who has no assets) or go after the store, he will likely deny it, or claim that i was giving him the money to commit fraud with. How would I counter this? Also if I knew he was going to act fraudulently with the money (ie. overdiscount) (which I did not) would I be in legal trouble?

Thanks

Lomast

To be honest with no proof that the money was paid to the shop the only thing you can do is report it to the police, i fear you may struggle to get anywhere though.

bris

Why would you take money from the bank only to leave it in a shop, this doesn't make sense.

Your either a troll or looking to se if there is any way you could make the shop liable for some money.

Pull the other one is all you will get if you try and make a claim.

ThumbRemote

bris wrote: »

Why would you take money from the bank only to leave it in a shop, this doesn't make sense.

How else do you buy something?

arcon5

On one hand if he's confirmed in writing he took the money in a business capacity to supply a product the company could potentially be held to it and have to pursue him for stealing. On the other, it could sound like he was doing you a favor as friends and since the money was never paid to the shop they could backup the fact they wasn't party to the transaction and he is acting outside his duties as an employee and they are not liable. There has for example been a case in the past where a supermarket worker found a phone and subsequently kept it. It was determined the action wasn't on behalf of the employer or didn't involve the employer, she was acting of her own back and personally liable.

If you pursue the shop they will likely call the police anyway. If the store cannot be held liable you really should call the police - I wouldn't have much sympathy for a person that stole a large sum of money from me!

You could always tell him to cough up or you call the police in the hope he can find some money somewhere, long shot though by the sounds of it.

earthstorm

arcon5 wrote: »

On one hand if he's confirmed in writing he took the money in a business capacity to supply a product the company could potentially be held to it and have to pursue him for stealing.

but no matter what he wrote i don't think would stand up if this fact is correct

Just over a week later the Assistant manager was fired for fraud. He had been engaged in a number of activities within the store and had benefited himself, it later transpired that he had a gambling addiction.

I think this would just be seen as another fraudulent action by the Assistant Manager.

carmel11

What rubbish. You don't have a friend, he allegedly stole your money, and would deny it if pushed. Troll post. Why would you go after the store , as handing sums of cash to an employee without a till receipt isn't accepted practice, and the manager had no knowledge .

bris

ThumbRemote wrote: »

How else do you buy something?

You buy something by getting a receipt, whether getting it for goods or deposit.

This money has mysteriously disappeared into an unknown deposit, yea right how hard would it be to find X amount of money paid on a certain day, this is a troll.

InsideInsurance

Really?

Ok, assume it isnt a troll. Your former colleague has made a purchase under a bogus name with a set deposit having been paid and a staff discount having been applied.

How many transactions are done at that store, on that date, for that amount, for that item and with a staff discount being applied?? Really it would be a couple of minutes to find the transaction if it had actually been made.

If it hasnt been made then its a matter for the police.

dalesrider

Who's idea was to pay by cash?

A card would have been far better.

Hintza

dalesrider wrote: »

Who's idea was to pay by cash?

A card would have been far better.

I imagine it wasn't going through the books. If the OP sticks their head above the parapet it might get shot off. The police could be very interested.