RBS cubsidiary closed friend's account with no notice.

gunsandbanjos

colsten wrote: »

Do you realise how utterly ridiculous you sound? Do you realise that even if your hunch was right, it's irrelevant to your friend's bank problems what you think about the guy?

Don't be silly, I'm sure the bank will accept her assurances that despite never having met the guy he's totally genuine.

robatwork

pastysupper wrote: »

Thank you to all that have provided advice and direction on this. I will let you know what happens (when she eventually receives her letter etc...)

No Chiefgrasscutter, "services" have not been, are not being, and never will be rendered.

Please do come back once this has been resolved and let us know - 99% of people who pose questions like this and get advice don't bother.

Also, assuming everything you said is completely true, you personally don't know the source of this Indonesians wealth. From outside it's simply "business". His motives and your friend's may be completely pure and altruistic. His money may not be.

pmduk

OP could I suggest that most of this is a little previous. The bank have said they're writing to her. Until she has that letter and it contains no instructions to reclaim her money she should just hang tight.

pastysupper

So her account was mysteriously reopened again on Thursday morning. Still no explanantion provided, but she called into the branch and was told a letter was being sent out that day again (no letter has been received- original or this one yet!). I assume they will not provide any answers, but she has already started the process of withdrawing her funds and finding a few new homes for it. Now to check out suggestions on here for new accounts!
I will update further if any answers are provided, but thank you all for your answers - I feel like an expert now!

ceredigion

pastysupper wrote: »

So her account was mysteriously reopened again on Thursday morning. Still no explanantion provided, but she called into the branch and was told a letter was being sent out that day again (no letter has been received- original or this one yet!). I assume they will not provide any answers, but she has already started the process of withdrawing her funds and finding a few new homes for it. Now to check out suggestions on here for new accounts!
I will update further if any answers are provided, but thank you all for your answers - I feel like an expert now!

So it sounds like they have done their checks and are now happy. It might be prudent not to burn your bridges. It is not impossible that you would run in to problems with another bank, where as the existing one has satisfied themselves and done the necessary checks .

pastysupper

Yes. She is closing her savings account, but keeping her current account open. She will continue to receive the foreign payments through here, But will keep her larger savings elsewhere. I have suggested the Santander 123 for the first 20k.

henm2

antrobus wrote: »

That might do it.

Indonesia is also considered one of the world's largest suppliers of Islamic State (IS) fighters, with more than 500 Indonesians having joined the war in Syria and Iraq, based on data from the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT)

http://www.indonesia-investments.com/business/risks/radical-islam/item245

Indonesia is also 88th in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index http://www.transparency.org/cpi2015#results-table. This table is used by banks when considering risk from an AML point of view in dealing with transactions. It looks like Indonesia is considered high risk.

Gers

henm2 wrote: »

Indonesia is also 88th in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index http://www.transparency.org/cpi2015#results-table. This table is used by banks when considering risk from an AML point of view in dealing with transactions. It looks like Indonesia is considered high risk.

A very interesting table - many thanks for posting it.

Anthorn

pastysupper wrote: »

I have done a little bit of amateur research, and it appears the only reason banks usually do this with no notice is 1. threatening behaviour towards staff or 2. suspected fraud.

She certainly has not been threatening to anyone, and has absolutely not committed fraud. The only possible reason is that she has received some payments from her friend in Indonesia (surely not considered aI risky country?)

I'd be really grateful for your advice!

There is also having accounts at more than one bank in the same Group and playing one against the other(s) for incentives and/or overdrafts and/or money laundering. c.f. Lloyds Group.