Blackmail Suspicious Activity Account Closure Barclays

Angry_Customer

Hi


I had a Barclays business account since early 2017. The business was completely legal (in fact, at one point I was contracting daily as a solicitor). There was at least 100k cash at all times in the account. Even now, there is about 110k in the account.



Today, they tell me they closed my accounts effective immediately.




Around 2 weeks ago, a customer from my online store claimed that if I didn't give him a refund, compensate him, as well as let him keep the goods, he would file a suspicious activity report against me. He said he would make allegations of money laundering, terrorism, and drug financing to shut my accounts.



My accounts got "under review" on the 26th. I told Barclays I'd been receiving these threats. They ignored me. I phoned the Police and there is still an active investigation against the person who made the complaint and they did confirm it was blackmail.



Barclays however have just today CLOSED ALL my accounts and are asking me to supply the "source of the funds" and make a request to claim back the money.



I don't know what to do. I am not a criminal nor even been under any criminal investigation.



I am overseas and left stranded. They even IGNORED calls and emails from a Greater Manchester Police Detective Sergeant.


What can I do? Can anyone help? I think my family and I will go homeless soon.

Ben8282

Angry_Customer wrote: »

Hi


I had a Barclays business account since early 2017. The business was completely legal (in fact, at one point I was contracting daily as a solicitor). There was at least 100k cash at all times in the account. Even now, there is about 110k in the account.



Today, they tell me they closed my accounts effective immediately.




Around 2 weeks ago, a customer from my online store claimed that if I didn't give him a refund, compensate him, as well as let him keep the goods, he would file a suspicious activity report against me. He said he would make allegations of money laundering, terrorism, and drug financing to shut my accounts.



My accounts got "under review" on the 26th. I told Barclays I'd been receiving these threats. They ignored me. I phoned the Police and there is still an active investigation against the person who made the complaint and they did confirm it was blackmail.



Barclays however have just today CLOSED ALL my accounts and are asking me to supply the "source of the funds" and make a request to claim back the money.



I don't know what to do. I am not a criminal nor even been under any criminal investigation.



I am overseas and left stranded. They even IGNORED calls and emails from a Greater Manchester Police Detective Sergeant.


What can I do? Can anyone help? I think my family and I will go homeless soon.

So you are a solicitor with an online store who is stranded abroad and about to go homeless because Barclays have closed your accounts? What sort of solicitor needs to come on this forum for advice as to what to do in this situation?

Robin9

Agreed - no sympathy from me.

What about your private accounts held with other banks, your credit cards.?

18cc

the police wouls not call and email the bank

Browntoa

Large volume of cash flowing through a bank account , I know what it would look like to me. If you were able to prove sources of the money I don't see why they would close the account. The FSA is your only option to appeal. If you don't sort this out you will struggle to get a bank account.

I'm not quite sure how a customer of an online store would know who you Bank with as it's handled by a 3rd party company like Worldpay unless you took payment by bank transfer. A section 75 claim to their credit card would not be interested in "he's a drug dealer"

Not keeping seperate accounts for different businesses was stupidity

robber2

Angry_Customer wrote: »

...................and are asking me to supply the "source of the funds" and make a request to claim back the money.

.

Can't see the problem really. Just do what Barclays have perfectly reasonably asked you to do.


Rob

[Deleted User]

Someone's pulled a sickie at school it seems.

What can you do?

Well if this is true, then do as Barclay's has asked.

What kind of solicitor has an "online store" as well?

You must have other monies and income elsewhere?

Zanderman

!!! wrote: »

What kind of solicitor has an "online store" as well?

A wealthy one if they can afford to leave "100k cash" (note it's 100k "cash", not merely 100k!!) in there at any one time.

Possibly a contortionist too, as they contracted daily.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

I would go and get professional advice on this, from a QC!

Robin9

[QUOTE=Angry_Customer;75809227...............,_at_one_point_I_was_contracting_daily_as_a_solicitor)._...............[/QUOTE]


Perhaps I need a new pair of glasses - I read this a "soliciting daily " Is this where the online comes from as well ?

Strolls

They can't just give you the money back, or even accede to the request from the police officer, because they are liable under the relevant money-laundering act (can't remember what it's called) if they do and you turn out to be a bad 'un. It's as simple as that. Prove the source of the funds and wait a month or so. Sorry.