Scammed when making deposit for a house

Cre8tivesoul

Hi guys
I got scammed recently when making a deposit for a house. Basically my solicitors emails got hacked and I sent the deposit to who I thought was the solicitor but it was the hacker.

I reported it and Nationwide said they would return my money within 15 days. Apparently they were able to freeze it in the CHAPS payment system. The account it was being paid into was a HSBC account.

Tomorrow is day 15 and as of today they couldn’t give me an update despite being told 3 weeks ago that I had to wait 15 working days and that progress will be made within this time.

The sellers of the house are holding on and being very sympathetic but I need that money back.

Any advice on how to get it if it doesn’t hit my account tomorrow would be greatly appreciated. TIA

G_M

This is not a new scam and you are not alone.

However there's not a lot you can do except contact N/W for updates and wait for them to refund the money. If they do.

The new protection regime this year should work in your favour, but it's possible N/W will conclude you did not take sufficient care to ensure you sent the money to the correct recipient.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/beatthescammers/article-7077761/Fightback-against-bank-transfer-scams-steps-launch-new-code.html

Hopefully your seller will wait, and N/W will refund your money - though if they can't reverse the payment that means N/W take the hit. As a mutual, that in turn means its members, like me, will indirectly take the hit.

https://www.todayslegalcyberrisk.co.uk/main-news/solicitors-lose-45000-deposit-conveyancing-scam/

kinger101

I don't think there's much you can do. Nationwide has not made any errors, and if they can reclaim your money, you're very fortunate. This is a very common fraud in the UK, and most do not get their money back.

Presumably, you've reported this to the police. I'd also write to the Solicitor's Regulatory Agency*. Many solicitors now take measures to prevent this happening.

For example;

(a) making clients aware this scam exists;
(b) handing them, in person and on paper, details of the account into which all funds should be transferred as soon as they're appointed.

In my last purchase, the solicitor did both, and said that account number would not change, and to report any e-mail to them stating it had.

*It won't help you get your money back, but the solicitor deserves to be hauled over the coals if they've not taking any measures to prevent this happening.

Socajam

One of the things I do before wiring the full amount of any money, is to wire a small amount say 10 pounds.
Once I have proof that the money was received, only then will I send the full amount.
The scammers are working overtime and we really need to try and outsmart them.

kinger101

Socajam wrote: »

One of the things I do before wiring the full amount of any money, is to wire a small amount say 10 pounds.
Once I have proof that the money was received, only then will I send the full amount.
The scammers are working overtime and we really need to try and outsmart them.

I actually did the same - just because I was so paranoid about typing in a wrong digit. My solicitor said it's a common request.

tacpot12

Rather than transfer a round amount of money, why not transfer a random amount, say £3.73 and ask call the firm to ask how much you sent. If they can tell you the correct amount, you have the correct details. May sure you are not using a fake phone number and talking to the scammers.

babyblade41

I'm really sorry that you could possibly lose your deposit, but be aware that returning it may not be possible .

I'm afraid your solicitor bares some of the blame as this is a common scam along with the phone call from the same telephone number as the bank stating that your account has been compromised and you need to move your money into another account.

I think Helen Skelton off the TV was the most noticeable one recently, she lost 70k

When you first started the conveyance process you must have been asked to send over the money for search fees etc and stored it on your online banking details ?

I take it this was not the same acc number you transferred the deposit into ?
If there is no sign of it the BC won't recompense you as , harsh as it maybe, it was your fault
.
I sincerely hope you get your deposit back but be prepared it may not go your way

RealElement47

Can they not trace the account and the police not find the scammers

eddddy

RealElement47 wrote: »

Can they not trace the account and the police not find the scammers

The scammers are sophisticated organised criminals.

Typically, what happens is that the money is sent to a 'money mule's' account, and then immediately transferred again - usually overseas.

The 'money mule' is often a naive student or school child who has been offered a bit of money, in return for the use of their bank account. The student/school child doesn't realise the seriousness of what they're doing.

The 'money mules' get caught (and punished), but often the money has already gone.


This news story suggests that up to 150 people per week are being lured/tricked into being 'money mules':
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/beatthescammers/article-7464239/DONT-let-crooks-use-bank-account-launder-cash.html


Edit to add...

The 'money mule' is probably caught immediately after each scam, so that still allows for 150 scams per week.

Yalpsmol

Im sorry this happened to you.
Someone I know lost their money through the same scam. Fortunately they hadnt transferred full quantity but they were a cash buyer. They now have a mortgage again...

I would work on the assumption you wont get the money back. If you do, great. But it seems most people dont.

babyblade41

In one sense I can see the banks POV .. this scam is widely known now so any strange emails changing solicitors accounts should have been a red flag.

A quick call to your solicitor was all it would have taken to clarify.