Extra loan payments

Brettp069

Hi everyone, 
I just want to ask if anyone has been asked to pay "upfront costs" to receive a loan payment? 
My bank account has been temporarily closed for an investigation into fraud activity, because my wife and I applied for a loan, my credit rating is only "fair" according to Credit Karma, and I am.on benefits unemployed, so we applied to companies who advertise accordingly, now, after a specific application, I then received a telephone call from a company called "flexiquid" who said that they would be happy to go through with the full amount we required, however, we needed to pay the first instalment upfront, which I did, but then we asked to pay a further 2 amounts, this was, what they explained were for "insurance purposes, because of my poor credit rating, they then asked me to take part in some more transactions, due to what they said were insurances against the orange amount, they were separate payments into my account which I then had to transfer into a "bitcoin account" and transfer back to their account via a link they sent through WhatsApp. I was then told that I needed to make 1 more payment, but I refused and I haven't heard anything back from them, with no refund paid back like they said if the loan did not proceed.
My bank account has now been suspended, due to an investigation into a possible fraudulent activity, because of these payments, I suspect.
We have now, been asked by another 2 companies to make payments upfront what they are calling "tax payments" due to my poor credit rating. 
Has anyone else been stung severely and suffered the same as us at all? 

Brettp069

Just one point, it says "orange amount" but it was supposed to read "original amount" preemptive text mistake!!!! 

[Deleted User]

Never pay upfront for any loan.  

Loans work by them providing you funds and you repaying - not the other way round. And when you throw bitcoin into the mix, it would be quicker to empty your purse or wallet into the toilet.

Stop looking for loans - they're not for you, even when not fraudulent.

sourcrates

Oh dear, you must be so careful, anyone that asks you to pay upfront for a loan, is not going to be acting in your best interests.

This has all the hallmarks of a scam.

You then mentioned bitcoin, and that would kind of confirm it.

Please don`t apply for any more loans, fraudsters are everywhere, and will take advantage of you.

Shannahrose

hi! Hope you don’t mind me jumping on this - had the exact call today, wasn’t sure myself and he asked me for an upfront payment which I couldn’t do and he’s supposed to be ringing me tomorrow for it. I did give the !!!!!! my sort code and account number - can he get any money from me?

sourcrates

Shannahrose said:

hi! Hope you don’t mind me jumping on this - had the exact call today, wasn’t sure myself and he asked me for an upfront payment which I couldn’t do and he’s supposed to be ringing me tomorrow for it. I did give the !!!!!! my sort code and account number - can he get any money from me?

Back in the day when payday loan companies were rife, and unregulated, they would use your bank details to set up a DD, without your knowledge, and fleece your account.

I`m not saying that will happen, but just keep an eye on your account, you can get an immediate refund from your bank should it happen.
Same advice applies to you regarding this company, walk away.

macman

I find it hard to believe that you thought that any reputable company would ask you for payment upfront for a loan, and then to pay it into a bitcoin account from where it would be untraceable.?

I'm afraid that you have been scammed and that you are not going to be able to recover your money. Sorry.

Your story is not very clear, but, if they transferred money to your account and you then transferred it on elsewhere at their request, then what you have been doing, (knowingly or not), is money laundering: which would explain why your account has been suspended. This has very serious financial consequences and you should seek professional advice on what to do.

sourcrates

Oh dear, confirms our suspicions -

https://www.fca.org.uk/news/warnings/flexiquid

This company is not authorised by the FCA.

Please, please avoid like the plague !!!

Remember, anyone can knock up a website, if you are considering taking a loan, always check the FCA register to see if it’s an authorised company first.

If you have any concerns, just walk away.

macman

You'd hope that it's an obvious-looking scam from their website: it's written in Google Translate-style English (though worse grammar), full of typos, and the page showing their 'satisfied clients' features photos of 'Benjamin, Amelia, Evelyn and William' - but it's the same photo for all four!
Competitive APR though: only 305%.

noitsnotme

It’s not just a scam to steal some of the OPs money, it looks like they’ve also used the OP as a money mule to perform some money laundering transactions.  This is likely to result in CIFAS markers with far reaching consequences.

Shannahrose

macman said:

You'd hope that it's an obvious-looking scam from their website: it's written in Google Translate-style English (though worse grammar), full of typos, and the page showing their 'satisfied clients' features photos of 'Benjamin, Amelia, Evelyn and William' - but it's the same photo for all four!
Competitive APR though: only 305%.

when they contacted, they had all my details - name, address, email etc so it didn't really stand out at the time when they rang as i had a few calls from my local everyday loan branch and other loan companies (think i had buddy loans too ring) so it genuinely felt like that lol - seems that one of the eligibility calculators that i used gave my info out

in terms of that, there IS another one now going - blink credit - with the number 0330 223 6959 - theyve been ringing me non-stop. block the number and they use another one lol but wanted to warn anyone else not to fall for that one either x