Someone I started dating recently asked me to hold £5k cash for him while he travels abroad - Scam?

lisyloo

I am wondering if you might find yourself burgled and that is the scam.

sevenhills

NorthernJoe said:

"New boyfriend" 

I've been married 12 years. Not sure I'd trust my wife to look after 5k 

I think this lady has found herself a keeper. Is having 2/3 months wages as cash strange for someone doing various jobs?

Perhaps it's dodgy, but others have laundered millions, she won't get locked up.

ChilliBob

I agree with the consensus on here. If this is a new relationship and 5k is a big amount of money to him and you (as it is to most) then this is a big ask.

There's so many scams out there it's tricky to think of all the possibilities really, but yeah, lots spring to mind.

Of course, it could be fairly innocent. However, I ask myself, if I had managed to save 5k on what sounds like lower paid jobs, would I feel comfortable handing it over to someone new to look after it for me? Either this new relationship feels amazingly rock solid and trustworthy to him, or, he had no other options.

Could you say you intend to do some travelling around to friends and stuff so wouldn't be home much so don't think it's a safe idea? (yeah, a total get out option, but might be easier!) 

Farrella

Even if he does open a new UK bank account (apparently it's harder post-Brexit because he doesn't have regular job or UK address), can he just desosit £5k without issues?  Maybe it's best to help him start a new bank account, but he still might have problem with the cash and I don't know how long it takes an EU citizen to start a UK bank account post-Brexit.

Aristotle67

Farrella said:

Just to clarify, this is physical cash.  And he is from Europe so opening a new bank account is apparently more difficult compared to before Brexit. My worry is if he owes someone money (modelling agency commission fee, loan shark for example....I don't know), they might come to me?  At the same time, he trusts me enough to give me all that cash. 

I don't know which country of the EU he is from but timeo danaos et dona ferentes springs to mind; perhaps it is time this warning was extended beyond danaos!

The advice throughout this thread is pretty clear, Farrella, and yet your subsequent post seems to be trying to find some encouragement to do as requested as you have not indicated that you will follow the advice. I still believe that deep down you know what you should do. Your antennae were obviously twitching else you would not have posted. 

Thrugelmir

Farrella said:

Even if he does open a new UK bank account (apparently it's harder post-Brexit because he doesn't have regular job or UK address), can he just desosit £5k without issues?  Maybe it's best to help him start a new bank account, but he still might have problem with the cash and I don't know how long it takes an EU citizen to start a UK bank account post-Brexit.

Doesn't have a regular job or fixed address and gets paid in cash. I suspect there's far more to the story than is being told.  Which is why a basic bank account is out of the question. 

eskbanker

Farrella said:

Even if he does open a new UK bank account (apparently it's harder post-Brexit because he doesn't have regular job or UK address), can he just desosit £5k without issues?  Maybe it's best to help him start a new bank account, but he still might have problem with the cash and I don't know how long it takes an EU citizen to start a UK bank account post-Brexit.

Perhaps reading between lines that aren't there, but all that makes it sound like he hasn't even tried particularly hard to open an account and isn't apparently bothered about not having one?  Having a regular job might open up a wider range of accounts but it's certainly not a prerequisite for all, and why does he not have a UK address if he has a huge wad of cash in his pocket, where is he living?

Farrella

He is a student (25) and part-time model, and doesn't have a work visa.  He should be back in 2 months, after seeing his family.  I think I will say "no"....he made it sound like I'm the only person he'd trust in the UK with his money.  I've known him for 5 months but only dated for 2.  A friend of mine once said he had a "sugarmummy" and I assumed it was a joke, but now I know he has all this cash I suddenly remember this and am becoming suspicious. 

Daliah

Farrella said:

He is a student (25) and part-time model, and doesn't have a work visa.  He should be back in 2 months, after seeing his family.  I think I will say "no"....he made it sound like I'm the only person he'd trust in the UK with his money.  I've known him for 5 months but only dated for 2.  A friend of mine once said he had a "sugarmummy" and I assumed it was a joke, but now I know he has all this cash I suddenly remember this and am becoming suspicious. 

You haven't mentioned whether he has settled or pre-settled status, or a student visa, but there's a distinct chance he is residing illegally in the UK. 

I don't know what scheme he is running by asking you to look after money for him, but it just doesn't sound right. Run. Now. 

k6chris

https://wise.com/gb/blog/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-uk

Wriiten for EU citizens.  Explain the risks he is putting you under, theft etc and that would feel unsafe with £5k in the house.  If he is reasonable, he will understand.  If he is not reasonable, run.  Good luck.