John Lewis wouldn't let me buy Euros for my sister

mrmeaning

Apparently it's an anti-money-laundering thing but it's crazy. He said "where are you going?" I said "Well, my sister's going to Berlin..." I was about to explain she'd lost her purse and cancelled her cards, and wouldn't get new cards in time, so she'd asked me to get them, but he said if it wasn't me travelling, I couldn't buy them. It's ridiculous. If I was money-laundering, I'd have said I was going to Berlin (or anywhere in the zone). They don't ask for proof. Ridiculous!

mrmeaning

(Btw, she lives in Lancashire, we live in Leicester, and we're going to dog-sit for her. So she couldn't come with me to get the Euros, and the logistics mean we can't do it when we get there. I'm going to go elsewhere for the Euros, and lie if necessary.)

mta999

pit on a hat and false moustache, go back again and say you are thinking of going to Paris but haven't decided yet

Mr.Generous

They often ask that when I buy currency, I just thought they were being chatty. I have several times said I'm not going anywhere, they are for a present and they sold them to me anyway. How strange.

A_Geordie

First of all, it's perfectly legal to purchase foreign currency on behalf of friends or family, however I think you misunderstand how money laundering rules work.

If I was money-laundering, I'd have said I was going to Berlin (or anywhere in the zone). They don't ask for proof. 

That's strictly not money laundering, that's misrepresentation.

The I'm buying for a friend/family is likely to trigger suspicion as a common answer for money laundering purposes and I'm guessing the reason you were refused service is because they are legally required to validate the source of funds to ensure the money does not come from criminal activity. Using a third party to purchase goods or services is the way criminals can "clean" dirty money and introduce it into the financial system.

It might sound ridiculous to the ordinary person but there are serious legal and criminal offences if you don't comply. Were they being overly cautious? Sure, but better safe than sorry.

Sometimes less is more and this is one of those instances where you just tell them the destination, pay and get your currency. Alternatively, purchase them online and collect in person/pay for next day delivery.