Victim Location 78759
Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order
Michael reached out to me through text message then confirmed with an email. He started out asking if I took credit cards after I told him no then he spoke of the certified funds. He stated that he purchased a home in Austin but he had been in ICU and was now in the hospital recovering. Michael stated that he wanted us to paint his newly purchased home. He text me daily to check in with me. I asked him how I would gain access to the property if keys where in a lock box. He stated he would get with the ex owners to find out when and where I can pick up keys from them. Then he text stating he needed a favor. He stated that because he was in the hospital he was unable to pay all of the closing costs. That he would send me a check for my deposit of the potential work and the monies he still owes to the ex owners. Initially he asked me to meet with the ex owners and give them the monies to get the keys. For two weeks Michael text and checked in with me. I told him once I receive the monies then we can discuss from there what needs to be done. February 9, 2018 he sent a letter through USPS with a tracking number and told me the monies had been delivered. Michael went from a nice person to aggressive and demanding after he knew I received the package. Now instead of me meeting the ex owners in person he wanted me to deposit the money into a bank account. Although he would not give me that banking information until I sent him a copy of the deposit slip showing I made the deposit. He continued to tell me that my bank will release the money within 24hrs if not immediately. Once the money cleared he would direct me to where to make the deposit.
I took the check to my branch manager at my bank and he confirmed that the check was fake. He even contacted the bank that the check is written from and sent a fax copy to them. They also confirmed it was in fact fake. My branch manager said that based on a persons history with the said bank bases if monies will be available immediately or not. But once they figure out its fake then they take the money from your account and close out your account. Banks never can confirm unless they call immediately to verify the account and funds. It will take up to 10days to confirm that an account is fraud and or if funds are available unless they call.
This person found a home for sale in Austin and attempted to scam me through my business. He never purchased this home. The numbers he called from are google voice numbers.
Copy of his email
On Jan 27, 2018 10:48 AM, wrote:
Hi , thanks for getting back to me swiftly on text, i have been down here in the ICU . And Yes it’s a new house i just purchased in Austin, TX . I will like you to handle the full house interior painting . I should have come down to your office myself but am presently not around right now but i would like you to go ahead and take a look, get me a proper bid. I will make deposit with my credit card once you get me an estimate, so you can proceed working on my property before i get back to town . Here is my address below:
18204 Painted Horse Cv Austin, TX 78738
Here is my cell… (916) 304-5122 you can reach me here anytime, mostly text will be good. Also What terms of payment do you take ?, and Whats your office address ?, because i will have the ex-owner who sold the house to me have the key available to you, for you to have a proper measurement and estimate done. Also, I got you on ScamPulse.com and i look forward to a good work from you.
Thanks
Michael