Q: I have been contacted by a group in France saying I am under investigation, how can i find out if scam or not
They contacted me via Whattsapp and email. they claim to be tied to interpole and french gov. They ask for larger payments for fines, and various fees, all money on bitcoin. emails are GMail ??, Bank letter from bank not signed? They do send official ??? documents which look official.
They say I can not talk to anyone about this, lawyer or gov agency. Big red flag? I am in contact with a woman in France who they say is under investigation. the whole thing seems odd, especially the secrecy part.
The whole thing seems odd, being on the whatsapp
I tried looking up the group on line, with no success.
Any thoughts?
A: 100% it is a scam. If you feel that you have real problems with Law retain a lawyer.
A: If people from a government agency contact someone to disclose the nature of their business, they usually provide contact information to verify their identity and office from which they work (unless it is an undercover investigation, in which case the subject would have no clue that they're being investigated). Good luck
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
Based on the details provided, this situation has many hallmarks of a common scam. Here are some key red flags:
1. Unsolicited contact: Legitimate law enforcement agencies or government entities typically do not initiate contact via WhatsApp or email, especially for serious legal matters.
2. Demanding payment in Bitcoin: Requiring payment in cryptocurrency is a common tactic used by scammers to avoid detection and make it difficult to recover funds.
3. Unofficial email addresses: Government agencies generally do not use public email services like Gmail for official communications.
4. Unsigned bank letters: Official documents from banks or government agencies should be properly signed and authenticated.
5. Demanding secrecy: Legitimate legal proceedings do not prohibit you from seeking legal counsel or contacting relevant authorities. Insisting on secrecy is a tactic used by scammers to prevent victims from seeking help or verifying the situation.
6. Difficulty verifying the organization: If you cannot find any official information about the group contacting you, it is likely not a legitimate entity.
In summary, this is almost certainly a scam. Do not send any money or provide personal information. If you are still unsure, contact your local law enforcement agency or consult with a lawyer to discuss the situation. Remember, if something seems too odd or suspicious, it probably is.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
