Consumer complaint received 2021-09-09
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: International money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
As detailed in attached Annex 1, a Complaint Referral Form to the XXXX Government XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, on or about XXXX XX/XX/2021, I was induced by a fraudster, who had impersonated the identity of a lawyer colleague of mine to whom I was transmitting money, to send {$30000.00} to the fraudsters account at Wells Fargo Bank NAs branch in XXXX XXXX, NV. 

I discovered the fraud on or about XXXX XX/XX/2021, and immediately contacted my sending bank, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, and also contacted the Wells Fargo fraud department directly that morning. The Wells Fargo representative told me that there was nothing she could do as I was not a customer of Wells Fargo, and that I would need to communicate the fraud through the sending bank, XXXX, XXXX. 

I immediately contacted my sending bank, XXXX XXXX and advised them of the fraud. On or about XXXX XX/XX/2021, XXXX, XXXX directly contacted Wells Fargo Bank XXXX to advise them of the fraud and to demand the return of the {$30000.00} wire that had been misdirected by XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

As of the present date, Wells Fargo has not returned the fraudulently procured funds to XXXX ( Annex 2 ). 

I am seeking the assistance of your good offices as I have not been contacted by the FBI following my report of the crime to the Internet Crime Report Center, and Wells Fargo Bank NA has also been unresponsive to my sending banks inquiries. I believe that the holder of the account at Wells XXXX XXXX XXXX fraudulently opened the bank account at Wells, and impersonated the intended recipient of the funds, a Maryland lawyer and former Asst US Attorney, criminally defrauding me of {$30000.00}. 

I here by request that a criminal investigation be opened into the foregoing fraud. 

Thank you for your attention hereto ; I look forward to your prompt reply. 

Sincerely, Enclosures ANNEX 2 -- -- -- Original message -- -- -- Dear Sir, As request, please find below the message sent to Wells Fargo in order to request the return of the funds : ++++++++++++++ URGENT FRAUD ++++++++++ OUR SWIFT XXXX DATED XXXX WITH TRN REF XXXX FOR USDXXXX  VALUE XXXX /BY ORDER OF/ /ACCOUNT WITH/ WELLS FARGO BANK NA XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX NV. 
AS PER REMITTER THE ABOVE PAYMENT WAS MADE ON FRAUDULENT BENEFICIARY ACTIVITY SOCIAL ENGINEERING. 
AND IT IS ASSUMED THAT THE ABOVE ACCOUNT IS USED FOR FRAUDULENT INVESTMENTS.WE KINDLY ASK YOU TO CANCEL OUR PAYMENT AND RETURN FUNDS TO OUR ATTENTION.THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER PLEASE TAKE CARE AVOIDING ANY DUPLICATION. 
. 
BEST REGARDS, XXXX XXXX XXXX, CUSTOMER SERVICE PAYMENTS, Best regards, XXXX XXXX XXXX : Reply : Reply : Reply : Rponse : Reply : Rponse : Fraudulent Payment Date XXXX XXXX From XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) To Banking relationship Dear Sir, Please find below the answer receive today. It mention that there is no more funds on the account. 

**QUOTE PLS BE ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NO FUNDS AVAILABLE, SO WE ARE NOT ABLE TO COMPLY WITH YR REQUEST. 
WE CLOSE OUR CASE.

UNQUOTE** Best regards, XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation