Consumer complaint received 2023-05-30
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: International money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to file a complaint regarding a fraudulent transaction that has resulted in substantial financial loss for my company, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX and to seek your assistance in recovering our assets. The incident in question involves an individual named XXXX XXXX XXXX, who presented himself as a sales manager from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and our attempt to purchase inventory through this fraudulent scheme. 
On XX/XX/, we entered into negotiations with XXXX XXXX XXXX, who claimed to be representing XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX a reputable supplier with whom we had previously conducted business with from XXXX. XXXX XXXX purported to be the sales manager and offered to sell us 7 containers, each weighing 28 metric tons, of frozen chicken meat. Our agreement stipulated that the shipments would be delivered to our facilities in XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, where our company, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, is located. 
Given the unfamiliarity with this particular location and the fact that it was our first time working with XXXX XXXX and his purported company, we agreed to make a cash-in-advance payment for the transaction. The total amount of the transaction, which included the cost of the frozen chicken meat and an additional insurance fee for customs clearance, was {$160000.00} USD. The payments were made through wire transfers, with {$100000.00} USD being paid in the first six transfers for the purchase of the frozen chicken meat, and the remaining {$56000.00} USD being sent in the final transfer to cover the insurance fee at US Customs. All wire transfers were made to a Bank of America account associated with the recipient. 
To facilitate the transportation of the goods, XXXX XXXX informed us that a freight company named XXXX had been contracted to handle the shipping and import process. We were assured that the 7 containers had been shipped to XXXX, Arizona, and were awaiting customs clearance at the US border. However, upon contacting our customer broker agency, XXXX XXXX, we were dismayed to discover that the containers had never arrived at their destination. 
Upon further investigation, it became evident that the entire transaction, including the involvement of XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and XXXX, was part of an elaborate fraud scheme. We believe that our funds have been misappropriated and that we have become victims of a carefully orchestrated deception. XXXX XXXX XXXX, in particular, has persistently demanded additional payments for the release of the non-existent containers and to cover alleged secure fees for the logistics company. However, we have wisely refrained from engaging in any further transactions with these individuals. 
Enclosed with this letter, you will find supporting documentation, including copies of all relevant communications, wire transfer receipts, and any other pertinent information related to this fraudulent transaction. We sincerely request your prompt attention and action in investigating this matter to assist us in recovering our assets. We trust that your agency 's expertise and resources will be instrumental in uncovering the identities of those responsible for this fraudulent scheme and bringing them to justice. 
Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience should you require any additional information or clarification regarding this complaint. We greatly appreciate your attention to this matter and eagerly await a positive resolution. 
Thank you for your prompt assistance. 

Dates of transfer : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 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