Consumer complaint received 2023-07-12
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: OH
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I am a XXXX divorced woman buying a new home for the first time in 30 years. 
I hired a real estate agent, based in Kentucky, and looked at several properties. 
On XX/XX/2023 I was notified of a newly listed property at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, KY XXXX. 
Pre-Approval was received XX/XX/2023 from XXXX XXXX and I submitted an offer for the property on XX/XX/2023 through my realtor On XX/XX/2023 XXXX received a general outline from XXXXXXXX XXXX  of what expect regarding the process of wiring the final settlement amount. XXXX XXXX outlined for out of state closings, it is not out of the ordinary for purchasers to wire the money 5 to 7 days in advance of the closing date. 
On XX/XX/2023 I received confirmation from a Mortgage Loan Processor from XXXX XXXX XXXX, that my loan was cleared to close and closing was scheduled for XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2023 and I should expect to receive the final settlement figures from either my Mortgage Loan Officer, or the title company. 
On XX/XX/2023 1 received final settlement figures from XXXX XXXX XXXX 
On XX/XX/2023 A closing CO-Ordinator for XXXX XXXX XXXX, emailed wiring instructions to my realtor. 
On XX/XX/2023 I received an email from the realtor with wiring instructions. I forwarded this email to the loan officers at XXXX XXXX who advised I was good to come in the XXXX, Ohio XXXX branch and execute the wire transfer. 
On XX/XX/2023 at XXXX XXXX I executed the wire transfer of {$120000.00} from the XXXX, OH branch of XXXX XXXX according to the instructions I received from the realtor. 
After executing the wire, I sent the realtor a copy of the wire receipt via text at XXXX XXXX  on XX/XX/2023 and via email at XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2023. 
In a separate email at XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2023, I sent the wire receipt directly to XXXX XXXX XXXX and advised they should receive the funds by XXXX XXXX  on XX/XX/2023. 
XXXX  XXXX XXXX replied to my email at XXXX on XX/XX/2023 confirming she received the receipt and information regarding the wire. 
At XXXXXXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2023 XXXX XXXX responded a second time to my XXXX XXXX email stating the transfer amount was incorrect and was short {$350.00} but made no mention of any other transfer details. 
I heard nothing further about the wire until XXXX XXXX  on XX/XX/2023, XXXX minutes before closing, where my realtor advised me XXXX XXXX XXXX never received the wire. 
I went to the XXXX XXXX XXXX  branch in XXXX XXXX, Kentucky and explained what I had learned to a bank employee who opened an investigation. 
I went to XXXX XXXX XXXX  office, met with its Manager, XXXX XXXX where I learned the wiring instructions I received from XXXX were fraudulent. 
Following this I opened various complains/investigations with the OCC, the FBI, and multiple other government organizations. I tried to get in contact with Chase Bank ( the bank accepting the fraudulent wire transfer ) ; however, they were unable to speak to me regarding my situation. As of today XX/XX/2023, my {$120000.00} has still not been returned to me, nor has there been any attempt at resolution from XXXX XXXX or Chase Bank. XXXXXXXX XXXX  verified wiring instructions for their transfer, but did not do so for my personal money. Chase bank failed to properly identify the individuals opening the account into which my money was deposited. Further Chase Bank allowed all my money to be withdrawn when a legitimate title company would have taken its fees and the amount to be held in escrow ( {$11000.00} ) before sending the remaining money to the property sellers. Chase Bank has knowingly turned a blind eye to banking fraud and injured a consumer in the process. It is my belief that this fraudulent account was set up quickly through the internet, without Chase Bank following sufficient verification processes. Chase Bank also accepted a wire transfer with various mis-identifiers into this fraudulent account.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation