Consumer complaint received 2023-03-14
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: TX
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
Dear Sir/Madam, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a serious issue that I have been facing with Wells Fargo Bank. I have been a customer of the bank for several years now, and I have always been satisfied with their services. However, this recent experience has left me extremely disappointed and frustrated. 
All started when I met XXXX XXXX on a website for dating couples. He then informed me he would be leaving XXXX for a job in XXXX. He gained my trust in lots of different ways. He left XX/XX/XXXX for XXXX. This is when the issues started. He had me log into his bank account and wire money from his account to other businesses. I logged on and wire transferred {$270000.00} for material to be delivered to XXXX. That Transfer went through perfectly. 
Then when I went to transfer {$28000.00} for the XXXX to have goods flown to XXXX his account froze. He then told me the next day that he would have to go back to XXXX to unfreeze his account. He was not able to do this ; he was stuck on the platform until job was completed. I saw he had over XXXX XXXX dollars in his account so I was certain I would get my money back. He first asked me to wire money on XX/XX/XXXX {$37000.00} to XXXX XXXX, a broker. I went to Wells Fargo Bank and wired the money. I did not have any issues wiring money at that time. 
The second time he asked to wire money was on XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX was the broker for this one. HE explained something was broken and he needed to get the parts replaced and this was the cost of replacement. He asked that I say the purpose for payment was family support. As was the first wire transfer as well. He then kept getting issues out on the platform and would continue to need money. The next time was on XX/XX/XXXX I mailed a check {$72000.00} to a home in Florida his name was XXXX XXXX. I can provide his address. 
I used XXXX to send it overnight. The next time was a cashier 's check to XXXX XXXX, a Wells Fargo account for {$75000.00} Then XXXX XXXX {$57000.00} XX/XX/XXXX. Then on XX/XX/XXXX XXXX {$30000.00} went to XXXX XXXX. This person has told me that by investing a big amount of money i could make very good profits, and has guaranteed me that at any point of time that i want to take my money back they would make it possible, so due to my lack of experience and knowledge i could think only that he was right and he knows what he was talking about, he sounded very confident and professional that i didnt think not even for a second that he was nothing but a scammer... I was naive and I trusted him so I sent all of my money. After trying to withdraw my money several times with no success, I understood that I made the mistake of my life and that I fell victim to a SCAM. 
I approached Wells Fargo multiple times to request a refund and to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. I expected the bank to take their responsibilities seriously, but to my disappointment, they refused to take any responsibility and neglected their duties as a regulated financial institution. 
According to the terms and conditions of the bank, they are obliged to monitor suspicious transactions and ensure the safety of their clients ' funds. However, in this case, they have failed to do so. They even went as far as to blame me for the loss, stating that it was my fault and that they are not responsible. I find this unacceptable, and I believe that the bank has a moral and legal obligation to compensate me for my loss. 
I have attached copies of the letters that were sent to Wells Fargo. I kindly request your intervention in this matter and take necessary actions to ensure that justice is served. 
I would like to emphasise that I have always been a responsible and cautious customer. I have never engaged in any suspicious or illegal activities, and I have always followed the terms and conditions of the bank. I believe that I am entitled to a fair compensation for my loss, and I hope that you will take my case seriously and resolve it in a timely manner

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