Consumer complaint received 2023-03-28
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: MD
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: International money transfer
Issue: Other transaction problem

Complaint:
I have lost all my savings mounting to close XXXX XXXX dollars including taxes thru a scam. This happened thru 10 international and 9 domestic wire transfers and XXXX XXXX transactions. Money was wired/withdrawn thru local banks in XXXX and XXXX, MD between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX, when I went to XXXX XXXX police XXXX The Consumerfinance instructions were to file one report which I did under international wire transfers as it did not allow me to click on multiple actions. 

A number of federal agents were involved. On XX/XX/XXXX I received a phone call from Agent XXXX XXXX with federal batch XXXX using a secret line that {$120000.00} has been sent to XXXX and XXXX using an account with my SSN, and additional 6-7 accounts have been tried to open. As this was a case of identity theft, I shouldnt discuss it with anybody and be absolutely honest. Information had been forwarded to US Treasury Department. XXXX XXXX gave me his direct line XXXX. He forwarded me to XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX told me that my identity was compromised as there were now 5 different accounts under my SSN. Wire transfer totaling {$28000.00} that were never reported to IRS were now detected. Thus it was necessary to take actions to issue a new SSN. He offered me the Federal XXXX option outside the court that would offer me a new ID without interrogations and protracted court proceedings. Because of my SSN was used, I was now a defendant. XXXX. XXXX also gave me his direct line XXXX. He would call me back in 30 mins to give Treasury Departments report. 

In order to keep this investigation with Case ID XXXX open, I had to text him twice a day. I was a defendant in {$280000.00} money laundering case using the option XXXX by Federal Government. Before a new SSN could be issued they have to clear my accounts through wire transfers and XXXX actions. At the completion I was supposed to get my money plus 10 % back ( 15 % on IRAs ), no tax consequences and a special 0 % mortgage. This was to compensate losses resulting from keeping my money off markets. 

On XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX instructed me thru the first wire transfer and told that XX/XX/XXXX XXXX Department will put a note on my SSN that nothing could be done using that SSN. On XX/XX/XXXX I was referred to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX at the XXXX XXXX Department because my case was complicated. XXXX XXXX used text messages and phone calls to communicate with me until XX/XX/XXXX guiding me thru some 19 successful ( and a handful unsuccessful ) wire transfers and XXXX XXXX actions. I received occasional emails containing official letters from the Supreme Court, DC Attorney General and the Head of the Treasury Department. 

The XXXX XXXX to get my new SSN and checks of my money was scheduled on XX/XX/XXXX. I was to receive two people from the MD State Department who would show their IDs to have a meeting at my home. It never happened and I went to police.

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