Consumer complaint received 2015-12-28
Company: PNC Bank N.A.
State: MD
Product: Money transfers
Sub-product: International money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I am the victim of a scam involving internet crime, internet fraud, international wire fraud and international bank fraud. I have been scammed out of {$3600.00}. 
On XXXX/XXXX/2015, XXXX XXXX of XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX, XXXX, contacted me via phone. She knew that my XXXX XXXX XXXX is listed for sale and that her boss, XXXX XXXX, had a buyer for the timeshare. XXXX XXXX explains to me that although my timeshare is listed for {$42000.00} he had a buyer interested in buying for {$25000.00}. I accepted the offer. They sent me a purchase offer owner information form to sign using their email address of XXXXXXXXXXXX. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX told me the 2015 maintenance fees were not paid and that the buyer would reimburse me the 2015 maintenance fees and the transfer fee and any other closing cost fees in exchange for the 2015 points. I agreed. 
On XX/XX/XXXX I receive a XXXX page contract from XXXX XXXX of XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX called to inform me that there is a {$2500.00} International Transfer Release of Funds fee. He told me that this needs to be paid by me but at closing I will be reimbursed by the buyer as previously agreed. On the same date, XXXX XXXX XXXX sent me XXXX documents : an introduction letter, a Power of Attorney, a statement of account, a XXXX Document explaining the {$2500.00} International Release of Funds fee, and the fifth document was a wire transfer request form where I am the Beneficiary. Next they emailed me another statement showing the buyer had paid his fees and that my fees were still pending. 
Finally on XXXX/XXXX/15 they email me the XXXX XXXX XXXX Wire Instructions. I was assured that funds can not be released without my authorization. I was to wire from my account to XXXX account using XXXX : XXXX and a XXXX Number : XXXX the amount of {$3600.00} USD. On XX/XX/XXXX, I went to my bank and made the international wire transfer of {$3600.00}. 
We were supposed to have closing on Friday XX/XX/XXXX where I am now supposed to receive a cashier 's check for {$28000.00} However, XXXX XXXX once again calls me to say that there is {$4000.00} of XXXX Sales Taxes involved. The good news is that the buyer also must reimburse these fees as well. XXXX XXXX XXXX sent me more documents : XXXX XXXX documents explaining the rate and need of the sales tax, another statement of account, and another International Bank Wire Instructions to wire {$4000.00}. 
I immediately went to my bank to dispute the wire transfer. The money had already been taken out by the scammers. I contacted the FBI since the scam is still current, they just said to report it on IC3.gov. I also asked XXXX XXXX that since I have to borrow the {$4000.00} from my Dad that he wanted to verify that the escrow account was still open and active by contacting the bank directly. XXXX XXXX emailed me an account statement from XXXX with a " scam '' telephone number to verify the account. But I HAD ALREADY CALLED THE REAL XXXX IN XXXX AND THEY COULD NOT VERIFY ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACCOUNT SINCE MY NAME IS NOT ON THE ACCOUNT. THEY GAVE ME THE EMAIL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF XXXX IN XXXX : I am a XXXX year old unemployed man with an XXXX year old son. I accepted the {$25000.00} offer because I really needed money to help me support my son and myself. I am pleading with you to help me recover my {$3600.00} wire transfer from XXXX as I was the victim of international wire and banking fraud. Thank you for your time.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation