I was talking earlier and was going to be connected to a lowyer and then was sent to a payment portal but it gave me an

Expert's Assistant chat

Customer: Hi, I was talking earlier and was going to be connected to a lowyer and then was sent to a payment portal but it gave me an error
JA: I just need to ask a few clarifying questions so that the Lawyer doesn't miss anything. To start, what state are you in? It matters because laws vary by location.
Customer: Ontario, Canada
JA: Have you tried anything so far that has helped or clarified the issue?
Customer: yes, reported the matter to the police, bank, reported to Canadian Anti Fraud Center
JA: Is there anything else the Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured that they'll be able to help you.
Customer: I lost a significant amount of money and need to understand the options, costs and repurcussions

Answered by ARLENEP41 in 5 mins 1 year ago

ARLENEP41

10+ years of experience

1536 Satisfied customers

Expert in: Family Law, Legal, Estate Law, Real Estate Law, Criminal Law, Employment Law, Business Law, Consumer Protection Law, Bankruptcy Law, Traffic Law, Personal Injury Law.

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ARLENEP41

1536 Satisfied customers

10+ years of experience

ARLENEP41

10+ years of experience

1536 Satisfied customers

Lawyer's, Assistant

116 Lawyers are online right now.

ARLENEP41, Expert

Hi, my name is Arlene. Welcome to Just Answer, I’m your expert and I’ll be assisting you today. Just a general disclaimer that this conversation is for informational purposes and I am not your lawyer. The information discussed is for general use only and a lawyer would be necessary to preserve any of your legal rights. Please note that the system may ask you to participate in a live call. This is an automatic feature and I typically work only through the chat option.

ARLENEP41, Expert

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you were defrauded. I think some of your question was cut off. What is your legal question?

Customer

I lost about CAD25000/- to a woman in Switzerland and reported this to the local police in Canada. It has been recorded as a romance scam. The local police is only able to pass the information and be at the mercy of the Interpol who may take time to act

Customer

What legal options do I have

ARLENEP41, Expert

Well, did you just give her $25K or did she swindle it from you?

Customer

I transferred it myself. via bank wire

Customer

From what the police tells me, I was manipulated with the conversation, gained my trust and then duped

ARLENEP41, Expert

Ok so for clarification, you were dating someone. She asked you for $25K. You wired it to her and then you never heard from her again?

Customer

the bank has been informed and they are trying to retrieve but again slim chances as the funds may have moved from her account

Customer

We were in contact for a good 6 months. Initially it was me trying to help out with her business, then things turned romantic and I made a second payment again to help her with something else

Customer

When I requested her to return the money, she assured to return it, provided a date, also lied about transferring it

Customer

but when I had no funds within 3-5 business days, I followed up, she made an excuse about her bank giving her some problem and that she would retry

ARLENEP41, Expert

Ok well if you gifted it to her then you don't have a cause of action. When did you ask her to return it? Was it a loan?

Customer

I loaned it to her

ARLENEP41, Expert

Do you have written confirmation that it was a loan and not a gift?

Customer

it was always supposed to be returned, there was no paper signed agreement

Customer

No, it was all verbal

Customer

All I have is the chat history of her assuring of returning it back, lying about the transfer she was making and then being ghosted

ARLENEP41, Expert

I see. Well, you can bring a cause of action against her but you have to do it in Switzerland.

Customer

I tried to reach out to resolve amicably but she has now blocked

Customer

How do I do that with me in canada, would I need someone with international law expertise or an attorney based in Switzerland

ARLENEP41, Expert

You need a lawyer in Switzerland. Do you have her address?

Customer

I have her socials(from where I am blocked), her phone, address

Customer

Are there any repercussions I can expect from her?

ARLENEP41, Expert

ok then you know where to serve her. Try this link click here

Customer

Ok, basically find a lawyer there

ARLENEP41, Expert

yes based on what you told me.

Customer

Would you know if they work based on contingency in such cases? what kind of repercussions can I face from her?

ARLENEP41, Expert

This type of case (breach of contract) is usually not done on contingency. Why would you be expecting repercussions she doesn't even speak to you.

Customer

I am not sure of her ways of what she can throw back at me either to defend herself or just to throw something back at me to get even more out

ARLENEP41, Expert

Oh, I'm assuming she is going to say you gave it to her as a gift.

Customer

I am also looking to and have reached out to a few people in the social circle where she is usually active to warn them. I am doing that out of goodwill, can she throw a defamationcase against me if she came to know

ARLENEP41, Expert

only if you are lying otherwise you are entitled to freedom of speech

Customer

ok understood, definitely not lying, have enough in the chat history of her gaining trust, lying about giving back the funds and then not responding

ARLENEP41, Expert

I'm very sorry to hear this happened to you and I hope you get your funds back

Customer

What are my chances without any written agreement with her

Customer

how are such cases dealt

ARLENEP41, Expert

You don't need a written agreement although that is best you have the chat history.

Customer

thank you for your inputs. I will try to find a lawyer in Switzerland to see if they can take my case

Customer

oh yes, one more thing, will I need physical presence in Switzerland

ARLENEP41, Expert

Yes try that but don't spend too much money

Customer

thats my concern, the money. I have lost a significant amount and dont have more to spare for legal fees

ARLENEP41, Expert

Well, I don't know the law in Switzerland but in Canada everything is being done by zoom so I assume it's the same.

ARLENEP41, Expert

understandable

Customer

Is there any way that you'd know of where I can push this forward thru the interpol and have them act. Right now, I have no contact information to follow up, my case officer says he doesnt receive any response either

ARLENEP41, Expert

The police no best. I have no idea how to make things go faster.

Customer

thank you for your inputs today, appreciate it. I do feel stuck and helpless in my attempts to make things right but limited to either the police doing something or hope that a Swiss attorney can help somehow

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