|
-WHAT TO DO IF YOU DISCOVER YOU ARE THE MIDDLEMAN TO A FRAUD
-HOW TO DEAL WITH BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE FRAUD VICTIMS.
You may call yourself a middleman, financial consultant, agent, intermediary or broker. You may or may not be licensed.
You may be a victim of a con artist, or an active participant in a scam. Regardless of the circumstances, both the victims
and law enforcement will be looking to you for an explanation.
1. Con artists, especially those who deal in financial fraud on a big scale, love to put their prime targets in the middle.
This means that you were talked into bringing money belonging to others into the scheme.
2. The best defense is a good offense: go to the authorities before they come to you.
3. Gather together every piece of evidence you can find, including names, addresses, phone numbers, account numbers, documents
of every kind, notes, records of phone conversations, etc. and make copies. The authorities may want the originals, or the
copies may be okay. The evidence may clearly show that you were duped. DO NOT INVENT EVIDENCE. DO NOT TELL EVEN THE WHITEST
OF LIES. IF YOU CAN'T REMEMBER SOMETHING, SAY SO. Your credibility is not just your most important asset, its your only
asset. Don't screw it up. Interviewers can tell if you're lying .
4. Call every investor involved and tell them what you are doing. Send it in writing, registered mail, return receipt
requested. Remember: open communication is extremely important.
5. Some investors may try to talk you out of going to the authorities because they may be afraid of losing their money.
On the other hand, if it has gone far enough, you may have to explain that you think their funds are lost. Not an easy task.
Bite the bullet and make all your calls. You may not be able to see it right now, but there is a light at the end of the
tunnel.
6. Ask the authorities if they want you to maintain contact with the swindler; however, if you are involved in any other
similar network, cease that activity immediately.
7. You may or may not need an attorney. Usually it is not necessary unless you are being read your rights, but depending
on your circumstances and what you need to feel comfortable, having an attorney present during the initial interview is okay.
|
