Am I accidentally involving myself in some kind of scam?

57 replies

SlimeSuspect · 23/07/2024 18:28

I am a self employed small business.

Client calls me ahead of an event I am booked with him and tells me his accounts department have accidentally paid me twice via a bank transfer. I have checked my account and the duplicate payment is definitely there. Client asks can I please send the duplicate payment back, but not to the account of origin, via PayPal to his personal (non business) account? I don’t have a business PayPal account, so would have to do this through my personal PayPal account.

Is this usual? Should I be suspicious? It seems odd for a business to request a payment be refunded via a personal PayPal account. I have spoken to my bank and also PayPal who have both advised me not to do what he is requesting.

Most alarming of all is that my client is reluctant to move the conversation from text message to email (despite repeated requests, and the original contracts being arranged that way).

Does this scream ‘scammer’? Obviously I have already been paid, so won’t lose out financially, but I clearly don’t want to be involved in someone else’s dodgy dealings.

Also, before anyone accuses me of dishonest intentions, I have no intention of not transferring the over payment back to the correct place. My bank can’t disclose the account of origin, so that would need to come from the bank that sent the payment. I have asked him for the account details, to no avail.

Any thoughts on what might be going on here, and how I should proceed? I will have to work with this guy this weekend, so am worried!

OP posts:

Changingplace · 23/07/2024 18:36

I would go back on email, to the contact who you have at the company, cc they’re finance department and say that you will transfer the duplicate payment via back transfer as recommend by your bank and please can they confirm sort code & account number.

It sounds dodgy via PayPal you’re right to be suspicious.

Princessbananahamock · 23/07/2024 18:36

Sounds a bit off. I would contact the accounts department direct to inform them you have a duplicate payment. You are not entitled to this and they could demand it back immediately. Do you think this person has potentially copied an invoice of yours and submitted it, waited a bit then contacted you to say just pay them. Red flags 🚩

User364837 · 23/07/2024 18:34

Well at the very least he could be over inflating his expenses to reduce his tax bill. Will put down the double amount as your costs and have evidence of payment going out of the business account.
just say sorry you can only refund to the original payment source. No reason he can’t transfer after if he’s genuine and wants it in another account.

curiouscat1987 · 23/07/2024 18:33

Also yes get the instruction by email from your normal contact email for that client. I'd also confirm over the phone with him.if you recognise his voice?

TwattyMcFuckFace · 23/07/2024 18:33

I have spoken to my bank and also PayPal who have both advised me not to do what he is requesting.

That's all you need to know, and all you need to tell him.

curiouscat1987 · 23/07/2024 18:32

Absolutely scammer or could be money laundering - be very very careful
Suggest you only refund to the payment account, or you could be held responsible and fined for for being involved. They dont fuck about when it comes to being involved in money laundering!

MeAgainAndAgain · 23/07/2024 18:30

I know nothing about this sort of stuff but it does scream ‘scammer’. Don’t do it. Wait for something official, or speak to the bank.

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