To think DP is being used by so called "friend"

Or even worse, it could be some sort of terrorist thing to do with their anarchist beliefs.

Do you think your DP is a member of the group too?

It sounds like your DP wants to impress these people, he's putting his needs way below theirs in a way that makes him look a bit desperate for approval. If they really needed this help in a genuine way it would be different but they could easily have set up their own GFM or flown over for the cash, they just can't be bothered and are using him. I'd feel like he had some inadequacy issues to be being such a doormat.

My first question is does she even have cancer. Loads of red flags and they sound like grifters.

Thy have money sniffer dogs. He’ll look like a money mule if stopped. Very dangerous. Ask them to come collect it. You do not want to get involved in money laundering. It could stop a future travel plans you have.
this is how people launder money, by praying on people with nice natures and naive. Sit him down in front of some banged up abroad episodes. Should put the willies up him.

As a financial professional, the minute I see the word "untraceable" the alarm bells go off. This sounds dodgy as all hell.
Your DP might be about to get himself in an awful lot of trouble if he's assisting someone to effectively commit benefit fraud by hiding cash that would affect eligibility. Or it might be a straight-up scam by charitable fundraising for a need that doesn't actually exist.
Your DP needs to find a way to remove himself from this scheme fast. If he can't do it politely he needs to just do it impolitely, because a genuine friend would not have asked him to do this in the first place.

If the wife is listed as the recipient, it’s likely that GFM will not allow your DP to transfer the funds to himself. This is a safeguarding measure to make sure funds go to the right place and to prevent fraud.

Who is the named beneficiary? The friend or the wife?

I know just gross isn’t it ??!

Perhaps. I believe the guy convinced DP to open the GoFundMe account, so it may be in his name already.

I’d be very surprised if he got as far as customs! Will Gofundme pay it to him as he’s not the beneficiary? The bank (if he gets it) WILL have questions and absolutely can stop him from withdrawing it - please make sure he’s not using a joint account!

I couldn’t love a man that was either a total fucking moron, or lacking in morals. Those seem to be the two options on the table here.

This would be the end of the relationship for me op. The mans a liability. Whats next, this friend asks him to remortgage the house without telling you to fund more “cancer treatment”. Nope. He cannot make sensible decisions

OP, I posted at 8am this morning and in that post I mentioned reading your posts to a relative of mine who is a police officer. They have now read the entire thread themselves at my request.

These are their conclusions:

• your DH will be asked for proof of identity and address by customs, they will ask for lots of information- employment etc
• your DH will be stopped at customs and asked questions about the money - where it came from, why is it in cash rather than using the usual methods of transfer, who the money is going to (name, address etc)
• how long your DH will be in Germany - a short visit will be a giant red flag for money laundering
• proof that the money has been declared/will be declared for tax purposes as the amount will be near the E10,000 threshold
• your DH will be questioned thoroughly as customs will find the circumstances of the money transfer unusual and anything unusual warrants further investigation

Based on this your DH will HAVE to give the name and address of the ‘friend’ he is taking the money to as customs will demand this information.

If customs are unhappy with any of the answers your DH gives regarding the money it will be impounded while further investigations take place and only returned if customs are satisfied it is a legal transfer and the money is not the proceeds of crime.

Based on this my police officer relative would advise anyone in this situation to transfer the money by a recognised money transfer method that is traceable as this will demonstrate that as far as your DH was concerned the money was raised (on a well known legal fundraising platform) and then transferred to the recipient of the fundraising in good faith.

After hearing all this from my relative I would not allow my DH to go to Germany with this money. He could be opening you, him and your family up to a terrible situation which will affect you. What if customs investigate and find out it is money laundering? Your DH will be in big trouble.

Best case it's benefit fraud. But my guess is that it is laundering drug money. People buy drugs from the German mate. They pay for it via the go fund me account. Some complete mug (your partner) puts his name to it and traffics the cash across the border.

I don't see how your husband has done anything wrong? He has acted in good faith organising a fund raiser for the sick woman. Op is inventing benefit fraud on the basis of absolutely no knowledge of the situation.
I think it is more the OP does not like this couple, for example referring to the lady's cleaning job as 'not a proper job', and resents them having this money. If course the husband does not to leave his sick wife to fly to the uk
Your dh would be committing fraud if he directed the money to charity having specifically collected it for this woman.

Not sure why people are so sure this is legal. It’s fraud if it turns out the friend’s wife doesn’t have cancer and it’s probably fraud anyway if it’s all being done to avoid being traced. If it’s all legal and above board why doesn’t the friend set up the go fund me?

Last time I exchanged a large sum of money I had to provide proof of identity (passport or driver's license) and proof of where the money came from (bank statements).

Plus, as already mentioned, the money might be flagged when he goes through airport security.

@Queenjuliana - this whole scheme is totally harebrained and your partner could find himself in deep doodoo.

Is your DH paying to travel out of his own money as well?

When you say your husband is a "pushover" do you mean he is vulnerable in anyway? I'd be looking to see if there is any support from your local council for adults who are being exploited.

I think Dave has probably run out of people locally to use as a front for fundraising which is why he's picked on your husband for a plan which won't work.

I think the poster up thread who suggested seeking legal advice (especially for yourself) is on the right track.

I’d tell him it’s very much illegal if he is an accomplice in money laundry.

He'll be questioned at the bank when he tries to take out that amount cash - he will have to given them notice.
I imagine he will be questioned again at Forex.
Banks have markers for fraud and money laundering.
If he gets through customs I would be suprised.
He's a fool.
It's one thing to help a close friend. But this friend doesn't sound close and the whole thing smells fishy.
Show your husband this thread.

I'm not sure of the tax implications but I suppose if there’s no trace of the cash being passed on to anyone then maybe it could be classed as income by HMRC🤷‍♂️

Either way, no doubt your husband is very well meaning with his intentions but please look at the post by Wildcat24 at 8.17am who appears to have real life experience of how this can go wrong

Just because it’s not illegal to bring the money in, doesn’t mean they won’t ask him the purpose of it. What will he say?