Dad tricked by fraudster - any chance of getting his money back?

[SouI]

Hi,

Over a number of years my elderly father has been scammed by a guy who befriend him when he was depressed and lonely. He’s been tricked into sending between £50,000 - 75,000.

I’ve reported it to the police and they agree it seems to be fraud with a possible grooming element. Realistically does my dad stand any chance of getting his money back?

I’m trying to work out if there is any point in going to the bank. It sounds like authorised push payment fraud, although it was done in person rather than online. According to my father no one at the bank questioned him transferring such high amounts of money which I think they should have done tbh. Annoyingly a lot of the money was transferred a few weeks before the CRM came into place.

Thank you

PS we are based in England, as is the scammer

@BiscuitsandPuffin Not very helpful. I’m just trying to help my very vulnerable dad who has been left penniless by a nasty crook.

Why did he transfer it? How did the scammer convince him to part with it? I really don’t think this is the banks fault. I wouldn’t expect a grilling for transferring my own money in person.

@BiscuitsandPuffin What a nasty individual you are. Someone has taken advantage of a lonely, depressed, elderly man. God forbid you ever find yourself to be elderly and vulnerable.

I work at a bank. You should 100% make a complaint to the bank, and if they decline a refund you should 100% complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If your father is vulnerable (because of age - over 70 - or any life circumstances) that will help his chances. If he went into branch at any point that will help his chances (as staff had the opportunity to intervene and missed it).

@BiscuitsandPuffin what a nasty post. you should feel ashamed

@Atthis Thank you for that advice. It’s incredibly appreciated.

My husband had to withdraw money from the bank to pay for our landscaping, sums of around £5k each time. Every single time he was asked what it was for and if someone was forcing him to withdraw the money. They definitely have a responsibility to ask.

YES to this. Complain to the bank at the highest level. Why on earth did someone at the bank not pick this up?! That all the huge withdrawals were being taken out? Why no questions? We get questioned if we take out more than £500! I am SO sorry this happened to your lovely dad. I could cry for him and I don't even know him - or you.

I hope someone comes along who knows more about this than me.

Bless you for caring @SouI , and love and hugs to your dad! Praying he gets his money back! 🙏

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Try the bank. If he is vulnerable they have a duty if care, although he may have glossed over any questions asked. Ask for a copy of their vulnerable customer policy.

Do you have POA over your dad’s finances? If so you should report this on his behalf, if not your dad will have to do it.

the bank will investigate to see if the proper actions were taken. If not or it can’t be proved either way it is likely he will get some money back but not all.

I'm sorry but your attitude is disgraceful. Imagine we said this about every attempt to safeguard vulnerable people - that is not the sort of society I would want to be part of.

Def agree with this; when I repaid the mortgage by an over counter bank transfer I had to confirm to the counter bod that it was legitimate. Bank should have queried these transfers.

Friend of mine was in a similar situation with his mum. He hired a firm that was able to show that the bank was negligent and get her money back. I recon that your best bet. good