I have a buddy I know online. Known eachother for a few months. We run a few websites together and he trusts me with some of his exclusive adult content. He also hooks me up with free hosting for some of my own sites which do use a bit of bandwidth. So in other words, he's a cool guy. Lately he has brought something up to me. I'm completely ignorant and don't know if I could get screwed over in anyway or if it is illegal in anyway. He runs a hosting company. He's from Canada and needs someone from the USA that he trusts (me) to open a bank account for him, merchant account (using my name obviously) and open a business for him. He wants to use the account to transfer money. He said only about 20% of the cash that would be coming into it would be profit. It will be a large amount of money per month. He said he will pay for the opening of the business and all those fee's etc. Said he would also pay me per month just to do this and supply me with a company cellular phone. Is there anyway I could get screwed over? I mean, I would have access to his money, and he trusts me with that I guess. But could I get in trouble for doing this for him? Could there possibly be any tax troubles? Like I said, I'm ignorant as to this situation. Any advice would help. I'd like to help him out, but if there is anyway I could get in trouble I don't want any part of it.
Yes you could get in trouble, because if he is doing something illegal, guess who is going to get screwed. Maybe he gives you free hosting just for you to do this for him.
Be very cautious. I am sceptical when it comes to these things. After all he can open an a/c for himself. Why is he so afraid to put his name?
He needs a US account and hes from canada. Thanks for all the advice guys, I believe I know my decision.
Without legal advice, there is no way you should even consider doing it. It subjects you to potential liability ranging from purely economic to criminal.
Thats what I thought. Thanks guy. Seriously, glad you guys could help me out before I ended up doing something stupid.
Ask him to visit USA to open the bank account...its not difficult....If you really trust him goahead and do it...but not without document..both of you sign a partnership agreement or something... Its a bit risky though...
He will deposite a large check. It will clear the bank in about two weeks. Then he will withdraw the money. The check will then be returned as fraudulent and you will be responsible for the money. It is a very common scam.
This is scrarily like the scams the nigerians use when trying to money launder. Probalbly nothing at all to do with them but you really can't be too careful. You are the one who'll end up with the cuffs on not this other guy who could in theory deny any knowledge of you should the shit hit the fan. It has been known for con artists to take years nuturing relationships with people knowing that at the end of it they are going to make a pot of money so don't take the trust thing you think you have with this guy seriously, be very careful.