Couple wires $800,000 home down payment to scammer

A Solana Beach couple is living a nightmare after wiring their $800,000 home down payment to a scammer posing as their escrow agent

[arachosia]

I’m paranoid just sending $50 through Venmo. There’s no way in hell I’d ever send 800k.

[fergman]

30 yr olds.... buying a 1.4 million dollar home and now setting up a go fund give me a break.

[senob]

I thought for sure it was about to say, "These days 1-year-old Declan is the only one who can be trusted to handle the family's finances"

[absoluteauto]

30 years old, $800, 000 down payment? GoFundMe? Red flags are raised if I try to move $1500.00

[rewhiteconsulting]

Who in the He!! wires $800, 000.00 to ANYONE??? I would rather live in a garbage can than go through this...

[josephvalentine]

If you have 800k as a down payment you don’t need a go fund me !

[kicknotes]

Lucky enough to have $1.4mm. Not lucky enough to have 1.4mm brain cells.

[tubecontributor]

ARE YOU KIDDING? If they had $800, 000 for a downpayment on a house, they SHOULD NOT BE ON GO FUND ME

[WheelEstate]

I'm a Realtor. Between us, mortgage lenders and closing attorneys, we continually stress to clients that the attorneys will NEVER email wire instructions. Instead, a hard copy of the wire instructions will be mailed and are to be confirmed via telephone call to the attorney's office.

To anyone reading this: Always, always, ALWAYS call the attorney or title company to confirm wiring instructions BEFORE sending a wire.

[allthingsdelightful]

This is exactly why I was skeptical of wire transfer. I had over 40K to give at closing and was upset they wouldn't take the cashiers check. Had to do the wire. I was nervous as can be sending that amount of money over. I went to the bank and did 5 dollar wire first to be sure the closing company got that first before I sent the remaining money. Made the bank check those numbers several times too. Wire transfers stress me out. You would have had to admit me to hospital if I lost 800k.

[floraafroza]

this is why getting scammed on runescape can teach a very valuable lesson.

[omarr]

I would be EMBARRASSED to be exposed like this on the news for my stupidity 😂

This is why I don't play around with wires... Good old fashioned certified check hand deliverer to the title company that's the only way I would do it

[ketaminefetishist]

if i had 800, 000 i'm having it in singles, and sleeping on it like a dragon

[IssacStrong-lvqyfgy]

Mad respect for saying yes bro. sometimes opportunities present themself and you Gotta take them. i am kind of a *Strongwidget* fan, but this recovery was a great message. you both already won For participating!

[anthonyariola]

That money was probably given to them that’s why they were so loose and irresponsible with it

[RETROOBLIVION]

$800k wired? This story don't make sense and it's weird that this couple is able to do an interview on TV with composure. This couple is chill like they lost their grocery money for the week.😂

[DemetriusMack-rkyydeme]

The fact the *Strongwidget* was facing adventures to help the people was so kind. Mad respect to you man.
Appreciate all you do to help others. You are setting a great example for the community Strongwidget.

[floridamaddogg]

What else is a scam is the fact $800k is only 60% of the price of that house. Completely ridiculous.

[vincenttiene]

When in doubt, just send like $100 and see if it goes through before proceeding with the rest.