If a friend from the U.K. is wanting to give me a large amount of money, why would they need my signature? They haven't requested any bank account details, but why would I need to sign something to receive money? Is there a way of transferring money into my name without it going to a bank account or could this be a scam?
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5Judging from your comments, this is unambiguously a scam. Do not get involved.– ChrisInEdmontonJul 16 '14 at 15:20
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5The obvious question is "What are they asking you to sign?". You've read it, right?– DJClayworthJul 16 '14 at 16:49
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It's got every sign of a scam. Signatures are needed on contracts, so you should only place them on below one. Free money sounds too good to be true. Money evading banks is a typical sign of money laundering; why are they trying to avoid paper trails?
The normal way to gift money is to just hand it over or pay it to a bank account. If anything, you sign a tax declaration, but you would send that to the taxman yourself.
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Actually they said they need an account, but to transfer from the U.K. to Australia that I need to authorise it? I was told it was to verify that I am who I say I am, and that my friend won't be seen as trying to launder money or avoid paying taxes?– miss mJul 16 '14 at 13:42
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6Who are "they" anyway? And how well do you know this friend? Furthermore, what exactly would you authorise, and to whom? It's not a big deal if your friend asks you to download a form from the official government/tax website from either the UK or Australian government, sign that and in general follow the instructions given for that form. In general, if anyone claims "government regulations", ask them to be specific and verify with an independent source.– MSaltersJul 16 '14 at 13:49
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6That's another TWO warning signs: "gifting" money which you're supposed to forward, and invoking a charity. Tell your friend to gift the money directly to the charity at hand, without involving you or the ambassador of that charity. (A real charity will have a designated person to handle donations, whereas an ambassador handles PR for a charity)– MSaltersJul 16 '14 at 13:58
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4Why would a 'friend' need to verify who you are? If they don't know you that well, they aren't a friend. Jul 16 '14 at 16:52
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4The UK government wouldn't need your signature as much as they'd need you to sign a specific form. Check the form yourself with the UK government, and in particular check whether you're supposed to submit it directly to the UK government.– MSaltersJul 17 '14 at 6:56