is this a scam?

[cheyla]

Has anyone heard of a company offering personal or business loans called Netwest finance? These people are operating from Nigeria, UK and Scotland? We have sent to these people a total of $1,300 US dollars supposedly for fees etc and of course we still have no loan. Can anyone enlighten us on this?

[joko]

nigeria is well known for scams. did you research the company beforehand?

[cheyla]

Thank you for your reply. I have been trying to do research but cannot find anything. They have supplied addresses and phone numbers but these could be false also. I'm wondering if they mean't Natwest and not Netwest. The strange thing is we never signed for anything and they won't supply us with any proof of loan due to confidentality. We are lost as to where to go next.

[Oneeyedvic]

"We are lost as to where to go next. " - if you haven't paid a fee then you haven't lost anything.

Why not try using an English company (on the assumption that you are based in England). Although some loan companies will charge a fee , they will normally addthis on tho the loan - so you a re not paying anything up front.

I really wouldn't deal with any Nigerian companies for any form of finance.

[cheyla]

Thank you for your response but that's the thing, we have paid a fee therefore we are trying to get what monies we have paid back to no avail. We are not based in England so cannot try an English company. Yes, we are just realising with Nigeria.

[Oneeyedvic]

I am sorry, I misread your question.

I am afraid the only thing I can suggest is contacting the authoritiesin your area - the police and any sort of fraud office.

[cheyla]

Thank you to which I have approached our authorities here and they have advised me there's nothing they can do about it. Thank you for your input anyway.

[jon1968]

Yes, I'd say this is 99.9% a scam.
Do not send any more money and you will probably have to write off any funds you have already sent (by western union I presume?).
This is just a variation on the advance fee scam. For more info just put 419 into google.

[vehelpfulguy]

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER send any money to anyone in Nigeria.

[erimus1]

Don't suppose you paid the fee by Credit Card? - you will have insurance against fraud if that is the case.
Good luck.

[erimus1]

Also have a look at this likng which has the same company in India - http://www.indiaforensic.com/fraud_companies.htm

[dzug]

They will have used the name Netwest precisely to try and con people thay are Natwest.

[cheyla]

Thanks to everyone for there input.