Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Georgia
About three years ago I was contacted by phone by a person I had worked with and known as a good friend. If ever a great opportunity was to come up, we had promised one another to make success of such a chance together.
My friend, from Jamaica, travels back and forth between the US and Jamaica working and doing business. His revelation for a great business venture was called: STORM-DOME. The population of Jamaica and the islands is plagued by hurricanes. Government solutions to loss of housing during hurricane season is confined to high school gyms and other inadequate shelter solutions... like the mess in Hatti.
My friend researched and discovered a manufacturing company in South Korea that fabricated fiberglass modules that fit together into small dome houses. They were wind/ hurricane safe, easy
to install, and cheaper than present Jamaican Housing Authority emergency shelter solutions.
My friend and I discussed the project at length, consulted with an engineer that worked with the
Jamaican Housing Authority, and figured out how much money we would need to get started.
My friend told me that the decision-makers from the Jamaican Housing Authority wanted to see
an actual structure in place before they would purchase a large number for the parts of the island.
As my part of the start-up, for fabrication, transportation, paperwork, meetings with government etc. I transferred $30,000. to an account provided by my friend. Shortly after, he broke off contact,
changed his address and contact information and disappeared.
I have just recently discovered his new address in Georgia. I want to try and recover the $30,000.
Please; what's my next step from here?
2 Answers from Attorneys
The odds are that you have been scammed by a criminal. The odds also are that your money is gone.
Whether you can sue or not depends on the language of your written contract with him. I assume with that much at stake you (1) had one and (2) had a lawyer review it. If you have a solid contract, and if you know of assets of his that you can seize if you win, you should see a lawyer.
Be aware that unless you can prove your contract you may not win, that if you do win unless he has assets you may not collect, and that to litigate a case you will need thousands (or more) in legal fees.
But most of your post screams out "scam" and "criminal." If you just wired money with no contract and no legal paperwork, odds are you flushed your money down a toilet. Still, with that much at stake, see a lawyer to be sure. Be aware also that if you wait too long your suit, if possible, will be barred by a statute of limitations.
I've traveled to Haiti multiple times, Chile after the earthquake, and other places after disasters. I could never count that ways that I have seen criminals try to use disasters to steal money. Nothing brings out criminals like a disaster. The facts you post clearly follows a standard pattern and indicate your "friend" stole your money, and likely money from other people. You can certainly hire a lawyer in his location in GA, spend a few thousand dollars on a lawsuit and even if you win try to find money to collect.
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