Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    4

    Default Recovering a Large Sum of Stolen Money

    Thanks for help, in advance.

    Backstory:
    Last night I noticed that a rather large sum (felony amount) in a couple blank money orders were missing from my room (I live with a few roommates). I started to panic and remembered a debit card that had gone missing a several days prior, but hadn't really gotten around to looking that hard for. Given the large sum missing I immediately pulled up the online banking of the missing debit card to see if there was any suspicious activity and it was clearly used all over my area by someone else.

    Last night in mentioning it 1 roommate it became known to all roommates (3 of the 4 of them) that I had just had a large amount of money stolen. In the process of trying to figure out who did it I made it very clear that it would be all of 1 day before we would have surveillance footage of the person who stole. All vehemently denied. I called in the money orders and they were all cashed, but I wont know for 2 days where (photocopies coming).

    Today, police has confirmed no questions asked which one it was (video evidence) and I'm sitting on an open and shut case if you have ever seen one. He is brothers with another roommate who suspected it might be him and promised to personally "beat the shit out of him" on my behalf if it's shown to be him.


    Question:
    -The roommate is a legitimate flight risk (likely already fled)...little tying him to the location at this point--temp job (although he does have a daughter not far away)
    -The roommate has little to lose at this stage in actually complying with any court order to return funds assuming he even has it anymore. He might be in trouble with other nefarious characters over debts and may have done this to try to pay those debts (this was the rescue case of his brother and I'm typically the type that likes to help so I was okay with him moving in, no good deed goes unpunished)
    -He has little allies and am not all that physically worried about him given his brother. Think more Edward Norton in Rounders than anyone else if you want a picture.
    -The cops are telling me to go home tonight without informing anyone that I know who it is. I should point out that I don't have a great poker face for these situations. I know they're going to badger me about what I know at this stage.
    -MoneyGram is obviously claiming no liability and I doubt the places they were cashed at will take any liability (they were legitimate Money Orders after all). It only leaves recovery from the thief roommate or my renters insurance policy which I haven't even begun to read yet.

    The problem is that I'm struggling with the idea of putting my faith in the law and the court system to recover my stolen money. I seriously think that his brothers might seriously be more effective at compelling him to pay up and their knowledge of his activities are valuable. Should I involve them and try to negotiate a deal to trade me pulling away charges in exchange for returning funds? Also, I think the threat of me holding the sway on felony charges is my greatest piece of leverage. In order to get the message out would mean telling them tonight. I don't care about him getting charged (I would probably prefer him not being if anything) I just want to recover my funds and I'm worried at this stage law enforcement will be more concerned about holding up their open and shut case I have given them on a silver platter and getting a conviction than actually getting my money back.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Recovering a Large Sum of Money

    All you've provided is a narrative.

    But you haven't asked any questions.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Recovering a Large Sum of Money

    Sorry, should I seek to negotiate a deal directly with the perpetrator to avoid conviction in exchange for return of my money? And should I inform his brothers tonight?


    With keeping in mind:
    1) I'm not afraid of physical harm
    2) His world will shrink really fast on him if it becomes known to his world that he stole this. It would also likely prove that he stole from another member of their family.
    3) I'm pretty sure he has no prior felony convictions (only a charge he successfully beat).
    4) I should also point out that I probably have the help of his family for now, but if I move forward only with police and don't clue them in that may in fact wain.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    8,006

    Default Re: Recovering a Large Sum of Money

    You've already reported it to the police. It's out of your hands.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Recovering a Large Sum of Money

    Quote Quoting free9man
    View Post
    You've already reported it to the police. It's out of your hands.
    Not completely. They still need certain pieces of evidence from me to have a case.

    They only have surveillance video of someone using the card. I'm still the only one sitting on proof that it is in fact my card (not exactly self evident if you catch my drift).

    Same for the photocopies of the money orders.


    They have either 100% open and shut or 100% non case depending on whether I decide to provide them evidence.

    - - - Updated - - -




    I'm starting to wonder what I have to lose in offering him a deal (outside of maybe annoying the police).

    If he doesn't deliver I still deliver a conviction. If he does deliver I sink his case.


    There is of course the flight risk issue, but if you ask me it doesn't necessarily seem like the police are taking that one very seriously by planning on giving him a call anyway.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Recovering a Large Sum of Money

    You did not follow the instruction to identify your state.

    You should consult a lawyer in your state to determine how your proposed plan of action might be viewed under the laws of that state.

    Trying to shake down the individual could backfire, in that it could not only have no effect on his desire or ability to return your money, it might convince a prosecutor that you've converted the matter from a criminal to a civil matter, or that your conduct undermines your credibility, such that charges are dropped. The prosecutor is not going to be interested in your games. They're not going to beg you for evidence that you choose not to provide.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    16,474

    Default Re: Recovering a Large Sum of Money

    Quote Quoting jd1433
    View Post
    Sorry, should I seek to negotiate a deal directly with the perpetrator to avoid conviction in exchange for return of my money? And should I inform his brothers tonight?


    With keeping in mind:
    1) I'm not afraid of physical harm
    2) His world will shrink really fast on him if it becomes known to his world that he stole this. It would also likely prove that he stole from another member of their family.
    3) I'm pretty sure he has no prior felony convictions (only a charge he successfully beat).
    4) I should also point out that I probably have the help of his family for now, but if I move forward only with police and don't clue them in that may in fact wain.
    Your money is long gone. Nobody has it to return to you. Your better bet is to let the police do their job and let the courts make restitution part of his sentence.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Recovering a Large Sum of Stolen Money

    State: MN

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Quoting llworking
    View Post
    Your money is long gone. Nobody has it to return to you. Your better bet is to let the police do their job and let the courts make restitution part of his sentence.
    Let's say restitution does become part of sentence.

    What are the odds that I recover really anything?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    16,474

    Default Re: Recovering a Large Sum of Stolen Money

    Quote Quoting jd1433
    View Post
    State: MN

    - - - Updated - - -



    Let's say restitution does become part of sentence.

    What are the odds that I recover really anything?
    About 50/50 in my opinion if its restitution. Slim to none if its not.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Recovering a Large Sum of Stolen Money

    Try to get the court to make repayment a provision of his release if he is given probation.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Victims Rights: Recovering Stolen Firearms
    By jtom in forum Criminal Procedure
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02-01-2013, 03:56 AM
  2. Federal Taxes: Bringing Large Sum of Money into the U.S.
    By boyfromoz in forum Tax Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-19-2011, 08:16 PM
  3. Stolen Property: Recovering My Stolen Computer
    By taylorlarson in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-23-2011, 09:31 PM
  4. Stolen Property: Recovering Art that is Stolen or Not Returned
    By turprev in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-21-2009, 01:09 PM
  5. Stolen Property: Recovering Items Stolen From An Apartment
    By wkim88 in forum Criminal Charges
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-25-2007, 04:07 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources