Buy for another person

[ericamd]

I guy from UK (I don't know him, He is supposed to be my new boss, but I'm not sure) asked me to buy bitcoins.
He transferred money to my account, then asked me to buy localbitcoins with this money less 10%( my commission).
I did it, he told me that was a test, but now he wants me to do again and I'm not sure that it is legal.
I live in California.

[1714981397]

1714981397

[1714981397]

1714981397

[gayletot]

buy for what? btc I can only advise if you really want to invest in btc to invest you do not want to fool other people today with scammer in crypto. if i do not want you to be someone else.

[buwaytress]

Bleeding weird situation. I don't think it's illegal, but you should still be wary.

Sounds like easy money, right? Should raise red flags all over the place.

Guy is sending you money, so come tax time or even come reporting time, you're going to have to declare this income: source and purpose. Telling the banks or tax authorities you regularly get money to buy something on the person's behalf is one of the many alerts for AML in the EU (which UK is still party to, not sure if it's the same in US).

Politely decline. If you're afraid of repercussions (he's your boss?), just say LBC froze your account. Simple.

IF he really wants, and you really want, open an account under his name somewhere, an exchange maybe. You manage it for him. Easy.

[hugeblack]

Perhaps he was afraid that KYC & AML would verify his name. As most trading platforms ask for some files before making any transactions.
There are two possibilities for doing that:

 - Someone who is interested in privacy does not want to be verified by these platforms.
 - Someone who does illegal transactions and intends to use Bitcoin as a money laundering tool.

Ask him why he can not do and therefore decided to continue these transactions or not.

[gentlemand]

There are no shortage of UK options these days and none of them have a 10% premium. Since it doesn't make any sense then it's safe to assume something a bit weird's going on even if you can't figure out what.

If he's in America too then that's even less logical. Tell him to sort it out himself in the future.

[stompix]

(I don't know him, He is supposed to be my new boss, but I'm not sure)

How the hell can't you be sure he is your new boss?  Ask your current boss!!!

He transferred money to my account, then asked me to buy localbitcoins with this money less 10%( my commission).

How did he transfer that money to your account, it's obvious you have discussed things with him, people don't just send money.

I did it, he told me that was a test, but now he wants me to do again and I'm not sure that it is legal.
I live in California.

You don't sound that Californian to me, and all the story is pretty weird.
Why would somebody try to get bitcoins anonymously and at the same time pay via money transfers?

- Someone who is interested in privacy does not want to be verified by these platforms.
 - Someone who does illegal transactions and intends to use Bitcoin as a money laundering tool.

First is possible but still not quite right, he could buy via an ATMs or Paypoints (there are still some that don't require ID) and he needs a lot of it there is a slight problem which raises questions about the second possibility also.
If he is trying to buy some 10-20 BTC, he is still sending fiat via transfers to a personal account which would immediately raise some questions with his bank.

My bet would be on hacked bank accounts, I've heard some cases before, it's nothing new.

[ericamd]

Stompix,

Sorry that you did't understand me.
We discussed about transfer money to my account, of course!!! But he did it using another person's account, so his name doesn't appear in my bank account.
And I never said that I'm Californian. I said that I live in California.

[gentlemand]

Stompix,

Sorry that you did't understand me.
We discussed about transfer money to my account, of course!!! But he did it using another person's account, so his name doesn't appear in my bank account.
And I never said that I'm Californian. I said that I live in California.

Then that's even worse that the first picture you painted. If I was in America I'd be so paranoid about the FBI drilling me with guns with torches on the end of them I wouldn't take a transfer from my own grandmother for buying BTC, let alone a quasi stranger using someone else's account.

I'd cease immediately. And even then your card might already be marked if there's money laundering involved which there probably is.

[jseverson]

I'd cease immediately. And even then your card might already be marked if there's money laundering involved which there probably is.

Lol the only element missing for him to be committing actual money laundering is illegal activities from the 2nd person's end. A case could be made that the person simply don't want anything to be traced back to him, anonymity yada yada, but a 10% commission? Ridiculously fishy.

OP, if you don't mind, how much money is involved here? I'm guessing the first transaction is fairly low because it ended up being a test?

[KrishaBitcoin]

I guy from UK (I don't know him, He is supposed to be my new boss, but I'm not sure) asked me to buy bitcoins.
He transferred money to my account, then asked me to buy localbitcoins with this money less 10%( my commission).
I did it, he told me that was a test, but now he wants me to do again and I'm not sure that it is legal.
I live in California.

This is an insane idea for that strangers that it will easy to trust a person that he did not meet that what if after sending the money then the receiver will just run away with the money. Good thing that you are a good person but anyway you did not tell how much money the guy sent to you therefore as long as the transactions are below the regulation amount limit and you will passed the KYC process then everything is legal.

[Aikidoka]

Go ahead and do business joor!

The guy is afraid and is suspecting things and you are telling him to do the business? Give me a break. Anyways, OP, the guy wants to outsmart you because he is supposed to be your boss. And you know bosses like to be bossy. It is time that you outsmart him. First ask a specialist if what you are doing is legal or not. If it is legal, then you are okay with it. If it is not, then you might come up with a another good strategy. But be careful, no one wants to be in jail. So, they give the job to others. He said it was a test. I think he wanted to see how it went. If it were a success, he would do it again.

[buwaytress]

The more information OP seems to be giving, the fishier everything seems to be. My main concern here is, if OP himself can't seem to see how much trouble this will likely get him into, then either he's not revealing everything or he's just making this up.

As most users here have said, the highly unclear nature of this complex transfer of funds opens up so many possibilities. If the account sending money to you isn't even in his name, then that's already the first red flag.

And as we've all said, there's no reason NOT to buy Bitcoin from the UK. Use localbitcoins, use BISQ, and choose the anonymous options like cash transfer if your "boss" is so afraid of revealing his identity. He'll save the hassle of going through so many layers, save that 10% commission... it's just too suspicious for anything I'd even want to touch with a 10-ft stick.

[Thekool1s]

but a 10% commission? Ridiculously fishy.

Do you know how much extra people can pay for getting their hands on virgin coins? On average it's around 10% above the market price. And to OP, no one here is a lawyer. If that 10% you will be making is worth $$$$ then you should go get some legal advice from a proper lawyer. You don't want to end up in a money laundering effort or something even worse. Good Luck!

[CoinEraser]

Stompix,

Sorry that you did't understand me.
We discussed about transfer money to my account, of course!!! But he did it using another person's account, so his name doesn't appear in my bank account.
And I never said that I'm Californian. I said that I live in California.

This is a big red flag!! This is only a scam and you should not do that again. For me, it sounds like you're acting as a middleman who's supposed to wash money from a scam. I've read something about that before. The fraudster sells something as an example on eBay, receives money for the sale on your account and sends no article. You trade the money for Bitcoin and the fraudster remains anonymous in the background. Only your name appears at this scam. Think about it, if you really want to join in something like that.   

[Gozie51]

I believe there is nothing wrong if you are sure you are free to transact such in your country. You have nothing to lose, he is the one sending cash to you and you buy bitcoin for him. Except you know he is defrauding his country, then the law can be against you.

Ask him why he can not do and therefore decided to continue these transactions or not.

I'm thinking maybe he is in a place where they forbid the transaction of cryptocurrency and he could be doing illicit business with it too.

[Thirdspace]

We discussed about transfer money to my account, of course!!! But he did it using another person's account, so his name doesn't appear in my bank account.

you should be careful when accepting money from someone using different account's name 
what CoinEraser said is one of many possible scam methods
another possibility is you're involved in money laundry or stolen/hacked bank account

[Capt00]

We discussed about transfer money to my account, of course!!! But he did it using another person's account, so his name doesn't appear in my bank account.

you should be careful when accepting money from someone using different account's name 
what CoinEraser said is one of many possible scam methods
another possibility is you're involved in money laundry or stolen/hacked bank account

Probably you are right, both of these two people may be afraid on KYC implemented because they have an outside transaction which not easy to deal with. You should know better who is that man, verify his identity through social media account much better if you talk this guy as your boss I don't why you called him a boss maybe you know him already.
So, be careful, always take advantage than him. Make it sure every transaction he do first after you.

[Kemarit]

We discussed about transfer money to my account, of course!!! But he did it using another person's account, so his name doesn't appear in my bank account.

you should be careful when accepting money from someone using different account's name 
what CoinEraser said is one of many possible scam methods
another possibility is you're involved in money laundry or stolen/hacked bank account

Most likely this is the case. I still remember like 15 years ago someone approaches me to wait a ATM withdrawal (Canada). Very suspicious and I said no because common sense will dictate that something bad is going to happen to me, and I don't care how much money he is offering.

@Capt00, I don't think that those people are simply afraid of KYC, what they are afraid of is that they can be track and caught by authorities.

@OP, yeah is was a test and very easy money, but again, your putting yourself in a difficult situation. Don't be the fall guy here.

[LimeFeline]

Don't ever use anyones money. It can cause some huge problems. This person can sue you for anything if he is a crazy dude and he is crazy if he's sending you his money.

[LimePleasant]

Did he even tell you or did you ask him why doesn't he buy those bitcins by hiself? As far as I'm informed there is no problem with buying Bitcoins in UK so he should be able to do it by himself.

[aryatrals]

Don't ever use anyones money. It can cause some huge problems. This person can sue you for anything if he is a crazy dude and he is crazy if he's sending you his money.

it all depends on the money we use and the agreement what we agree on, we can use people's money only to help show which coins can make a profit, and we can get a share of the profits, or by sharing profits by combining the money we have with hope that our capital can be more and the profits can be greater, in my opinion it is OK, as long as there is a mutually agreed agreement.

[dark1234]

I hope to put forward a written agreement because this will make you safe and you must also know what the intention of purchasing BTC is, remember not to make you in risky luck.

[Midesiz]

If you buy some coins for a person who is not your friend, I advice you not to buy coins for him again. If I were you , I don't do that.

[Ayston]

As long as the transaction doesn't involve your personal savings accounts, personal bank book and you are using anonymous account to do the transaction plus the money you are using to buy and send is all from the boss then you are safe, keep on mind that when you feel something fishy then stopped it, but if not as long as your country is open to crypto, and your account on crypto doesn't have a KYC then you are safe... And you don't have to worry... And if you're doing the transaction the right way then everything is legal

[magneto]

I guy from UK (I don't know him, He is supposed to be my new boss, but I'm not sure) asked me to buy bitcoins.
He transferred money to my account, then asked me to buy localbitcoins with this money less 10%( my commission).
I did it, he told me that was a test, but now he wants me to do again and I'm not sure that it is legal.
I live in California.

Be careful. He could be using you to cash out stolen/dirty/hacked bank funds, which is something that you never want to be involved with especially when you are the one that is providing all the docs to the exchange, which they can then check against your records.

This is most likely the situation with the commission set at 10%, which is absurdly high. If he had clean funds, he could easily do it himself without having to pay you that much.

Also, there could potentially be tax ambiguities. The tax department could be on your tail thinking that you're the one who kept all of the bitcoins that you bought, and ask you for CGT, when in reality, it's no longer in your possession.

[timerland]

I guy from UK (I don't know him, He is supposed to be my new boss, but I'm not sure) asked me to buy bitcoins.
He transferred money to my account, then asked me to buy localbitcoins with this money less 10%( my commission).
I did it, he told me that was a test, but now he wants me to do again and I'm not sure that it is legal.
I live in California.

It's fishy as hell, this one.

Why is he paying you 10% just to buy coins for him? Why isn't he buying himself and getting the full 100%? Clearly, something is up here. He's completely anonymous, and the whole thing seems to be using you as middle man for some sort of fraudulent operation, most likely money laundering.

While there is a possibility that you could get away legally by saying that you didn't know about the whole thing and you were misled, you could still get into a ton of trouble since I'm assuming the LBC account is under your name. You're using your bank account to receive the funds as well, that's another huge factor as the funds could be dirty. You should stop as soon as possible, and cut connections with this person.

[audaciousbeing]

Now going beyond what Op is facing that needs to stopped immediately, its important for everyone to be careful in fronting for another person which is the case Op is going through and I hope he can sort it out.

I have seen people entered into trouble because they chose to help someone innocently. Imagine you are on the ATM queue and someone came hurriedly begging you to help him withdraw which gladly did as someone with a good heart. But the card was stolen from someone else who has been coerced in letting go of their pin. For their own security, they know that there is a camera that capture every transactions on the machine and that is the beginning of problem the moment the original owner lay complain with law enforcement agents.

The moment something is coming 'free', its saying its time to flee if you value your freedom in this world of technology where virtually everything can be traced from origin to conclusion.

[Mala65]

Hey, I personally never buy BTC from private persons. Too risky and dangerous. I prefer to buy from proven payment processor. I use BuyCoinNow. Transaction security, low fee and quick support, the most important advantages. More information is here: https://buycoinnow.com/

[Theb]

Never ever do sketchy personal favors which is not covered by your work as an employee who knows you might be involved in a much deeper situation you don't know about, your boss (if he is really your boss) is obviously avoiding KYC as well as AML that is why the transaction is done with the help from you. I cannot provide anymore help as I really don't know how the law system in California as well as UK works but what I do know is you can respectfully decline the favor/task your boss is asking from you as buying him BTC in localbitcoins is definitely not part of your job as an employee and there is nothing he can do about it.

Another thing that concerns me is you still don't know if he is really your boss, he might be impersonating someone else (which is common) in order for you to be convinced on doing some favors for him. Try to confirm if this man is really your boss as its hard to be connected to someone you really don't know.

[maarx]

I guy from UK (I don't know him, He is supposed to be my new boss, but I'm not sure) asked me to buy bitcoins.
He transferred money to my account, then asked me to buy localbitcoins with this money less 10%( my commission).
I did it, he told me that was a test, but now he wants me to do again and I'm not sure that it is legal.
I live in California.

Teach them how to trade bitcoin and other crypto currencies. Help in the beginning, but guide him through best exchanges and advice him of best coins available in the market with best low price. Introduce him to coinmarketcap.com. Let him learn the features and study the growth trend of each coin. Coins with low rates would support him more with less investment as he is new to the market. Patience and confidence are the main attitude he should practice when getting into trading with his investment. 

[gayletot]

to purchase the btc or any kind of coins for different people or investors. I can only say that you're scared because the scammer is cryptic today. scammers have no mercy. so if I want you to be more trustworthy people buy coins.

[Oasisman]

Probably that person is avoiding something, maybe the KYC verification and AML, since most of the exchanges and other company that sells Bitcoin requires one. It's so doubtful for a person to give that amount of money, doing an easy task. I think he paid more than he's supposed to pay from the exchanges, depends on the amount of money he sent you.

[hacekd]

buy for what? btc I can only advise if you really want to invest in btc to invest you do not want to fool other people today with scammer in crypto. if i do not want you to be someone else.

I think it doesn't matter because legal or not legal is not seen from who buys or for whom we buy but by whom account the bitcoin is owned because there are some things here that are anonymized

[marcbitcoins]

I guy from UK (I don't know him, He is supposed to be my new boss, but I'm not sure) asked me to buy bitcoins.
He transferred money to my account, then asked me to buy localbitcoins with this money less 10%( my commission).
I did it, he told me that was a test, but now he wants me to do again and I'm not sure that it is legal.
I live in California.

I think this is not an issue if the amount that will involve is not alarming like thousands to million of dollars in cash in every transaction in which for sure it will call the attention of the authorities but If the amount is just equivalent to your daily simple spending then consider yourself lucky as this will be considered your source of another income.

[Harlot]

You should avoid doing it again like what others have said there is no reason for you to follow without questions ask to your "boss" which you are really not sure if he is really your boss. The comission given to you for buying BTC for him is proof that it is outside of your job description as you have been paid for the work you have done. And of course accepting that payment will tie you to him in a bad way. Basically its proof that you are somehow an accessory to the crime (if what he did is something related to a crime).

[tibinpro432]

I do not think it's important because of the high security so almost accounts are anonymous, we can hardly find out who it is? Instead, we should probably continue our market analysis and wait for bitcoin prices to change day by day. I have a question you want to ask that you find out what you get?

[EdenHazard]

In myy country has done this by a lot for people who have money and they want to invest in bitcoin but they don't have strong knowledge about bitcoin and don't have plenty of time to see price conditions. But what I doubt in your case is that you don't recognize the person and have never even met with only. I only suspect if he uses cryptocurrency for money laundering, but I don't know at all. However, legally what you did with him is not illegal, like trading in forex and you need a broker to facilitate you to get profit. Will be good, if you know the person you are calling as a boss to ensure that he uses clean money to invest in bitcoin.

[skrasel]

  :)How did he transfer that money to your account, it's obvious that without discuss things with him, this guy would not send money.

[Danilotot]

for me it is better if you either buy or exchange your coins. is to the person known first because many and the scammers are spreading in crypto today. and I only recommend that you buy and invest in the right process.

[brr22]

Honestly, I saw I went into the topic, guys? Your mother, kindergarten, I understand, but maybe not.

[Danilotot]

it's good to buy coins in person when you know it and buy it better for someone who knows crypto, if you do not know what you offer to buy coins for a low price do not try to invest or buy coins better You are in a good process.