Atlanta, GA (WiredPRNews.com) Many people mistakenly believe that you may have no legal recourse if you are a victim of fraud while you are overseas. If you lose money in a business or investment scam in a foreign country, you might be able to file a lawsuit and recover some money.
For example if you get lured to a foreign country to do business and find yourself the victim of fraud or embezzlement there, there may in fact be a legal remedy available in US courts. You could sue those who ripped you off–even if no criminal charges are filed and even if the government of that country is protecting the con artists.
Your case will undoubtedly be much stronger if you can name an individual or organization based in the US in your lawsuit. If one of the con artists regularly visits the US or owns property here, you could sue them here if they are part of a company or partnership that does business here, you might also be able to sue them.
Finally if somebody or some entity deliberately lured you to that country to that business and used lies or deception in the sales pitch, it could definitely be fraud. You could have a case for a lawsuit against them and perhaps against that nation’s government.
Such lawsuits are not necessarily easy, but they are certainly possible. New York attorney Howard Fensterman sued individuals and entities in Abu Dhabi. The suit alleges that US businessmen were lured to the UAE to start an insurance company and $18 million of their money. It is unclear if the suit will enable them to recover the money, but it certainly brings bad publicity to those involved. It could also shame the foreign government into taking action against criminal elements.
Nobody should have to sit back and be a victim of fraud overseas. Americans can and should use our nation’s court system to fight back.
