I applied for a personal loan through the internet and later received a phone call from a company called Northgate Lending Group claiming they would be able to facilitate my loan but I would be required to pay the first six months payments up front. Their reasoning for this charge was, "so the lender can buy insurance against my loan incase I default." My person of contact goes by Paul Mason, and another by the name of Scott. I had a friend wire the money through MoneyGram on 03/17/2009 from a Wal-Mart in Parker, CO, to a person of contact in Calgary, Alberta by the name of Angela Walton. A reference number was generated and I then gave it to Paul Mason. Mr. Mason said that my application had been processed and that I could expect to receive the money into my bank account the following day (03/18/2009). On that day, I received a call from Scott saying there was a problem with the transaction and that they would need an additional four months payments for the lender to be able to borrow the insurance against my loan. I started thinking of the possability of a scam so I informed Scott that I would call him back at a later time. I did research and learned of this sort of scam. When I tried calling Scott back at the number which showed on my caller ID, I received a message stating that the number (973) 482-3624 "has been disconnected or is no longer in service...".

Some of my research has brought be upon a link describing this sort of practice step-for-step of what I have went through and says refund attempts are futile.

The link is of the Michigan Attourney General's Office website and follows:

http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0, 1607, 7-164-17278-147072--, 00.html

I have been scammed like many of you have been by Northgate Lending Group. I have filed a complaing with the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, and Attorney General. I was told by the gentlemen(for lack of a more appropriate term) that I would receive my refund on April 13, 2009. I tried calling the phone number back today on April 07, 2009 but it seems to be disconnected. I'm nearly certain I won't receive my money. April 13, 2009 is also the last day in which Northgate Lending Group has to submit their version of their encounter with me to the Better Business Bureau. I will try letting you know how it goes.