who is liable in this situation?

Question

a friend of mine buys and sells cellphones,
Yesterday a Japanese man approached me selling cellphones at a reasonably good price.
Thinking that this deal would benefit my friends business I called my friend and asked him if he might be interested in buying them. My friend was very interested and told me to get the guys details and facilitate a meeting for them. I facilitated a meeting for them for that same day.
They met at my house, I just supplied the venue they dealt with each other, my friend paid the man and the man gave him the goods, about 30 smartphones.
When the Japanese guy left my friend noticed that 25 boxes were empty, he was just conned.

My friend now holds me liable for getting him into contact with this person. I am afraid he is going to arrange people to threaten me etc, I am just as upset as he is for being conned and my wife is paranoid

who is liable , what can i do, he lost out on a lot of money
I am currently a nervous wreck, my heart wont stop pounding

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Well, your friend may hold you liable but a court of law sure wouldn't. He was too busy seeing the  potential dollar signs from his latest score of questionable merchandise and fell for the con. Just pulled out his money and handed it right over. Wow, what an idiot.

Then again, this guy doesn't sound like the type who would be calling on the police or a court of law to resolve his business dealings anyway, so I guess what matters is how liable HE thinks you are and what he's willing to do about it.

Sounds to me like you need new friends, man.

Anonymous · Answer

If it sounds too good to be true, it generally is. You've both been conned. Your friend who bought the phones could have chosen not to go along with the deal, so he is ultimately responsible. You were merely the messenger and venue supplier. Both of you could've seen through the con at any time, but you didn't. Your friend, though, is liable, since he is the one who went through with the deal. 

You should both go to the police and report the con.

Anonymous · Answer

Your friend is the buyer and therefore is liable because he was negligent in his purchase.  Caveat emptor.  The buyer beware.  Now understand though if it's determined you knew that he would be buying empty boxes it would be to your fault only.  Your friend needs to file a civil lawsuit against the Japanese gentlemen but you're only a 3rd party witness to the transaction.

hotwheels122287 · Answer

you are in no way responsible...


1. he made the deal


2. he didnt check his merchandise before exchanging the money

3. what he needs to do is get the guys information from you and start calling HIM.  you have no part in their contract... and you are not liable for the mistakes HE made.

? · Answer

I don't see the problem.  All your friend has to do is stop payment on the check or credit card.

... and if he paid in cash for 30 phones from a complete stranger, he kinda deserves what he gets.

Your friend could ATTEMPT to sue you, but it's hard to see how he could win.  Obviously he could sue the Japanese guy.

evaohell · Answer

You both are dumbasses for not checking at least one box.  I would have demanded to open on random box...

What can you do? Call the police and let them know...unless of course your friend was illegally selling cell phones...in which case, you both get no sympathy.

larry · Answer

As a general rule...IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE... IT GENERALLY IS!!!
Liable...lol....it was your friends deal...if he did not check the merchandise before the purchase...He is the loser. lol

Spock (rhp) · Answer

did you vouch for this Japanese guy?  no, of course not.

that your friend failed to check the merchandise is his fault and you are blameless in that.

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who is liable in this situation?

8 Answers