Got scammed by a BP member, what should I do?

[S Shah]

Hi

I'm a new investor in NC area. I posted that I'm looking for RE in NC in BP forums. A few people contacted me and started sending me emails about new properties. I recently liked one of them, went to see it with that guy (turned out that guy was a seller's agent). I liked the property and made an offer. He did not agree to have a buyer's agent and said that I would have to pay him myself if I wanted my agent in. I agreed and made an offer through him (seller's agent). My offer got accepted. He rushed me to make the wire transfer of $5000 down payment on property and sign the contract. It was a weekday noon. I made the wire transfer to his company and told him that I'm in meetings until 4 pm and I will review the contract document afterwards, sign and send it back. When I started reading the document, I found multiple things that were not communicated with me before, so I told him to add the addendums for the things we agreed on. He refused to do so stating that it is the standard state document. I told him, I need to review the document with my attorney before signing because he is lying and the format he sent me is not a standard state document, rather it was written for his company. As a reply, he said, he will go with another buyer and not me. I said ok, and asked him to return my deposit. He said ok. Its been a week now and he's not responding to my calls and text messages. I have not received my money back. 

My question is, should I contact an RE attorney and take legal action? What should be the next steps on my end to get my money back. It looks like a scam to me. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

SS

[Dylan Craig]

@Joe Splitrock @S Shah As the BIC and General Manager here at New Western Charlotte, I wanted to make myself present in this thread. Only one user in our system matches the last name of Shah, so using an assumption here, there is no record of any down payment or monies being sent our way from that investor. With that said, if you feel like I am missing something here, please reach out. If this is concerning another office in our network, I am happy to get you connected with someone that can help there.

Thanks,

Dylan

------ Irrelevant comment---- Addressed before I sent------