In a recent email, my sister mentioned that a mutual, very good, friend is setting up her own business, in partnership with A. N. Other. Sis noticed that A. N. Other and I were at same university, and must have been in same relatively small circle at the same time, and asks if I remember him? When sis & friend asked, he claims he was part of my "circle", and to remember my name.

I don't remember him. The red flag was remembering my name & not the details : I was extremely insignificant at uni, and in fact dropped out.

However, it was a very long time ago, and *my* memory fails are frequent

2nd big HOWEVER, I am still in contact with several more memorable than I people from way back then, and the few references I found for ANO through a cursory google don't check out with contemporary cross-referencing; he's conspicuous through absence on Google.

A check through the uni alumni publications, reveals only a contemporary (who I didn't know), with a similar name, on the "where are they now" list.

I'm well aware that many people, self included, are very privacy conscious. BUT : ANO is supposedly a big shot in his field. Most big shots in his field have their photos and bios prominently placed on the internet. He doesn't.

I don't want to start a witch hunt. The guy certainly has major professional achievements which qualify him for the business in question.

I gave Dsis & friend my unsolicited advice to check his credentials very thoroughly.

What the heck would you do, in the circumstances? I suspect his education credentials are bogus. His professional achievements are excellent.

My sister is not daft and is asking some very leading questions.
s

Sorry, but I can barely make sense of all that.

I think you can be honest and say his name isn't ringing any bells, and you asked a few friends and said they aren't quite ringing bells either. Which is suspect, but not impossible.

Then I'd also say that in the process of trying to jog the memory I'd googled him and would have expected to find at least something on him, particularly as he's supposed to be a big wig in the field.

So I'd say to do homework and make sure that the decision being made is an informed one. I'd also then suggest to make sure that any business deals are structured in such a way that both parties are equally liable and protected - and honestly this is probably something that shoudl be done regardless or how well she knows or doesn't know the guy.

So just make sure it's going in all with clear vision, and if the gut says otherwise then trust it.

I think you're already there, from what you've said here. You can't do much more than tell them you don't remember him, point out that he doesn't show up in contextual searches, let them know that there's something a little bit fishy going on, and advise them to check him out pretty carefully.

Is your sister looking for some "evidence" to support advice to her friend to back away?

Is this him?

Yes, I can see that - it's really hard to précis the situation anonymously. Sorry! I'll try again :

High-flying Dude changing jobs coincidently and unknowingly vaunts qualifications & connections to someone (my sister) who innocently mentions it to me who coincidently and bizarrely was in the same place at the same time.

Dude claims friendship with me. I don't know him See rest of original post.)

Thanks, I'm working exactly through your suggestions. Dsis is reading between the lines She and friend know all this already (or should).

I'm just waiting for her to ask me "what does your gut say" !!

S

Presumably the university can confirm his qualifications should that be necessary. Transcripts and the like.

If he has a solid confirmed track record in business, then that probably counts for more than the academic record, but if there are trust issues then they had better be thrashed out now rather than later IMO.

(Answer to bolded) I don't think she was, until I said "WTF, who?".

She is now. And yes, I'm already there.

BUT I have to be tactful. I'm pretty much convinced that A.N. Other isn't exactly who he presents himself to be. I don't want Sis or friend to go off in the deep end - this guy has a lot to lose if he faked credentials.

**Calling magumnpi, calling magumpi, do you read, over?**

If it were my sister I would tell her straight your concerns. You are looking after her assets and potential business - I can't see her taking offense to that?

What if you don't say anything or skirt around the issue and it all ends up a mess? That's far worse than sticking your neck out and not voicing concerns.

Sorry but this is a no brainer to me.

I agree that the business track record (and believe me, it's a GREAT one) counts for a lot.

No one would ever have batted an eyelid, especially after a 20+ years hugely successful career, if Dsis hadn't innocently replied to an offhand comment : "oh, if you were involved in xyz, at xx uni in 19xx, you might have crossed paths with my sister".

He should just have replied "no, sorry, it was a big place" He didn't.

But thanks I've emailed the relevant authorities to check on his educational credentials. It's a very sensitive question; in the UK, such challenges are not automatically confidential, if he's legit, I certainly don't want to ruin his career.

S

(Dsis's friend's business), but Yep. Sis saw or felt a fed flag, otherwise she wouldn't have mentioned it to me.

We're working on it, but - see above - I'm being very careful about my inquiries. If the guy is legit, the consequences of a false accusation of misrepresenting his credentials would be huge and devastating. If he isn't, the consequences would still be huge & devastating, and I certainly don't want Dsis & her friend to have to deal with either unnecessarily They are both very upset tonight at the mere idea that ANO might not be what he seems.

I'll modify my question yet again : if it turns out he's faked his university degree, would you shop him, after a very successful 20 year career?

S

I think you've done everything correctly so far but if it were me I think I'd bow out and let your sister decide how to handle it now. As for shopping him, probably not, but if he has been capable of fraud in the past, I personally wouldn't do business with him.

In a recent email, my sister mentioned that a mutual, very good, friend is setting up her own business, in partnership with A. N. Other.

Why does it matter if he has a BA or whatever ? Sis obviously knows ANOther and most likely trust his business prowess, as for education, isn't that secondary?

If sis did not know said person, and was setting up a business "employing said person to run business from an online advert" then yeh you need some sort of paper trail proof of talents.

Just because he ain't online, don't mean he is a fraud, what car he drive, where he live, (canada411.ca) his name/number, what shoes, suit or golf club is he a member of? All these things will show a hint of success in his chosen path.

Edit: Be careful, you shop him and he proves he is legit, you could find yourself at the bad end of a shitty slander case in court !!!