| November 5th 2006. www.susanart.com
I have received many messages from concerned people regarding this scam. Here is an example of my response: Thank you for your message. The email you received is a scam to extort money from you. Unfortunately these scammers have several versions of the message you received and I receive numerous copies of them from people each day. There is no need to send me more copies. The scammers often claim to be me and sometimes use variations on my name. I have a 'scam warning' on the front page of my website. Fortunately this alerts everyone who research the content of the scam letter. The Scammers send counterfeit Money Orders or Traveller's Cheques to people who respond. These innocent victims have been finding themselves in trouble when they try to deposit these postal notes at their bank. I hear from some that they have met with a threat of being arrested for trying to "launder counterfeit documents". Some banks seem to be 'on to' the scam - but unfortunately many aren't. I understand that the scammers then have the victim's addresses and not only do they intimidate the people when they don't pay up, they also use some of these names and addresses as the 'initiator' of future counterfeit postal orders. This is how it seems to work:The scam originated in Nigeria - but now there are many copy-cat scammers using similar means to extort money from innocent victims. The counterfeit United States Postal Money Orders are sent by FedEx to those who follow up on the initial scam letter. The victims are asked to take the Money Orders to their bank for cashing or depositing. If the person holds a bank account that has enough funds in credit - the money order can be drawn on straight away. This is how many have lost their savings. The victims are then asked to take 10% of the money and take the balance to the Western Union for dispatch to an address in another country. (Often the UK). As is normal practice, the bank will try and receive payment through the United States Post Office and find that in due course, the Money Orders/ Travellers Cheques are counterfeit and the U.S. Post Office will not honour the funds. The bank will then contact the victim asking them for the money back. If the victim does not give the money back, the bank will debit the victim's account for that amount. If they have enough in their account to cover the amount of the bogus money orders they deposited and drew funds on - the bank will debit that amount to the victim's bank account and the victim will have it withdrawn from their own funds. Thank you again for your message. I hope more of the US banks are warned and are able to stop these people from becoming victims. My disclaimer on my website certainly alerts many people to this scam. The best advice is to ignore the initial scam letter. If you have already responded - then take anything you are subsequently sent - directly to the police. Tell the scammers that you have put everything in the hands of the police. It is unlikely you will hear from the scammers again. You could also talk to your bank about this scam and alert them that this is still happening and many innocent people are loosing their hard-earned savings to this fraud. I believe the best form of defence is at the bank teller's counter. The more the banks become aware of this scam - the safer everyone will be. Thank you again for writing. Remember "If it seems to good to be true - It usually is" Susan Harrison-Tustain www.susanart.com |