Nigerian Fraud Scheme
Hits eBayers
By Ina Steiner
- March 03, 2003
Pennsylvania Attorney General Mike Fisher warned of a suspected
Nigerian-based money scheme involving the use of counterfeit U.S.
bank cashier's checks to buy merchandise from consumers selling
goods on the Internet. Many of the perpetrator's checks initially clear,
making sellers feel more confident in completing transactions.
Two victims from Southeastern Pennsylvania reported losses of $9,800
and $12,500. A third victim from Centre County said she lost $4,200,
and a fourth Pennsylvania resident from Bucks County was contacted
by one of the suspects, however, the phony check did not clear.
"This particular money scheme is extremely dangerous because
consumers consider cashier's checks to be the same as cash and would
have no reason to doubt the check's authenticity," Fisher said. "Even
worse, these counterfeit checks are impressive replicas that are difficult
to spot, even by the banks that are clearing and cashing the checks."
According to investigators, the con artists target individuals selling
merchandise over the Internet, specifically large-ticket items such as
collector cars, motorcycles and boats. The buyer, who is from Africa,
emails the seller to express an interest in the item and states that the
method of payment will be a U.S. bank cashier's check.
At the last minute, the buyer makes an excuse for sending a cashier's
check that is several thousand dollars more than the price of the item
being purchased. The buyer asks the consumer to wire back the
difference between the check and the purchase price after the check
clears. Once the consumer's bank cashes the check, the consumer then
wires the balance to the buyer in Africa. Typically within seven to 21
days, the consumer learns from his or her bank that the check was
counterfeit and that they must return the full amount to the bank.
Fisher urges consumers to be extremely skeptical of any emails from
Nigeria or Africa offering to purchase items online with a U.S. bank
cashier's check. Online sellers are also urged to avoid contact with
individuals asking you to send or wire money abroad. Victims of the
cashier's check scam are asked to immediately contact the U.S. Secret
Service at (202) 406-5850 or write to: U.S. Secret Service, Financial
Crimes Division, 950 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20223.
Complaints can also be filed electronically by visiting
http://www.secretservice.gov/contact_fcd.shtml
You can also get more information about Internet fraud at AuctionBytes
Fraud Resource Page.
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