Fraud victim wired over $2,700 to Canada address

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

By David Melson

More information has been released by Shelbyville police about a fraud case involving a local man.

The victim told police he received a letter claiming he was the third place winner in the Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes Lottery.

Enclosed with the letter, which said he had won $60,000, was a check for $2,777 to cover taxes and fees associated with claiming the prize, police said.

The man said he deposited the check into his account, withdrew the full amount, then called a telephone number listed in the letter and was told to wire the money to a Toronto address.

The victim’s bank informed him four days letter the check was bad, according to police.

Car entered

A wallet, containing personal cards and documents, prescription drugs and a new pair of sunglasses were stolen from a car at Kroger, North Main Street, early Tuesday night, police were told.

The car was unlocked and plastic covered one of the window frames, according to the police report.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009By David MelsonMore information has been released by Shelbyville police about a fraud case involving a local man.The victim told police he received a letter claiming he was the third place winner in the Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes Lottery.
Enclosed with the letter, which said he had won $60,000, was a check for $2,777 to cover taxes and fees associated with claiming the prize, police said.
The man said he deposited the check into his account, withdrew the full amount, then called a telephone number listed in the letter and was told to wire the money to a Toronto address.
The victim’s bank informed him four days letter the check was bad, according to police.
Car entered
A wallet, containing personal cards and documents, prescription drugs and a new pair of sunglasses were stolen from a car at Kroger, North Main Street, early Tuesday night, police were told.
The car was unlocked and plastic covered one of the window frames, according to the police report.

 

Woman Arrested in ‘Nigerian Scam’

 

Updated: Thursday, 29 Oct 2009, 12:22 PM CDT

Published : Thursday, 29 Oct 2009, 12:12 PM CDT

HOUSTON – The Houston Police Department says it has put an end to an international counterfeit check operation.

The crime began when a woman who lived in northwest Harris County posted a resume online. Police say that was all some Nigerian scam artists needed to reel her right in.

Investigators say the Nigerians hired Margaret Montogomery to work from home and all she had to do was receive boxes of blank checks and then fill them out before sending them to people on a list provided to her.

Police say the checks were fake and would be filled out for more than the victim was owed.

When the victims pointed this out to the Nigerians, the scam artists told them to deposit it anyway and send them the difference.

Police say that Montgomery sent out at least $1.5 million in checks this way and probably knew that she was involved in a scam.

The Houston Police Department say the arrests are a reminder that if something sounds to good to be true, it probably is and that includes some job offers.

Police believe that Montgomery was innocent initially, but would go on to participate in this scam for a year.

As of Wednesday night, Montgomery remained in jail.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/091029_margaret_montgomery_nigerian_scam_arrest

Updated: Thursday, 29 Oct 2009, 12:22 PM CDTPublished : Thursday, 29 Oct 2009, 12:12 PM CDT
HOUSTON – The Houston Police Department says it has put an end to an international counterfeit check operation.
The crime began when a woman who lived in northwest Harris County posted a resume online. Police say that was all some Nigerian scam artists needed to reel her right in.
Investigators say the Nigerians hired Margaret Montogomery to work from home and all she had to do was receive boxes of blank checks and then fill them out before sending them to people on a list provided to her.
Police say the checks were fake and would be filled out for more than the victim was owed.
When the victims pointed this out to the Nigerians, the scam artists told them to deposit it anyway and send them the difference.
Police say that Montgomery sent out at least $1.5 million in checks this way and probably knew that she was involved in a scam.
The Houston Police Department say the arrests are a reminder that if something sounds to good to be true, it probably is and that includes some job offers.
Police believe that Montgomery was innocent initially, but would go on to participate in this scam for a year.
As of Wednesday night, Montgomery remained in jail.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/091029_margaret_montgomery_nigerian_scam_arrest

 

Love scammers target Christian lonely on line for fraud

Love scammers target Christian lonely on line for fraud
Have you had the blessed opportunity to comfort a stranger-turned-friend-turned-suitor online by shipping money to his (or her) bank account in, say, Nigeria?
Evidently, this is a big scam in Australia where the Brisbane Times reports that financial wolves masked in Christian lambs’ lingo are raiding the bank accounts of lonely Christian women online.

In her story, headlined, “Thou shalt not fleece,” (hat tip to CathNewsUSA for pointing me there) Amelia Bentley says fraud specialists estimate& Australians are sending $4.5 million a month to Nigeria “where romance scamming is a thriving cottage industry.”

Police revealed two out of three victims of romance fraud are women, who scammers target on social networking pages, dating sites and Christian chat rooms.

Detective Superintendent Hay said a recent study of 200 victims of online fraud found 120 had fallen for romance-related scams and had collectively parted with more than $21.5 million.

And Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson told Bentley:

There is something particularly brutal and cruel about targeting someone who is lonely and vulnerable, looking for company or a partner in their life.