Anybody heard of this?

[mike]

Had a reader email me the following inquiry:

"I received an actual check in the mail to pay international taxes and processing fees. I cashed the check and it went through. I was told by the claims agent to send this money through western union to receive my prize money. I wonder since I have an real check and it is not costing me anything is it legit, or a new scam?"


Anybody heard of anything like this?

[blinded]

be careful with those checks and payments!
use known ways. wait until you get a bad news!
;)

[supernatural_247]

I haven't. I'd say wait at least 30 days before sending any money back. also, aren't you supposed to sign an agreement of sorts before accepting money? otherwise, one could just take it as a freebie.

[sunnet]

This is most likely a variation on an Advance Fee Scam.

In this particular case what the user is most likely being used for is to launder money that has been illegally obtained in the originating country. Unfortunately, if it gets tracked down, guess who ends up wearing the cost most of the time?

The criminals on the other end of the scam will factor on a small number of people not cashing in the cheque, as the majority will not want to pass up the opportunity at free money, or will send it back by return post. By passing the money through the circuitous process, it is an attempt to outwit financial fraud investigators, and can then bring the victim in for more involved / greater value laundering of funds.

This sort of scam has been happening for a while in Australia.

[dannywirken]

Originally Posted by sunnet

This is most likely a variation on an Advance Fee Scam.

In this particular case what the user is most likely being used for is to launder money that has been illegally obtained in the originating country. Unfortunately, if it gets tracked down, guess who ends up wearing the cost most of the time?

The criminals on the other end of the scam will factor on a small number of people not cashing in the cheque, as the majority will not want to pass up the opportunity at free money, or will send it back by return post. By passing the money through the circuitous process, it is an attempt to outwit financial fraud investigators, and can then bring the victim in for more involved / greater value laundering of funds.

This sort of scam has been happening for a while in Australia.

Correct. You are the "mule" in this case the financial mule for the money. The reason why it is Western Union is that they would have a hell of a time tracing the money after you sent it. You will have to cough up the cash in the end.

[Tubby]

The check is a forgery Mike. Do not forward money. It is no more than the latest version of an old scam. (combination of two scams extremely successful scams)
This Scam is quite capable of ripping millions of dollars from web users. It will do just that. . .

Is there any chance I can get a copy of the the details and messages attached so that I can update my users . .

I have hundreds of warnings on my site for this type of scam - see - http://www.restored-classic.com/chevy/

P.S. I just notice the date on the original post,
Tue Dec 20, 2005 12:34 pm I thought it was new.

[kgun]

Originally Posted by mike

Had a reader email me the following inquiry:

"I received an actual check in the mail to pay international taxes and processing fees. I cashed the check and it went through. I was told by the claims agent to send this money through western union to receive my prize money. I wonder since I have an real check and it is not costing me anything is it legit, or a new scam?"


Anybody heard of anything like this?

Is it a form of white wahsing?

[encoder]

Always trust your instincts! If you smell something too much good to be true, you must try investigate it before giving your hard-earned money.

People nowadays will just do anything to get some more money than they can have even if its illegal and immoral.