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Postal Inspectors Seize Billions in Fake Checks

International scams increasingly target U.S. citizens

October 4, 2007

Lottery/Sweepstakes Scams • Yahoo! Sues Fake Lottery Scammers • Canadian Lottery Scam Resurfaces • Consumers Continue To Fall For Phony Lottery Scam • Postal Inspectors Seize Billions in Fake Checks • Lottery Scam Victim: "No One Cares" • Consumers Falling For Lottery Scams In Increasing Numbers • FTC: Older Americans Hit Hard by Consumer fraud, ID Theft • Florida Warns of Pay-to-Claim Sweepstakes Scams • Texas Sues Sweepstakes Operator • Iowa Busts Sweepstakes Scheme • Crackdowns in 9 states • Feds seek court order • Feds sue Australian scam operators • American Home Products • Reader's Digest Pays $6 Million to Settle Sweepstakes Complaints --- • Atlantic Lottery • Australian Lottery • European International Lotto • How to spot a scam

Investigators led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service have arrested 77 people as part of a global fraud crackdown that intercepted more than $2.1 billion in counterfeit checks bound for the United States.

The eight-month investigation involved schemes in Nigeria, the Netherlands, England and Canada, and has stopped more than half a million fake checks from being mailed to American victims.

International scammers have found U.S. consumers easy prey and are increasingly targeting them.

"All fake check scams have the same common pattern: Scammers contact victims online or through the mail and send them checks or money orders. They then ask that some portion of the money be wired back to them," said Postmaster General John Potter.

"The best thing our citizens can do to protect themselves is learn how to avoid these scams. The old adage still holds true: If someone offers you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

"Most Americans don't realize they are financially liable when they fall for these scams," said Susan Grant, vice president of the National Consumers League, an Alliance partner.

"There is no legitimate reason anyone would mail you a check or money order and then ask you to wire money in return," Grant said. "People need to know that checks can take months to clear, even if the money initially looks like it's in your account. The scammers know that, and most consumers don't."

The six most popular scams are:

• Foreign Business Offers: Scammers pretend to be businesspeople or government officials and promise millions of dollars. But real companies and government agencies don't offer legitimate business propositions to people they don't know.

• Love Losses: The scammer poses as a romantic interest online, and promises to come to the U.S. to be with the victim. Soon after, the online friend asks the victim to cash a check or money order to cover "travel expenses."

• Overpayments: Scammers buy merchandise online, and then claim they mailed the wrong amount by mistake. The seller is asked to deposit the "wrong" check anyway, and then return the "excess" amount to the scammer. But the check doesn't clear, and the victim has sent the scammer his own money.

• Rental Schemes: Scammers claim to be moving to the area, and put down a rental deposit. Then they tell their landlord they have unexpected expenses, so they ask for some of their deposit back as a favor. They never move in, and the deposit check never clears.

• Sudden Riches: The scammer claims the victim has won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. The notice comes by mail, phone, fax or email. Consumers should know that winners of real cash prizes are notified by certified mail. Also, keep in mind that you can't win a lottery you didn't enter.

• Work-at-Home: The scams promise easy money by "processing" checks. The victim deposits the checks and sends the money to the scammer, minus a small fee. Legitimate companies don't do business like this.

If consumers believe they have been defrauded by a scam, the Postal Inspection Service wants to hear from them. These crimes can be reported by calling 1-800-372-8347.

More Scam Alerts ...

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