African Inheritance Scam

Aquila of New York, NY writes (2/18/02):
I am a working Publicist in New York City and met Mr. Maurice S. through his work as a tech specialist for the National Urban League. After discussing several business ventures, Mr. S. gained my trust and told me that he was impressed with my professionalism and contacts and told me that he was inheriting a large sum of money from his grandfather who had died in South African and wanted me to act as his power of attorney.

I was to meet with him and retrieve all of the necessary documention which would identify him as the sole benefactor of his grandfathers estate and I was to take this documentation to South Africa where I would set up an escrow account with Mr. S.'s business associate, Dr. Smith.

I reviewed all of the documentation, Mr. S. and I signed a general agreement and a power of attorney agreement that were both notarized and I went to South Africa and completed the task. I did so paying all of my own expenses, including air, hotel, transportation and miscellaneous fees and legal fees. I was told I would be paid $1,000,000 and if the deal did not go through I would be paid $10,000 plus expenses.

Mr. S. reniged on his agreement. I can no longer get in touch with him and can not reach Dr. Smith. Mr. S. now owes me $15,000. I consulted with a friend who works at the UN in New York who informed me that I was the victim of a scam, where Americans team up with Africans to do an estate/will scam.

I seek justice! I am a business owner, put myself through school at UC Berkeley and am pursuing my second Masters at NYU. I am no one's fool! Now, I am out a lot of money and am hoping that you can help me.

Aquila should contact New York law enforcement, though it's highly unlikely the money will be recovered.

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