419 makes the local newspaper

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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:50 pm

The problem seems to be getting more media coverage. Good.

Or the problem's spreading. Bad.

This article was in the "Patriot Ledger," the regional newspaper of the area I grew up in, the "South Shore" (= suburbia south of Boston). A well written article. It explains the problem in a few short sentences and quotes a few local cases.

Patriot Ledger (excerpt) wrote:

Cyberscam: Now even renting out an apartment can be perilous

By TAMARA RACE
The Patriot Ledger

PLYMOUTH - International scam artists have moved from mailings, sweepstakes and phone calls onto Internet Web sites such as Craig�s List, duping unsuspecting victims selling items or renting property.

The scam goes like this: A person, usually from a foreign country, sends a check for more than the cost of goods or services offered and asks that the extra be returned by wire transfer.

The foreign check bounces and the victim, having already wired the money, is out of luck.

But the scam artists can be convincing and give plausible stories for their request. They often send bank checks readily accepted by local banks as genuine.

...

FULL ARTICLE - CLICK

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:37 pm

There was a same kind of report on the TV news here a few weeks ago. Someone is renting properties they don't own around the west coast over the internet. People put down a deposit then find out the guy didn't own it when they try to move in.

Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:48 pm

a Mule Scam made it to the German eNews today

shame really they talk about phishing as the main problem

but at least they put the essentials in too

der Stern wrote:

His task was to take the money off(his account) less an eight-per cent fee
and to pass it on with the money dispatching service "Western Union".
To a person in the Ukraine.
...
The money, which landed on its account, come from a victim (of phishing).

419Eater is my life Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 356

A month or two ago, an editor for one of the papers around here got a lotto scam email and decided to put an informational article concerning them on the very front page. It's too bad that they never put it on the website.

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