Internet scams are increasing. I receive at least a couple of scam emails a week. Here are two such emails, and a report of a Pennsylvania woman who lost almost $4,000.
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Counsel,
The management of Ray Crude Canola oil farms have decided to seek your legal intervention regarding a breach of supply sales. We want your urgent attention to help resolve an important business transaction between a client and our oil farm. If this is your area of practice and your firm is interested in handling this case, please notify me as quickly as possible so I can furnish your law office with more information. We look forward to your anticipated corporation and expect a swift responds from your law firm.
Sincerely,
Raymond Johnson
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Hello Counsel:
I would be interested in retaining the services of your firm in the possible litigation of a default loan agreement. Let me know if this falls within the scope of your practice
Sincerely
Paul Webo
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A Uniontown, Pennsylvania woman was duped out of more than $3,700 in an Internet scam. Between Feb. 11 and 14, the woman was hired by an online company, Hartman GMBH, as a payment processor.
Her job was to cash checks the company sent her via Fed Ex, then send the cash via Western Union, minus her commission, to the company's customers.
Through an e-mail, the company directed her to send the money to a customer via Western Union. But the woman was notified by the bank that the company check she had cashed was counterfeit.
The woman sent the money to the contact, who was in Russia, and lost $3,730.65.
Some of the emails are poorly written, with many spelling and grammar errors. However, the thieves are becoming more polished, and some of the emails are so well written that it takes considerable care to determine that they are fraudulent.
If you receive an email proposing a business deal, or offering you an opportunity to share in a fund of Nigerian oil money, or an opportunity to earn money by handling collections, bear in mind that the proposal is probably a scam. Whatever you do, do not send any money to anyone.
