manottoli

The mother of my student from Africa asked me to look at a letter she received last week.  It was from Canada and it said "You have won $250,000 USD.  Enclosed is a check for $4000 to pay to Ms X (another name) who is the tax agent."

Inside was a check that was from a bank in Florida.  It had a gold hologram security stamp.

"Oh, Ms. N," my student's mom said, "If this is real, it is a miracle!"  This family came to the USA as refugees and they are really struggling to get by.  Sometimes I bring them rice and other things.  I do this because I know what it is like to be a stranger in another country...it's very difficult!

 Well, as convincing as the letter and the check seemed I told her I wanted my friend, who is a professional FRAUD EXAMINER, to look at it.  He said that it was fake.  He said, "If she deposited the check, the check would be no good and then it would be sent back to the "company" BUT the bank would have printed her account number on the back of the check.  Then the criminals would have her bank account number."  Or he said that it could be a money laundering scheme and if she signed the check and the criminals were caught, she would be in legal trouble, too!  Then she might get deported!!!!

It is a very dangerous scam.  Why?  Because new immigrants who have money troubles might be tempted and believe that in America, one can get easy money.  Many new immigrants believe this about America because of movies.

I cautioned her to be very very careful in the future.

I hope she will be.