Scams (updated 03-14-09)
How did you get Scammed? How would somebody not know they were being scammed? How could you fall for a scam? These are few commonly asked questions asked of victims of scams, which are reported to the Jamestown Police Department monthly and sometimes weekly and many times they are not reported because of embarrassment. Thousands of dollars have gone out of Jamestown in the year 2008, and over $20,000 already this year (Mar. 6th 2009) by Jamestown residents. Scammers are no longer targeting just the elderly. There are 3 things that you need to ask yourself, "Is this too good to be true? Is the individual either through phone conversation, US mail or e-mail, asking you to WIRE MONEY? And, have I confirmed this with the police department.
If it is too good to be true, it more than likely isn’t.
Do not wire any money to anybody, unless you physically know the person. Someone you met on the internet, who sent you a picture of themselves is NOT somebody you have physically met. The wired money does not go to the address listed on the wire transaction, anybody can pick the money up anywhere, all they need is the reference number. The address you wrote on the wire transfer is meaningless. The receiver of the money, with the reference number can receive the money from any location.
Ask somebody, like your local police department to look at the letter or email, or explain to them what the caller has asked you to do. The police department deals with the latest scams on a regular basis, plus you can call the Attorney Generals Office, Consumer Fraud division toll free at 1-800-472-2600
Most of the scams originate out of Canada, Europe, Russia and Nigeria and lately Las Vegas, but they can originate anywhere. If the schemer knows you live in Jamestown North Dakota, they may say they are headquartered in Bismarck, ND. Do not call them at the number they provided, call the Bismarck Police Department for an example or look up the company name to see if they really have a company in Bismarck by that name. If there is a company by that name, you will be able to very that the number they want you to call, will be different then the actual companies phone number. Verify, Verify, Verify.
Some of the latest Scams:
Secret Shopper: You answer an ad in the local paper to work at home and you are hired to secretly shop a competing business and are asked to wire money as you are to secretly shop at a Money Gram or Western Union business. Usually they will send you a counterfeit check, that you cash in your bank account, which after you wire the money back to their headquarters, the check is returned "fake" and your bank will now withdrawal that amount from your personal account.
Sweepstakes: You won $250,000 and need to pay the taxes, fees and duties on your winnings. There is no taxes, fees and duties to collect your winnings, so don’t be fooled. They may ask you to wire $50 or $100 to get one step closer to the Jack Pot. Real Sweepstakes would not ask you for small fees to get closer to the jack pot.
Please send Money, I will pay you back: This situation usually arises after you have been chatting with someone that you met on a Singles/Match website. They may claim they are originally from ND and are now traveling abroad, or live in another country and are trying to come to the USA. He or she has sent you a gorgeous picture of herself or himself. The subject will eventually ask you to wire money. He or she may be having passport problems, or ask for the price of an airline ticket, lawyers fees, or they need to pay off a debt, before they can come to the USA and spend time with you. Photos of attractive women and men can be obtained and downloaded from just about anywhere. Don’t be fooled.
Inheritance: A long lost relative has left all their money to you. To recover your money all you need to do is wire the lawyer and legal fees and the millions are all yours.
I’m in Jail: Subject calls you who claims to be your grandson and says he has traveled to Canada and is in jail for some reason and needs a couple thousand dollars wired to get out of jail. They will ask you to wire it, right away. Many times the scammer has read local wedding announcements posted in the local newspaper, so they will actually use your grandson’s real name, or as your guessing out loud which grandson it is, they will say, “Yes, this is Jordon”.
Hit man: Subject contacts you claiming he has been paid $20,000 to kill you and has been paid $10,000 up front. Subject tells you to wire the remaining $10,000 and he will cancel his travel reservations to your location where he was going to kill you.
Regardless as to what the scam is, as there are hundreds more, if someone you don’t physically know is asking you to WIRE MONEY then you are likely being scammed. Having the money WIRED is the tool of their trade. And remember, always verify. | 
