Scam claims Alamogordo victim

Alamogordo Daily News
Daily News Report Article Launched: 01/09/2007 12:00:00 AM MST

Another Alamogordo resident has fallen victim to a widespread money laundering scam originating in Nigeria.

According to Alamogordo Department of Public Safety reports, an Alamogordo woman said she had received a $4,500 check from a subject living in Nigeria.

The woman said she deposited the check, agreeing to send $900 back to Nigeria.

She spent a large portion of the money before realizing the check was counterfeit.

Sgt. Lee Wilder of DPS said whenever a person receives a check, money order or even cash with the request to redistribute the funds, it is inevitably going to be a scam.

"If it was a real check, they could use it themselves," he said.

Wilder said this type of scam has become a "cottage industry" in Nigeria.

The scam has been the subject of a one-hour network news program, and Nigerian music videos have sung the praises of the scammers for defrauding what they see as greedy Americans.

Wilder said if anyone receives suspicious checks, money or money orders, they should contact DPS.

Original story:http://www.alamogordonews.com/news/ci_4975572