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Garnati warns of Internet money scam

by ashley wiehle, the southern

Wednesday, November 15, 2006 7:11 AM CST

WILLIAMSON COUNTY - Williamson County's legal chief is hoping area residents don't fall prey to a common Internet scam that has already defrauded a few county banks.

Charles Garnati, Williamson County state's attorney, said reports of Nigerian money schemes targeting Williamson County residents have risen significantly in recent months.

Unfortunately, an area man responded to the scheme, defrauding a Williamson County bank and clearing the path for potential legal repercussions.

Most victims are contacted by e-mail from an unknown person, who claims that he is in need of cash and unable to obtain cash himself. If the recipient cashes a set of traveler's checks, the e-mail states, he becomes a business partner entitled to a portion of the traveler's checks. The rest of the money is sent through wire, typically, to a remote location, popularly in Nigeria.

The traveler's checks are fraudulent, and if the bank does not catch the mistake, it will simply be minus the money given to the victim.

Although most people involved have claimed to be duped by the scam, it's not an excuse law officials accept readily, Garnati said.

"Some of these people know it's fraudulent and just want to make a quick buck," Garnati said.

A Williamson County bank was affected by the scam on Friday, when it discovered a longtime customer had deposited checks from a Nigerian money scam. The bank and the customer are trying to come to an agreement to avoid pressing charges, Garnati said, but there is potential for legal charges.

"If you get involved in any of these situations, you are breaking the law," Garnati said. "It is a felony. If you do get involved, it's a crime and you can be sent to jail."

The state's attorney's office frequently forwards scam mail to the attorney general's office, Garnati said, adding that people falling for the scam are rare exceptions rather than the norm.

"Anybody that's got any intelligence at all who wants to do the right thing would see red flags go up," Garnati said.

Law enforcement - and banks - will no longer accept ignorance as an excuse from recipients of scam e-mails, Garnati said.

"People in Williamson County have been forewarned, as far as I'm concerned," Garnati said.

ashley.wiehle@thesouthern.com

(618) 997-3356 ext. 5807