Browade
19 July 2006, 12:35
We have Law Enforcement now confirming that they are seeing more and more of the victims of the 419 Advance Fee, and other related scams; having their identities stolen by the scammers.
They are using them to open credit card accounts in the victim's names and now there are indications that they may also be using the stolen identities to open bank accounts in victim's names also.
This is extremely damaging to victims because these bank accounts can be used by the scammers to launder money stolen from other victims, or they can just load the accounts up with their counterfeit checks and wire transfer the money to accounts they control in China or Japan, where it cannot be recovered.
Why is this so dangerous to the victim who's identity was used to open these bank accounts? Because law enforcement's best tool and most common method of working investigations on scammers, is to "FOLLOW THE MONEY."
They trace the stolen funds through transfers from one account to another, and locate the scammer when the funds are finally received by the scammer. Using bank accounts to transfer stolen money is a crime called MONEY LAUNDERING. So the victim who's identity was used to open an account that is used for this, could wind up getting arrested by mistake. After all the account used is technically their account, and after the crime has been committed it will be up to them to PROVE that they knew nothing about it. Take my word for it, that can be done but it is not easy.
That is why this section has been opened.
If you have been scammed and sent the scammers even minimal information such as your name, address and phone numbers; they have enough to steal your identity.
You may doubt this, but it is true and a proven fact now. Law Enforcement has now actually arrested some of these scammers and seized their computers and memory storage devices and found records stored where the scammers are taking that information and paying for on-line searches, like people use to check out nannies and other potential employees, or to track down people owing money in skip-trace investigations.
These services will provide your DOB, Social Security Number and many other pieces of info, for a price that is amazingly low when compared to what the scammer can make by using the information to steal your identity.
SO, What can you do? You can protect yourself by filing a report with your local police that you have been the victim of a scam and your identity has been stolen. This is an official record made before the scammer has used your information, and it will support your claims that you did not open the accounts used by the scammers. If you provide the police with copies of all your e-mails with the scammers (INCLUDING FULL HEADERS) there may also be a trail leading back to the people who are using your stolen identity.
There are other steps you need to take to protect yourself BEFORE your stolen identity is used. REMEMBER it is much easier to do these things now than it will be AFTER your identity is used.
Here is a link to the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISION Identity Theft Site. This site has most of the information, forms and tools you will need to actively repair the damage done; and protect yourself from liability if your identity is used.
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
We will post more links here to help you, and keep you up-dated on the latest information on this subject.
PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!If you don't believe you can be arrested for the crimes of the scammers follow this link to Scam Victims United and read the stories of victims who have been arrested and convicted for being scammed. http://www.scamvictimsunited.com/
If you have been scammed and your identity has already been used or you have lost money to the scammers, and need help from someone who knows what to do try Fraud Aid a free scam victims assistance service: http://www.fraudaid.com/ The people there have been there and suffered that and can help you get through it and avoid many of the traps along the way.
I know what I am talking about here because I was the victim of identity theft myself. Even though I was a cop with over 30 years experience, and knew what to do and how to do it; it was still a nightmare experience. So take my advice and save yourself the ordeal that I went through.
They are using them to open credit card accounts in the victim's names and now there are indications that they may also be using the stolen identities to open bank accounts in victim's names also.
This is extremely damaging to victims because these bank accounts can be used by the scammers to launder money stolen from other victims, or they can just load the accounts up with their counterfeit checks and wire transfer the money to accounts they control in China or Japan, where it cannot be recovered.
Why is this so dangerous to the victim who's identity was used to open these bank accounts? Because law enforcement's best tool and most common method of working investigations on scammers, is to "FOLLOW THE MONEY."
They trace the stolen funds through transfers from one account to another, and locate the scammer when the funds are finally received by the scammer. Using bank accounts to transfer stolen money is a crime called MONEY LAUNDERING. So the victim who's identity was used to open an account that is used for this, could wind up getting arrested by mistake. After all the account used is technically their account, and after the crime has been committed it will be up to them to PROVE that they knew nothing about it. Take my word for it, that can be done but it is not easy.
That is why this section has been opened.
If you have been scammed and sent the scammers even minimal information such as your name, address and phone numbers; they have enough to steal your identity.
You may doubt this, but it is true and a proven fact now. Law Enforcement has now actually arrested some of these scammers and seized their computers and memory storage devices and found records stored where the scammers are taking that information and paying for on-line searches, like people use to check out nannies and other potential employees, or to track down people owing money in skip-trace investigations.
These services will provide your DOB, Social Security Number and many other pieces of info, for a price that is amazingly low when compared to what the scammer can make by using the information to steal your identity.
SO, What can you do? You can protect yourself by filing a report with your local police that you have been the victim of a scam and your identity has been stolen. This is an official record made before the scammer has used your information, and it will support your claims that you did not open the accounts used by the scammers. If you provide the police with copies of all your e-mails with the scammers (INCLUDING FULL HEADERS) there may also be a trail leading back to the people who are using your stolen identity.
There are other steps you need to take to protect yourself BEFORE your stolen identity is used. REMEMBER it is much easier to do these things now than it will be AFTER your identity is used.
Here is a link to the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISION Identity Theft Site. This site has most of the information, forms and tools you will need to actively repair the damage done; and protect yourself from liability if your identity is used.
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
We will post more links here to help you, and keep you up-dated on the latest information on this subject.
PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!If you don't believe you can be arrested for the crimes of the scammers follow this link to Scam Victims United and read the stories of victims who have been arrested and convicted for being scammed. http://www.scamvictimsunited.com/
If you have been scammed and your identity has already been used or you have lost money to the scammers, and need help from someone who knows what to do try Fraud Aid a free scam victims assistance service: http://www.fraudaid.com/ The people there have been there and suffered that and can help you get through it and avoid many of the traps along the way.
I know what I am talking about here because I was the victim of identity theft myself. Even though I was a cop with over 30 years experience, and knew what to do and how to do it; it was still a nightmare experience. So take my advice and save yourself the ordeal that I went through.