The Athens Police Department has received several complaints recently related to an international checking scam.
Athens residents are receiving electronic or postal correspondences from untraceable, international sources, which use various stories to scam them out of money or personal information, APD officer Gary Braglin said.
The common link between the scams he has investigated is an Internet chat room or dating service, Braglin said. Athens residents meet scammers claiming to be located in other countries through these dating services and chat rooms, Braglin said.
After establishing a relationship with the scammers, the Athens residents are asked to wire money overseas so that the scammer will have the funds to get into the U.S., Braglin said. The scammer then takes the funds and never comes to the country.
Sometimes there is a twist involving counterfeit checks or money orders. In these cases, the scammer says that his or her U.S. postal money orders or personal checks are not being accepted in the foreign country, and he or she needs money transferred electronically through Western Union, Braglin said.
The scammer then sends counterfeit personal checks or money orders to the local resident, who cashes them at a local bank and then transfers the money electronically.
APD filled out 17 reports of forgery in 2004 and has filled out four reports so far in 2005.
Braglin currently is investigating a case involving four counterfeit money orders valued at $900 cashed at Oak Hill Bank in December. The money orders came back as counterfeit in February, and the bank contacted APD. Philip Neely of The Plains cashed the counterfeit money orders with the intent of sending them to Nigeria, according to a police report.
Neither Neely nor Oak Hill Bank would comment on the case. Braglin also gave limited comment because the case is currently under investigation, but he said the scam originated through an Internet service.
Police also are receiving a number of complaints that are not Internet related.
APD Lt. John Withers said Athens' residents are receiving untraceable letters from international sources and then being sucked into scams very similar to the Internet ones.
The amount of money varies from case to case, Braglin said, but typically ranges from $500 to $4,000. Withers said he worked on a case in December that involved $35,000.
Withers said the person cashing a counterfeit check can face criminal charges, but it is more likely to become a civil matter between the bank and the individual. Braglin said pursuing criminal charges is based on the evidence of each particular case.
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Matt Zapotosky
