Originally published February 26 2006
BBB warns of wire fraud from international buyers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
NewsNet5 warns internet sellers of scams originating from outside the U.S. that ask for a remaining balance to be wired to a different location, a common scam, according to the BBB.
A local businessman was nearly swindled out of thousands of dollars by a con artist using the Internet to scam people.
NewsChannel5's Angie Lau reported on how people across the country are falling victim to similar scams, and how you can protect yourself from being conned.
Barry Leaventon, of Brecksville, like millions of other Americans, has discovered that the Internet is a great way to buy and sell.
His family owns a condo in Utah, so they posted it on the Web to try to find renters.
The e-mail, supposedly from a bank manager in Poland, said he wanted to rent the condo for two weeks.
Then, they received another e-mail that said, "You will receive $5,000," and, "As soon as check check arrives, wire the remaining back to my personal assistant."
and then when I received another one with the same wording, except different name, I turned it over to the Better Business Bureau," said Leaventon.
The problem is, many victims think the check is good, and wire the money right away.
When the bank realizes it is fake, they take the money back.
But by then, it's too late, says the BBB's David Weiss.
They're probably on the other side of the world spending it right now," said Weiss.
Leaventon is glad he didn't fall for the scam, because he got the exact same pitch, word for word, a week later.
"If a deal sounds too good to be true, it undoubtedly is, especially when someone wants to pay more for what you are asking," said Leaventon.
Similar scams have already claimed countless victims.
To protect yourself, never accept a check for more than your selling price, and never agree to wire back funds.
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