Anti-Crime Squad scam

I had a call from a woman last night who told me she had almost been scammed by something similar to the email I will post here today.  Normally I just delete these 'you are the beneficiary to' someone unbeknown to me and the 'you have been a victim of fraud' scam emails we all get. 

We can pretty much guess about all the supposed job offers we get where we will be handling some company's payments from clients.  That's your typical, I send you bad money in the form of a bogus check, you send me good money, then I disappear to go scam someone else while you are faced holding the bag with the bank and possibly charged with a crime.

What concerned me about this woman's call was that the perpetrator of the scam had her send copies of her passport and drivers license to validate her identity.  In providing these two documents to a perfect stranger in a foreign country, she has opened herself up to all sorts of unknown identity theft possibilities. 

It's frightening and I can't even imagine all the ramifications of getting caught up in a scam like this.  But here is today's email to further warn potential victims - DELETE these emails... THEY ARE SCAMS!

Very Urgent Call Me Now Tel : +234-807-508-1267

from:Mr. John Simmons" british@yahoo.com
to:  Undisclosed recepients

Zakari Maimalari Street
Cadastral Zone AO,
Central Business District, Abuja.

Attention Beneficiary,

The British High Commission in Nigeria, Benin Republic,Ghana and Burkina faso,South Africa,Togo,Senegal In collaboration with UK(London) Anti-Crime Squad received a report of scam against you and other British/US citizens and Malaysia,Etc.whom the country of Nigeria/Benin, Burkina faso, Ghana And UK(London)Anti-Crime Squad have recompensed you due to meeting held with Four countries Government and the world high commissions against fraud activities by the Four country Citizens.Your name was among those scammed as listed by the Nigeria Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU).   If it was in my name, then why am I "Attention Beneficiary"? 

A compensation fund of One Million United State Dollar's has been issued out for Wire Transfer to all the affected victims and has been already in distribution to all the bearers. payment was among those that was reported as the people that did not recieved their fund,as at last Friday and we wish to advise you to see to the instructions of the Committee to make sure that your fund is been transferred to your account immediately.

According to the number of applicants at hand,184 Beneficiaries has been paid, half of the victims are from the United States,we still have more 37 left to be paid the compensations of ($1,000,000.00 USD) One Million United State Dollar's each. Your particulars was mentioned by one of the Syndicates who was arrested as one of their victims of the operations,you are hereby warned not to communicate or duplicate this message to him for any reason whatsoever as the U.S. secret service is already on trace of the other criminals. So keep it secret till they are all apprehended.Other victims who have not been contacted can submit their application as well for scrutiny and possible consideration.  This paragraph here, though might sound very official to some, is laughable.

We advise that you do the needful to make sure that your fund is transferred to your account on or before Friday. You are assured of the safety of your fund, and availability and be advised that you should stop further contacts with all the fake lawyers and security companies who in collaboration scammed you.get back to me immediately to check if the transfer date suits you. Nothing like a fake warning you about another fake.

Since the Federal Bureau of Investigation is involved in this transaction, you have to be rest assured for this is 100% risk free it is our duty to protect the American Citizens and other europ countrie's worldwide. All I want you to do is to contact me via email, for their requirements to proceed regarding the Transfer of your fund, So your files would be updated after which i will send the payment informations which you'll use in making payment of $275.00 via Western Union Money Transfer or Money Gram Transfer for me to be able to update your file for transfer, after you make the payment then your file will be updated and your fund will be transferred into your Bank Account which you will provide for us for the transfer of your fund.   Send these people ANY personal information about yourself and you are setting yourself up for a lot of trouble later.

You are advised to send also your direct mobile or telephone number for easier communication.You are to contact me Mr John Simmons Consular/Diplomat BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION ABUJA,with the information below,for the release of your fund.

Contact Person : John Simmons
Zakari Maimalari Street
Cadastral Zone AO,
Central Business District, Abuja.
Telephone: +234-807-508-1267
Email : jjsimmons777@yahoo.cn

Re-Confirm your details.

1. SURNAME
2. OTHER NAMES
3. PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
4. ADDRESS
5. AMOUNT TO BE CLAIMED.

You are hereby, requested to furnish me with your full bank details viz, name and address of your bank, account name and number, telephone, fax and swift code of the bank for the immediate release of your funds by Key Tested Telex  (KTT) wire transfer without further delay.  Do not do this! If you do, you just gave a stranger permission to empty your account.

You are to contact directly the office of the Consular at: jjsimmons777@yahoo.cn , For an immediate action to be takling regarding the transfer of your fund.

Yours in Service,

Mr. John Simmons
The Consular/Diplomat

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONS ABUJA.

Note: Do disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possesion of your FUND, you are hereby adviced only to be in contact with Mr. John Simmon of the REMMITANCE DEPARTMENT CENTRE who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your FUNDS PAYMENT and forward any emails you get from impostors to this office so we could act upon and commence investigation.  Get serious!

I realize that money is tight for many, but do not believe that ANY part of this email or any one like it is real.

~ Jennifer Fisher