She supplies a passport copy and photos (one of which is shown on the right) – but the passport is doctored and is was actually issued to a male ..

She claims to have relatives in Wales

If you get any of these, do let us know, please!

Alun Hill MCIJ Editor.

Here writes Lady Peggy Morrison, suffering from cancerous ailment. I am married to Engineer Richard Morrison an Englishman who is dead. My husband was into private practice all his life before his death. Our life together as man and wife lasted for three decades without child. My husband died after aprotracted illness. My husband and I made a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the less-privileged individuals as he had passion for persons who can not help themselves due to physical disability or financial predicament. I can adduce this to the fact that he needed a Child from this relationship,which never came.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of 5 Million (5 Million Great Britain Pounds Sterling which were derived from his vast estates and investment in capital market with his bank here in UK. Presently, this money is still with the Bank. Recently, my Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the cancerous problems I am suffering from.

Though what bothers me most is the stroke that I have in addition to the cancer. With this hard reality that has befallen my family, and me I have decided to donate this fund to you and want you to use this gift which comes from my husbands effortto fund the upkeep of widows, widowers, orphans, destitute, the down-trodden,physically challenged children, barren-women and persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped financially.
I do not need any telephone communication in this regard due to my deteriorating health.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank in UK. I will also issue you a Letter of Authority that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this fund via my Lawyer. My happiness is that I lived a life worthy of emulation. Please always be prayerful all through your life. Please assure me that you will act just as I have stated herein. Hope to hear from you soon and God bless you and members of your family.you can contact me through my private email address:

Lady Peggy Morrison.
Email :peggymorrison@hotmail.co.uk

Here’s an example:

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Thomas Date: Sep 25, 2006 11:53 AM
Subject: NAME,ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER NEEDED.
To: xxxx

HI,
HOW ARE YOU TODAY?FINE I PRESUME,THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY,I GOT YOUR EMAIL AND NOTED THE CONTENTS.
I AM OK WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THE CAR.I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR KIND GESTURE OF GIVEN ME A CAR OF THIS NATURE FOR £11,695.
MY WIFE INSISTS THAT I SHOULD BUY IT AT ALL COST BECAUSE IT IS JUST THE EXACT MATCH WE HAD ALWAYS WANTED.
I DONT HAVE CASH AT HAND NOW,AND SINCE YOU WANT A CHEQUE OR A DRAFT WHICH IS OK BY ME I HAVE DECIDED TO PAY YOU WITH A STERLING CERTIFIED CHEQUE OR DRAFT THROUGH AN ASSOCIATE IN UK.SHE IS OWEING ME THE SUM OF £16,000 AND HAS AGREED TO PAY ME,SO I WILL INSTRUCT HER TO ISSUE AND SEND THE CHEQUE OF £16,000 IN YOUR RESPECT YOU WILL CASH IT AND THEN DEDUCT YOUR £11,695 AND SEND THE BALANCE TO THEFREIGTH AGENT THAT WILL COME FOR THE PICK UP OF THE CAR AT YOUR LOCATION.
THE REASON WHY I AM DOING THIS IS THAT IT TAKES MAXIMUM OF 3DAYS FOR A CHEQUE DRAWN OUT OF A UK BANK TO GET CLEARED IN UK THAN AN INTERNATIONAL CHEQUE FROM BELGIUM AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SPEED UP TRANSACTION IN OTHER NOT TO LOOSE THE CAR.
I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND MY PLIGTH.
IF YOU ARE OK WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT SEND ME YOUR FULL NAME,ADDRESS,AND PHONE NO WITH WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECIEVE THE CHEQUE SO I CAN ARRANGE FOR PAYMENT ASAP.
PLS I PLEED YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD TO HELP SEND THE BALANCE VIA WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER AS SOON AS THE CHEQUE GETS CLEARED SO MY FRIEGTH COMPANY CAN ARRANGE THE NECCESARY DOCUMENTS SO AS TO EFFECT THE PICK UP AT YOUR LOCATION AND I HOPE I CAN TRUST YOU WITH MY BALANCE I AM TRANSPARENT AND NOT DOWN TO RIPE YOU OFF SO PLEASE BE SINCERE WITH ME AND AS SOON AS THE CHEQUE CLEARS TRANSFER MY BALANCE IMMEDIATELY VIA WESTERN UNION.
I WILL BE WAITINGTO READ FROM YOU SOONEST.
BEST REGARD.
THOMAS WEST.

It said that if I sent money to some “admin address,” a glitch in the system would end up paying me twice that money back, but that I had to hurry to take advantage before they closed the loophole.

Wow. Talk about targeted. The only people who’d fall for that are thieves themselves.

Here’s the scam: The “admin address” is really the address the scammer uses for that payment processor.

Under the wider banner of Operation ST£RLING, the MPS’ Economic and Specialist Crime Directorate has identified a growing threat to the British public. Recent Office of Fair Trading research revealed that up to £1 billion a year is lost to fraud.

Operation ST£RLING, an initiative launched earlier this year, takes a pro-active partnership approach to reducing opportunities for, and combating, economic crime. Part of its aim is to dispel the myth that fraud is a “victimless” crime.

‘High volume fraud’ is the generic term used for all of the speculative ‘low level’ frauds directly targeted at members of the public such as internet auction site fraud, lottery scams, cheque overpayments, false websites, ‘honey traps’ and advanced fee fraud.

Western Union and the MPS aim to raise public awareness in order to arm consumers with the information needed to protect themselves from financial loss.

Today Western Union have announced that they would like to encourage consumers to use money transfer only when sending money to someone they already know and trust.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, head of the Specialist Crime Directorate said:

“The organised criminal networks involved in ‘high volume fraud’ prey on anyone and everyone with highly plausible well-rehearsed techniques. They are, in effect, ultra-efficient, 21st century versions of the traditional, ‘distraction burglars’. Who like their predecessors, knocking at doors masquerading as ‘water, gas or electricity board’ officials, deliberately invade people’s homes under false pretences, to betray their trust and steal. The only difference is that the invasion is now ‘virtual’ using new technology and the victim’s loss is considerably greater. This welcome national, ‘consumer education’ joint effort with Western Union should significantly disrupt their activities and shows what the authorities and reputable businesses can achieve by working together.”

Mr. Peter Bucher, Vice President of Western Union for Europe, Middle East and Africa said:

‘Western Union takes the issue of consumer fraud very seriously and frequently works with law enforcement agencies around the world to address this important issue. Education is one of the best tools we have in the fight against consumer fraud and the educated consumer is better able to protect themselves and their hard earned money. That’s why we are dedicated to raising awareness of the types of scams that seek to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals and that is why we are pleased to enter into this relationship with ‘ST£RLING’ on behalf of the Metropolitan and the UK police.’

Paul Goggins MP, Home Office said:

“This new public awareness campaign is an excellent example of effective cooperation between the police and businesses in highlighting the dangers of fraud and working together to prevent it, and I am delighted to offer my support. The Met Police have taken a proactive approach to policing fraud and financial crime with Operation Sterling and this new campaign demonstrates just what can be achieved. “Western Union provides an efficient, reliable service to those who need to send money overseas to family and friends but this very convenience can be exploited by unscrupulous criminals to trap the unwary. Tackling fraud is not something the Government can do in isolation and the best results can only be obtained by working together.”

Background:

Today’s press briefing will be jointly hosted by Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur and Peter Bucher, Vice President-Operations for Western Union. This is being supported by Paul Goggins MP, government minister with responsibility for organised crime, Commissioner James Hart, UK ACPO lead on economic crime and Mike Haley of the Office of Fair Trading.

Research by staff from the ‘ST£RLING Proactive Prevention Team’ of the Metropolitan Police’s Economic and Specialist Crime command, (SCD6), in early 2005 identified that, whatever the initial method of approach, the organised criminal networks involved in ‘high volume fraud’ relied heavily on ‘money transfer systems’ to obtain money from their victims. It was felt that if consumer education measures and effective safeguards were put in place at this point, this could prevent a potential further victim from being the fraudsters ‘target’.

Detectives visited Western Union, both in the UK and in the USA found that, even though such transactions only amounted to a very small percentage of Western Union’s business, this reputable company were as concerned about the abuse of ‘money transfer systems’ and customers as the police were. Indeed, they had already taken a number of steps to try and educate their own consumers and put enhanced security in place but frequently found that these measures were hampered by consumer’s lack of awareness and by fraudsters ‘steering’ their victims around existing safeguards.

Consequently, Western Union were very supportive about entering into such a relationship with the Metropolitan Police, ACPO and the Office of Fair Trading.

How the partnership will deliver:

Western Union and ‘ST£RLING’ will be introducing a range of measures that will be introduced across the UK. These include:

* The introduction of jointly worded ‘fraud warning’ forms into all Western Union agencies in the UK. These will be given to all future customers who appear to be sending money for ‘business purposes’ or are in anyway unsure of the intended recipient. The form will contain details of prevalent frauds, simple ‘prevention advice’ and support ‘contacts’.
* Western Union will back this up by providing additional training to its money transfer agents on how to recognize potentially fraudulent transactions.
* National and regional media strategies to increase public awareness.
* Regular ongoing ‘High Volume’ fraud education advice on both of their websites.

Further partnership working with other organisations involved in Money Transfers will also being set up following the lead from Western Union.

* Money transfer services are often the preferred method used by a variety of fraudsters in Online auction site frauds, 419 fraud, lottery fraud and criminal cashback.
* Money transfer agents, which include Western Union provide a service for those who need to send money quickly and reliably to friends and family, and should not be used for money transfer to people that you do not know or whose identity you cannot verify.
* Never pay for an item bought on an on line auction site through instant wire transfer service, whether it is suggested after making the winning bid or whether through another approach, such as second chance offer or offer the goods at a reduced price suggesting you step outside on the online auction site. There is little security in this, no matter what the seller says, and you are effectively sending your hard earned cash to a stranger ‘on trust’ alone.
* Never send money via money transfer service if you have been in receipt of lottery fraud email, during which you are encouraged by the fraudster to send money in the form of advance fees to gain the release of the lottery funds, as genuine lotteries will never ask you for such funds to pay taxes or release fees. In fact genuine lotteries, such as the UK Big Lottery has no idea who has bought the winning ticket, so will never be able to contact you telling you about your ‘unclaimed’ prize money. Never send these people money by any method.
* Never send money via money transfer service if you have been in receipt of a ‘419’ email offering you a cut of a large sum of money the if you help to release it from a bank account. If you respond, during the discussions with the fraudster you will be encouraged by them to send them money in the form of advance fees to gain the release of the funds mentioned in the email, usually a ridiculous figure mentioned that is in the millions. Never send these people money by any method.
* Never send money via money transfer service if you have been in receipt of cheque payment from someone in a sum greater that that you are asking (known as criminal cashback) for the item you are selling or property you are renting. After the cheque has been paid into your account, the fraudster you will encouraging you to send to them or someone else the difference by money transfer or bank transfer. Never send these people money by any method. If the cheque is stolen or forged it often can take more than 3 days, sometimes considerable longer, before that cheque is identified as being stolen or forged. Not only have you already sent the funds by money transfer with no means of recovering it, you will find that you bank account will have the original debt reversed, leaving you with the loss of the funds withdrawn and sent via money transfer.
* When money transfer services are being used in connection with fraudulently activity, whilst the person collecting the money has to produce identification, the documents produced by these fraudsters are often false, making the recovery of any money sent by this method extremely difficult.