Dallas FBI warns about Nigerian scam using its letterhead

DMN ^ | 2-27-08 | ERIC TORBENSON

[Dysart]

Those Nigerian scammers have a new tactic in trying to trick folks out of their money: The Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Or at least the FBI’s official-looking letterhead, featuring the Dallas bureau’s address on One Justice Way in downtown Dallas.

The real FBI on Wednesday warned Internet surfers to be on the watch for slick-looking emails and hard-copy letters with FBI letterhead.

The latest scam has local flavor — a purported gentleman at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

The letter asks the victim for help in the transfer of $10 million and for bank account records to help the “transfer” that supposedly is held up.

The letter appeals to the victim to help clear the funds to make sure there’s no terrorist or criminal background with the funds, and it’s signed by Robert E. Casey Jr., listed as Special Agent in Charge.

[AppyPappy]

And he’s looking a “church Christian” to help him.

[John Jorsett]

I’ve been wondering about those emails I’ve been getting from the Dallas FBI saying that they’ve been contracted to kill me, but can be bought off for the right price.

[goldstategop]

$10 million - all yours for a very small down payment, of course. If it was legit, the FBI would award you the money openly. Of course, if its in Nigeria, all bets are off.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[goldstategop]

I bet the letterhead isn't even real FBI. They could rent a building in Dallas filled with FBI stand-ins but its not the real FBI office. Once they get the money, they are good as gone.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[cripplecreek]

If the Dallas FBI office asks for money, don’t give it to them.

Check.

A few years back I got a phone call from the “IRS” informing me that they wanted to give me $15,000 for being a good citizen. When I told him that I wasn’t buying it he patched me through to “FBI agent Smith” for confirmation. I asked “Agent Smith” for his badge number and he told me it was 001.

[FreePaul]

An elderly woman I know fell for almost every scam that came along. An “FBI” agent came to her house with a story about something wrong at her bank. They asked her to withdraw six thousand dollars (this was in the nineteen-fifties) and let them mark it before she returned it to the bank. Of course they gave her back a sealed envelope of cut up newspaper which she didn’t find out about until she got back to the bank. The FBI never could find the agents who did this.

[John Jorsett]

A few years back I got a phone call from the “IRS” informing me that they wanted to give me $15,000 for being a good citizen. When I told him that I wasn’t buying it he patched me through to “FBI agent Smith” for confirmation. I asked “Agent Smith” for his badge number and he told me it was 001.

Don't ever trifle with Agent Smith!

[Emmett McCarthy]

But what about the e-mails from the Nigerian FBI telling me that the beautiful widow who needs my help getting the $15 million into a U.S. bank is legit? Those are real, right?