'Advance' warning on latest scam

Royal Borough trading standards officers are warning residents to be wary of a fraudulent investment scheme following a number of letters from residents highlighting the 'Advance Fee' scam.

The warning relates to letters supposedly from a Chinese investment company claiming to represent a client with a similar name to the addressee who had died leaving a large investment portfolio. The author of the letter claims to be owed a percentage of the portfolio and wants to make the addressee a beneficiary of these funds in exchange for the percentage owed.

The fraudsters may even ask for the person to open a new bank account to transfer this percentage into. These account details could be used to empty the account.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetcare and Environment, said: "This latest scam is very worrying - in particular the extent to which these fraudsters will go to extort money from people. Each time we learn of these scams they raise the ante and use even more 'plausible' tactics to target people.

"Once again, our residents have been on the ball and alerted the borough's trading standards team.

"It is disappointing that we have to issue these warnings but at least we can alert people and make life very difficult for the fraudsters. If you know someone who has been a victim of an 'Advance Fee' scam, please call trading standards on 01628 683672."

Trading standards offers the following advice on 'Advance Fee' scams:

• The first question to ask yourself is "why me?" This person doesn't know you and has no reason to trust you. The best way to deal with a letter like this is to throw it away.
• Governments and large corporations do not transfer money through another person's bank account. Any suggestion that they do so is a reliable indication that you have been approached by fraudsters.
• Letters and documents sent by fraudsters are usually badly written. Look out for spelling mistakes and poor grammar.
• If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
• Beware of being told you must act quickly or you'll miss out on this 'one-time deal'.
• Never send your bank or personal details. If you have, contact your bank immediately to stop money being withdrawn and sent overseas.
• Never send any money.
• Never, under any circumstances, travel anywhere in response to one of these scams. You won't see your money again, and you could put yourself in physical danger.

To reduce the amount of personally addressed junk mail coming through your door you can contact:
The Mailing Preference Service, Freepost 29 LON20771, London, W1E 0ZT, call 0845 7034599 or visit www.mpsonline.org.uk
Please allow at least four months before you see a reduction in the mail you receive.

To reduce the amount of unaddressed junk mail you receive, contact Royal Mail at:
Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX or e-mail them on: optout@royalmail.com

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