Web Scam Bilks State of Utah Out of $2.5M

KitB sends in a story in the Salt Lake Tribune that tells of a Web-based scam, resembling some used by Nigerian gangs, that snared the state of Utah. $2.5M was sent to a bank account in Texas before the bank raised a question and then froze $1.8M in the account. "Thieves apparently used a Nigerian-based scam to steal $2.5 million from the Utah treasury, covering their tracks by using intermediaries and a church address. A Salt Lake Tribune review of the names listed in a search warrant as receiving or transferring money [found] names of African origin or connections to that continent. Michael Kessler, ... a forensic accounting [investigator] in New York City, said the thieves appear to have used a simple scam that originated in Nigeria about five years ago. The Utah theft is the first time he's seen a government victimized. 'Their IT people should have known better,' Kessler said after reviewing a copy of the search warrant Thursday. 'It sounds like any kid could have done this.'"

Comments

Re:Everyone

[alexj33]

What happened to:

"Government scam bilks America out of $800 Billion"?

Good day

[ShooterNeo]

PLEASE KINDLY PARDON ME FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE

Good Day,

Please, kindly pardon me for any inconvenience this letter may cost you because I know it may come to you as a surprise as we'have no previous correspondence.

I got your contact as i was searching for helping hand in your country , this is why I decided to appeal to you directly for assistance because I' have no relations or friends in your country for help me.I am Mrs.Tema Williams from Zimbabwe. I am a widow being that I lost my husband last year.

My husband was able to secure a sum of $2,500,000 dollars American through creative use of finanial instruments from the state of Utah.

I want you to do me a favour to receive this funds to a safe account in your country or any safer place as the beneficiary.

For your assistance, I have two options for you. Firstly you can choose to have 5% of the money for your assistance, and helping my family investing this funds, or you can go into partnership with me for the proper profitable investment of the money in your country. Which ever the option you want, please do notify me in your reply.

I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate and industrial production.This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist me and my only Son Williams, indicate your interest in replying soonest.

Thanks and best regards .
Mrs Tema Williams

Re:Good day

[flyingfsck]

Bah, nobody will fall for that letter. In order to succeed, it has to be in all capital letters.

So why didn't God intervene?

[jc42]

Could He have been in on the scam?

Re:So why didn't God intervene?

[theskipper]

So "Humor Analysis and Identification" is a 300-level class?

Re:Everyone

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey trolls, go back to digg.

Re:Everyone

[Anonymous Coward]

"should be fired or regulated to a minimum wage job"

Uh, do you mean "relegated"?

Re:This is about purchase orders, not bank account

[dangitman]

Perhaps even the whole douche.

That would never happen to me

[kimvette]

I am proud to say that this will never happen to me. I am about to come into some money - approximately $5million US, and when I receive it I will be sure to avoid scams such as that.

How am I coming into the $5mil? I'm glad you asked. I recently received an email from Ima S. Ucker, who as you might know is the nephew of a deposed prince in Nigeria who is in need of assistance of getting their family wealth away from some crooks. They just need a tiny fraction of their wealth to return to their comfortable lifestyles, so they offered to give me the vast majority of their wealth in exchange for helping them transfer the money. All I had to do was to provide them with my full name, address, date of birth, social security number, savings account number and pin --- oh wait. . .

Re:How is that Nigerian?

[interkin3tic]

What occurred with the state of Utah had nothing to do with Nigeria at all. That is just tabloid journalism where they mention something catchy in the title to get people to read an article that might otherwise be uninteresting.

Because the average Salt Lake resident is FASCINATED by all things relating to Nigeria ;-)

Re:This is about purchase orders, not bank account

[Joebert]

The interviewee is quite possibly a douche nozzle.

A douche nozzle is actually a quite sophisticated piece of plastic.
With it's slim and sleek shape, as well as strategically positioned delivery holes, a douche nozzle thoroughly cleans the vagina without causing much if any damage or discomfort. All the while dealing with pressure from the resident douche-bag.

A douche-bag on the other hand, simply spews a mess all over the place on its' own.

I'm sure we all appreciate your attempt at linguistic innovation, but we've spent decades calling people douche-bags for a reason.

Re:This is about purchase orders, not bank account

[Anonymous Coward]

This is Slashdot. He's just bad-mouthing douche nozzles because he's jealous they actually succeed to enter vaginas.

Re:

[jordan314]

Dibs on Nebraska

Re:Why are they blaming the IT department?

[KZigurs]

I was under impression that majority of government contracts fall under the 'I have X million here that you can get if you send me Y thousand.' type...