SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
RSN™ Scam News: 80-Year-Old American Woman In Trouble After Helping Nigerian Lover
A Grand Traverse County Couple Almost Lost $4,300 In A Scam That Stretches From Toronto And Michigan To Florida And Nigeria.
80-Year-Old American Woman Acted As A Mule And Is In Trouble After Helping Nigerian Lover To Scam U.S. Company
An 80-year-old American woman identified as Sylvia Williams has been arrested for allegedly conspiring with her Nigerian lover to scam a company.
A Florida woman is facing fraud and conspiracy charges after allegedly getting caught in a scam connected to a Michigan business and a Nigerian man.
WPBN Reports Sylvia Williams, 80, Was Arrested After Scamming A Grand Traverse County Business Out Of More Than $4,000.
Investigators said a scammer called an Acme Township cleaning company, saying they were moving to the area and wanted to pay for cleaning services in advance.
The scammer sent a check for $4,900, requesting they return a check for $4,300 to an address in Columbia County, Florida.
The bank noticed the first check was fake, but the business had already sent the money to the Florida address.
Deputies in Columbia County, Florida followed up on the address and arrested Sylvia Williams for conspiracy and fraud.
Sylvia Williams arrested for conspiracy and fraud.
According to the report, Sylvia was forwarding the checks to a Nigerian man even though police had warned her before to not get involved.
“The female down in Florida had a relationship with the Nigerian and this relationship has gone on for several years and she trust this person and because there was that trust this lady would do anything for them, even if it involves fraudulent activities,” Lt. Chris Barsheff with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office told WPBN.
Barsheff says the scammers likely targeted Williams knowing she would be vulnerable, making her somewhat of a victim herself.
The Acme Township business was able to recover the money they lost in the scam.
Read more here: https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/michigan-couple-victims-of-check-fraud-scam/article_a9e5379e-a45e-53f9-ad2b-c2e0e2b21cb2.html
RSN™ Team
a division of SCARS™
Miami Florida U.S.A.
END
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FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
It is essential that law enforcement knows about scams & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.
Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:
- Local Police – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
- Your National Police or FBI (www.IC3.gov)
- The Scars Worldwide Reporting Network HERE or on www.Anyscam.com
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
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Please be sure to report all scammers HERE or on www.Anyscam.com
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
He a real scammer