Home > Post > Post 14 > News Release > 2004 News Archives > News Release

News Release

For Other Kentucky Government Sites Visit:

Internet Scam

Date of News Release: 7/02/2004

(Post 14, Possibly Statewide) - The Kentucky State Police in Ashland is investigating an internet scam based out of Nigeria in Western Africa. Residents are cautioned to avoid engaging in suspicious on-line internet activity. The Nigerian Scam involves the use of "on-line" chat rooms. The subject in Nigeria will befriend an American Citizen via the internet and advise them they need their assistance in the shipment of various products. American Based Companies will not ship products to Nigeria due to past scams. The subject in Nigeria will request the American citizen to have the products shipped to their home address. Once the item is received, the American citizen will reship the package to the Nigerian subject. The items are usually purchased with a ficticious shipping account or a stolen credit card.

Most of the postal services are aware of this scam and have intercepted some of the shipments.

Residents are asked to contact their local police or the Kentucky State Police if they discover suspicious activity or scams.