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BBB warns residents of mail scam

Friday, September 8, 2006 11:21 AM EDT

The Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan Wednesday reported a new postal forwarding scam.

A press release from the Bureau stated the postal forwarding scam is targeting consumers in west Michigan who are looking for a way to make money working at home. The process usually begins with unsolicited 'help wanted' emails from Dr. Aubert, managing director of Tapar Group, Dakar, Senegal.

Dr. Aubert writes in the emails Tapar Group, a company dealing in the production and supplying of Batik and assorted African fabrics, is searching for a bookkeeper and representative in the United States.

According to Dr. Aubert, cashiers checks, company checks and money orders from American clients cannot always be cashed outside the U.S. and therefore create lapses in handling funds. To eliminate any payment holes Tapar Group needs someone living in the U.S. to work as their representative and assist in processing payments.

The letter goes on to ask the prospective U.S. representative to receive the payments, deposit them in their personal bank, cash the payment and then deduct their commission of 15 percent. The U.S. representative is also asked to transfer the charges and forward the balance funds to one of Tapar Group's representatives via Moneygram or Western Union.

People that respond to the emails are told they are hired and are immediately sent realistic looking cashier checks or money orders, which they are told to deposit in their local bank.

Several days after completing the transaction the bank calls to report the checks were counterfeit and that they must pay back the thousands of dollars to the bank.

Some people may even be prosecuted by the bank for fraud.

The Bureau warns anyone looking for a work-at-home opportunity to be aware of job postings from Canadian or overseas employers.

Company reports can be checked online at the Bureau's website ss.westernmichigan.bbb.org, or by calling the Bureau 24 hours a day at 800-684-3222.

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