Avoiding foreign money scams How to spot foreign money scams

The scammer

The writer claims to be a senior government official, an accountant with a state owned corporation, or perhaps a relative of a deposed or dead politician. The scam artist sometimes signs off using the title of Doctor, Chief or General.

The scam letter or email will probably be marked 'Strictly confidential' or 'Urgent', and offer the opportunity to share in a multi-million pound bonanza.

Those who are conned into contacting the scammers get drawn into an ever more complicated scenario.

Advance fee request

The writer will tell you they need to transfer cash to a bank in the UK. They'll add that if you let them use your bank account you can keep a big slice of the cash for yourself, usually 25 or 30%.

If you respond you will be sent fake bank statements and similar documents, all intended to prove that the money is genuine, when it isn't.

At the heart of the scam is the 'advance fee'. You will be asked to transfer money – often thousands of pounds – to cover some 'unforeseen problem'.

The letters are often littered with spelling mistakes and bad grammar.

Detectives say spelling mistakes are a deliberate ploy by the scammers to fool scam victims into believing they're dealing with uneducated people who wouldn't have the ability to set up a scam.

If you are a victim of a foreign money scam

If you've fallen victim to a foreign money transfer scam, contact your local police station immediately.

If you think you have been approached by foreign money scammers, do not respond or send money. If you've already sent money, don't send any more.

Destroy any foreign money scam or fraudulent mailings and warn friends and relatives to be on the lookout for similar scams.

The Office of Fair Trading estimates over three million people in the UK fall victim to mass marketed scams every year, collectively losing £3.5billion. Fewer than 5% of victims report their experience.

If you think you've been the victim of a scam, or you'd like to report a possible foreign money scam, contact Consumer Direct.