Carson City investigators are warning people against an Internet scam in which unsuspecting victims are cashing forged postal money orders.
Detective Bob Motamenpour said a 28-year-old Carson City man thought he was having a relationship with a woman in Nigeria, who was claiming to be an American citizen living there.
She would send the victim United States postal money orders through Federal Express in the amount of $995. The victim would then cash the money orders at his bank and send the money back to the scam artist through Western Union.
Motamenpour said that over two months, the victim cashed 26 bogus money orders totaling nearly $26,000 before the checks came back to the bank.
"He honestly thought of this woman as his girlfriend," he said.
Motamenpour said one obvious fault of the scam is that postal money orders don't come in denominations higher than $500. Unfortunately, he said, the bank tellers didn't catch the error.
In actuality, the scammer purchased $5 money orders and altered the amount, Motamenpour said.
The case will be forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for review.
An Identity Theft and Financial Fraud Workshop will be hosted by the Carson City Sheriff's Department on Oct. 22.
Motamenpour said the workshop will help casino, bank and security personnel to identify fraudulent checks and false identity.
The workshop is free and runs from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pinon Plaza Hotel Casino banquet room. Guest speakers will be from the Carson City District Attorney's Office and the Forensic Lab. Those who wish to attend should call Motamenpour at 887-2020, ext. 1410
