Police warn public about Kona scam 05-05-06

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
KONA PATROL DIVISION
PHONE: 326-4646 EXT. 253
MAY 5, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

Kona police are warning the public about another scam.

A Captain Cook woman reported Friday (May 5, 2006) that she received a letter from someone supposedly from the South African country of Togo. The letter claims to be from a lawyer named George Williams, who says he represents the estate of a man who died in a car accident, along with his wife and only daughter. The writer of the letter claims he has been unable to locate relatives of his “client,” who will lose $11.6 million dollars if they aren’t found.

The letter doesn’t seek money but asks for the recipient’s assistance, claiming she has the same last name as the man who died.

Community Police Officer Reynold Kahalewai described the correspondence as a preliminary letter and said in scams like this the sender usually seeks personal information, such as bank account numbers, in a follow-up letter.

Police warn the public not to give personal or financial information to someone they don’t know.

Anyone who receives a similar letter is asked to notify Officer Kahalewai at 326-4646, ext. 257.

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