Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: News

Students are falling prey to an increasing number of e-mail scams and losing a lot of money by participating in them. (Photo illustration by Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

After reports were filed back-to-back by victims of e-mail and online scams, the University Police Department wanted to issue a warning.

In the last week of January, two students filed reports that they were victimized by online scam artists.

One student was a victim to the Craigslist scam and the other an e-mail chain venture opportunity. Both lost thousands of dollars to the scams, which are virtually untraceable.

"A lot of these things you would think would be common sense, and I am not trying to insult anyone's intelligence," said university police officer Ryan Risinger. "But depending on how naive or gullible a person is, or depending on the need or the greed, students have the ability to be seduced by these things."

Risinger, who presents on issues of online scams and identity theft, said students who were victimized by the scams fell into common traps that everyone is susceptible to.

He said both scams were common and the Federal Trade Commission has issued warnings against them because of victimization.

In the Craigslist scam, Risinger explained, a student would find a great deal on a relatively new vehicle in impeccable condition.

For example, a 2009 Chevy Trailblazer is being advertised for $3,000. The Craigslist advertisement would then link to a supposed eBay Web page that has the advertisement and contact listing.

After several e-mails, expectations of payment first would arise; money would be wired through Money Gram International at a local Wal-Mart, which can be picked up at any Money Gram International location.

"From there the scam artist picks up the money from any location they please, shuts down the eBay page that was a fake and you are out of the money you sent because Craigslist, eBay, Wal-Mart and Money Gram are not responsible," Risinger said. "It is untraceable."

He advises to stay away from hyperlinks.

"If anything, do not trust advertiser-made links," Risinger said. "Also, ask a friend, teacher or someone close if the advertisement looks legitimate. A second opinion always helps with online purchases."

The second scam, also called the Nigerian E-mail Scam, involves a chain-forwarded opportunity to make large amounts of "fast cash."

In the case of the Eastern student, Risinger said he received an e-mail that said he would make $900 for wiring deposits internationally for a company. The student gave the bank information and received a large deposit in his account, wired the money through Western Union and then waited for his payment.

After the wire transfer was complete, the student discovered their bank account was overdrawn by $8,000. Risinger said there have been complaints about other scams throughout the years and there is little restitution. Tracing Internet crimes when victims are willing participants are extremely difficult to trace, he added.

"Some of these things can be very threatening, like the e-mail that says 'I am a hit-man or assassin and you are on my list. If you give me so much money I will take you off my list and fake my hit for my boss,'" he said.

"People buy into these, but if you get something like it you should just ignore it. Do not respond. If you come across one of these scams, you can report it to UPD which can collect data and issue warnings about the scam. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is illegal -- either on your part or theirs."

Lists and tips on how to avoid online scams are compiled in a comprehensive list on the FTC's website. Search "Web Scams" for more information.


Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7942 or at ksmoya@eiu.edu.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools

The Daily Eastern News encourages on-topic, civil discussion on its articles posted online. It is our policy not to screen comments before they are posted or edit them after they are posted. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are off-topic, malicious, libelous or include excessive foul language. The DEN also reserves the right to turn off all comments on any story it deems necessary.

Comments violating copyright law will also be removed.

Users who repeatedly violate this policy will be banned from commenting.

If you have any questions on our comment policy or wish to report a comment that you feel violates these standards, please e-mail a link to the article to our Online Editor at DENNews.com@gmail.com.