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Grenadians are being warned not to fall victim to an internet scam that seeks to extort money from unsuspecting victims. The call comes from the Fraud Intelligence Unit which has confirmed that many times such scams are not being reported.

The Nigerian scam targets internet users through their email addresses. It starts with the sending of an email relating a sad story of the passing of a loved one and the need to find someone who can collect the life savings of the victim or victims.

Sgt. Senneth Martin Joseph attached to the Financial Intelligence Unit says the scam involves the use of emails being sent by people or cheques via the postal system informing victims of the death of someone who has left millions of dollars, and asking that the victim give personal information in order that the money be sent to them. It has been confirmed by the Fraud Intelligence Unit that more than fifteen Grenadians have fallen victims to this fraudulent scheme and many of them have had money withdrawn from their accounts.

The fraudster, through the email, requests one’s personal information such as credit card and bank account numbers. “And as you start communicating with (these) people, they have your profile, they get your telephone number, they ask for your bank account number, so that you can receive the money, and the keep going, and you are being milked at the end of the day,” Joseph said. The Nigerian scam is an international trick that cannot be dealt with only on a local level neither can it be stopped completely.

It is however being tackled internationally. To be on the safe side, people are being urged not respond to emails seeking his or her personal information.