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Fraud Alert

Release Date
06/08/2005
Recent Actions Body

Fraud Alert

It was recently brought to the attention of the Treasury Department that in at least one instance, firms and/or individuals have received fraudulent documents that were purported to be from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

The scam involved a contract that was made to look like it originated from OFAC. The document contained the forged signatures of the Director of OFAC, Robert Werner, and former Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crime, Juan Zarate. Victims of this scam would allegedly receive a substantial sum of money in exchange for a small initial investment paid to the con artists perpetrating the fraud.

As with most mail and Internet fraud, the victims of the scam would have their "small initial investment" stolen, and would often be asked to supply greater sums of money over time. This matter is now being handled by appropriate officials.

If you think you have received a contract of this nature, it is fraudulent. If you have received a version of the document described above or feel that you may be the victim of a similar fraud, please visit the United States Secret Service website (http://www.secretservice.gov/about/faqs/) for more information.