CAPE ELIZABETH — Local police are working with officers in Michigan to solve a money scam that could be a nationwide problem.

According to Capt. Brent Sinclair, a resident contacted police to report an unauthorized withdrawal of money from his bank account. Sinclair said someone gained access to the account and created a electronic check.

The check was sent to a woman in Michigan who cashed it, kept about $400 and sent the rest to Nigeria. Sinclair said the scheme is very large and involves the theft of thousands of dollars.

“We are unsure how the accounts are accessed at this time,” he said.

The stolen amounts range from $3,000 to $10,000, Sinclair said, and the woman who receives the checks has made more than $100,000.

“This is much bigger than we are able to handle,” he said. “There are victims identified in Maine and Connecticut and other places in the country.”

Besides the police in other states, Sinclair said, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is expected to take part in the investigation.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net


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