Summer fraudsters are out with the sun
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| Having a lovely time - but what's going on back at the office? |
London, 21 July 2002 - As companies' regular accounting staff head for the holiday sun, fraudsters are preying on the inexperience of temporary personnel or juniors left holding the fort.
Reports of successful fleecings are already coming in to ICC's Commercial Crime Services. The scam involves submitting invoices for non-existent entries in fax directories and business databases.
The Commercial Crime Bureau - the CCS division that combats
fraud - has issued a warning to its members to alert their accounts departments to check up any requests for payment from unknown suppliers.
Many of the suspect invoices originate in Eastern Europe, seeking payment for entries in impressive-sounding directories or business and trade databases. In each case the amount is around 600 euros, with discounts of 10% offered for prompt payment. Payments are usually directed to a post office box number.
CCB advice is to treat any payment request from an unusual source with suspicion. Payment should not be made until the origin of the invoice has been verified. The bureau would like to hear from companies who have received suspect invoices to help in tracing the sources of this fraud.
Please call CCB at +44 207 591 3000 or email Click here to send a mail.
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