PRESS RELEASE

U.S. Mission Warns Against "Scam" Letters:

Disregard Correspondence Allegedly Signed By U.S. Consul General

August 17, 2006

Each week, many U.S. embassies and consulates deal with “scams.” The scam artists seek businesspeople and common people alike. Many of those scammed experience significant loss, ranging from thousands to millions of dollars, and have been physically threatened.

One of the most recent examples of a scam the U.S. Consulate General Lagos has become aware of is a letter, purportedly sent as a private correspondence by the Consul General Brian Browne, being forwarded to individuals in a number of countries around the world. The letter appears to originate from the following email address -- usconsulb@hotmail.com”. Recipients of this letter should be warned that the letter is NOT genuine, but instead the work of a confidence artist looking to defraud them of their money.

Additional information on advance fee fraud and other scams that target foreigners can be found in the Department of States publication titled, “Tips for Business Travelers to Nigeria” at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_2113.html, and “Nigerian Advanced Fee Fraud” at http://www.state.gov/www/regions/africa/naffpub.pdf.

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