Sent: 2011-11-18
From: Dan Nadler
To: Students
Subject: Check Cashing Scam
Dear Students:
The EIU Police Department is aware of a check cashing scam targeting tutors. Students are contacted via email and asked to tutor a foreign student who will be enrolling at EIU in the future. The person sending the email negotiates a fee and sends a check for a considerably higher amount. The tutor is asked to cash the check and forward the extra money to a third party. The person sending the check may want a portion of the money sent back to them.
This is a very old scam that usually originates outside of the United States. It is very difficult for law enforcement to identify and prosecute the offender. The EIU Police Department encourages anyone receiving a check, money order, lottery winnings or similar transaction to ignore it. No legitimate business transaction will require anyone to send a portion of the funds to a third party.
