Money Scam Aimed at Psychotherapists

[Adam Blatner]

Has anyone heard of this?
 From: CAMFT (California Marriage & Family Therapists) Updates <CamftUpdates at camft.org>
    It has come to the attention of CAMFT that a strange money scam has been directed 
towards various psychotherapists across the country.  We wanted to alert you to the crux 
of the scam so you don’t fall victim. The following is a general scenario:
     Typically the scam artist accesses e-mails and other mailing information from 
marketing or large mailing lists (e.g. subscriptions). The e-mails state that the “client” 
is from out of country, and is requesting counseling of some sort.  After pleasantries and 
administrative e-mails are exchanged between psychotherapist and “client,” and before the 
first appointment is scheduled to occur, the “client” sends the psychotherapist a cashier’s 
check, or other form of payment, to prepay the counseling sessions.  When the 
psychotherapist receives the money, it is above and beyond the amount of the agreed upon 
payment.  The “client” apologizes for the mistake, and asks that you (the psychotherapist) 
simply transfer the difference back to him/her at his/her location/bank, out of the 
country.  It is at this step where you may unknowingly be involved in an illegal activity 
of some kind and/or the victim of fraud.

 Here is an example of such an e-mail:
     Dear   [Psychotherapist],
          I am so sorry about the misunderstanding.  My associate accidentally sent you 
$5,000.00 which is more than the money we agreed for the appointment, $500.00.  My 
associate was supposed to send you the $500.00 for the appointment and $5,000.00   to Mr. 
Li Xuren in Beijing , who is our Travel Agent that is in charge of our traveling from
 China to United States.     Please just cash the check in your bank and then take your 
own appointment money of
 $500.00 and another $100.00 (for your taxi and any fees) and let me know when the 
remaining balance is ready in your hand so I can give you Mr. Li Xuren’s full information 
and you can send the remaining $4,400.00 through Western Union to Mr. Xuren.
       I would try to call you and explain all this to you over the phone, but I don’t 
understand how to use their international calling card here, because everything is in 
their language. Let me know is there is anything that is not clear to you in my 
explanation.
      Make sure you get back to me immediately when the rest of the money is available, so 
I can give you the information that you will need to send the rest of the money. 
Thank so much,

    Please don’t fall victim to this money scam.  If a transaction such as this one is 
requested of you but you are unsure of whether it is legitimate or a scam, simply return 
the overpayment and ask for the proper payment to be remitted.  If you believe you have 
been targeted by this scam, you can forward your concerns to the United States Secret 
Service,  Financial Crimes Division,  950 H Street, NW , Washington ,  D.C. 20223   or 
telephone (202) 406-5850.