From CAIR Florida:
The con artist calls Muslim individuals and groups pretending to be with a respected Islamic institution. He claims that he and others are coming to visit the United States. Later, he calls back, claiming to have lost his money, tickets or passport and asks for emergency cash to be wired to him at Western Union or a similar facility.
A person using this same con game was arrested in Canada two years ago (see article and alert below), but was later released. NOTE: The impostor may use many variations of this scam.
CONTACT: Altaf Ali (CAIR-FL Executive Director); 954-298-8214 EMAIL: [email protected], Ahmed Bedier (CAIR-FL Communications Director); 813-731-9506, EMAIL: [email protected].
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:
1. Please ANNOUNCE AT JUMA'A and other functions - several hundred Muslims have been targeted in the past.
2. DO NOT wire money to anyone claiming to be stranded in an airport.
3. REPORT requests for money to CAIR, the local office of the FBI (ask for a fraud investigator) and to local police. Obtain a copy of the complaint.
4. If you have already been a victim, send copies of wire transfer documents to CAIR so that a case can be built against this man. (FAX: 202-488-0833)
FOR BACKGROUND, SEE THE FOLLOWING 2002 ARTICLE AND CAIR ALERT: