Open Letter To

The Kings, Queens, Heads of State, Presidents, and Leaders of the World

GLOBAL TRADE CONSORTIUM

"PROSPERITY FOSTERS PEACE"

OUR MISSION

The Global Trade Consortium is an organization that is dedicated to the cause of Progress, Sustainable Prosperity, Trade, Educational Exchanges and Cultural Exchanges through the proposing of solutions to the problems/issues that work against International Cooperation and World Peace.

Together, with our supporters, we seek to:

• Eliminate all taxes in all nations by recognizing that taxes are outdated and obsolete because all money can now be in the form of credits, electronic money or currency supplied by each government in the world. 

Income Taxes and Taxes of all kinds are obsolete.

Back in the days when we operated with gold and precious metals for money, the government had to take some of the gold and silver out of the hands of citizens to pay the expenses of government.

Now, the government prints all of the money.  The money is not backed by anything but the stability of the country's economy.  It makes sense that governments can print enough money to put into circulation for the economy.

The Government should keep part of what it prints to pay the expenses of government.

The result will be that we, individuals and businesses, will not have to pay taxes of any kind.  The Tax Agencies will be out of business and we can eliminate all tax laws, regulations and the entire tax code.

It is an idea that is difficult to absorb.  We are living in a world where money is just an idea.  We deal in checks, direct deposits, credit cards, electronic transfers and credit.  It makes no sense for the government to print money, put it into circulation and then to tax us in many different ways to get the money back.

I know all of the arguments about how the government may not print money without causing inflation.

Inflation is just an idea born out of a lack of confidence.  People need to get over the idea that money has any intrinsic value.  A bill for a dollar is worth a few cents in paper and ink.  A bill for a hundred dollars is worth about the same amount for the paper and the ink.  Why are we willing to hold the idea that the larger bill is worth more?  It is a thought, an idea and illusion based on confidence.

Which Nation Should Be The First To Eliminate Taxes?

The United States of America is big enough and important enough to the economies of the world to announce that the America is going to make the "International Dollar the International Currency.  The United States of America may invite any nations who wish to join the new currency for the sake of Trade.  The International Dollar would be the only money used by the United States and its trading partners.  Each country could have its own form of the International Dollar.  There will be Russian Dollars - Ruble Dollar, English Dollars - Pound Dollar, German Dollars - Mark Dollar etc. The Dollar would not be exchanged for other currencies or traded with different country's dollars having different values.  All Dollars would have the same value no matter the country of origin.  This would prevent international speculation and trading of the currency which has the effect of artificially inflating or devaluing currencies and causing havoc and distrust of currencies.

I respectfully suggest that the each country in the world could print sufficient currency to do daily business, pay wages to all workers through their employers, pay pensions, and to pay the military, amounts comparable to amounts earned in the United States or Germany.

The Central Reserve Bank of each country would control the amount of currency in circulation.  All Central Reserve Banks would work in cooperation with each other and through an International Central Reserve Bank.

Each country should retain enough of the printed money to pay for the operation of government.  It is recommended that the government of each country should be able to pay its expenses with 30% of the currency.  Each of the participating countries would eliminate all taxes on individuals and/or companies.

The United States of America could announce to the world that it is the first world power to do away with all taxes on its citizens and on business.  All earnings may be kept and all profits may be kept.

The Government could re-circulate money into the National Treasury by operating as a "for Profit Business" and providing some services directly to citizens for a fee.

• Government could become a direct lender on all Real Estate and collect interest on loans

• National "VISA and/or Master Card" that provided 10% interest on all credit

• All banks should become Government owned and operated to have complete control of all currency.

• Worn currency would be physically destroyed

• National Parks and Monuments would charge a nominal admission fee to generate profits

• profits from foreign trade

• Royalties on inventions and innovations from Government contracts and NASA

• Make coins, currency and stamps "Collectable" so some would be pulled out of circulation

• Government should take over all Postal Operations and earn money from postage

• Government should control all water, power and waste disposal companies for profit

The impact on the economies would be enormous and immediate.  

The people in participating countries would be encouraged to save and to use their savings to invest or to start businesses.

The Governments will have to keep an eye on prices and make sure that inflation is not allowed to increase.  The Governments have enough control to freeze prices and to make sure that individuals or companies who damage the system are stopped.

The Earth is a rich planet.  There are sufficient resources for all nations to enjoy a high standard of living.

Wages throughout the world should be raised, immediately, to meet International Minimum Wage Standards that should be set for all occupations.  International Minimum Wage Standards would set the low bench mark for wages.  Wages could be higher as bargained for by unions.

Teachers should be given the needed resources to do their work properly.

Workers and professionals should be respected as important contributors to the nation.

Government officials should be paid handsome salaries and bonuses for the work that they do on behalf of the nation.  Corruption would go away if everyone was suddenly to be paid reasonable wages that were comparable to world standards.  (The Government should provide the extra money needed to employers for payment to the workers and professionals for a period of three to five years.)

The increase of cash to the economy would allow profits to grow sufficiently so employers could continue to pay decent wages after government payments are stopped.

Any nation that refuses to accept International Dollars at the par level with other international currencies should be shunned and excluded from trade with the United States of America and Her Trading Partners.

The nations of the world do not need to ask for credit from any bank or nation.  Each nation using International Dollars may print all of the currency it needs to meet its needs for commerce because the currency is backed by the Good-Faith of each Nation's People.

I respectfully suggest that the United States of America invite the Russian Federation, China, Germany, Europe, Japan, former members of the Soviet Union, India and all nations of the world to join in the new International Dollar unit.

The world will see it as a chance to gain long overdue status and economic equality.  Many nations will join. 

Money is just a convenient way of moving goods and services from where they are to where they are needed.

• End Political Corruption by increasing salaries of officials and by changing each country's laws to allow elected and/or appointed government officials, agents and department officials to receive a bonus each time they close a deal or bring in a contract that is of benefit to the country and/or to the People of the country.

All nations should operate as profit making businesses.

• Profits made by the sale of national resources or on contracts involving international companies should be divided among

  • 30 % divided among elected officials and appointed officials of the Government

  • 20% retained to offset costs of government

  • 50% divided among each adult in the country as a profit share from the government (after all, each citizen is contributing a share of the natural resources of the nation that was used to make the profit)

·   End economic domination by money traders and banks by use of the International Dollar.

·   Within five years make the "International Dollar" and denominations of the "Dollar" the only monetary unit for Trade.

·   Each country could keep its current currency but add the single word "Dollar" to the currency.

·   Establish the dignity of all People, by recognizing the worth of their work, by instituting an International Minimum Wage for Unskilled Workers. (there should not be any "working poor" anywhere in the world)

• Provide that homemakers, regardless of gender, are doing useful work that supports the fabric of society, should receive wages as skilled workers.

  • Homemakers support workers and professionals in the general society who would not be able to make their contributions without the support received at home.

  • Homemakers do many useful and necessary jobs.  They shop, plan, cook, decorate, arrange - clean - and maintain clothing, educate the young, care for the elderly, maintain family finances, transport family members, clean and nurse family members, provide emotional and moral support, pass on family values, provide a source of Spiritual Strength, maintain and pass Culture to the next generation.

  • The minimum wage for homemakers should be the same as the minimum wage for a middle manager in industry.

·   Establish an International Minimum Wage for Skilled Workers and Professionals. (Professionals may make more than the IMW but not less)

American Bureau of Labor Statistics

Average Wages Paid

·   Eliminate International Debt by converting all current and future International Investment into profit sharing arrangements whereby the facilities, plants, improvements, chattels and machinery of production are the property of the country in which they are placed and/or are owned and operated by citizens of the country.

·   Provide that all profit sharing is based on the home country keeping 65% of the profits while the initial investment is outstanding..

·   Establish protection of the Environment while providing clean industry with proper waste disposal and/or recycling.

·   Provide for the safety of all workers.

·   Replace child labor and abuse with universal, free education in all countries from pre-school through graduate school for all qualified individuals.

·   Provide for humane care for the elderly, the children, the sick, the mentally incompetent, and the addicted.

·   Provide clean water, sewage treatment - conversion of human and animal waste into natural gas and fertilizer.

• Provide electricity and gas to every household as a free public service because electricity and gas come from the natural resources of the earth and the natural resources of the Earth belong to every resident of the planet.

·   Provide jobs for the entire population of healthy and willing workers by building or rebuilding infrastructure:

o        Roads

o        Bridges

o        Sewers

o        Plumbing

o        Housing

o        Water Treatment

o        Wells

o        Dams

o        Power Grids and Distribution

o        Airports

o        Storm Control Systems

o        Improving River Systems

o        Sustainable Industries

o        Reforestation

o        Harbors and Port Facilities

o        Soil Conservation

o        Communications Systems

o        Entertainment Centers

o        Parks

o        Nature Reserves

o        All Necessary Projects for the health and well-being of the population

·   Provide for Gender Parity for all elected officials including the highest offices in the land and the courts.

• Half of the elected and/or appointed offices should be held by men and the other half by women

• The office of President should be held by a woman for a single term and by a man for each alternate term.

• Each elected and/or appointed office should have a single term limit which would not exceed six years.

• Elected offices that are currently shorter than six years should be increased to six years.

• One third of all elective bodies should be replaced each two years.

• No elected official may serve in the same office for more than one term in his/her lifetime.

·    We recognize that countries that have limited Natural Resources may develop their Human Resources through education and technology to create better lives for their populations.

·   We herein proclaim that only citizens and companies, owned by citizens of a country, may own land within that country.  Foreign interests will have five years to transfer their ownership interests to the indigenous people or companies.

·   We fully appreciate that we are one planet.

·   When we represent two thirds of the Earth's Population, we will speak for Planet Earth.  Those who choose not to join us may be left without a voice and without markets.

PROFIT SHARING CONTRACTS INSTEAD OF DEBT

Proposed Profit Sharing Plan that includes the listed terms for future investment by companies wishing to do business:

• Technology, such as water treatment/purification, computer technology, agriculture techniques, health information, immunization against disease, sanitation techniques, humane population control and similar methods to benefit all of mankind and to improve the health of all people should be licensed and shared with the world
•  money invested will be invested in profit sharing contracts and not loans so the investments will not carry any interest
• all factories, improvements, chattels, machinery, goods and land remain the property of the country or of the country's citizens and/or companies
• money invested will be paid by using 20% per year of the profits on investments to repay the principle amounts of profit sharing contracts (No amount will be listed as a debt.)
• instead of interest, investors will receive 10%-15% of the profits on investments as a profit share for up to twenty-five years even after the initial investment is repaid
• there will be no upper limit on earnings that the 10%-15% of the profits may produce
• To insure profitability, all investments will have, in their contracts, arrangements for:
  • training, only as needed and requested, to operate and maintain new facilities, factories and technology
  •  installation of the latest technology for production,
  • the departure schedule for foreign workers, consultants and managers
  • provisions to protect the environment
  • provisions for the health and safety of all workers
  • wages and benefits for workers comparable to American/German/English workers in the same or similar occupations
  • the advance sale of the entire production either domestically or abroad  

  

We the Members and Supporters of Global Trade Consortium do herein unite with these common purposes for the good of all People and Nations.

·   We outlaw torture.

·   We outlaw war, except in self defense, but pretenses and excuses will be penalized    with death to the Heads of State making war.

• We recognize that individuals who would encourage others to go and to fight in a war or to sacrifice themselves as martyrs should be willing to martyr themselves before they sacrifice their children, women or men.

• Those who favor the war should be the first to go and to lead the troops if the cause is truly just and righteous.

• We recommend that no deity or God is in favor of the destruction caused by war.

·   We declare that no country is exempt from trial of its nationals for War Crimes and for Crimes against Humanity such as Genocide, Torture, Theft of State Treasure, Destruction of Internationally Valued Art or Religious Items or Destruction of the Environment.

·    We declare that arms makers are responsible and liable for damage done to civilians, after a conflict ends, by any and all weapons, mines and explosives.  (Explosives and gases should have a shelf life which causes them to go inert two years after being armed or activated)

We will use our Defense Forces to provide training and meaningful work to our young people by utilizing the armed forces, in peace time, to improve the country's infrastructure and to teach marketable skills to the members of the Defense Forces to better prepare them for the job market is civilian life.

·    We outlaw interest, including fees and charges, in excess of 10% as usury.

·    We outlaw dealing in narcotic and addictive drugs except as medicines.

• We recommend that opium, coca leaves and marijuana be purchased by the International Community directly from indigenous people at high market prices to keep the opium, coca leaves and marijuana out of the hands of illegal drug manufacturers.

  • Purchasing the raw drugs and plants directly from the indigenous growers would help to stabilize the economies.

  • Purchasing the raw drugs would be cheaper than the current search and destroy activities.

  • Purchasing the raw drugs would be less disruptive to the source countries than foreign interference, presence of troops and gang wars with drug dealers.

  • Drug dealers could abandon the illegal activity for honest agriculture and trade.

  • The purchased opium, coca leaves and marijuana could then be transformed into legal medicines by reputable pharmaceutical companies.  Growers would make excellent return for their work and the illegal market would disappear.

  • Individuals who persist in selling drugs illegally should receive life in prison or the death penalty where the country deems it appropriate.

  • Provisions must be made to maintain regular production of food crops so drug crops do not become the only agricultural product or export of a country.

·   We outlaw piracy in Space, in the air, on land or at sea.

·   We outlaw the maiming of women and children that mutilates or cripples or reduces sexual potential or gratification.

• We outlaw infanticide to produce a boy for Cultural Reasons such as caring for elderly parents or avoiding a girl because the family is unable to afford a dowry.

  • We offer as an alternative - Government care for the elderly in the form of retirement pensions that provide a living income for the past contributions to society by the elderly.

  • We offer as an alternative

    • Laws that fix the dowry of a girl at a very low amount so even poor families can afford the dowry.

    • In Addition, the Government should provide a Gift of Congratulations in an amount suitable for a dowry to each young woman who is going to get married and preserve the family structure for the country.

·   We outlaw terrorism, murder, and all violent crimes.

·   We outlaw cheating, trickery for gain at the expense of others and stealing.

·   We endorse the right of each adult in a society to vote on laws and leaders.

·   We agree that individual freedom, medical care, basic food, clean water, clothing, education,  and shelter are Rights.

·   We will seek to protect Privacy of the Individual in the Workplace, at Home and in the Community as a Right.

• We object to and will control, limit and monitor the use of municipal and private security cameras and/or listening devices that are placed on public streets and in buildings.

• No such security devices may be placed in private living quarters, restrooms, dressing rooms or in any place of an intimate or personally secure nature.

• No such devices may be placed in the workplace of any worker, professional or service person because such constant monitoring causes stress.

• We agree to respect the Religious Freedom of all people provided that no person is coerced into a Religion or put into immediate danger by their stated Religious practice.  
  • Human sacrifice, war in the name of Religion and cannibalism are not acceptable.
• We endorse, as a reasonable course all of the above goals and objectives and will implement them in our country in an orderly manner as soon as possible.

Nigerian "Advance Fee Fraud" Schemes

The U.S. Secret Service has set up a task force addressing Nigerian "Advance Fee Fraud" schemes. In these schemes, someone pretending to be a Nigerian official or business-person asks ordinary individuals and companies to help move millions of dollars out of Nigeria in exchange for high, hassle-free profits. The fraudsters solicit investors through mass mailings, faxes, phone calls, and e-mails.

If you have suffered a financial loss from one of these schemes, please contact your local U.S. Secret Service Field Office. You can find the nearest office on the Secret Services website.

If you have not lost any money, but received a solicitation, please send the information by e-mail at 419.fcd@usss.treas.gov or fax at (202) 406-6930.

For more information about the Nigerian "Advance Fee Fraud" schemes, please read the U.S. Secret Service's alert posted on its website. The U.S. Department of State also has tips for those traveling to Nigeria on business.

 http://www.sec.gov/answers/nigeria.htm 

PUBLIC AWARENESS ADVISORY REGARDING "4-1-9" OR "ADVANCE FEE FRAUD" SCHEMES

4-1-9 Schemes frequently use the following tactics:

• An individual or company receives a letter or fax from an alleged "official" representing a foreign government or agency;
• An offer is made to transfer millions of dollars in "over invoiced contract" funds into your personal bank account;
• You are encouraged to travel overseas to complete the transaction;
• You are requested to provide blank company letterhead forms, banking account information, telephone/fax numbers;
• You receive numerous documents with official looking stamps, seals and logo testifying to the authenticity of the proposal;
• Eventually you must provide up-front or advance fees for various taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees or bribes;
• Other forms of 4-1-9 schemes include: c.o.d. of goods or services, real estate ventures, purchases of crude oil at reduced prices, beneficiary of a will, recipient of an award and paper currency conversion.

If you have already lost funds in pursuit of the above described scheme, please contact the U.S. Secret Service in Washington, D.C. at 202-406-5572 or by e-mail.

Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud Overview

The perpetrators of Advance Fee Fraud (AFF), known internationally as "4-1-9" fraud after the section of the Nigerian penal code which addresses fraud schemes, are often very creative and innovative.

Unfortunately, there is a perception that no one is prone to enter into such an obviously suspicious relationship. However, a large number of victims are enticed into believing they have been singled out from the masses to share in multi-million dollar windfall profits for doing absolutely nothing. It is also a misconception that the victim's bank account is requested so the culprit can plunder it -- this is not the primary reason for the account request -- merely a signal they have hooked another victim.

• In almost every case there is a sense of urgency;
• The victim is enticed to travel to Nigeria or a border country;
• There are many forged official looking documents;
• Most of the correspondence is handled by fax or through the mail;
• Blank letterheads and invoices are requested from the victim along with the banking particulars;
• Any number of Nigerian fees are requested for processing the transaction with each fee purported to be the last required;
• The confidential nature of the transaction is emphasized;
• There are usually claims of strong ties to Nigerian officials;
• A Nigerian residing in the U.S., London or other foreign venue may claim to be a clearing house bank for the Central Bank of Nigeria;
• Offices in legitimate government buildings appear to have been used by impostors posing as the real occupants or officials.

The most common forms of these fraudulent business proposals fall into seven main categories:

• Disbursement of money from wills
• Contract fraud (C.O.D. of goods or services)
• Purchase of real estate
• Conversion of hard currency
• Transfer of funds from over invoiced contracts
• Sale of crude oil at below market prices

The most prevalent and successful cases of Advance Fee Fraud is the fund transfer scam. In this scheme, a company or individual will typically receive an unsolicited letter by mail from a Nigerian claiming to be a senior civil servant. In the letter, the Nigerian will inform the recipient that he is seeking a reputable foreign company or individual into whose account he can deposit funds ranging from $10-$60 million that the Nigerian government overpaid on some procurement contract.

The criminals obtain the names of potential victims from a variety of sources including trade journals, professional directories, newspapers, and commercial libraries. They do not target a single company, but rather send out mailings en masse. The sender declares that he is a senior civil servant in one of the Nigerian Ministries, usually the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The letters refer to investigations of previous contracts awarded by prior regimes alleging that many contracts were over invoiced. Rather than return the money to the government, they desire to transfer the money to a foreign account. The sums to be transferred average between $10,000,000 to $60,000,000 and the recipient is usually offered a commission up to 30 percent for assisting in the transfer.

Initially, the intended victim is instructed to provide company letterheads and pro forma invoicing that will be used to show completion of the contract. One of the reasons is to use the victim's letterhead to forge letters of recommendation to other victim companies and to seek out a travel visa from the American Embassy in Lagos. The victim is told that the completed contracts will be submitted for approval to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Upon approval, the funds will be remitted to an account supplied by the intended victim.

The goal of the criminal is to delude the target into thinking that he is being drawn into a very lucrative, albeit questionable, arrangement. The intended victim must be reassured and confident of the potential success of the deal. He will become the primary supporter of the scheme and willingly contribute a large amount of money when the deal is threatened. The term "when" is used because the con-within-the-con is the scheme will be threatened in order to persuade the victim to provide a large sum of money to save the venture.

The letter, while appearing transparent and even ridiculous to most, unfortunately is growing in its effectiveness. It sets the stage and is the opening round of a two-layered scheme or scheme within a scheme. The fraudster will eventually reach someone who, while skeptical, desperately wants the deal to be genuine.

Victims are almost always requested to travel to Nigeria or a border country to complete a transaction. Individuals are often told that a visa will not be necessary to enter the country. The Nigerian con artists may then bribe airport officials to pass the victims through Immigration and Customs. Because it is a serious offense in Nigeria to enter without a valid visa, the victim's illegal entry may be used by the fraudsters as leverage to coerce the victims into releasing funds. Violence and threats of physical harm may be employed to further pressure victims. In June of 1995, an American was murdered in Lagos, Nigeria, while pursuing a 4-1-9 scam, and numerous other foreign nationals have been reported as missing.

Victims are often convinced of the authenticity of Advance Fee Fraud schemes by the forged or false documents bearing apparently official Nigerian government letterhead, seals, as well as false letters of credit, payment schedules and bank drafts. The fraudster may establish the credibility of his contacts, and thereby his influence, by arranging a meeting between the victim and "government officials" in real or fake government offices.

In the next stage some alleged problem concerning the "inside man" will suddenly arise. An official will demand an up-front bribe or an unforeseen tax or fee to the Nigerian government will have to be paid before the money can be transferred. These can include licensing fees, registration fees, and various forms of taxes and attorney fees. Normally each fee paid is described as the very last fee required. Invariably, oversights and errors in the deal are discovered by the Nigerians, necessitating additional payments and allowing the scheme to be stretched out over many months.

Several reasons have been submitted why Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud has undergone a dramatic increase in recent years. The explanations are as diverse as the types of schemes. The Nigerian Government blames the growing problem on mass unemployment, extended family systems, a get rich quick syndrome, and, especially, the greed of foreigners.

Indications are that Advance Fee Fraud grosses hundreds of millions of dollars annually and the losses are continuing to escalate. In all likelihood, there are victims who do not report their losses to authorities due to either fear or embarrassment.

In response to this growing epidemic, the United States Secret Service established "Operation 4-1-9" designed to target Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud on an international basis. The Financial Crimes Division of the Secret Service receives approximately 100 telephone calls from victims/potential victims and 300-500 pieces of related correspondence per day.

Secret Service agents have been assigned on a temporary basis to the American Embassy in Lagos to address the problem in that arena. Agents have established liaison with Nigerian officials, briefed other embassies on the widespread problem, and have assisted in the extrication of U.S. citizens in distress.

If you have been victimized by one of these schemes, please forward appropriate written documentation to the United States Secret Service, Financial Crimes Division, 950 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20223, or telephone 202-406-5572, or contact by e-mail.

If you have received a letter, but have not lost any monies to this scheme, please fax a copy of that letter to (202) 406-5031.

A few weeks earlier, a man had come into the office supply store on the Cleveland Square and wired $6,000 to Nigeria. He told the clerk and store associate he had sold a car to someone there and was wiring the change from the check he had received for the car. He returned a few hours later, told the copy store employees he had been scammed, and stopped the wire.

So, when a another individual of Mossy Creek came in and was planning to wire the same amount of money, the store clerk knew she had to speak up.

“I saw she had something off the Internet and I asked her, ‘I don’t mean to be nosey, but does this have anything to do with Nigeria?’” the clerk said. “We warned her about what happened to the other guy who had come in here.”

The customer chose not to wire the money and re-deposited the money into the bank account where a cashier’s check for $7,600 had recently cleared. One of the more secure forms of checks, cashier’s checks are usually treated like cash. This scam and others like are in high circulation, particularly on the Internet, White County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy said. This scam succeeds because contains just enough believability to appear legitimate. In this instance, the cashier’s check made the transaction seem legitimate.

Just ask a former news reporter who usually knows how to spot a fake. Now a horse breeder and stable owner, she has sold a number of horses and several months ago listed an Arabian colt on the Internet for sale.

“I put him on the Internet to sell on a horse site. I didn’t hear anything until a month ago and I got an e-mail from an individual and he said he was very interested in the colt and to send him more information. He was a polo player. “I sent the information, including blood lines. He said the price was fine and that he had a client in the U.S. that owed him $7,600. What he wanted to do was have that guy send me a cashier’s check and then I would wire him, via Western Union, the approximately $6,000 more than I needed for the horse. I said, ‘That’s kind of strange, why not do it the other way?’”

The buyer said the transfer of funds would be quicker if it originated in the U.S. If his client sent the money to Nigeria and then he sent the money to horse owner, he said, it would slow the transaction. The buyer said he would use the money to pay for transportation of the colt to Nigeria. The horse seller agreed, saying she would not wire the money until the check had cleared.

The $7,600 check, which bore a Bank of America logo and came international air via Federal Express from Victoria Island, arrived two days later.

“I wrote him back and said I got the check and I was going to deposit it, fully expecting it to clear,” the horse owner said.

When she went to the bank the next day, the funds were not available. The check, bank officials told her, did not read as a cashier’s check. The bank advised her to wait another six days to be certain the check would clear.

Six days later, the funds were in horse owner’s account, so she made the withdrawal and headed to Georgia Copiers to wire the change.

That’s when the store clerk intervened and told horse owner about the phony car deal.

“I packed up my toys and went back to my bank and re-deposited the money. I called every day to see if the money was still there. It took two weeks for the check to be returned."  “It was really interesting to go through it, but fortunately I wasn’t out anything but time.”

In the meantime, she e-mailed the buyer, told him there was a problem with the check. At first he angrily demanded she send the money, saying he had a financial problem to resolve. He sent a final e-mail and has not contacted the horse seller again.

Had she wired the money during the two weeks it took for the check to bounce, she would have lost $6,000, not to mention the cost of wiring the money.

“She was very fortunate."  “The laws governing what can go on, on the Internet are very weak or nonexistent. Folks have to be wary any time they receive something from a foreign government. Folks need to look at their e-mail or their regular postal mail very carefully.”

Avoid giving out personal identification data, particularly on the Internet or e-mail because it’s real easy for folks to take advantage of that information, open credit card accounts and spend money.

“It happens frequently all across the country".

Copyright 2002 White County News Telegram

Contact Global Trade Consortium

GLOBAL TRADE CONSORTIUM IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE

GLOBAL TRADE CONSORTIUM DOES HEREIN ADOPT, IN FULL,

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS PRESENTED IN MANY LANGUAGES