Attorney General's News Release

January 7, 2005

Nixon warns of e-mail scams exploiting generosity for tsunami relief efforts

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today said Missourians who donate to relief efforts for victims of the southeast Asia tsunami and earthquake should give wisely, as well as generously.

This week, Nixon's office received a report of an apparent e-mail scam seeking to exploit the natural disaster. The e-mail reported to the Attorney General was sent to a state e-mail account.

The e-mail, under the subject line, "Tsunami Victims Aids Appeal," purports to be directly from a survivor in the area of Indonesia hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami. The sender, "Mr. Teh Ho," describes the devastation and asks the recipient to send donations directly to a specific bank account at the Korea Exchange Bank in Seoul, South Korea. Nixon said it is likely there are other e-mail scam attempts using different subject lines and sender names.

"Missourians want to help the people of southeast Asia who have been impacted by this disaster, and there are many legitimate ways to make certain your donation is helping in the way you intend," Nixon says. "This e-mail scam is not one of those ways, and I want to make certain the good intentions of Missourians are not hijacked by scams like this."

Nixon said Missourians can best help the tsunami victims by donating to established charities that have the resources in place to send aid overseas.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

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