Investor protectors warn of Web scam targeting victims of Bernard Madoff
By APTuesday, March 9, 2010
Agency warns of Web scam targeting Madoff victims
NEW YORK — Internet con artists appear to be targeting victims of Bernard Madoff.
The Securities Investor Protection Corporation warned Tuesday that someone had set up a bogus Web site in an attempt to trick Madoff victims into turning over confidential financial information.
The site mimics the legitimate one set up by the agency and purports to belong to the International Securities Investor Protection Corporation. It offers victims a chance to apply for $1.3 billion in cash recovered from a Madoff “hideout.”
The group claims to be based in Geneva, but records show the site to be registered to an address in Lagos, Nigeria.
SIPC said it is trying to have the site shut down.
Madoff is in prison for orchestrating an epic scheme that wiped out life savings and entire charities.
