Attorney victim of Internet fraud

CENTENNIAL - A Littleton attorney has become the latest victim of a Nigerian Internet scam. Now, the 18th Judicial District Attorney is warning others they too could be victims.

District Attorney Carol Chambers says e-mails were sent out to attorney Jim McDonough's e-mail distribution list with his name and business leader head.

The e-mail claims McDonough is in Nigeria and had his money stolen by armed robbers. It goes on to ask recipients of the e-mail to wire $3,000 or whatever they can spare so he can pay his hotel bill and return to the United States. It then states he'll repay the money as soon as he returns to the U.S.

Chambers says someone was able to plant malicious software in McDonough's computer. This software enabled the criminal to take control of the computer and use the e-mail distribution list to send fake e-mails.

Investigators say McDonough is having his computer system checked for unwanted software and is notifying everyone on his e-mail list of the scam.

Officials recommend the following tips to protect yourself and your personal information:

1. Have all computers, business and personal, protected with virus protection, firewall and spyware.

2. Never open any e-mails if you don't recognize the sender.

3. Never wire money to anyone, even someone you know, without verifying in advance that you are dealing with the real person.