West Africa.

Spokesperson Evelyn James Barnett said the letters, from Nigeria and Ghana, ask for assistance in transferring funds out of the country.

Recipients were advised against giving out requested account numbers or providing a sample of a signature which could be used in scams.

In the past the letters were only sent to businesses, Mrs. James Barnett said, but homes were now being targeted.

Commercial Crime officers advised anyone who chose to respond to the letter writer to do so with caution.

To date 333 letters have been reported to the Commercial Crime Unit, Mrs.

James Barnett said. This was down from 500 the same time last year.

For more information on how to deal with the letters or to bring them to the attention of the Commercial Crime Unit, contact P.c. Gary Wilson on 299-4351.