Police are warning Bermudians not to fall for an advanced fee fraud circulating the Island by someone claiming to be the son of alleged war criminal Charles Taylor.

Hundreds of residents have received letters — bearing a Tanzanian postage stamp — stating the former Liberian president, and dictator, Mr. Taylor needs their help.

The letter states: "I am the son of former President of Liberian, a country in the west of Africa. My father is currently being held against his will by the United Nations for alleged offences of war crimes.

"My father is a good man who tried to do so much for our people Liberians."

Mr. Taylor Sr. is accused of funding Sierra Leone's former rebels, the Revolutionary United Front by selling diamonds on their behalf and buying weapons for them. The charges against him include murder, raped, terrorising a civilian population and use of child soldiers. The UN's International Criminal Court is expected to deliver a verdict in 2011.

Mr. Taylor Jr., who allegedly wrote the letter, was convicted of torture in 2009 and imprisoned in the US in 2008 for 97 years.

The letter being delivered into mailboxes around the Island claims Mr. Taylor Sr. has $177 million in a US bank vault under the name of the individual the letter is addressed to.

The letter advises the recipient to fax Mr. Taylor Jr. their contact information for details on where to make the bank transaction.

Yesterday, a Police spokesman said: "These letters are sent out by the thousands and the culprits simply download addresses from online telephone directories; in other words those receiving the letters have not been individually targeted by the scammers. Advanced fee scams involve the victims sending money in order to obtain fictitious awards or inheritance.

"Once again, members of the public are advised to be extremely cautious when sending funds to persons who have contacted them unexpectedly, especially via the Internet or to persons whose identity cannot be properly established."