This thread is for discussing or sharing about how to avoid this scam.

http://www.snowbirdhelper.com/scam1.htm

Do not ever call back to an 809 area code. Follow the link above to find out why and how this scam works.

the area code 809, which has some quite legal numbers, too, according to snoopes. Wait a minute and I'll add info that I've got today! (And I'll check if I ever introduced myself in this group, too...)

BTW - the group rules are awesome!

Below info I got in a forward today:
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp
ABOUT AREA CODE
We actually received a call last week from the 809 area code. The woman said "Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed you--get back to us quickly. I Have something important to tell you."
Then she repeated a phone number beginning with 809 .
 "We didn't respond".
Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
Subject: DONT DIAL AREA CODE 809 , 284 AND 876
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T. DON'T DIAL AREA CODE 809
This one is being distributed all over the US . This is pretty
scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call.
Be sure you read this and pass it on.
They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a
family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has-been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc.
In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.
If you call from the US , you will apparently be charged $2425
per-minute.
Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges.
Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, you'll often be charged more than $24,100.00.
WHY IT WORKS:
The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands (The
Bahamas). the dominican actually...
The charges afterwards can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.
Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and
colleagues to help them become aware of this scam.

Sandi Van Handel
AT&T Field Service Manager
(920)687-904
Additional information on these area codes can be found from ATT at:
http://www.consumer.att.com/consumertips/areacode.html

...the info from the snoopes-link above - they are aware of this forward, and say it has circulated for long on the Internet, and that it is indeed a real scam!
First they give a copy of a letter like the one above, but scroll down and check the somewhat more balanced points, still effectively a warning (!), that snoopes make public on their site.
Play it safe! Forward, please, and help others not to be too gullible!

HI I AM FROM MEXICO, MEET THIS PERSON ON THE SITE TAGGED.COM HIS NAME..HALL BRUCE 49 YEARS..HE SAID HE IS FROM USA..I HAVE REASON TU BE AWARE BECAUSE HE ASKED ME FOR MONEY THAT HE WANTED TO SEND IT TO HIS DAUGTHER IN NIGERIA...I GET SUSPICIOS IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME HOW TO GIVE SOMEONE THE PHONE NUMBERS HE CALLED ME ALWAYS FROM DIFFERENT NUMBERS THAT START WITH 554, 777, 771 724

IF SOMEONE KNOW ANY TIPS TO DENUNCIATE THIS PERSON OR NUMBERS.