Scams - 'Nigerian letters'

'Nigerian letter' scams are letters or emails from an African address offering to share a huge sum of money that will be placed in your bank account. You are asked to give your bank account details and to pay an upfront fee of several thousand pounds for 'administration'.

 

This scam is often called the 'Nigerian letter fraud' or '419 fraud' and, as well as Nigeria, letters have also been sent from Sierra Leone, South Africa and the Ivory Coast.

 

How does it work?

 

You will receive a letter, fax or email from someone who says they need help in transferring money overseas, usually US$20-30 million. Typically, the writer claims to be a senior government official, an accountant with a state owned corporation, or perhaps a relative of a deposed or dead politician.

 

The writer will tell you he needs to transfer his cash to a bank in your country, and if you let him use your bank account you can keep a big slice for yourself, usually 25 or 30 per cent.

 

If you reply and give your banking and personal details, you will be sent fake bank statements and similar documents, all intended to prove that the money exists and is heading your way. It doesn't, and it isn't.

 

 

What if I go along with it?

There are many risks involved in getting caught up with this type of scam:

· the perpetrators will use the information you have given them to empty your bank account

· you might be convinced to send cash up front - you could lose your savings, and maybe your home as well.

In extreme cases, they might decide you, your family or your company have real money, and will then invite you to meet them, usually in Nigeria but sometimes South Africa. Once there, you might be kidnapped, held to ransom, and possibly murdered.

 

 

What should I do?

If you get one of these letters or emails, do not reply. Throw them away or delete them.  You can send emails to the Internet Service Provider from where the scam email originated. These mails should be addressed in the following way (depending on the ISP): abuse@'the ISP name, for example - abuse@yahoo.com

The ISPs can then close any accounts that abuse their systems.

   Nigerian 419 E-Mail Scams

 TURNING THE TABLES:

  SCAMBAITING THEM

    www.419eater.com/

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