Nigerian 419 Scam
57How it begins
Have you ever received an email that starts off like this:
FROM THE DESK OF MR. NICHOLAS MANTU AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING MANEGER,
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK
ACCRA GHANA.
DEAR FRIEND,
I AM THE MANAGER OF AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING AT THE FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK. IN MY DEPARTMENT WE DISCOVERED AN ABANDONED SUM OF US$4.5M DOLLARS (FOUR MILLON FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) IN AN ACCOUNT THAT BELONGS TO ONE OF OUR FOREIGN CUSTOMER (MR. ANDREAS SCHRANNER FROM MUNICH, GERMANY) WHO DIED ALONG WITH HIS ENTIRE FAMILY IN JULY 2000 IN A PLANE CRASH.
Notice how it is all in capital letters and in bold!
This is how the scam works, they send you an email requesting you to cash a large check and for doing so you will receive a portion of the large amount.
Reality is that large check will eventually bounce and your out the entire amount of the check!
Don't fall for it!
You can find the truth and answers to this scam at these websites.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/nigeria.asp snopes is also a great resource to check out other frauds.
http://www.scambusters.org/NigerianFee.html
http://www.419eater.com/ this website has some great and funny stories on how to 'play' the scammers game called baiting.
http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Business/nigerian.htm
About Chat Rooms
When your in a chat room they like to prey on the innocent victims here as well! Here are some tips to recongize them:
- They will ask you if you are married, and if you say you are single they want to know why.
- They usually state that they are business owners, business men, or students.
- When these people use computers it is normally at a computer cafe in their country and they are paying to use the computer per hour or half hour.
- If you ignore them for more then a few seconds they will start using the BUZZ button alot!
- The are not familiar with american slang very well.
The best thing to do.
When you recieve these emails the best thing to do is to delete it! Some of the websites above do have some great stories of 'baiting' but I would'nt recommend it.
You can of course forward it to the authorities here if you would like:
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm
or you can delete it. Either way, it would be best not to fall for the scam!
Keep yourself informed of the latest news so you won't be one of there victims!!
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babarushe says:
10 months ago
It is a very pathetic and challenging issue although it is a global issue. I have received a lot of them but I easily discover the purpose.
It might interest you that I have lived and worked in Nigeria for over 9 years and have followed up on these cyber crimes in the metropolitan cities here that I have severally been to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established by the Nigerian Government to crush these scammers.
The Nigerian Government with this Commission has crushed many young men even now as i write many are in the trap of EFCC.
From my research, most of the scams originate from young men between 15 and 30 who use the cyber cafes to perpetrate their heinous crimes.
Most of these guys are school drop-outs and street urchins who don't believe in hard work, decency and self responsibility.
Also, most of the mails originate from the neighboring countries as if it comes from Nigeria.Beware of any website that sells any product online and verify intelligently any information, design and structure of any corporate website you have dealings with.
Corporate websites are being pirated and you may not know the differences.Handle your personal details including your phone number and credit card as if your life depends on them.
I must also say that there are dependable and responsible business men and women in Nigeria which I see as the wheat and I have done and still do business with them.
Just be cautious in all your dealings and you would never be hacked.
http://hubpages.com/profile/babarushe