Internet Scams - The Nigerian Bank Scam : Kenneth Ojua

I had heard about the "Nigerian Scam" - (also known as the 419 scam) - a few years back and assumed most people knew about this Internet scam - usually perpetrated through a persons email account. You know, those emails you get asking you to help someone from another country cash their checks here, using your bank account then sending them the money back via western union (There are many variations)

Like I said, I had assumed most people knew about this scam, and was quite shocked tonight to find out that a very close friend of mine had just been duped out of his life savings several weeks ago through the very same scam.

This was very very troubling for me because had I known he was looking into doing this I would have absolutely steered him clear of this internet email scam, and possibly saved him alot of heartache and the loss of all his money.

The Nigerian or 419 scam letter has many variations. Names and stories can vary greatly but the bottom line is that you will be asked to transfer funds for someone. Here are some "*snippets" from one of the more popular letters that get sent out to thousands of email recipients every day. If you get a letter like this "BUYER BEWARE!!!!":

Dear Sir:

* I have been requested by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company to contact you for assistance in resolving a matter. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company has recently concluded a large number of contracts for oil exploration in the sub-Sahara region. The contracts have immediately produced moneys equalling US$40,000,000. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company is desirous of oil exploration in other parts of the world, however, because of certain regulations of the Nigerian Government, it is unable to move these funds to another region.

* However, to be a legitimate transferee of these moneys according to Nigerian law, you must presently be a depositor of at least US$100,000 in a Nigerian bank which is regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

* Please call me at your earliest convenience at [Phone Number]. Time is of the essence in this matter; very quickly the Nigerian Government will realize that the Central Bank is maintaining this amount on deposit, and attempt to levy certain depository taxes on it.

Yours truly, etc.

Ben Ahore

Unfortunately my friend apparently has no recourse. Not only did he lose his life savings but he is in trouble with his bank now too - because of all the bad check charges that have came back on him. He did contact the police but they said there was nothing they could do - that basically it was his fault for "falling" for it.

So a word of caution to those that get any kind of email that even slightly remind you of the one I've posted. DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE TYPE OF EMAILS. This is only a scam. There are no get rich quick schemes in life - so if something seems to be good to be true it probably is!

THE FIVE RULES FOR DOING BUSINESS WITH NIGERIA

(Courtesy of The 419 Coalition)

1. NEVER pay anything up front for ANY reason.
2. NEVER extend credit for ANY reason.
3. NEVER do ANYTHING until their check clears.
4. NEVER expect ANY help from the Nigerian Government.
5. NEVER rely on YOUR Government to bail you out.

Internet scams are always out there but you don't have to be a victim!

(Dorsi is a freelance writer and blogger on the Internet. If this article has been helpful a thumbs up would be appreciated!)