Avoiding Internet Pitfalls: Nigerian Letter scams
Among the most dangerous types of spam e-mail are Nigerian Letter scams, named for the West African country from which many of the messages originate. Nigerian Letter scams are a form of Advance Fee Fraud, in which victims are conned into sending a fee up front in order to receive a promised larger payoff later. Nigerian Letter scams are sometimes also called 419 letters after the specific section of the Criminal Code of Nigeria which applies to these deceptions.
While the details of Nigerian Letter messages may vary, the scam is always essentially the same: a fictional wealthy individual asks for assistance moving millions of dollars out of his country, promising a substantial share of the funds as compensation for helping with the transfer. If the target of the scam responds and is willing to help, the con-man then provides reasons why a fee up front is needed, or requests the target’s bank details so the transfer can take place… but in either instance, the victim loses any fees sent and may lose the entire balance of his bank account as well. And of course, the promised share of millions is never provided, as it is simply bait used to lure the victim.
A variant of the same type of fraud may indicate that the recipient of the message has won a large sum of money in a foreign lottery, and bank account and personal details are requested so the winnings can be transferred. But of course, to those who respond to such messages, the only funds transferred go out of the victims’ accounts and into the con man’s hands.
These scams are not new; by some accounts this type of fraud dates back to the 1920’s in the form of postal mail and later by faxes, and recently by way of electronic mail as well. The victims are many; by some estimates, losses total in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
To protect yourself from these types of scams, never respond to a suspected Nigerian Letter. If you respond, even if you do not follow through with fees or bank details, you can bet that your e-mail address will be shared with others who will try to scam you again, keeping your inbox full of unwanted messages.
For more information and numerous examples of the creative messages used to try to lure unsuspecting victims, the following website is a great online resource: http://www.svbizlaw.com/nigerian.419.letters.htm
Another online educational resource on the types of Nigerian Letter fraud is available here: http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/
And here is one more online source of information to help you identify and avoid these fraudulent schemes: http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/nigeria.asp
The best way to avoid becoming a victim of these cons is simply to be informed, so you’ll know what to be on the watch for, and be suspicious… if you receive an offer in an unsolicited message that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t fall prey to a con man offering the lure of easy money, no matter how many millions he promises you.