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Nigerian Letter Scams Have New Twists
One of the nation's longest-running scams is taking on new twists. Known as Nigerian letter scams, these "fund transfer" or more commonly called, "money laundering schemes", reach intended victims by fax, letter or email. Your BBB receives copies of these almost daily!
The sender, who claims to be a government official or member of a royal family, requests assistance in transferring millions of dollars of excess money out of Nigeria and promises to pay the person for his or her help. The message is always of an urgent, private nature.
Those willing to assist are asked to provide their banking account number (for "safekeeping" the funds) and Social Security number, birth date, or other personal information. Or they are asked to send money to the letter-sender for taxes and various fees.
Victims never see thir money again and the con artist obtains the ability to empty their bank account and/or steal their identity.
Variations of this con are attracting the attention of a new batch of victims! The BBB advises you to be leery of the following:
Beneficiary of a will
An email claims that you are the named beneficiary in a will, to inherit an estate worth a million or more. Your personal financial information is needed to "prove" that you are the beneficiary and to speed the transfer of your inheritance.
Bogus cashier's checks
People who have advertised an item for sale on the internet are contacted by an interested buyer from Africa or another country, who sends a counterfeit cashier's check or international money order for an amount much larger than the asking price. His explanation varies as to why the amount is that large. Nonetheless, the seller is asked to deposit the check into his or her banking account, and wire the difference to the purchaser. Those victims that do not wait for the bank to verify the legitimacy of the check, and wire the money as requested, can end up losing thousands of dollars. Be aware that it can take a week or more for banks to receive word that a check is fake.
Donation solicitations
Some emails request "donations" to fight an evil government or dictatorship in Africa. The sender requests the recipient's bank account in order to withdraw the donation directly from the bank and obtain immediate access to the "much-needed" contribution.
Fake web sites
The scam artist sets up a fake online bank and "deposits" the millions of dollars referenced in his pitch. When the victim starts expressing doubt about the existence or size of the fund transfer that is to take place, he or she is directed to the site, which shows a multi-million dollar deposit.
Consumers can take steps to protect themselves against the Nigerian letter scams and its variations.
If you receive a suspicious letter from Nigeria, or any other country, the BBB suggests you immediately delete or throw it away.
If you have already responded to such a plea, or if you know someone who is corresponding in this scheme, contact the U.S. Secret Service as soon as possible at 202.406.5572 or email, 419.fcd@usss.treas.gov
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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"faxed" letter received by BBB 03/04/04
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These alerts are intended for the sole use of the current members of the Better Business Bureau of the South Plains as well as their employees. Reference to or mention of any company, product or service is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product or service, but as information from sources believed to be reliable, for the CONFIDENTIAL use of the aforementioned members and their employees. CONTENTS MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION.
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