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Nigerian scam continues to thrive

Discussion in 'Computers & Technology Forum' started by bb_baptist, Mar 7, 2003.

  1. bb_baptist

    bb_baptist New Member

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    Two new flavors of the age-old Nigerian e-mail scam are making the rounds, and at least one of them appears to be gaining traction. Hundreds of victims have recently fallen for a variation that plays upon people’s misunderstanding about how bank cashier’s checks work. Meanwhile, other scammers are trying to take advantage of heightened interest in Iraq, posing as frightened Iraqis trying to move money out of that country before hostilities begin. The scam also took a deadly turn last month, when a victim in the Czech Republic allegedly shot and killed a Nigerian diplomat after losing his life savings to the scam.

    IT’S LIKELY THE world’s most pervasive e-mail scam. There are hundreds of variations, but the theme is the same: a rich Nigerian national needs help moving funds out of the country. Victims are told they will earn a large percentage of a million-dollar fortune simply by offering their bank account as a temporary holding place for the money. Naturally, the thieves, who generally are from Nigeria, merely raid the participants’ financial accounts.

    The scam is old and widely known, but it still works. Earlier this month, the United Kingdom’s National Criminal Intelligence Service said that about 150 British citizens had been fooled by the scam, losing a total of £8.4 million (about $13.5 million), according to The Scotsman, a British newspaper.
     
  2. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    I got one yesterday wanting to donate $3 million dollars to 'my ministry'... if I would just forward all my bank info to her atty. She's dying of some rare disease and doesn't want the heathen in her country to get her money. I sent it right to those in charge! And I sure could have used that money....... LOL
     
  3. DanielFive

    DanielFive New Member

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    Diane, I got the same e-mail about a month ago, there must be a few $3m rewards available, [​IMG] [​IMG]

    It just shows how widespread these scams are, it makes you wonder where they get the e-mail addresses.
     
  4. MissAbbyIFBaptist

    MissAbbyIFBaptist <img src=/3374.jpg>

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    I've gotton one from the one you described Diane, and one about a guy who'd died and they wanted me to pose as a family member. {yeap, but me and this guy really resemble one another... ;) } Told both of em if they didn't leave me alone, I'd call the police. My friend from church, Nicole got one two, and her parent's did call the police!
    Oh, after I forwarded my invite to talk with the police to the nuts, I then blocked them from my e-mail address.
    There are ways to handle things! [​IMG] [​IMG]
    Although I wish it was stopped.
     
  5. InHim2002

    InHim2002 New Member

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    actually this is not how the scam works - here is an overview of how it works:

    - you recieve an e-mail, letter or fax from someone with a large amount of money that they need to transfer out of the country and they offer you a percentage if you allow them to use your bank account

    - you provide the details to them and the deal looks like it is kicking off

    - they then explain that they need some money up front - usually because of some taxes that they have to pay, or someone that they have to bribe, or buy gifts for etc etc there are thousands of variations but they basically request cash from you

    - you send the money safe in the knowledge that you will be able to recover the expense when the huge sum of promised cash hits you bank account

    - something else comes up

    - repeat the last two until either you run out of cash or realise that you are being duped.

    There are a number of people that correspond with these conmen and the letters are usually pretty funny and give a good overview f how the scams work - here is a good site - http://sweetchillisauce.com/nigeria.html
     
  6. RebelBaptist

    RebelBaptist New Member

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    Oh my! Oh my, I am in absolute pain!

    That website link has got to be the FUNNIEST thing I have ever read on the internet!

    I tell you, I am still picking myself off of the floor after almost splitting my sides from laughing!!!

    I cannot begin to tell you just how many of those Nigerian scams I have received. But now, I just may try to lead them on like those on this website, and just see how long I can go until they catch on that I am pulling their leg.

    Then again, such a thing may be best left to professionals like these guys.

    But thank you so much for that link! I haven't laughed so hard in ages.

    From the Southland,
    Rebel [&gt;&lt;]
     
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