This scam is often called the 'Nigerian letter fraud' or '419 fraud' and, as well as Nigeria, letters have also been sent from Sierra Leone, South Africa and the Ivory Coast.
How does it work?
You will receive a letter, fax or email from someone who says they need help in transferring money overseas, usually US$20-30 million. Typically, the writer claims to be a senior government official, an accountant with a state owned corporation, or perhaps a relative of a deposed or dead politician.
The writer will tell you he needs to transfer his cash to a bank in your country, and if you let him use your bank account you can keep a big slice for yourself, usually 25 or 30 per cent.
If you reply and give your banking and personal details, you will be sent fake bank statements and similar documents, all intended to prove that the money exists and is heading your way. It doesn't, and it isn't.
What to do with the Money Orders:
Do not shared them Do not write on them Retain the original envelope that the Money Orders came in DO NOT walk into the bank and say is this Money Orders good, because that gives indications that you want to cash it.
Example of a typical letter or email
Dear Sir,
First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction. This is by virtue of its nature utterly confidential and 'top secret'. You have been recommended by an associate who has assured me in confidence of your ability and reliability to prosecute a transaction of great magnitude involving a pending business transaction requiring maximum confidence. We are top officers of the Federal Government Contract Review Panel who are interested in the importation of goods into our country with funds presently trapped in Nigeria.We solicit your assistance to enable us to transfer into your account the said trapped funds. I have been delegated as a matter of trust by my colleagues to look for an overseas partner into whose account we would transfer the sum of $US21,320,000 (TWENTY ONE MILLION THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS)… We have agreed that you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum, 60% for us and 10% will be set aside for any expenses while transacting the business.
The letter goes on to explain that Nigerian civil servants are forbidden to operate foreign bank accounts. All that is needed are the bank account details of you or your company and perhaps blank pages of letterhead. Companies and individuals responding to this approach later receive another letter asking for money for a last minute bribe.
- Don't reply to these requests.
- Never, ever, reveal your bank details to strangers.
What if I go along with it?
There are many risks involved in getting caught up with this type of scam:
the scammers will use the information you have given them to empty your bank account
you might be convinced to send cash up front - you could lose your savings, and maybe your home as well.
You have one option:
You take them to the US Post Master and turn them over. It is very important that you take documentation to prove that you are a victim of a scam. Copies of the IMs and emails that talk about you cashing the Money Orders for the scammers. Make sure that the official you talk to understands that you know without a doubt that you are being scammed. Making a police report will also help ensure that you’re cooperating with the authorities.
It’s important that they need to know that you have no intentions to cashing it; you are simply there to alert the account holder and to turn the Money Orders over to someone in authority.
What should I do?
If you get one of these letters or emails, do not reply.
Helpful Links:
Please forward the email to scams@oft.gsi.gov.uk. Then delete emails and throw away all letters.
Counterfeit US Postal Money Orders http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2005/sa2305.html
U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) http://www.usps.com/websites/depart/inspect/moalert.htm
You can send emails to the internet service provider from where the scam email originated. These mails should be addressed in the following way (depending on the ISP): abuse@the ISP name, for example - abuse@yahoo.com
he ISPs can then close any accounts that abuse their systems.
If you have lost money to this scam please contact your local police station.
Also see the Metropolitan UK Police fraud alert page.
How to protect yourself
stop, think and be sceptical. Why does somebody you don't know want you to send them money upfront? Why should you trust them?
ask for advice. Get in touch with Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06
never, ever, give your bank details to people you don't know.
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