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Originally as a postal letter, then as a fax and now as email this fraud begins as a request from the sender for "help" in retrieving money from foreign countries and accounts, in exchange for a substantial return.
Most of the perpetuators pose as bank auditors, a senior official or relatives of a deceased or disposed heads of states from Nigerian or other African countries. The potential victims are often asked to turn over personal banking details, passport information, and are asked to provide a sum of money to help expedite the financial transaction.
Once the money is turned over the perpetuators disappear, often outside the authority of local officials and laws - the likelihood of arrest and recovery of funds is very slim.
The new twist on the scam is to send a bogus cheque to 'victims', with instructions to pay their outstanding debts and wire the remainder back. By the time the check is returned the funds are long gone, leaving the 'victim' on the hook for thousands.
Do not reply to these requests. The simplest solution is to simply delete the message.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
For further information:
Edmonton Police Service - Wes Bellmore, EPS Media Relations - 421-3551
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams/nigerian_e.htm
Better Business Bureau - http://www.edmontonbbb.org/tips/ct2343.htm
APRCWA - Phone: 780-422-0922 - Toll free: 1-877-877-4323 - Fax: 780-427-3913
Additional Research and examples can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/acidtestgpts/nigerian_letter_scam_links.htm
http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/
http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/strategy/nls.asp
http://frenchcaculture.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa071401a.htm
http://cbc.ca/stories/2002/03/18/Consumers/letterscam_020318