They’ve got your number and now you have theirs . . . Nigeria 4-1-9.
300-500 pieces of correspondence and approximately 100 phone calls relating to the Nigerian scam are received daily by the U.S. Secret Service Financial Crimes Division.
419 is the Nigerian Penal Code dealing with this fraud.
How can this happen? Here’s a simple explanation. An email or a letter promising a windfall fortune from a Nigerian government official who is trying to exit his country needs your help. Or maybe you’ve been notified that you are the recipient of a contest prize or holiday that you never entered. The con might say your IP number was selected randomly.
The Nigerian fraudster then entices the victim (you) to interact with requests of personal identification information, banking data, checks, and up front ‘reimbursable payments’ to cover mailing expenses, taxes and legal fees. This interaction creates a bond between the criminal and the victim and helps the con artist with the manipulation.
The request to help someone place money into foreign bank accounts is a common thread.
However, the implied millions don’t exist. The only money that exists is what the Nigerian con man or woman is extracting from you and your bank. Once you have engaged in these activities which often encompass a lengthy timeframe, the data acquired from you will be used fraudulently against you by the criminal. The Nigerian scam involves criminals of the highest skill and their mission is to take as much as possible from you.
The urgency technique is applied using the ‘you must act now or the offer will expire’. You are also advised by the criminals to not discuss this matter with anyone and this includes your attorney, accountant, family, relatives and the Better Business Bureau. The secrecy helps to isolate you as a victim and the embarrassment afterwards of the con often causes the victim to refrain from reporting fraud.
To view an ABC documentary revealing a Nigerian 419 scam, click here.
Secrecy gives the fraudster power. Remove their power and their scams by reporting fraud to your nearest FBI office, or informing the U.S. Postal Inspector or contacting the U.S. Secret Service. Remember to document your complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, also.
Don’t be a mugu (big fool).
Use your power to stop this fraud!