on Wed, Mar 27, 2002, Elizabeth Barham ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote: > =?iso-8859-1?q?=20?= <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > > > FROM: MRS MARYAM XXXXXXX > > XXXXXX COTE D' IVOIRE > > TEL:XXX- XX-XX-XX-XX
<snip>
> What are you all's opinion of this letter? Did anyone else respond to
> the others? Is anyone going to help this person by visiting that part
> of the world? Is there anyone on this list living in Abidjan?
(One of my canned rants)
The above is an example of the "Nigerian Scam", also called 419 Letters,
or just plain 419. Most 419 letters and emails originate from or are
traceable back to Nigeria. However, some originate from other nations,
mostly also West African nations such as Ghana, Togo, Liberia, Sierra
Leone, Ivory Coast ( Cote D'Ivoire ) etc.
It's the current wrinkle of a decades-old scam that nets tens of
millions of dollars per year, and may be the third largest industry in
Nigeria. The 419 Coalition believes that it is the elites from which
successive governments of Nigeria have been drawn who are the scammers.
Expect little cooperation from Nigerian authorities.
Information in this notice is compiled from various sources, links
below. Keep reading for reporting information.
The Scam operates as follows: the target receives an unsolicited fax,
email, or letter concerning Nigeria containing either a money laundering
or other illegal proposal OR you may receive a Legal and Legitimate
business proposal by normal means. Invariably, the proposition involves
resources which are somehow locked up: oil or other invoice problems, a
bequest, money cleaning, or misallocated funds.
At some point, the victim is asked to pay up front an Advance Fee of
some sort. If the victim pays the Fee, there are many "Complications"
which require still more advance payments until the victim either quits,
runs out of money, or both.
To report the scam:
If you are a United States Citizen or Resident and have suffered NO
Financial Loss, write "No Financial Loss - For Your Database" on the
documents you received and Fax them to the US Secret Service Task
Force handling Scam matters at 202-406-6930.
Documents may be emailed to
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]: "No Loss -- 419 Scam"
IF you are a United States Citizen or Resident and YOU HAVE SUFFERED
A FINANCIAL LOSS write "Financial Loss - Contact Me ASAP" on the
documents you have received and Fax them to the Task Force at
202-406-6930 and give Your telephone number(s). A Secret Service
Agent will call you back as soon as possible to discuss the matter
with you (don't worry, you're Not in any trouble).
(Above from http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/index.htm)
Other countries have their own reporting methods, see above for more
info.
Additional information:
Google search:
http://www.google.com/search?q=nigeria+scam
Federal Republic of Nigeria, Embassy:
http://www.embassy.org/embassies/ng.html
Sierra Leone: Nigerian 419 Scam:
http://www.sierra-leone.org/scams.html
Sample letters are archives as no's 01 - 33:
http://www.sierra-leone.org/scam01.html -
http://www.sierra-leone.org/scam33.html
Nigeria Scam Letter Archive
http://www.scamorama.com/
Nigeria - The 419 Coalition Website
http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/index.htm
U.S. Postal Authorities crack down on Nigerian Spam
http://www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect/pressrel.htm
Nigeria - The 419 Coalition Website
http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/index.htm
Urban Legends: Nigerian Scam
http://www.snopes2.com/inboxer/scams/nigeria.htm
Salon: I crave your distinguished indulgence (and all your cash)
http://www.salon.com/people/feature/2001/08/07/419scams/print.html
Nigerian 419 Scam "Game Over!"
http://home.pacbell.net/jpaladin/
Book describes how the scam plays out.
Thank you.
--
Karsten M. Self <kmself@ix.netcom.com> http://kmself.home.netcom.com/
What Part of "Gestalt" don't you understand?
A guide to GNU/Linux books:
http://kmself.home.netcom.com/FAQs/linux-books.html
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