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The Nigerian Advance
Fee scam is one of the most notorious Internet frauds that has been
running for nearly 10 years. Large number of on-line and off-line
articles have been published on this scam, Police depts in most
European and American countries have issued fraud alert notices,
activists have formed consumers groups to fight this evil - still
Nigerian conmen continue to defraud more people than any other Internet
fraud.
The origin of the con-game is usually a letter, e-mail,
fax etc. that promises millions of dollars for minor help in a money
laundering operation like swindling money from unclaimed bank accounts,
over-invoiced bill in supply and service contracts where the operators
want to get the overage out of the country, a bequest left in a
will etc.
The offer could even may even look legitimate - like
request for help in investment, agency agreement, import order on
D/A, real estate venture etc.
The simplicity of the scheme and lure of easy money
attracts gullible people who eventaully loose large sums in paying
'bribes', 'taxes', 'attorney fee', cost of 'special software' and
even 'erasing liquid' - until they have no more money to pay or
lose patience.
I have already described the modus operandi etc. in
earlier issues (http://www.infobanc.com/faida_archives.htm) This
is an update on previous articles.
Names that you should be careful of Any letter, fax,
e-mail with following names, coming from Nigeria or other countties
is a suspect:
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Mrs Mariam Abacha, widow of Sani Abacha the Late
Nigerian Head of State.
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Julius Nsekou Mobutu Sese Sekou, son of the late
president Mobutu Sese Sekou of the Congo Democratic Republic(former
Republic of Zaire).
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Victor Kamara, son of late Col. Raymond Camara,
the director of Seria Leone Diamond Corporation
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Loi C. Estrada, wife of Mr. Joseph Estrada, the
former President of Philippines
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Mrs. R.A. Kabila, wife of former president of Congo
Late Laurent Kabila
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Mrs. Roseline Coleman wife of late Chief Paul Coleman
from Sierra Leon
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Assortment of people (Director to Assistants) from
Banks, Contract Awarding Committees, brokers for crude oil,
Govt Depts, Security Companies etc. located in Nigeria, seeking
help
How to Detect Nigerian Crooks - some Internet
Resources
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Crime On-Line:
http://superhighway.is/iis/content.asp
This site is dedicated to information gathering and distribution
of info on fraud originating from Nigeria and surrounding countries.
The searchable database has information on persons participating
in the fraud along with letters and copies of fake official
documents and stamps, crooks phone numbers and e-mail addresses
and even photos. You can add your own information to the database
of crooks and use the forum to communicate with others who have
been in contact with the crooks.
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Correspondence with a Nigerian Crook
http://sweetchillisauce.com/nigeria.html
If you ever wondered how the crooks go about their job - read
a series of correspondence. The author fabricated a handful
of characters and situations to unfold the scam design with
liberal dose of humour
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Adventures of Wendy Willcox and her dog
Willis
http://www.angelfire.com/comics/wendywillcox/
Read through this scam correspondence page and learn how Wendy
Willcox diminishes and ridicules Advance Fee fraudsters
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More correspondence with Nigerian Crooks
http://www.xach.com/togo/
Check out a long correspondence between Zach Beane and the alleged
Nigerian crook Dr. Solomon.
Nigerian scam is the most common type of fraud one finds
in Internet and has defrauded more people than any other Internet
scam - the reason I keep writing about this menace. Please remain
alert and spread the message to as many of your friends as possible.
Being aware is about half the battle won !
Related Links:
Source: FAIDA
- Newsletter on Business Opportunties from India and Abroad
Vol: 3, Issue 43
February 20' 2003
Author :
Dr. Amit K. Chatterjee
(Amit worked in blue-chip Indian and MNCs for 15 years in various
capacities like Research and Information Analysis, Market Development,
MIS, R&D Information Systems etc. before starting his e-commerce
venture in 1997. The views expressed in this columns are of
his own. He may be reached at amit@infobanc.com
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