


<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="blackgraphtx"><strong>Nigerian Letter or “419” Fraud</strong></span></h3>



<p><span class="blackgraphtx">Nigerian letter frauds combine the threat of impersonation fraud with a variation of an advance fee scheme in which a letter mailed from Nigeria offers the recipient the “opportunity” to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that the author—a self-proclaimed government official—is trying to transfer illegally out of Nigeria. The recipient is encouraged to send information to the author, such as blank letterhead stationery, bank name and account numbers, and other identifying information using a fax number provided in the letter. Some of these letters have also been received via e-mail through the Internet. The scheme relies on convincing a willing victim, who has demonstrated a “propensity for larceny” by responding to the invitation, to send money to the author of the letter in Nigeria in several installments of increasing amounts for a variety of reasons.</span></p>



<div class="mh-content-ad"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9162800720558968"
 crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
 style="display:block; text-align:center;"
 data-ad-layout="in-article"
 data-ad-format="fluid"
 data-ad-client="ca-pub-9162800720558968"
 data-ad-slot="1081854981"></ins>
<script>
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script></div>
<p><span class="blackgraphtx">Payment of taxes, bribes to government officials, and legal fees are often described in great detail with the promise that all expenses will be reimbursed as soon as the funds are spirited out of Nigeria. In actuality, the millions of dollars do not exist, and the victim eventually ends up with nothing but loss. Once the victim stops sending money, the perpetrators have been known to use the personal information and checks that they received to impersonate the victim, draining bank accounts and credit card balances. While such an invitation impresses most law-abiding citizens as a laughable hoax, millions of dollars in losses are caused by these schemes annually. Some victims have been lured to Nigeria, where they have been imprisoned against their will along with losing large sums of money. The Nigerian government is not sympathetic to victims of these schemes, since the victim actually conspires to remove funds from Nigeria in a manner that is contrary to Nigerian law. The schemes themselves violate section 419 of the Nigerian criminal code, hence the label “419 fraud.”</span></p>



<p><span class="blackgraphtx"><strong>Tips for Avoiding Nigerian Letter or “419” Fraud:</strong></span></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><span class="blackgraphtx">If you receive a letter from Nigeria asking you to send personal or banking information, do not reply in any manner. Send the letter to the U.S. Secret Service, your <a class="internal-link" href="https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field">local FBI office</a>, or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. You can also register a complaint with the <a href="https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/">Federal Trade Commission’s Complaint Assistant</a>.</span></li>



<li><span class="blackgraphtx">If you know someone who is corresponding in one of these schemes, encourage that person to contact the FBI or the U.S. Secret Service as soon as possible.</span></li>



<li><span class="blackgraphtx">Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as Nigerian or foreign government officials asking for your help in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts.</span></li>



<li><span class="blackgraphtx">Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation.</span></li>



<li><span class="blackgraphtx">Guard your account information carefully.</span></li>
</ul>


<div class="pagination clear clearfix"> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">1</span></a> <span class="post-page-numbers current" aria-current="page"><span class="pagelink">2</span></span> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/3/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">3</span></a> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/4/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">4</span></a> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/5/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">5</span></a> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/6/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">6</span></a> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/7/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">7</span></a> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/8/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">8</span></a> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/9/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">9</span></a> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/10/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">10</span></a> <a href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/most-popular-fraud-schemes/11/" class="post-page-numbers"><span class="pagelink">11</span></a></div>
Fraud News From World
False Claims Act: Atlanta Medical Clinic, And Dr. Timothy Dembowski Have aAreed to Pay For Violated Medicare Rules And The False Claims Act
<h2>Atlanta Pain Clinic and its owner agree to pay $250,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act</h2>
<p>ATLANTA – Atlanta Medical Clinic (“AMC”), which is an Atlanta-based pain management clinic, and Dr. Timothy […] Read More
Fraud News From World
Health Care Fraud: Howard Randall Thomley pled guilty To Defraud Health Care Benefit Programs
<h2>Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty To Health Care Fraud For His Role in $200 Million Compounding Pharmacy Scheme</h2>
<p>Hattiesburg, Miss – Howard Randall Thomley, 60, of Hattiesburg, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to […] Read More
Fraud
Robert F. Arnold Indicted for Fraud and Related Charges
<h2 id=”node-title”>Tennessee Sheriff Indicted by Federal Grand Jury on Conspiracy, Fraud and Related Charges</h2>
<h3><strong><em>Chief Administrative Deputy and Sheriff’s Uncle also Indicted</em></strong></h3>
<p>A county sheriff and two other men were <strong>indicted</strong> for their roles in the formation, […] Read More
Be the first to comment