NIGERIAN LETTER Internet fraud

We have all received these e-mails. Our editors say they get as much as 10 in their bulk folders each day. This scam combines the threat of impersonation fraud with a variation of an advance fee scheme in which a letter, email, or fax is received by the potential victim.

The e-mail is supposedly written by someone representing themselves as Nigerian or foreign government officials offers the recipient the "opportunity" to share in a percentage of millions of dollars, soliciting for help in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts.

The recipient is encouraged to send information to the author, such as blank letterhead stationary, bank name and account numbers, and other identifying information using a facsimile number provided in the letter. The scheme relies on convincing a willing victim to send money to the author of the letter in several installments of increasing amounts for a variety of reasons.

Click here to file a complaint with the FBI.

Visit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to learn more about combating financial and economic crimes in Nigeria.