Recently, I have had many emails from Nigerians and from The National Lottery informing me that I have a sum of money waiting for me... Obviously no organisation would actually email you to tell of these funds. However, it is surprising on how many people actually fall for these scams - personally, it is common sense not to trust on-line offers from unknown sources... you wouldn't get in a strangers car would you? 
These are known as 419 scams and are widely common. These scammers can open up a fake website, usually on free hosts, and lure their prey. A beautiful example of mugu retro design can be found at http://www.nation-lotto.co.uk. In case that this one is disabled by the hoster following someone filing an abuse notification, there is a mirror to be found here: http://tinyuri.com/710a. Notice how lame it looks? Chances are there is no SSL!
So, if you have ever received an email (or even Instant Messages) with money involved PLEASE DELETE IT! You will be wasting your time and money, so DELETE IT!
This is an article that was posted recently over at The Register:
Holland remains hidey-hole
By Jan Libbenga
Published Monday 27th March 2006 14:24 GMT
A grand jury in New York has returned a 10-count indictment against three of Nigerian defendants recently arrested in Holland and an 11-count indictment against a fourth suspect.
Dutch police last month arrested 12 people and confiscated 25,000 in cash, computers and fake travel documents. The suspects are being held by the Dutch authorities pending extradition to the US, where they could face up to 30 years in prison. One defendant, also a Nigerian citizen, is still at large.
Nnamdi Chizuba Anisiobi (a.k.a Yellowman, Abdul Rahman, Michael Anderson, Edmund Walter, Helmut Schkinger, Nancy White, Jiggaman and Namo), Anthony Friday Ehis (a.k.a John J Smith, Toni N Amokwu and Mr T), Kesandu Egwuonwu (a.k.a KeKe, Joey Martin Maxwell, David Mark) and John Doe 1 (a.k.a Eric Williams, Lee, Chucks and Nago) are charged with one count of conspiracy, eight counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. Anisiobi is also charged with one count of bank fraud.
The victims, mostly Americans, lost more than $1.2m, according to the US Justice Department. "The defendants in this scheme allegedly fleeced many unsuspecting American victims with promises of charitable contributions and personal riches," assistant Attorney General Fisher said. "We cannot allow these scam artists to prey on innocent victims in this country, and we will work across the globe to knock out these fraudulent get-rich-quick schemes."
Unfortunately, that's not so easy. Last week, Dutch private detective company Ultrascan published figures which indicate there are still over 800 alleged 419 scammers working from the Netherlands, suggesting Holland is still the best hidey-hole for Nigerian advanced fraud scammers.
The UK is second with 724 scammers, followed by Spain with over 500 suspects. According to Ultrascan, the numbers only represent "hardcore scammers". The company estimates that in Holland alone at least 1,400 people are somehow involved with these type of scams.
Useful Links:
http://www.scam419.com
http://www.419fraud.com
http://www.419eater.com |
