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Postscript
As noted in the Interpol Warning, it is extremely difficult to
prosecute the promoters of the scheme and the chances of recovering any funds
invested are remote.
However, this should not be taken to mean that
you should forego the reporting of any incidents to your police. If nothing else,
your report might serve to prevent others from falling prey to the same scam.
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INTERPOL WARNING:
Nigerian crime syndicate's letter scheme fraud takes on new
dimension
Nigerian crime syndicates have added a
new dimension to the fraudulent letter scheme known as 'fraud 419’ which has
netted an estimated amount in excess of one billion US dollars from victims
since the worldwide scheme was first reported in 1989.
Reports received by Interpol indicate that the criminals are becoming so brazen
and confident that they are contacting earlier victims of the fraud and are
posing as Nigerian government officials investigating the fraud in a so-called
attempt to get the victims' money back upon payment of an upfront fee.
"Interpol wants to try and minimize the potential danger of this new dimension
to the fraud scheme by warning victims to be on their guard against any such
approach," Mr. Serge Sabourin, Head of Interpol's Communication and Public
Relations Sub-Directorate said.
"Up to now not a lot of success has been achieved in bringing these criminals to
trial and we feel that proactive warnings and increased awareness concerning
this fraud scheme can possibly limit the extent of the fraud," he said.
The manner in which the crime is perpetrated makes prosecution very difficult.
The victims are usually businessmen and other individuals from all over the
world who either receive letters or a facsimile and are led to believe that a
substantial commission, payable in US dollars, can be earned for allowing the
use of their bank account into which money will be transferred from Nigeria. The
commissions vary from two to 25 million US dollars.
 The letters explain that the money is from delayed approved contract payments by
the past civilian administration in Nigeria to certain companies which have
abandoned repayment claims. It alleges that the present military government is
now paying these previously frozen monies but that the civil servants involved
are apparently attempting to keep the funds for themselves.
The signatories of the letters claim to be acting as middlemen and request that
the victim supplies signed and stamped blank company letterheads and blank
invoices together with bank details such as account numbers, addresses,
telephone and facsimile numbers.
Upon receipt of replies together with the requested documents, the victims are
requested to transfer the money to pay for transfer taxes, contract and attorney
fees allegedly demanded by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Part of the advances are
supposedly used for bribing officials.
The scheme varies from oil transactions to claims on deceased estates, the
exportation of US dollar bills in mint form, disposal of toxic waste and others.
Obviously, no money is ever received, resulting in a total loss to the company
or individual.
It appears that the countries bordering Nigeria are now being used for posting
the scheme letters and even to meet potential victims.
The Nigerian Federal Police have set up a special unit to investigate the scheme
but due to the reluctance of victims to travel to Nigeria, prosecutions are
difficult to institute.
The General Secretariat of Interpol maintain a file on reported cases but, due
to the difficulties encountered in investigating such cases, active measures are
being taken to create global awareness in an attempt to prevent people from
falling victim to the scheme. The scheme has continued unabated and cases
emanating from Japan are now being reported.
Mr. Sabourin states that the prospect of receiving commissions of millions of US
dollars lures individuals to participate in this scheme and it is clear that the
gullibility and greed of prospective victims clouds their Judgment.
"The first logical preventive measure to take is never to divulge your bank
account details or any other personal details to anyone," said Mr. Sabourin.
Any approach should be reported to the local police with all documents received
being handed in. The local police can refer the matter to their Interpol
National Central Bureau (NCB), who will in turn notify the Nigerian Federal
Police.
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