I received an e-mail from ActiveRain from what I thought was a potential client. When I opened it up, it was the typical e-mail of the Nigerian scam. I can't believe that we are actually getting these through the Rain. Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with this type of scam, I will fill you in.

First you get an e-mail stating that either a long lost relative has passed away, probably one you have never heard of or knew about, and left a substancial cash settlement (usually anywhere from a few million to as high as 70 million) to you. They are willing to help you claim the money for a percentage, usually between 30% and 70%. All they need you to do is send them your telephone number and fax number so they can send you the forms to fill out.

Here is the e-mail that I received. I did not edit anything out.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name:Email Address:Subject:IP:Message:
MR.YETUMU.
mrbyetumutogo@gmail.com
Reply Urgent Please.
41.207.162.2
DIRECTOR,AUDIT AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.
ECO-BANK LOME-TOGO.

Dear Charles Tharp,

I am MR.YETUMU BIKO DEDEMJESUS, Director and Chief of Accountant for the Bills and Credits in the Foreign Remittance Department section of ECO-BANK.Lome-Togo in West Africa.

I got your contact through an international web directory,Your profile made me to contact you because I was searching for a reliable and trustwordthy person who can not betray me, because I have been praying to my God to direct me to the rightful person to entrust this fund to.

There was one of our client Mr.John BRIANT, A United States Citizen Who died on 29 January 2002 in a plane crash which also claimed the life of his only child, Who untill death was the next of kin to the fathers money in our bank ECO-BANK.

I am the only director that knows his bank's information, because he use to be my good friend when he was alive,He left about (US$5.5Million)in his account.

At this juncture I want to transfer this US$5.5Million into the account you wish to nominate. I will do the paper work here claiming that you are the next of kin to this client, and that you want to transfer the sum into your account abroad.

The service of an Attorney will be needed to seal everything and to change the data and information in his file so as to enable us transfer it swiftly. If we employ the service of a highly Accredited Lawyer that means it will take us only 8-10 working days to transfer this money into your nominated account.

He will arrange for the affidavit of support from Ministry of Justice claiming that you are the right beneficiary of this fund. I will give you 30% of the total sum of the US$5.5Million for assisting me 5% expencess that will come out in this transation 5% will be donate to the charity.

The transaction is 100% free risk.

Yours Faithfully,
MR.YETUMU.
Tel:002289063512.
Email:mrbyetumutogo@gmail.com

N.B: PLEASE FORWARD TO ME YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE ANDFAX NUMBER INCASE I NEEDURGENT CONVERSATION WITH YOU.

Now here is how the scam actually works. After you get this e-mail, you are probably thinking you are the next millionaire. You immediately e-mail the person back asking what you need to do to get the ball rolling. He sends you an e-mail back, usually in 2 or 3 days (this makes them seem extremely busy with other things, which is usually milking other suckers) saying that they need to fax you some documents for you to sign. In these documents they ask you for your name, address, phone number, social security number and the other usual stuff.

Most people actually send this information to them, thinking they are going to get millions of dollars. Now once they receive this information, they will inform you that in order to send the money to you, the I.R.S. (either this country or theirs) needs a portion of the taxes paid before the transfer. They will want you to pay this, which ranges anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. They will also at the same time ask you for your bank account number and routing information so after the taxes are paid, they will send the money to you.

That is where you lose everything you have. You pay the "taxes", which really go to them, and they also empty out your bank accounts as well. By the time you figure everything out, they have already run off with the money and the government can't do anything about it, and neither can your bank.

Now, for those of you who get an e-mail like that and actually read it, you can find several mistakes (besides spelling) that should trigger your alarm bell inside your head.

First, how can someone think you are trustworthy without ever talking to you? Ennie Minnie Miney Moe isn't exactly the best way to see if you are trustworthy.

Second, if "he use to be my good friend when he was alive" why didn't he just leave him the money in case something happened to both him and his son?

Third, "The service of an Attorney will be needed to seal everything and to change the data and information in his file so as to enable us transfer it swiftly". What attorney is simply going to certify that you are this persons next of kin without proof? What bank would just sign off on this and say "Sure, we have a piece of paper with no direct proof. Send the transfer!"

These are the three easiest things that would blow that alarm in your head right to hell. So please, if you get an e-mail that looks like this, either in your personal e-mail or here on the Rain, delete it and don't think about it again, at least until the next one.

 
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23 Comments on Warning! Nigerian Scam is Hitting ActiveRain!

FEB
29
2008
5 Featured Posts
The SOB actually called me in person, I hung up on his ass.
10:31pm • #1
3 Featured Posts
Lol. Yeah, some of them do call. Thanks for mentioning that Mike.
10:34pm • #2
Outside Blog
Wow, no where is safe...thanks for the post...I always send those emails to the "spam" police!!!
10:36pm • #3
3 Featured Posts
Charles. If anybody involved in any aspect of the real estate biz or AR can even consider responding to emails like that, they completely deserve to have their bank accounts emptied! But it doesn't hurt to spread the word. - Ray
10:36pm • #4
3 Featured Posts

Elaine - I agree. Send them right to the trash or hit the spam button to block them from your e-mail.

Ray - I have to feel bad for the people who have fallen for this. Remember that these are salesmen and con artists and are experts at trying to get people to part with their money. When they first started, they targeted senior citizens, most of who were very lonely and had money. Then after they honed their "skills" they went after everyone.

10:39pm • #5
359,937 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
This is so stupid.  I just got one of these at my law practice last week.....A LAW PRACTICE.  Any lawyer that falls for this should not be a lawyer.....
10:45pm • #6
3 Featured Posts
Larry - I completely agree with you on that one. I know my Uncle, a retired Federal Judge and still practicing attorney received one of these. All he did was start laughing as he deleted it.
10:49pm • #7
104,736 Points 1 Featured Post
I have received very similar letters like this one through ActiveRain. I have also been approached by women seeking romance! The Internet is full of scams.
10:57pm • #8
307,600 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Charles -

I got one of these the other day on AR, just ignored it.  Not a week goes by that I don't receive something like this.  Sad thing is - many bite, across all ages, educational levels, and economic statuses.

After all the publicity, you would figure people would know!

Thanks for the warning!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

11:22pm • #10
MAR
01
2008
341,462 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I have not had any contact from these people through AR, but my personal account gets about 6 or 8 of these e-mails a week. Thanks for the warning.
2:26pm • #13
134,236 Points 13 Featured Posts

Dang - I thought I was the only one that got this. I was about to call him and send over my bank routing info and get ready to retire. You just ruint my whole day. Thanks fer nothin.

Seriously, it's amazing how many people still fall for this old saw and the many like it. Thanks for the head-up.

2:30pm • #14
3 Featured Posts

Gene - I was hoping to retire as well. I was already planning on paying cash for a home, buying a nice car and living out the rest of my 50 years on a beach somewhere. Oh well.

I really hope that this can save someone from falling for this.

3:22pm • #15
161,447 Points 11 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
I remember seeing somewhere on AR about a place to send these letters.  The FBI or something.
4:08pm • #16
It is sad to think that people actually provide the information.  Nothing good ever comes that easy!
4:19pm • #17
3 Featured Posts

Tina - You can forward them to the FBI's Internet Crime Commission, however it probably ends up in their junk mailbox. I have sent them several and they never respond

Dana - I agree. It is sad to provide this information, however I hope that people can be saved with this information.

6:34pm • #18
MAR
29
2008
263,260 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Charles,

 I have received 2 of these similar to this one in the past week since posting to Active Rain.  Just keep your eyes and ears open. Thanks for the good info!

8:28pm • #20
3 Featured Posts
Sandy - I have been getting a few of them as well. In fact, the guy I posted about in this article contacted me again saying that it was real and he wanted to help me get a few million, lol.
8:30pm • #21
163,660 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Charles-It is amazing to me that some folks even fall for this, doesn't it you? Great post, warning others! Elizabeth
8:33pm • #22
125,809 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Sad that we are getting tons of crap through Active Rain. My phone rings all the time with solicitors now. Never happened before. It's the price we pay to Rain!
8:34pm • #23
APR
24
2008

Yes Ive gotten these emails on hotmail and on facebook as well. thnaks for letting others know that they are scammers

 

Cape Cod Realtor sdw1

6:12pm • #24

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Charles Tharp ~ Inland Empire Real Estate & Short Sale Specialist

Fontana, CA

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Prudential California Realty

Cell Phone: (626) 374-1278

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