Some of the red light signals to enable you identify a typical Nigerian scam is enumerated below by the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division as follows:
- An urgent letter from an alleged Nigerian government {or any other government} official offers to transfer millions of dollars in "over-invoiced contract funds" into the victim's bank account.
- The victim is asked to provide blank company letterhead, bank account information, and telephone and fax numbers.
- The confidentiality of the transactions is emphasized.
- Numerous documents with official looking stamps, seals, and logos appear to suggest the authenticity of the proposal.
- Up-front or advance fees are requested for various taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees, or bribes.
- Travel to overseas locations is encouraged to complete the transaction.
- Imposters posing as real occupants or officials may use offices in legitimate government buildings in Nigeria to meet with the potential victims.
- A problem with the transaction is staged, and the victim is urged to provide a large sum of money to save the venture.
It is easy to fall victim to a scam. Sometimes, it is impossible to tell a legitimate deal from an outright scam, especially if you do not seek outside help.
Learn how to avoid the bad deals by educating yourself and following some basic, common sense principles.
Always keep your private information private. Do not give your financial account numbers to strangers or companies with which you are not familiar.
A scam artist can use this information to steal money from you just as easily as mugging you at gunpoint or in a darkened alley.
Avoid being the next victim - if you receive an offer in the mail or via fax that sounds too good to be true - throw it away!
If you get an e-mail offer - delete it - DO NOT
RESPOND!
