Six arrested over 'Nigerian email' frauds

Six people were arrested in South Africa last weekend on suspicion of being involved in the infamous Nigerian email and letter fraud. Four of those detained were Nigerian, one was Cameroonian, and the sixth was South African. South African police believe that the six people are part of an international fraud and drug-dealing cartel, and have been sending out many thousands of email and letters in an attempt to defraud. Police seized a large amount of drugs, as well as computer equipment and false identification papers. According to a statement from the South Africa police, officers from the UK's Scotland Yard are involved in the operation. A Metropolitan police spokesman was unable to confirm this, however. The arrests could mark an important breakthrough in the battle against the international scam, which is thought to have defrauded hundreds of millions of pounds from victims. The fraud is also known as the "West African advanced fee fraud" or the "419 fraud" -- 419 being the relevant section of the Nigerian criminal code. "The success [of the operation] is no doubt a huge blow to the 4-1-9 industry and evidential of the fact that law enforcement agencies around the globe are determined to deal harshly with the operators of this fraud scam," said the South African police in a statement issued on Sunday 19 May. Potential victims receive a letter -- or more recently an email -- telling them that the sender is trying to move a very large sum of money and offering them a substantial percentage of the cash in return for letting it be deposited into their bank account. Often the fraudsters claim that the Nigerian government is paying out this money in return for a completed contract, while other versions claim to involve insurance payouts after aeroplane crashes. Anyone who expresses an interest is then told that they must first hand over some money to cover expenses such as banking fees and administrative costs. These "advanced fees" often run to thousands of pounds, and there are cases where American victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Nigerian government has set up a unit in London to fight the fraud, but many people are still being taken in. One problem is that many victims don't report that they have been defrauded, either through embarrassment or because they aren't sure who to contact. Roland Perry, vice chairman of the Internet Crime Forum, said last month that it simply isn't clear which law enforcement body people should contact with cybercrime complaints. "Where do you go if you get a Nigerian email?" asked Perry. "Do you report it to the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the Metropolitan Police, the Fraud Squad, the National High-Tech Crime Unit or your local police? If you take one of these emails to your local police, what is the chap behind the desk supposed to do with it?" The Metropolitan Police, in conjunction with the Specialist Crime Operational Command Unit, has set up a Web page containing advice about the West African advanced fee fraud. If you have fallen victim to the fraud, you are encouraged to contact the Specialist Crime OCU Fraud Squad by email at 419@spring39.demon.co.uk.

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Talkback

I think people do not know whom they should report the cases. and they are not sure about contacts they get through internet search engine.

via Facebook 2 September, 2003 18:40

I as the one who knows fraudseters, have intertained one of them . I have got some contacts (of top officers in Nigeria)through internet search engine. I am not sure about the contacts if they are true one. how can I be assured about the mentioned contacts?

via Facebook 2 September, 2003 18:47

I have sent an email to central bank of nigeria executive governor (Mr. Joseph sanusi)requesting them to make me assured about their contact I got through int.search engine but they blocked my email except the first one.

via Facebook 2 September, 2003 18:55

In the US the local authorities arrest the victim and fail to look for the crook. I hope that is not the case in your country.

via Facebook 10 September, 2003 05:11

Those six arrested should be seriousely deait with for this act, and more light should trown to people 0n h0w they can dicted an email froud
thanks.
dikyam absalom.

via Facebook 8 December, 2003 10:20

I need some one to call me about a email I recieved. please write me its important my email is sharkcotton70@mchsi.com this is very important ... thanks

via Facebook 11 February, 2004 09:57

i hope one was A tony Adams,if not i have a picture of his pass port, and i have all kind of email from differetnt one i just got one this moning from a mrs faith effiong ,

via Facebook 17 May, 2004 15:01

I have someone who states they're from the nigerian bar contacting me with a copy of a license and a bar document in his email to confirm his identity. It all looks very authentic. In fact, if it isn't real, he's doing a wonderful job. How can I make sure he is not authentic?

via Facebook 5 June, 2004 14:36

Get nigerian in Nigeria to check him out or check referees via someone you know well and trust.

No other way I know of and I have expereince of Nigeria and the people and place

via Facebook 6 June, 2004 22:55

Hi

Everyone knows the 419 scam operates why do people persist in being taken ?, it is genuiune naviety ? or in some cases greed and maybe prosecution for being taken might not be a bad idea.

The scam only carries on because of the greed of a few who get taken, but perhaps I'm too hard on sophicsticated westerners getting taken by 3rd world con artists.

via Facebook 6 June, 2004 23:02

I have been getting atleast 1 email a week pertaining to similar stories. Why is it not easier to stop?

via Facebook 3 August, 2004 15:35

Agreed, there are fraudsters abusing the internet platform. Inspite of this we should not take measures that would make users loser faith in the medium. My candid advice is that people should continue their businesses on the internet as usual, encourage correspondence but when it comes to parting with valuables (money, etc), get some form of security or fall back references within your locality. In my opinion, frausaters whats to take valuables from you and go into hiding so looking for someone that could guaranty pay back of the transaction in your locality. Get some form of performance bond. Don't be passionately driven by high profit margins, which is the cause of some of these problems. A guy comes to me and tells me, I'll get you a product that normally cost $100 for $5. I'll throw him out of the window. Don't even let it happen. STOP WASTING THE POLICE TIME, YOU STOP THE TRANSACTION. Get to know your client before parting with valuables. I am sick of this daily cry of fraud. Funny enough, the victims are those from advanced countries expected to be found with higher IQ and ought to know better. What you want internationally, look for it next door first! I am hurting because, this keeps painting African negatively. Then the positive ones can even hold their heads high. It is natural for an hungry man without character to take the easy way out, don't let it happen. I have nothing to say to the fraudsters, their minds are set. I just hope they get stopped by you. Thank you.

via Facebook 26 December, 2004 08:53

thats good but ribadu should reduce his intensity on tafa's case

via Facebook 7 April, 2005 02:08

I believe the '419' fraud will persist until such a time that both the initiator and the 'potential receiver' are hammered with the full weight of the national/international aws, as should be the case.
Money laundering, abettiing criminal activities, by way of enticiement/inducement are purnishable under the law. In fact, for you to be taken in by such a blattant criminal activities shows you are stupid/greedy or criminally minded, or all of the above!. So why should we feel sorry for them? Moreso, if they were successful nobody we hear of their encounter. Wherease, the image of Nigeria is being dented.
Meanwhile the western banks are still colluding with African leaders to lodge their illicit money at the expense of deprived African people, knowing full well that money laudering is against international law.

Africans don't want charity with strings attached: if they really wants to help us, they should return our monies lodged in their secret bank accounts in the real or assumed names of our dead and current leaders.

via Facebook 22 May, 2005 00:19

Why don't you put up an area where people can make report

via Facebook 22 September, 2005 22:11

I know of some frauds and want to help

via Facebook 22 September, 2005 22:13

Mail me I can help

via Facebook 22 September, 2005 22:15

I have received an e-mail like this one and I would like to know who to contact, to have this one checked out.

via Facebook 29 September, 2005 08:27

His Name is Paul Baker was a art dealer , sent him over 20,000.00 us money, please be on the look out for him this is the address he goes by , he picked up the money in Ikeja Africa western union , 200 Parkview Lane Maryland Abuja Nigeria 23401 he says the large demand for artwork and the availabiltiy of raw materials at a cheaper amount in the west african region, goes on and on and on i fell for it,,, this is his mobile number +447031843287 please find this person turn him in to the Africian Police

via Facebook 4 November, 2005 21:59

IN REGARDS TO "I WANT TO HELP" AND " I KNOW ABOUT SCAMS" WELL HOW CAN YOU WHEN WE CANT CONTACT YOU AND YOU LIST YOUSELVES AS ANONYMOUS

via Facebook 9 November, 2005 00:15

Paul Baker, he is big fraud. Don't lose your money by sending him for Stopped Payment Checks. Be Carefull. He is an international fraud that Westafrican police is looking for.

Paul Baker, Nigeria with an invalid phone number +44.....

via Facebook 1 December, 2005 20:56

It's so hard to find out how to report this fraud but your article was very informative

via Facebook 27 March, 2006 17:12

please help me for catching a big scamer group which have theft from me near about 17000us$ with in 4 months,i have all details passport copy/phone number/e mail address of that pig teem,they do't know how they distroyed 3 famlies,please tell me the address to whom i may compaint,i,m a big internet victom.

via Facebook 8 May, 2006 04:51

it is clear these fraudsters are playing on the greed of their victims,my advice to you if you recieve any bogus Nigerian email delete it ASAP,this cheap scam has been around for a while,dont dare to respond,or verify anything .

via Facebook 22 May, 2006 11:25

i am a nigerian, and i feel so ashamed this is all coming from my country, these fraudsters must be dealt with. they are destroying the business image of true organisations in nigeria, this is because no one will want to deal with nigerains business wise, cos they never know if its real or fake..

via Facebook 6 June, 2006 10:20

A Paul White has sent me a document indicating that he is a Nigerian attorney and a copy of his passport; how can I determine if he is authentic? He states that by my last name I am an heir to a plane crash victim.

via Facebook 22 June, 2006 03:43

These scammers have ruined Nigeria. Nigeria is now known as a country full of fraud and corruption. I hate to stereotype so blatantly, but I will never do business with a Nigerian. I have met too many skeamers from that god forbidden country. I suggest you do the same. Avoid business with Nigerians like aids.

via Facebook 22 June, 2006 06:54

Never do anything with ANYONE from Nigeria. Any emails you get from them are frauds. They use peoples greed to take adavantage of them. There is no money in Nigeria for anyone. Do not cash travelrs checks from there or wire over money.

via Facebook 22 June, 2006 19:37

If one got caught in an email letter how does one get out of it, person involved now making threats, also is there such a place called European Union commison
Please keep confidential

via Facebook 28 June, 2006 15:53

Is there someone to notify whenever this type of email is received even though we have not been defrauded?

via Facebook 17 July, 2006 06:47

I recieved an e-mail today from a Paul Baker in U.K. who wanted me to help him dsitribute his art here in the States. I told him to find himself an agent. I also told him I knew he was a scammer. We need to catch these people. I get dozens of letters everyday asking for me to help them decieve their government out of money or that they are sick and dying and would like help giving their money away.I just wish everyone was smart enough to tell them to get lost.

via Facebook 10 October, 2006 22:43

The current scam from this area is a younger woman claiming to be held by a hotel manager, she claims to have been there for over two months. She waits to ask for money. The mistake she has made was contacting me not once but twice (through to differnt websights with different online names) and used the same story line both times months apart. The photo she attaches is of an attractive woman but not with in the age she claims to be.

via Facebook 14 October, 2006 02:09

I got scammed of $3650, sending it to him as a rep from the US to collect money for his Art sales. He sent me money orders with a Nebraska address on them and after looking at the fedex package it came from Nigiria and Paris. He went by the name Anthony Adams and also used the name David Adekinle as a collector to receive western union.

90 New Town Row, Birmingham UK B64HZ was the pick up location.

please look out for these people.

disco223 7 June, 2007 01:24

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