Nigerian scam surfaces using a strange twist

A banker saying that he is an employee of the London Scottish Bank states in an e-mail that he discovered an inactive investment account lying dormant with US$9m and that to assist him in claiming it he requires a recipient in Brunei.

The e-mail, which promises for a 30% share of the entire fund, however, asks for the recipient's personal information apparently for enabling the user to rightfully benefit from the funds.

But for the recipient who might agree with the offer and reply back with his acceptance, another e-mail arrives, which asks for a fee needed in advance, apparently to bribe a few officials to retrieve the funds. Needless to say, the fee goes into the pockets of the scammers.

Furthermore, the e-mail appears extremely convincing with the sender outlining contact numbers and other personal details.

Also, part of the e-mail sender's private information comes in Mr. Patrick McDonnell's name, while some e-mails claim the person is one James Mackintosh.

Actually, when analyzed carefully, the e-mail is only a little modification of the continuing 'Nigerian scam' also widely called the '419 scam.' In that, the scammers initially dispatch a bulk e-mail knowing for certain that there would be some takers of their lure. And when a reply comes to them they dispatch yet another e-mail that usually requests for cash that must be sent through a reputed money wiring firm.

Nevertheless, some specialists say, whatever form in which the scams might appear, and with the launch of such schemes, fraudsters are rapidly using the Internet as a center to operate from, with many countries revealing statistics showing worrisome symptoms.

Thus security specialists suggest end-users to regard incoming e-mails with suspicion and to give second thoughts prior to responding. They add, prior to giving out one's private details, an e-mail recipient must ponder as to why a stranger would make a deal with him in which the former would be made a beneficiary of a financial claim.

However, in case an unwary user has entered into such a deal then it is recommended that he reset his username and password.

Related article: Nigerian Scammers Secure Huge Money from Australian Victims

» SPAMfighter News - 7/28/2009