Difference between revisions of "Online and Computer Scams"

This scam, which has been around for long time, has gone online. It is sometimes called the "4-1-9 scam," after the section of the Nigerian criminal code that addresses fraud schemes.

Typically an email comes from overseas, usually from somewhere in Africa. The email claims that an important event (e.g., a change of government) has resulted in a person having a large sum of money which needs to be transferred overseas. The sender claims that if you help with the <span class="noglossary">transfer</span>, you can keep a portion of the money. If you <span class="noglossary">reply</span> to the email, you receive official-looking correspondence and are requested to provide your financial details, such as bank <span class="noglossary">account</span> information. Then something “goes wrong” and you are pressured to save the deal. The scammer demands <span class="noglossary">advance</span> fees for various taxes, legal fees, transaction fees or bribes. There are many variations of the scam, but all aim to steal your money.

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