Money Transfer: the '419' or Advance Fee 'scams'
The Advance Fee Fraud scam, commonly known as the '419' scam after the appropriate section of the Nigerian penal code, is a common Internet fraud scam.
Typically, users will receive an email, sometimes personally adapted, with what seems to be a request for help in transferring a large sum of money from an account in (typically) an African country.
For helping with the transfer, the recipient is promised a substantial 'cut' of the large sums mentioned in the email.
"If it looks too good to be true it almost certainly is!"
The 419 scam invites the recipient to respond - gradually wound into the scam before being asked to provide details of their bank accounts (to receive the funds etc.) or being asked to provide 'up-front' advance fees to enable the promised transaction to go ahead.
These scams are theft and are operated by criminals - by accomplished conmen used to preparing and sending forged documents.
What to do when you receive a '419' mail
- NEVER respond to these mails
- NEVER give out details of your bank or credit card accounts in response to emails
- NEVER agree to meet a '419' scammer
- Always delete the mail
More Information....
Metropolitan Police - West African Advance Fee Fraud. Detailed information and further links
Hampshire Police - Advance Fee Fraud
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