Nigerian Letter Fraud or "419" Fraud: Nigerian letter fraud is a viagra tabs scheme in which a letter, or email, that originated in Nigeria offers best american essays the recipient the "opportunity" to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that the author, a self proclaimed government official, is trying to transfer out of Nigeria. The victim is given a "sob story" and is asked to send the author their bank account numbers and other identifying information via facsimile (or return email) to the address provided in the letter. The scheme relies playing of the victim's sympathy thus convincing the victim to send money to the author (in Nigeria) in several installments of increasing amounts for a various reasons such as they need to pay taxes, bribe government officials, and pay legal fees. The author promises that all expenses will be reimbursed as soon as the funds are spirited out of Nigeria.
Once the victim stops sending money, the perpetrators use the victims personal information to drain the victims bank accounts and opening credit accounts using the victim's identity.
While most people consider this a laughable hoax, millions of dollars have been lost by these schemes annually. Some victims have actually been lured to Nigeria where they have been imprisoned. The Nigerian government is not sympathetic to victims of these schemes since the victim is actually conspiring to remove illegally move move funds from Nigeria in violation of Nigerian criminal code "419" Thus the name.
Some tips to avoid becoming a victim of Nigerian Letter or 419 Fraud:
If you receive such a letter, contact your local FBI office or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Do not respond in anyway. If you receive an email from someone you do not know, don't even open it, delete it. This is the only way to avoid becoming a victim.