2006-07-28 17:37:44 · 4 answers · asked by canada2006 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
It looks fishy because it *is* fishy.
These are called '419 scams', after the section of the Nigerian criminal code regarding "advance fee fraud". Basically, they say they have $NN millions to give 40% to you, but first there will be a long string of fees and "unexpected costs" that you have to pay for.
Incidentally, almost all "You have just won a lottery" spam is the exact same scam - you have to pay for stuff in advance.
Link with more information:
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm
2006-07-28 17:49:57 · answer #1 · answered by Valdis K 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
i have received similar emails from people claiming to be overseas trying to get to America asking to transfer money to me. it is pretty annoying, I would never recommend looking into doing something like that. Something just seems a bit too fishy.
2006-07-29 00:42:36 · answer #2 · answered by purple_heart0128 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you get email, like that, send it to>>
http://www.ic3.gov/
2006-07-29 00:48:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ALL THE TIME. FROM AFRICA MOSTLY.
2006-07-29 01:39:19 · answer #4 · answered by Marcos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋