This man claims to be living in England and has been "wooing" my friend online for approximately 10 months. He says he has a store in Nigeria, and a store in the UK, but every now and again a "friend" who runs the store in Nigeria sends checks to my friend here in the US. She must then cash the checks and Western Union the money to the "store" in Nigeria. Most of the time, the checks come back as stop-payments or fraudulent. My friend already owes over $4000 in debts because of this problem... but she claims she loves this man, and he will soon be coming to America from the UK to marry her. Of course, this man has been saying this for the 10 months but alas always finds an excuse that he can't get his visa... I need help.
2006-09-25 09:31:23 · 11 answers · asked by dee_rollin 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
HI there. A friendly Nigerian tried this with me too, over a desk I was selling on Craigslist. He said there was a "whoops" with his secretary and she "accidently" wrote my check for $2000 too much. Then same thing...cash the check as is, wire him the money, and he'd come get the desk. I immediately contacted the police, who had me play along until the check came. Sure enough, it was a doctored-up copy of a check written about 5 years ago. Naturally, I wanted vengeance, asked what they were going to do about this (it really put a cramp in my moving). What they told me was this:
It's actually under the domain of the US Postal Service. They investigate this type of fraud.
Your friend CAN be prosecuted for passing fradulent checks and court fees (as well as the amount of the checks) will be her responsibility. It doesn't matter that the Nigerians get the benefit of the money, it's still HER fault for cashing them. Since Nigeria isn't cooperating with our government about extradition or investigaions, there is not much they can do about this.
Contact your local police force and the US POstal Service. They'll be able to help you.
2006-09-25 09:52:35 · answer #1 · answered by pianoducky 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Listen, call your local police department who should then send you on to the Internet Fraud Department of the FBI. I had to do this once regarding a different situation, where hackers were attempting to hack my computer. The department is woefully under funded however, but it really IS your only real option. I am sorry your friend is so foolish as to allow herself to become involved with such a shady charactor. I am not putting down your friend, just stating too many woman are allowing themselves to be taken in due to pure lonliness and worry they can not get anybody better. I am afraid though that unless your friend cooperates nothing will be done. Another person I know is now serving jail time for a simular situation. She also cashed fraudulant checks and as they could not catch the true criminals she took the fall. Anyone who allows herself to get involved in such a situation is emotionally vulnerable and it is these types these men hunt for. She truly needs proper counseling and esteem raising empowerment. Untill she increases her self esteem she will continue to be victemized by these sorts of people. Good luck to you and she is lucky to have you as a friend. You sound like you really care and too many people don't have friends who really do care about them. Bless you.
2006-09-25 16:39:37 · answer #2 · answered by Serenity 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are men from Nigeria who e-mail my husband all the time and try to get him to do the same thing but say they are investments, your friend is being "duped" , what is really happening is money laundering. and she needs to talk to someone in authority. Some of these funds help to support terrorist!!!!
2006-09-25 16:41:47 · answer #3 · answered by ~♥~ *CHEEKY* ~♥~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say she is definitely being duped! That scam has been going around the internet for a long time.
Please make her stop doing this.
Tell her to ask for a name & phone number for the store.
2006-09-25 16:40:47 · answer #4 · answered by Michelle *The Truth Hurts 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a scam and they are using your friends money to get rich. Your friend is not the only one being scammed by these cyberspace criminals. You need to report it to the authorities in your area. My ex is having the same scam problems with a woman in Romania.
2006-09-25 16:40:19 · answer #5 · answered by Lola 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well maybe this will help. that 4k? he is spending that. on probly other girlfriends. hes gotta be gettin some from somebody, and hes gotta pay for stuff for that girl. so your friend is paying him to take out other girls. not only that, but she is at risk w/ the law, by being accomplice to fraudulance. tell her that if she really really REALLY needs to be with this guy, then she should go to england to meet him and find out the truth. or, if she wont listen to you, you could always report it.
2006-09-25 16:42:03 · answer #6 · answered by Erin P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do a Google on 419.
It is a Scam!
2006-09-25 16:33:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a scam, do not believe it.
Get your friend to report this to Western Union.
2006-09-25 16:39:24 · answer #8 · answered by Raj 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try these guys and make sure she copies the emails:
Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov/
Hope it helps her!
2006-09-25 16:35:57 · answer #9 · answered by Carla S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would fly over there and kick his scrawny Nigerian ***. Or you could ask a burly family member of yours.
2006-09-25 16:39:54 · answer #10 · answered by Sonnenrad 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋