Within the same week I found out that I had won the Spanish lottery and a rich Nigerian prince was fleeing the country and wanted to give me 10 million pounds. Am I the luckiest guy or what?
Seriously though, do any of you ever fall for this crap and send money?
2006-09-28 20:33:53 · 22 answers · asked by lataliano 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Investing
Fantastic news you have.
I would like to add to your luck by placing £30.000
in your bank.
Please send me all your bank details and your passport.
More seriously
I had a right problem convincing my 80 year old mum that she had not won 30k and reached the final 3 in a lottery 'she had never entered'.
I think the SAS should hunt them down and take them out for conning poor old folk.
2006-09-28 20:42:21 · answer #1 · answered by Todd 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people do, thats why it is still so common. It's a numbers game and if only one person replies out of everyone one million leads, these guys are on top. The themes you talk about are pretty straight forward and easy for those of us that know what's up to understand that it's a scam. There are many more highly sofisticated schemes that will have you undressed even before you start getting dressed in the first place. The scamming business or 419, as it is commonly referred to, is becoming more and more sophisticated, with the availability of new technology. Sometimes you don't even realise you are being scammed for years.
The thing to note are that most scams are played on the vulnerability of the greedy who think that they can make big money without working hard for it, so in the conscience of the average scamster, they deserve to be scammed and would do the same if the tables were turned.
Remember, if it looks too good to be true, then it really is. If you have fallen for a scam, don't think that paying out more money to go after the scamster will produce any results, this is a way of drawing you into further losses. It's a bigger scam itself. Do not be afraid no matter how ashamed you feel to report the matter to the authorities, as there are ways of tracing these scamsters, through bank accounts, telephone numbers and IP addresses.
Finally, it is important to note that 98% of these scams are not carried out by Nigerians at all anymore, but by people who understand that the Nigerian Govt is the most corrupt Govt. in the world and that Nigeria being the 4th largest OPEC oil producing country has a lot of oil wealth flying about. So even though the theme might sound African, it could be your next door neighbour!
The Nigerians and most other crooks are into replica cheque fraud and transferring money from large accounts over the internet these days. This in their opinion is easier and pays more. Keep an eye on your account.
2006-09-28 21:17:23 · answer #2 · answered by joechuksy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You lucky so and so, I have never won the spanish lottery but I win the weekly Yahoo lottery, I sware I'm a billionaire by now.
I have had nigerian princes, doctors and scientists email me, I do feel that I must be quite a catch.
At the moment Barclays Bank email 2 or 3 times a day asking for my bank details, each email address is different for them. These are the guys that really are scary, I never would give my details but so many people do.
It really should be highlighted more as I don't even want to think how many people are so naive and give their personal details away.
2006-09-28 20:51:23 · answer #3 · answered by Missie's Mind 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Apparently 1% of the people who receive these emails fall for it - it may not sound like a lot but that equals $100 million each year for the scammers. Nigerians used to send these out by fax machine but it's taken off in this age when even more people have email. Such scams have their roots even further back, in the 'Spanish prisoner' cons of the 1920s. A few years ago slate.com had an article about it - see below.
2006-09-28 21:12:23 · answer #4 · answered by Dunrobin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some quite sophisticated people have been taken in by such scammers. I read of a retired English judge who sent £6000 to a Nigerian school for orphan girls. The scammers had registered a school at an empty shop in a back street, just to operate the scam.
2006-09-29 13:09:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where I live this 5hit is taken so seriously the local police force ask the television news people issue warnings when we are targeted.
I watched a documentary about these (mainly Nigerian - the Prince ones) scams. There are LOADS of people who fall for it.
2006-09-28 20:38:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep dreaming!! I have receivied some letters from Africa, One form Spain. I talk with the lawyer (being a lawyer myself), He said, You'll be getting like close to $2 million dollars. I said Ok, Thank you. When can I expect the money? He said: you have to send, a little over $3,000. dollars for the expenses!! I might be 61, but Im not stupid! I send them the $3,000 , do you think they'll send me anything? Of course not!!! It's all a scam!!
2006-09-28 20:42:32 · answer #7 · answered by alfonso 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I saw Dr. Phil today and 2 women had actually believed that Nigerian men had fallen in love with them and they weren't meant to be. They both send the guys about $3000 each.
So there really are people out there who fall for it, unbelievably.
2006-09-28 20:41:47 · answer #8 · answered by Aaron D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you won the Nigerian lottery that means you oWe them money!
2016-03-26 22:21:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No way, they must think people are total bozos. The sad thing is though some who perhaps not firing on all cylinders go for it and are unceremoniously ripped off, it's a crying shame. Like those e mail spam we get from Barclays and Bank of Scotland,, people please don't even open the attachment and NEVER give out your details, they are all spoof, fake, out for your money, and it's on the increase. Be Aware
2006-09-28 20:55:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋