In message <[log in to unmask]>, "Bartram, Chris"
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>Been there, got a hundred of their letters and emails. Interestingly, for
>years they've been distributing this scam by letters - mailed from Nigeria.
>And apparently they even counterfeit the postage on the envelopes... Sounds
>like it's a big business for Nigeria.
>
>The U.S. Secret Service publishes an alert (listed right on their main page)
>describing this fraud.
>
>See http://www.treas.gov/usss/alert419.htm
><http://www.treas.gov/usss/alert419.htm>
>

It's a big business, and a dangerous one for those who fall for it. The
'419' scam (so called after the  section of the Nigerian Penal Code
which covers such 'Advance Fee' frauds) almost claimed another UK victim
last week, when a former Mayor of Northampton was lured to Nigeria by
one, kidnapped, and £20,000 demanded of his relatives for his release.

At least he lived, which not everyone does.

Puts 'ordinary' spam in perspective, doesn't it?

On a related note, a pyramid scheme recently collapsed on the Isle of
Wight (a small island just off the south coast of the UK, perhaps best
known for the annual Royal Regatta at Cowes).

Everybody was in it, and there was no-one left to recruit! (Folks there
don't have much truck with the mainland, which is why it didn't spread).
--
Roy Brown        'It's the vacation season. I will check that your out-of-office reply
Kelmscott Ltd    is working, for a processing fee of only $50.00 . By sending me
                         such a reply, you agree to contract for this service.'

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