Citibank loses $27m to Nigerian 419 scam.

[Throatwarbler Mangrove]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/ny...1&ref=business

Now, I myself am not really upset at this - Better someone in a third world country have the money than Americans, who will just use it to buy more SUVs or tract housing or something equally reprehensible. But here it is, in this Pit.

[Rick]

This wasn't a 419 scam.

Now, I myself am not really upset at this - Better someone in a third world country have the money than Americans, who will just use it to buy more SUVs or tract housing or something equally reprehensible. But here it is, in this Pit.

I wondering if you would have the same reaction if you had lost your life savings.

[Throatwarbler Mangrove]

Originally Posted by Rick

This wasn't a 419 scam.

Hmm, yeah, I even read that not too long ago. Guess I just had 419 stuck in head.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Throatwarbler Mangrove

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/ny...1&ref=business

Now, I myself am not really upset at this - Better someone in a third world country have the money than Americans, who will just use it to buy more SUVs or tract housing or something equally reprehensible. But here it is, in this Pit.

Wow, that's just fucking ignorant. Do you think this money is falling from the African sky into the hands of the poor or something?

Also, you didn't read the article. The bank being robbed was the National Bank of Ethiopia, which had an account at Citibank.

[Typo Negative]

"Citibank called the officials whose names and numbers it had been given to verify the transactions, prosecutors said. The numbers turned out to be for cellphones in Nigeria, South Africa and Britain used by the conspirators.
"

Am I reading this correctly? They sent them phony documents.....plus a list of phone number to call to verify? And CitiBank used those numbers instead of the ones they had on file?

[Happy Scrappy Hero Pup]

Now, I myself am not really upset at this - Better someone in a third world country have the money than Americans, who will just use it to buy more SUVs or tract housing or something equally reprehensible.

Yeah, because if poor people had money, they'd probably buy...


well, homes and transportation.



In other news, you're a moron.

[mhendo]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Also, you didn't read the article. The bank being robbed was the National Bank of Ethiopia, which had an account at Citibank.

Except that, if i'm reading the article correctly, the National Bank of Ethiopia has not actually lost any money in the incident:

Citibank has credited back the lost funds to the National Bank of Ethiopia, said one person who was briefed about the situation.

If there is money outstanding, it seems that—for the moment at least—it's Citibank that is stuck with the loss.

[Guinastasia]

Yes, because the scammers are going to give everything they took to the poor of the third world. And they stole it ALL from the rich-not people like my grandmother, living on social security.

Fuck you, you toad-feces licking pusbag.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by mhendo

Except that, if i'm reading the article correctly, the National Bank of Ethiopia has not actually lost any money in the incident:If there is money outstanding, it seems that—for the moment at least—it's Citibank that is stuck with the loss.

Yes, Citibank has been stuck with the bill, but it was still the Ethiopian bank's money that was targetted and stolen.

[IAmNotSpartacus]

Originally Posted by Jeff

The bank being robbed was the National Bank of Ethiopia, which had an account at Citibank.

I wasn't aware it was possible to rob a bank across oceans. Perhaps you are thinking of theft. Robbery means the property was taken by force or fear, neither happened here.

Just sayin'.

[Little Nemo]

You know what has to be the most difficult thing in the world? Being a legitimate Nigerian businessman. How can they ever convince you that they're for real and not just trying to scam you?

"No, seriously, my name is Abah Idoma and I really am the regional North American representative for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation...You can look us up on the stock exchange...We have an office in the Chrysler Building and you can come and see it...No, I'm not trying to smuggle money out of Nigeria, this is a perfectly legal business transaction...I don't care what email your brother-in-law got, I had nothing to do with that..."

[Bam Boo Gut]

Originally Posted by Little Nemo

You know what has to be the most difficult thing in the world? Being a legitimate Nigerian businessman. How can they ever convince you that they're for real and not just trying to scam you?

"No, seriously, my name is Abah Idoma and I really am the regional North American representative for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation...You can look us up on the stock exchange...We have an office in the Chrysler Building and you can come and see it...No, I'm not trying to smuggle money out of Nigeria, this is a perfectly legal business transaction...I don't care what email your brother-in-law got, I had nothing to do with that..."

I asked a Nigerian friend about this, he said many of the scammers are not Nigerians, it's a big country with many immigrants - I wasn't sure whether to believe him or not.

[even sven]

Originally Posted by Bam Boo Gut

I asked a Nigerian friend about this, he said many of the scammers are not Nigerians, it's a big country with many immigrants - I wasn't sure whether to believe him or not.

From firsthand experience, many Cameroonians dream of moving to the land of plenty that is Nigeria. And I've met some people who have experienced Nigerian-style scams on Cameroonian soil. Now, it surely is not foreigners that do the majority of these scams. But there is a huge amount of cross-border commerce with Cameroon and I imagine the other surrounding countries. Nigeria is a pretty happenin' metropolitan place in West African terms.

[Rand Rover]

Originally Posted by Guinastasia

Yes, because the scammers are going to give everything they took to the poor of the third world. And they stole it ALL from the rich-not people like my grandmother, living on social security.

Fuck you, you toad-feces licking pusbag.

I like how THIS is your objection to the OP's comment. Would you agree with the OP if the money really was taken fom only rich Americans and really was given only to poor Africans?

[Ludovic]

Originally Posted by Rand Rover

I like how THIS is your objection to the OP's comment. Would you agree with the OP if the money really was taken fom only rich Americans and really was given only to poor Africans?

As the Perfect Master said: Big things cause big problems. Little things cause little problems.

[Rand Rover]

Originally Posted by Ludovic

As the Perfect Master said: Big things cause big problems. Little things cause little problems.

No comprendo, senor.

[Dangerosa]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Yes, Citibank has been stuck with the bill, but it was still the Ethiopian bank's money that was targetted and stolen.

Most likely, Citibank's insurance company was stuck with the bill.

Which they paid by raising insurance rates for banks.

Which they paid by raising fees for their customers, of which I am one.

Which I paid by....taking a paycut to keep my job?

[Anne Neville]

Originally Posted by Throatwarbler Mangrove

Better someone in a third world country have the money than Americans

But this guy wasn't in a third world country:

the man, identified as Paul Gabriel Amos, 37, a Nigerian citizen who lived in Singapore

[Throatwarbler Mangrove]

No, but he is a Nigerian citizen. Singapore does have a fairly large guest worker population, him being in Singapore doesn't suprise me.

[Rand Rover]

So, cumgargler, you are an American, right? If so, why have you not sent all your money to Africa where it is more deserved?

[Really Not All That Bright]

Originally Posted by Anne Neville

But this guy wasn't in a third world country:

Technically, Singapore is a third world country, being neither a part of the Eastern Bloc nor the Western Bloc.

[BrainGlutton]

Dear Mr. Citibank:

I am very distress to read of your troubles. My cousin is former Finance Minister of Nigeria and I can guarantee return of your moneys if you will helping us to transfer sum of Ten Millions American to account in your States United. We will needing your date of born, Sociable Security and banking check-account numbers, and mother's Name-Before-Bulging. God Bless!

[chappachula]

Originally Posted by BrainGlutton

, and mother's Name-Before-Bulging....

Thanks!
(I'm gonna borrow this one)




(it's been a tough day, and, man, I needed a laugh)

[RTFirefly]

Originally Posted by Really Not All That Bright

Technically, Singapore is a third world country, being neither a part of the Eastern Bloc nor the Western Bloc.

Since there hasn't been an Eastern Bloc in nearly two decades, "Third World country" has come to be used as a shorthand for "a country that isn't very economically developed."

By this standard of usage, Singapore most certainly isn't Third World.

[ParentalAdvisory]

Originally Posted by Throatwarbler Mangrove

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/ny...1&ref=business

Now, I myself am not really upset at this - Better someone in a third world country have the money than Americans, who will just use it to buy more SUVs or tract housing or something equally reprehensible.

Thank goodness Canadians don't buy SUV's or tract housing.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Originally Posted by RTFirefly

Since there hasn't been an Eastern Bloc in nearly two decades, "Third World country" has come to be used as a shorthand for "a country that isn't very economically developed."

Yes, I know. I was being facetious.

Anyway, the PC term for Third World countries these days is "emerging economies".

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

Originally Posted by Throatwarbler Mangrove

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/ny...1&ref=business

Now, I myself am not really upset at this - Better someone in a third world country have the money than Americans, who will just use it to buy more SUVs or tract housing or something equally reprehensible. But here it is, in this Pit.

What a nice thing to say. Americans are ALL rich, none of them live in subsidized housing, are unemployed, on welfare, sick or underprivledged.

Streets paved with gold, I tells ya!

[Harmonious Discord]

Originally Posted by Throatwarbler Mangrove

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/ny...1&ref=business

Now, I myself am not really upset at this - Better someone in a third world country have the money than Americans, who will just use it to buy more SUVs or tract housing or something equally reprehensible. But here it is, in this Pit.

You're a cumplete twat! I hardly every call board members something bad, but you really are a cumplete twat.

[Apex Rogers]

Originally Posted by Throatwarbler Mangrove

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/ny...1&ref=business

Now, I myself am not really upset at this - Better someone in a third world country have the money than Americans, who will just use it to buy more SUVs or tract housing or something equally reprehensible. But here it is, in this Pit.

What a complete failure of a thread. Not only did you write an incorrect title that shows you didn't really read or comprehend the article, but then you had to top yourself by denigrating all American's with a fat-wide brush of ill-thought out castigation. Hmm yes, all Americans are worthless consumers whose purchases only serve to selfishly ruin the environment, whereas people in third world countries only spend their funds on worthwhile, even noble causes. You, sir, are a complete moron.

[Rand Rover]

Originally Posted by Apex Rogers

What a complete failure of a thread. Not only did you write an incorrect title that shows you didn't really read or comprehend the article, but then you had to top yourself by denigrating all American's with a fat-wide brush of ill-thought out castigation. Hmm yes, all Americans are worthless consumers whose purchases only serve to selfishly ruin the environment, whereas people in third world countries only spend their funds on worthwhile, even noble causes. You, sir, are a complete moron.

Let's say that a magic fairy waves its wand and evey single American is turned into a "worthless consumer." Would you now agee with the OP's sentiment? Why or why not?

[chromaticity]

Although I think that isn't any better if the money is in Nigeria instead of with Citibank.
It does feel good to know that the rat-bastards who keep nibbling away at my account every month (Statement surcharge..what?!) got what they deserved.

On second though, maybe they will just pass the losses on to me or something like Dangerosa said.
Damn..

[Apex Rogers]

Originally Posted by Rand Rover

Let's say that a magic fairy waves its wand and evey single American is turned into a "worthless consumer." Would you now agee with the OP's sentiment? Why or why not?

No, of course not. But the entire premise of his ridiculous statement was incorrect, leaving aside the obvious unfairness of such a redistribution of wealth. That being said, I do support using American dollars to give targeted aid for humanitarian causes such as fighting famine and AIDS.

[Lizard]

This sure makes me feel good about the government bailout of Citibank.

My tax dollars at work.