# Fraudulent e-mails **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 22, 2001, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-e-mails/73427 "2001-07-22T09:38:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2001, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-e-mails/73427/1 "2001-07-22T09:38:38Z")
Just got one of those scam e-mails claiming to be so-and-so from Liberia who needs my account information so that he can deposit large sums of money into my account in order for Mr. Bigshot to be able to secretly do this or that business deal when he comes to the US. I know its a scam, but should I bother reporting it? And who should I report it to? ---
**Author:** ![Chas.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Chas.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chas.E)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2001, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-e-mails/73427/2 "2001-07-22T10:26:28Z")
FBI ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2001, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-e-mails/73427/3 "2001-07-22T18:56:35Z")
In the UK most of these scam e-mails originate from Nigeria. They should be reported to the Serious Fraud Squad who have a special department investigating these schemes. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2001, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-e-mails/73427/4 "2001-07-22T19:02:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by David Cronan \* > \*\* They should be reported to the Serious Fraud Squad \*\* As opposed to the Semi-Serious Fraud Squad? 😃 Zev Steinhardt :: ducks and runs for cover :: ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2001, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-e-mails/73427/5 "2001-07-22T19:06:44Z")
Or perhaps just the outright Silly Fraud Squad? ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2001, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-e-mails/73427/6 "2001-07-22T19:44:44Z")
From [Nigeria - The 419 Coalition Website](http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/): > [@](#): > > What To Do If You Receive A Nigerian Scam/419 Letter > United States Citizens and Residents > > 1. If you are a United States Citizen or Resident and have suffered NO Financial Loss, write “No Financial Loss - For Your Database” on the documents you received and Fax them to the US Secret Service Task Force handling Scam matters at 202-406-6930. Actual hardcopy of the 419er document(s) is required to add your 419ers information to the Task Force Database for legal reasons, merely telling Task Force about it will NOT suffice. > You may also email the 419er documents, especially any Banking Data they may have given you, marked No Loss, to [419.fcd@usss.treas.gov](mailto:419.fcd@usss.treas.gov) in DC; that is also acceptable. > > Since Task Force is Very Busy dealing with cases in which there Have been financial losses, it is NOT customary for them to contact you in cases where there has been No Loss. But it is Very Important that you get your 419ers data into the Task Force Database, so DO send it along. I’ve sent them quite a few over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2001, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-e-mails/73427/7 "2001-07-22T19:50:25Z")
Thanks, **beatle** , I did some searches on the web, but never came up with anything. First one I’ve seen, but not the first I’ve heard of them. Hard to believe that people fall for something like this.