# I'm The Target Of A "Nigerian Scam"- What Should I Do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 7, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555 "2003-12-07T15:49:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/1 "2003-12-07T15:49:11Z")
I’ve just received my very first “Nigerian Scam” letter. The author is “Phiri Moleto”, whose father, “Phiri Simbo”, was “murdered in the land disputes in Zimbabwe”. The claim being made is that Mr. Phiri can’t transfer his father’s cash because of the refugee laws of the Netherlands, and, therefore, needs me. The cash offered is $12,500,000, of which I have two options: 1) 20% ($2,500,000), or, 2) join a partnership with Mr. Phiri. This is obviously a lot of bunkum, but does anyone have advice for an approach that I can take to this? ---
**Author:** ![peterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bb73d2/32.png) [@peterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peterW)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/2 "2003-12-07T15:54:12Z")
Uh… ignore it. There is no obligation to reply. A side note, I was watching a news story on the Nigerian scam, and they mentioned that at least 17 people have been killed while trying to reclaim their money from these people. So it’s probably best just to ignore, unless you like throwing away you’re money. If that’s the case, email me 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![IvaHD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/fbc32d/32.png) [@IvaHD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvaHD)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/3 "2003-12-07T15:59:03Z")
I have gotten about 3 of these in 10 years, I always ignore them and nothing has happened so far. The other option might be to pass it on to your service provider so they can mark it as spam for their spam blockers, and if they have a department that deals with e-mail fraud they can handle it. I am amazed that their are people who actually give money to these things. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/4 "2003-12-07T15:59:55Z")
Delete it? Print it out and frame it? If you’re thinking about answering, don’t. At best, you’ll only encourage the spammers. You might want to check out [www.scamorama.com](http://www.scamorama.com) for all you possibly wanted to know about the Nigerian scam. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/5 "2003-12-07T16:04:42Z")
Of course I’m not taking it seriously, and I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. What I am trying to figure out is if I should play the prank that I’ve mentioned in a couple of previous threads on the subject (basically, I sent virtually the same thing back to the spammer, and see if I can trick him into giving me money), report it to the website that deals with this sort of thing, or just delete it. I still wonder where these people get my e-mail adress, which only six people on the face of this earth know. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/6 "2003-12-07T16:08:32Z")
Also, **jovan** , I’ve been on that site in the past- that’s where I got the idea of trying to swindle the swindlers! ---
**Author:** ![IvaHD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/fbc32d/32.png) [@IvaHD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvaHD)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/7 "2003-12-07T16:10:24Z")
Oh sorry **Governor Quinn** , I was not refferring to you taking it seriously, I could tell you knew it was a fraud. I was reffering to: > [@](#): > > _from perer W_ > A side note, I was watching a news story on the Nigerian scam, and they mentioned that at least 17 people have been killed while trying to reclaim their money from these people. Clearly some folks have given these guys money. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/8 "2003-12-07T16:16:54Z")
True, but, then again, people like “Nigerian Scams”, and have liked them since the turn of the (last) century, when they were known as “The Spanish Prisoner”. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/9 "2003-12-07T16:19:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Governor Quinn \* > \*\*Also, **jovan** , I’ve been on that site in the past- that’s where I got the idea of trying to swindle the swindlers! \*\* You’ll notice that the people who did manage to scam the scammers had somewhat more elaborate plans and only got very little money. Like I said, by answering, you’re only encouraging the practice. Delete. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/10 "2003-12-07T16:19:52Z")
Delete it. I get about 20 a day. I tried fucking with them once, but it soon gets old. Better and safer to read about the sport [other people](http://www.scamorama.com/) have had with them. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/11 "2003-12-07T16:21:18Z")
Oh, sorry **jovan** , I linked to the same site as you. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/12 "2003-12-07T16:27:05Z")
Looking at the advice I’ve received, I’ve decided that discression is the greater part of valor, and that it would be more fun to make up pranks to pull on these people than it would be to actually pull them. I’ve deleted it. ---
**Author:** ![herman\_and\_bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@herman\_and\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herman_and_bill)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/13 "2003-12-07T16:36:28Z")
You should transfer your bank account to me untill this blows over. Rest assured, while your account is in my control I will treat it as my own. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/14 "2003-12-07T18:49:37Z")
Why trust a doper with less that 6400 posts when you can trust me with your life’s earnings. Then I’ll invest it for you in those fabulous gold coins that that nice lady on TV tells me will add to my security and, possibly, an Amway Dealership. ---
**Author:** ![herman\_and\_bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@herman\_and\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herman_and_bill)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/15 "2003-12-07T19:41:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \* > \*\*Why trust a doper with less that 6400 posts when you can trust me with your life’s earnings. \*\* That is post count discrimination and is unacceptable on this board in my opinion. My original offer still stands. ---
**Author:** ![ExecutiveJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a6a055/32.png) [@ExecutiveJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExecutiveJesus)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/16 "2003-12-07T22:50:33Z")
I suggest scam baiting. Lead them on. Bascially… Fuck with them. ---
**Author:** ![StanDup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@StanDup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StanDup)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/17 "2003-12-07T22:59:55Z")
It seems that everybody else getting a Nigerian Scam e-mail? I’d love to get one to keep for posterity. Are they rare? (no, I do NOT want to respond to them.) ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/18 "2003-12-07T23:03:15Z")
You mean, like this: “Good evening, kind sir. My name is Governor Quinn, former Governor of Hawaii. I wouls like to help you get funds, however, I am in a pickle myself. My good friend, the Hon. Simon Garfunkel, former director of the local oil firm, is in jail for reasons beyond our control. I need $35,000 US sent to me immediatly to get him out of jail, for which you will be reimbursed afterwards. To do this, please contact my barrister, the Hon. Nicholas Q. Carroway, my banker, the Hon. Rick Blaine, or my bridge partner, the Hon. Peregrin Took” Sadly, I’ve decided this to be unwise, because of the risk of getting more e-mail, but, if I had an e-mail account that I used solely for this, I’d love to do it. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/19 "2003-12-07T23:06:50Z")
**GQ** I thought you had all your money tied up in Death-Ray ventures. ;D ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555/20 "2003-12-07T23:11:07Z")
Of course. That’s why I’m trying to get Mr. Phiri to give me money, instead of vice versa. However, in order for this particular scheme to work, I’ll need 17 people, 5 mailing addresses, 4 e-mail addresses, and a bottle of rum. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-the-target-of-a-nigerian-scam-what-should-i-do/217555.md?page=2)