# Wait... They're still doing the 'Nigerian scam'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 25, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546 "2018-02-25T14:53:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/1 "2018-02-25T14:53:49Z")
I thought the so-called ‘Nigerian scams’ went away a couple of years ago, due to their being so well-known that they’re a source of humour. But I got one in my spam folder today. This one is from UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION and they’re offering me an ATM card with $14.5 million. All it will cost is $95 for ‘the delivery and Approval Payment certificate from IMF.’ Then there’s the required information: 1. Your Full Name… 2. Address Where You Want the Courier Company to Send Your ATM Card 3. Your Age… 4. Occupation… 5. cell/Telephone Numbers… 6. Country… I’m very tempted to forward this email to one of my burner emails, and then provide that information. Only ‘my name’ would be the Sheriff’s name, my address would be the Sheriff’s station, etc. Or maybe tell him my name is Christopher Wray, and use the FBI address and phone number. I mean, if this mook is still phishing, me may fall for it. 😛 (I probably won’t. Pre-caffeine fantasy, and all. But it amuses me that people are still trying this scam.) ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/2 "2018-02-25T15:35:12Z")
The classics never go out of style. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/3 "2018-02-25T15:47:01Z")
Barnum summarized things pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/4 "2018-02-25T16:10:56Z")
One of my friends actually got one in the post last week. They’re going retro now, apparently! ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/5 "2018-02-25T16:16:41Z")
You forward it to an internet bot that engages the scammer. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/6 "2018-02-25T16:28:13Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > You forward it to an internet bot that engages the scammer. Ha! Do those exist? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/7 "2018-02-25T16:34:27Z")
Heh. [Found one](https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/10/16632724/scam-chatbot-ai-email-rescam-netsafe). ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/8 "2018-02-25T16:35:17Z")
I still get a lot of these, including the Nigerian Meta-Scam - where the initial contact claims to be a fraud investigator whose job it is to protect me from those nasty Nigerian scammers - here’s an example: > [@](#): > > From: United States Investigations Services > Sent: 07 February 2018 22:29 > Subject: Vice President, Security and Counterintelligence cut > > United States Investigations Services (USIS) > 7799 Leesburg Pike > Suite 1100 North > Falls Church, VA 22043 > Compliment of The Day, > READ CAREFULLY ! ! ! > > I am Mitch Lawrence the Vice President, Security and Counterintelligence (CI) for United States Investigations Services (USIS) in alliance with Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) with the head Office in Nigeria. We the United States government and the United Nation, we have been working towards the eradication of Internet Scam around the globe, western part of Africa to be precise. > > However, it has been revealed that there’s no fund in your name anywhere in the world, if you have been receiving e-mails from Banks, Compensation Office, Lottery, Inheritance funds e.t.c., you’re therefore advise to ignore such e-mails they are impostor/fraudster trying to rip you off your hard earn money and if you’re in communication with any person or office claiming that your funds is with them, we also advise you to stop/seize further communication and transaction with such person/office immediately, they are all liars and thieves. Also you’re order to forward such emails to this office to help aid the arrest of this fraudsters and impostors. > > We have been able to track down so many of this scam artist in various part of west Africa countries which includes (NIGERIA, REPUBLIC OF BENIN, TOGO, GHANA CAMERON AND SENEGAL), they are all in the custody of the United States Secret Agent (USSA) Nigeria, also huge amount of money was recovered from the scam artists. In reference to this, several indoor meeting was held between the United Nation, United States government and the African Union in Abuja the federal capital of Nigeria, agreement was reached that scam victims will be compensated with the money recovered from scam artist that are in custody of the Nigeria Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the United States Secret Agent (USSA) in Nigeria. > > Note this e-mail is been directed to you because during our investigations, your email address was found in one of the scam Artists file and computer hard disk in our custody. In reference to this regards, you will be compensated with the sum of US$17, .500,000.00 (Seventeen Million five Hundred Thousand Dollars). Meanwhile, the Africa Union has requested for evidence to prove you are a victim of West Africa scam. In plight to this regards the USIS have appointed a United State base Attorney (Barrister Anderson Lee) here in the State to advocate on your behalf and provide the requested evidence to process the payment approval for your fund to be release to you. > > IMPORTANT NOTICE: The only fee you’re to pay to the Attorney is the processing fee $325.00 for procurment of legal evidence to prove to the West Africa Union that you are a victim of scam. Also kindly request him to direct you on how to submit the processing fee $325. > Kindly verify your details to Barrister Anderson Lee to enable him process and secure evidence to aid the release of your payment to you, also make sure your details and residential address are provided correctly to avoid any atom of mistake and delay during processing. > > (1) Your Full Name: … > (2) Full Residential Address:… (P.O.BOX NOT ALLOWED) > (3) Direct Phone Number: … > (4) Valid ID Card: … > CONTACT PERSON: Barrister Anderson Lee > TEL: +1 (484) 362-0262 > > As soon as he received your details, the processing to aid the release of your Compensation Refund will be facilitated immediately and your US$17, .500,000.00 (Seventeen Million five Hundred Thousand Dollars) will be made payable to you in due time within the next 72 hours. > Treat as urgent! > > Regards. > Mitch Lawrence > Vice President, Security and Counterintelligence > United States Investigations Services (USIS) > ============================== ============================== ============================== ============================== ============================== ================= > Copyright ? 2016 US Investigations Services, LLC (USIS) All Rights Reserved. > This electronic message transmission is intended only for the use of the party to which it is addressed, including any attachments and contains Investigations from United States Investigations Services (USIS), which may be privileged, confidential, or protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, copying or distribution of this e-mail or its contents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and also deleting it from your computer. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/9 "2018-02-25T17:32:21Z")
What’s the daily limit on that ATM card? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/10 "2018-02-25T23:54:49Z")
There’s a variation of it that I get in the school’s email about once a month. If I’m really bored, I’ll string the guy along for a while. The gist is always that he has 3-4 kids, wants to pay for Taekwondo lessons, uniforms, etc. up front. The kids will be delivered by a car service. I’m supposed to add on a surcharge, then forward that surcharge amount to the car service. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/11 "2018-02-26T00:56:05Z")
The victims of these scams are often people with dementia or other forms of diminished mental capacity. It doesn’t matter how well-known the scam is if there are enough potential victims who don’t have the ability to recognize obvious fraud. The mother of one of my friends fell victim to scammers several years ago. She was a woman who once ran a successful business. Unfortunately she developed dementia, and it progressed to the point where she was an easy mark. By the time my friend discovered what was going on, his mom had lost $150,000. He was never able to get her to understand that she was being bilked, and he had to get conservatorship in order to protect her (a rather painful process). He reported it to the police, and his mom thought when the cops paid a visit that she was in some sort of legal trouble (again, he couldn’t get her to understand that she was the victim, not the perpetrator). That’s why these sociopathic bastards keep using the Nigerian scam. It works. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/12 "2018-02-26T01:57:18Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > Barnum summarized things pretty well. If anything, he underestimated. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/13 "2018-02-26T02:04:32Z")
I found out recently that some Nigerian and other African scammers use Skype to reel in their victims, and use white people as accomplices because people will be more likely to fall for it, especially if the person has an American accent. A well-known American reporter stationed in Africa posted on Twitter a while back that one of these scammers offered him US$10,000 a MONTH to do this. :eek: He declined. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/14 "2018-02-26T02:12:39Z")
> [@](#): > > A well-known American reporter stationed in Africa posted on Twitter a while back that one of these scammers offered him US$10,000 a MONTH to do this. And he just had to front the $500 for guild fees first, right? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/15 "2018-02-26T02:53:56Z")
I’ve recently gotten spams from some people claiming I have unpaid parking tickets. Please send $54 immediately or a warrant will be issued. I also get ones about fictitious tax refunds. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/16 "2018-02-26T03:58:13Z")
Yep. I get these at least once a month still. Looks like I last got one on 1/21/18. (Just searched for the word “million,” as they all seem to have a phrase that reads something like “ten million dollars” is it. This one says: > [@](#): > > From the Desk Of: > SENATOR OLUBUKOLA A. SARAKI > SENATE PRESIDENT > ABUJA – NIGERIA > > From the Records of outstanding payment with the federal government of > Nigeria, your name was discovered amongst the outstanding who have not yet > received their payments. I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now > in square hole, and can be voguish for that your payment is being processed > and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. > > Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is > US$10,500,000.00 million dollars. Square peg, square hole, voguish, what??? So this email (which I haven’t read until now) apparently says I did some sort of job for them for which I have an outstanding invoice of “$10,500,00.00 million dollars.” So that’s like ten and a half trillion bucks, right? It’s getting a little more interesting as I read on: > [@](#): > > However, where having some serious problems with your payment which have > demoralized us, In respect to this payment, one Mr. James Banks submitted an > application that you authorized your funds to be paid to him on your behalf > with a report that you are now paralyzed as a result of the ghastly motor > accident you had some months back and we would like to confirm the below. Wait. What happened to me now? Ghastly, indeed. And then I have another one a week before that involving a will and somehow me ending up with “USD$10,000,000.00 (TEN MILLION DOLLARS ONLY)” from the First Inland Bank of Nigeria plc. Sounds legit. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/17 "2018-02-26T04:52:53Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I found out recently that some Nigerian and other African scammers use Skype to reel in their victims, and use white people as accomplices because people will be more likely to fall for it, especially if the person has an American accent. A well-known American reporter stationed in Africa posted on Twitter a while back that one of these scammers offered him US$10,000 a MONTH to do this. :eek: > > He declined. Well, he should have. They have USD$57,000,000 DOLLARS. They can pay more, dammit. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/18 "2018-02-26T05:27:13Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > So this email (which I haven’t read until now) apparently says I did some sort of job for them for which I have an outstanding invoice of “$10,500,00.00 million dollars.” So that’s like ten and a half trillion bucks, right? You shouldn’t have posted this publicly. Under the constructive receipt rules, you should have paid tax on this amount in the year you could first have collected it. You probably owe the IRS billions in interest and penalties. Expect to hear from Agent Bob Jones from the IRS Special Victims Unit soon. I would go and load up on iTunes gift cards before he calls. You might be able to make an offer in compromise if you have the serial numbers ready to read to Agent Smith. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/19 "2018-02-26T06:11:16Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > Barnum summarized things pretty well. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > If anything, he underestimated. There’s no evidence that P. T. Barnum ever said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” > **[There's a sucker born every minute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There%27s_a_sucker_born_every_minute)** > > "There's a sucker born every minute" is a phrase closely associated with P. T. Barnum, an American showman of the mid-19th century, although there is no evidence that he actually said it. Early examples of its use are found among gamblers and confidence tricksters. > Barnum's biographer Arthur H. Saxon tried to track down when Barnum had uttered this phrase but was unable to verify it. According to Saxon, "There's no contemporary account of it, or even any suggestion that the word 'sucker' was use... ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546/20 "2018-02-26T14:48:35Z")
I would have said I didn’t get any of these, but it looks like the spam filter is doing its job well. The most recent one in the spam filter is only three days old. It’s ‘from’ Benin rather than Nigeria, and there’s some new wrinkles I don’t remember from years back, but same basic idea. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-theyre-still-doing-the-nigerian-scam/809546.md?page=2)