Stenberg warns of scam letter

Friday, June 21, 2002

LINCOLN -- Nebraska Attorney General Don Stenberg has released new information on the Nigerian scam letter.

Stenberg said that the letter is now arriving in the e-mail or fax form.

"An official looking letter, now more commonly an e-mail or fax, with an offer to enter into a confidential 'business arrangement' promises to result in several million dollars being put into your bank account," Stenberg said. "Don't be too quick to respond with the name and address of your bank and your personal bank account number, as the sender requests. You have just been solicited by the Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud scam and your a potential victim, not a potential millionaire," Stenberg warned.

The letter has been circulating in the United States since the mid-80s and now senders are using technology to reach people in a different way.

"Copy cats' of the letter are also being sent from foreign destinations including Zimbabwe, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The letters are pleas for help to get funds out of the countries and into the United States by having the money deposited into the victims bank accounts.

The letter might also appeal to Christians and suggest that they want to advance someone's personal Christian efforts by providing money to the victim.

The letter often contains a sad story of a young man trying to regain his rightful inheritance, but it can only be done with the victims help.

Other letters can claim to be from someone who found the victims name and address in their deceased relative's address book and assumes the victim is a friend who would help shield the deceased's assets.

Those who respond to the appeal will never receive the promised reward and instead lose money through the victims bank account.

Stenberg suggests to those who receive an e-mail to not respond with personal information including banking information, letterhead stationary, blank business forms or money; to forward the letter to the office of the Nebraska Attorney General, consumer protection division and to block the sender if the letter came through an e-mail account.

More information can be obtained at the office of Attorney General Don Stenberg, Consumer Protection Division, 2115 State Capitol Building, Lincoln, NE 68509, (402) 471-2682, (800) 727-6432 or log on to the web at www.ago.state.ne.us

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