Local Law Firms Home > Criminal Defense Overview > Nigerian Scam Frauds

It could happen to anyone. An individual will log into their email and there will be a letter from someone claiming to be a prince or a diplomat with a large amount of money that’s being held up. The message convinces a victim that they will will receive a large sum of money for their cooperation. Though the scam seems silly when laid out, some people never see it coming. This scam affects people all over the country every year and can be financially ruining.

Have you or someone you love have lost a large sum of money because of a scam? Consult with an experienced fraud attorney in your local area to discuss your case.

Nigerian scams, called 419 scams internationally, are scams that promise big money for a fee. They are most commonly encountered online through auction websites and in insecure email addresses. A scammer will email an unsuspecting victim stating that they are a prince or a diplomat that currently has all his assets tied up .They ask that victims send personal information and a payment to “help” the scammer get his funds released. Though this seems preposterous, the emails tend to catch victims off guard. Potential hazards of complying with a 419 Scam are:

• Stolen Identity
• Bank Fraud
• Cases of Mistaken Identity
• Receiving Counterfeit Money

Unfortunately, the scams are working. A recent government report states that victims lose on average $26,000. In one recent case, a woman from Portland received and email from a scammer claiming to be a government official of a foreign country. The scammer said that an estranged family member of hers had died in the scammer’s country and that he was entrusted with supplying the woman with an inheritance he left behind of over $1,000,000. Incidentally, the initials the scammer provided actually did belong to an estranged grandmother that she had. The victim started making small payments that got bigger and bigger. She wiped out her husband’s retirement account, mortgaged their house and took a lien out on their car. Eventually, she spent a total of $400,000. Many victims will not report these scams because they feel too ashamed or gullible to admit they complied with them. Worse still, some victims still want to believe. If you or someone you love have received one of these emails, the best course is to just delete the message and report it as spam. If you’ve already started sending money and personal information, stop.

If you have been a victim of a scam, don’t wait, an experienced lawyer can help. Contact an experienced fraud lawyer in your local area today!