Information for Travelers

Fraud Warning

Although many people are now aware of "advance fee" fraud schemes, please also be cautious when responding to other types of online inquiries. Scammers will pose as legitimate businesses, single men and women on dating sites, robbery victims and even U.S. citizens in order to draw you into their scam. The bottom line is, if you are asked to send money to someone you have met online please contact the U.S. Embassy before doing so. More information on common scams in the region and around the world can be found below.

International Financial Scams:
http://travel.state.gov/pdf/financial_scams_brochure.pdf

Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud (4-1-9) Resourses

U. S. Department Report on Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud:

    • 33 page document (pdf format - 1.07 MB)

Table of Contents
Cover...........................................................2
Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud .............................3
Introduction...................................................4
How Advance Fee Fraud Works ........................10
Advance Fee Fraud: Themes and Variations .......14
The U.S. Government Response........................26
Before You Go ..............................................32

United States Secret Service:
    • Advice on Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud "OPERATION 4-1-9"
    • Public Awareness Advisory Regarding "4-1-9" Or "Advance Fee Fraud" Schemes

Federal Government of Nigeria Reaction:
    • Central Bank Of Nigeria - Press Statement On Advance Fee Fraud/Scam

NGOs Working Against the Scam:
    • Nigeria - The 419 Coalition Website - "Devoted to fighting the advance money scam..."

Experiences of People With the Fraudsters:
    • Novelist's Account of Scam Experience
    • The longest correspondence in Nigeria Scam

News Stories:
    • Too Good To Be True - Secret Service Counters Nigerian Scams (From ABC News)
Press Release from Hawaii Police on 419 Scam

Sample Letters Sent By Fraudsters: 
Source:  http://www.urbanlegends.about.com/
    • 1st Sample - 20 July 2000
    • 2nd Sample - 18 April 2002
    • 3rd Sample - 23 April 2002
    • 4th Sample - 23 April 2002
    • 5th Sample - 28 April 2002
    • 6th Sample - 29 April 2002
    • 7th Sample - 3 June 2002
    • 8th Sample - 4 June 2002
    • 9th Sample - 4 June 2002
    • 10th Sample - 5 June 2002
    • 11th Sample - 8 June 2002

Exercpt From the State Department Report on Nigerian Advanced Fee Fraud

Introduction:

While checking the office mail ... an unsolicited “confidential business proposal,” from someone purporting to be a Nigerian civil servant. The offer states:

“Having consulted with my colleagues, and based on information gathered from the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to propose a confidential business transaction to our mutual benefit. I and my colleagues have in our possession instruments to transfer the sum of $35,500,000.00 into a foreign company’s account in our favor. This amount emanated as a result from an over-invoiced contract, executed, commissioned, and paid for about two years ago by a foreign contractor. We are therefore seeking your assistance in transferring this money to your account as it can only be remitted to a foreign account, and as civil servants, we are forbidden to operate foreign accounts. The total sum will be shared as follows:
   30% for the account owner (you)
   60% for us
   10% to settle any incidental expenses
“We shall commence the transfer of funds immediately, as soon as you send the following documents/information through the above fax number.
   1. Four copies of your company’s letter head and invoice papers signed and stamped
   2. Your banker’s name, address and fax numbers
   3. The account number and name of would be beneficiary.
“Bear in mind that this is absolutely a private and personal deal, nonofficial; and should be treated with all measure of secrecy and confidentiality.”

Please, download the State Department Report here