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AGO: Watch out for money “Nigerian scam”
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Posted on May 31 1999
A so-called “Nigerian scam” may be active in the Commonwealth, according to Acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara.
“This scam can take several forms. It always originates with a letter to the potential victim promising large sums of money for doing the sender ‘favors,’ which may require the use of the victim’s bank account, either to hold money or for some other purpose, and the victim will have to disclose his bank account number to the sender of the letter,” Kara explains.
Upon receipt of the bank account number, the scammer then develops a ruse to clean out the victim’s bank account. Many of these letters have originated in the country of Nigeria, hence the name ‘Nigerian Scam’.
“Always remember there is never any reason for any legitimate business transaction to need the bank account of a complete stranger,” Kara said. If a bank account is needed to ‘hold’ money or otherwise, the parties to the transaction can open one.
The advice given is to never give your bank account number to anyone for any purpose. The same is true of your credit cards. Never use your credit cards for any purpose except to purchase merchandise or use a bank machine.
Kara warns, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Those seeking further information may contact David Lochabay at the Attorney General’s Office at 664-2341.
