Nigerian scammers impersonate FBI agents
The so-called “Nigerian scams” have been a staple for online scammers for a while now, most of whom are located in Nigeria – ergo the name.
Attempts might not be as numerous as before, but every now and then some particularly inventive example surfaces – as is this latest one that GFI warns about.
The e-mail purportedly comes from an FBI agent and tries to convince the potential victim to follow instructions from a financial institution in Nigeria in order to receive “7.500,000 United State Dollar”:
From: Sean Dean. [mailto:Sean.Dean@Fbi.gov.us]
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 5:00 AM
To: xxxxxxxx
Subject: Payment Codes: R5109176KFederal Bureau of Investigation
FBI Seattle Division
1110 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101-2904Payment Codes: R5109176K
Reg No: 132731593
Date: February 09, 2011The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has discovered through our intelligence Monitoring Network, that you have an on going transaction with a Financial Institution in Nigeria, as the owner of 7.500,000 United State Dollar.
Therefore, the FBI Seattle Division in conjunction with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Has screened through our various Monitoring Networks and has been confirmed and notified that the transaction you have with the Financial Institution is Legal and you have the Lawful Right to claim your due fund. We advise you to go ahead with the transaction as we are monitoring all their services and networks. Be advised that any letter or claims notification received from anybody or company should be forwarded to us with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, you are advised to follow the procedure of the Financial Institution. They have their own legal procedure which we have examined and confirmed legal. Follow their instructions while you keep us updated for more details. You are advised to contact the necessary office for more details of transfer as we are monitoring every move now.
Please, be advised and be aware that your funds had been insured and the necessary charges would be taken care of by you, as confirmed by the Monitoring network. For your own good you are advised to confirm any transaction or lottery promo you have either involved yourself with in the past to enable us trace this scammers. Only the Financial Institution has been confirmed Legal any other are still under investigation, and so many others are scam, most especially from Nigeria and Africa.
Please contact the Head of Operations Dr. Tolu Williams, Central Bank of Nigeria.
Dr. Tolu Williams (Head of Operations)
International Remmitance Department
Telephone: +234 808 089 0964
Fax: +234 1 473 5623
Email: central_desks@live.comProvide him with the information below for verification:
Your name:…………………….
…………………
Residential Address:……………………………
Telephone number:……………………………..If you need to contact me at any stage please do not hesitate to call (206)350-6981.
Sincerely,
Steven M. Dean (Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge)
The poor attempt at legalese and the lousy spelling and grammar might trigger some suspicions, but it’s good to remember that in cases such as these, it’s always best to copy parts of the e-mail into a search engine’s search box and check the results. There are sites out there that keep track of online scams and can confirm your suspicions.