Letter advance fee fraud
In a letter or email you might be offered a huge sum of money in return for your help to get money out of a foreign country. The scammers use the information you give them to empty your bank account, or to convince you to send them money upfront.
This scam is often based on the premise that some major event or misfortune, such as the overthrow of a government, has resulted in large sums of money being held in a country by a person or persons who are seeking help in transferring the money to another country. A proportion of the money is offered for help in arranging the transfer.
Or, you will receive a letter, fax or email from someone who says they need help in transferring money overseas, usually US$20-30 million. Typically, the writer claims to be a senior government official, an accountant with a state owned corporation, or perhaps a relative of a deposed or dead politician. It will probably be marked 'Strictly Confidential' or 'Urgent', and offer the opportunity to share in a multi-million pound bonanza.
The writer will tell you he needs to transfer his cash to a bank in your country, and if you let him use your bank account you can keep a big slice for yourself, usually 25 or 30 per cent.
If you reply and give your banking and personal details, you will be sent fake bank statements and similar documents, all intended to prove that the money exists and is heading your way.
It doesn't, and it isn't.
It has been operating for some considerable time, which suggests that it continues to be successful for its operators. In fact, although this type of scam frequently originates from parts of Africa, it can have other sources. There is evidence that a similar scam has operated from the USA.
