This is the Nigerian Advance Fee Scheme, or the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Scam - also known internationally as "4-1-9" fraud, after the section of the Nigerian penal code which addresses fraud schemes. This scam has been around for long enough to become the third biggest industry in Nigeria.

This is a very dangerous scam.

Urban legends page: Snopes reports that the rumour (vast wealth is yours) is 'false'.

scambusters.org Avoid these scams like the plague! Don't let promises of large amounts of money impair your judgment.

Hypocrisy Today wonders: What dumb business person would fall for such a proposition?

2 Scam U reminds us that: Con artists are, by nature, very persuasive people.

Quatloos The US Secret Service reports that in June of 1995 an American who was pursuing one of these scams was found murdered in Lagos and that numerous other persons have been reported missing.

ABC 28 news.com reports two arrests in Atlanta.

US Department of State Publication 10786: Tips for Business Travelers to Nigeria.

Each week, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos, Nigeria (along with many other embassies) handles several "scam" cases in which businesspeople, many of them experienced in overseas transactions, have lost to confidence operators sums ranging from a few thousand to upwards of one million dollars.

National Australian Security Providers Association: Copies of impressive looking scam letters here - apparently even Aussies are not immune to falling for it. (sigh)

I used to be the President of the Top End Folk Club, and would receive lots of these polite letters, all the way from Nigeria - Dear Mr President...

Bridge for sale all offers considered - please contact me at dodgy-scam@bloody-obvious.com

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