This topic is about the various email scams that are currently doing the rounds on the web and also here via our own mail system. Please read the information below as it may help you to avoid becoming a victim.
If you are
renting a property or selling something in the classifieds you should be wary of accepting cheques. A common scam is for the buyer to mistakenly send a cheque that far exceeds the item's price whereby you are "trusted" to wire back the balance. In this case the cheque will usually fail to clear and if you had wired the balance you will have lost your money.
To avoid this happening you should only accept cheques from people you know. Do not cash cheques that are above the price that was agreed. Alternatively you can arrange to meet in person and exchange the item for cash.
Sometimes you may be contacted under the guise of friendship / relationship but the scammer's ultimate goal is to get your personal details, bank account number, and perhaps even steal your identity. Things to look out for include :
- They clearly haven't read your profile (you're gay / they're straight)
- They live in a distant country
-
They want you to reply to their email address- They are talking about love despite having never met you
- Their English is sometimes quite poor
Below are a few examples of this.
Hello!
I am a lady , I found you profil here at (
www.gaire.com)and picked interest in you.
My name is mercy.I wish to be in love relationship with you
and may be discover ourselves as real partners for life
pls send your e-mail to (removed)
so that i will send my picture to you
Yours in love,
mercy
Hey cute! How are you?
I have looked around this site to find some special man to love and to be with... and your profile has caught my eyes. Looks like we have something general that's why I'm writing this letter...I'm looking for true love and life partner and I hope we can keep in touch to know each other better and who knows, maybe it's our destiny. Please find my profile and you can read there something about me and my lifestyle and to see some photos. If you'll like what you'll read and see and I'll be more than glad to read back from you with any kind of questions... I'll be honest and open, cuz I don't play games and I'm serious in my wishes and I can send other photos also! Here is my email: (xxxx) thus you can reach me quickly and it's private! I think I have to stop it now! I do hope you'll write back
Best regards
Lexy
Some scams involve people in a distant country who wish to hide huge sums of money in your bank account - with a generous fee for you of course, see example below.
Dearest One.
I am writing this message out of a genuine desperation and with a sorrowful heart and i want you to permit me to inform you about my desire to seek for your immediate assistance.i believe that you will not let down the trust and confidence that i am about to repose on you.
I am Mr. James Odorikpe, A sierra leonian .The only son of Mr and Mrs. Jonathan Odorikpe, My father was a very rich diamond merchant, based in free-town, The capital of sierra leone before he was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings to discuss on a business deal.when my mother died on october 24, 2000, my father took me so special since iam motherless .
Before the death of my father on november 26,2006 in a private hospital where he was admitted, he called me secretly to his bed side and told me that he deposited a trunk box containing the sum of $10.000.000usd (10 million united states dollars) in a trust and finance company in Abidjan Cote D'ivoire.
That he also explained to me that it was because of this money he was poisoned by his business partners and that i should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where i would transfer this money and use it for an investment purpose, such as. Real estate investment or stock market investment.
I am honourably soliciting for your kind assistance as follows.
1) To come and meet me here in abidjan Cote D'ivoire, On your arrival you will open a non-residence bank account where this money will be lodged into, After withdrawing it from the trust and finance company.
2) To serve as the guardian of these fund, since i am a young boy of 17 years old till the time i get to the age to managen the fund by my self.
3) To make arrangement for me in your country to continue my educational career and to procure me a residential permit in your country.
I am inclined to offer you 10% of the total sum as a mode of compensation for your efforts after the transferring of these fund to your nominated account overseas and 5% for any expenses that you might incure during the couse of this transaction.
Please, i will be very happy if this transaction will be concluded withine seven (7)working days from now.
Be aware that the trust and finace company does not know the contents of the box as money because my father told me that he deposited the box to them as family valueable. I am expecting hearing from you as soon as possible.
N.B: I will like you to give me your direct telephone and fax numbers in your reply of this proposal for an easy communication.
My private email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
May almighty god bless you as you do care for me amen.
Respectfull your's,
Mr. James Odorikpe.
Should you come across any mail that makes you suspicious please use the message report facility - click the "Report Abusive Mail" button found at the bottom of the message.
