Letter from Nigeria seeking help is old scam

A Hubbard couple recognized the letter as a fraud immediately.
By CYNTHIA VINARSKY
VINDICATOR BUSINESS WRITER
HUBBARD -- Letters promoting a longtime investment fraud originating out of Nigeria have made a reappearance in e-mail messages and fax machines around the Mahoning Valley recently.
This time, though, some include a new twist designed to prey on recipients' fears in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America.
Patricia Rose, president of the Better Business Bureau of the Mahoning Valley, said the scam artists are also contacting individuals as well as businesses -- a teacher was among the local recipients this week.
In the past, the con artists concentrated mainly on corporate targets.
What it says: As in the past, she said, the letter writer identifies himself as a Nigerian government official and promises to pay the recipient millions of dollars for cooperating with a scheme to get money out of the African country.
The newest version adds a caveat: It warns that the recipient's refusal to help could result in the money's being used, instead, to buy ammunition for a military war college.
"This has been going on for years and years and years," Rose said. "What has changed is that now they're using scare tactics."
The con artists don't ask for money, but they ask the recipient to provide their telephone numbers and bank account numbers. Business recipients also are asked to fax two copies of their company letterhead and a stamped, signed company invoice.
"We always tell people, never, ever give out any personal information, such as bank account numbers or Social Security numbers," Rose said. That information would enable the con artist to empty the victim's bank accounts and/or even steal their identity.
Saw the scam: Ted and LaVerne Younkins recognized the letter as a scam immediately when it was faxed to them at their Four Seasons Fire Places LTD store on state Route 7 in Hubbard Township.
"A red flag went up when I saw they were asking for our bank information," Mrs. Younkins said. "I know what can happen if you give that out. You'll go to your account and there will be nothing there."
The letter promised to pay the Younkinses about $9.9 million for their help.
She said she called the BBB immediately to report the scam and learned that others had reported getting letters recently, as well. The letter the Younkinses received did not contain the warnings about the money's being used to buy ammunition.
Mrs. Younkins said she tried to contact the letter writer by e-mail without success.
Rose said the Nigerian fraud has been such a problem that the U.S. Secret Service has agents in its Financial Crimes Division investigating complaints. For more information, call (202) 406-5708.
vinarsky@vindy.com