Advanced Fee Fraud

This fraud is also known as the “Nigerian Scam” or the “419 Scam” because many of the scams originate in Nigeria, and in the Nigerian penal code “419” refers to the law regarding fraud. However the scams can originate in any country. We place this warning here because we are aware that the criminals carrying out these frauds do on occasion use the names of companies in the Netherlands.

The fraud works by sending an email to thousands of email addresses promising a large amount of money, usually millions of euros. Sometimes the money offered is as a result of a lottery for which you have never bought a ticket. Sometimes the money is held in an account overseas but due to difficult family circumstances the account owner cannot access it, they promise a percentage of the money in return for your help

If you respond you will told that you need to pay a fee, to open an account or cover legal fees. The fee seems quite small in relation to the total winnings; it may only be a few thousand euros.

In most cases googling the winning number or sender’s name reveals that you are not the only person to receive this ‘winning ticket’ or receive a request for help.

Do not respond to these emails. They are part of a fraud and you will not receive any of the promised money.

For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_fee_fraud.