Division of Criminal Investigation Edward F. Wall, Administrator • Biography ◊ Administrative Services ◊ Field Operations ◊ Gaming Bureau ◊ Office of the State Fire Marshal ◊ Support Services

NIGERIAN ADVANCE FEE FRAUD SCAMS 

Nigerian advance-fee fraud schemes frequently use the following tactics: 

• An individual or company receives a letter, fax or e-mail from an alleged official representing a foreign government or agency. 
• An offer is made to transfer millions of dollars in "over-invoiced contract" funds into your personal bank account. 
• You are encouraged to travel overseas to complete the transaction. 
• You are requested to provide blank company letterhead forms, banking account information, and telephone/fax numbers. 
• You receive numerous documents (with official-looking stamps, seals and logos) testifying to the authenticity of the proposal. 
• Eventually, you are asked to provide up-front or advance fees, ostensibly to cover various taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees or bribes. 

Variations on such scams involve cash on delivery (COD) payments for goods or services, real estate ventures, purchases of crude oil at reduced prices, being named as beneficiary in a will, being named as the recipient of an award, and paper currency conversion. 

If you have lost personal funds in pursuit of such schemes, you should contact the U.S. Secret Service in Washington D.C. at 202-406-5850.

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