Nigerian scammers meet with innovative bureaucracy

NZPA ^ | December 4 2003

[shaggy eel]

Baiting conmen new internet sport

Computer buffs in New Zealand are "baiting" Nigerian fraudsters in a game dubbed the new internet bloodsport, a report said today.

The ultimate goal is to turn the fraud back on the Nigerians, but authorities warn the game is dangerous and are urging people not to play.

Scam-baiters start by replying to emails from African fraudsters trying to fleece recipients with fake charities or investments.

The baiters pretend to fall for the scams while secretly humiliating the fraudsters, whom they call "lads."

Typically, they make endless demands for proof of identity that force the lads to forge passports, bank accounts and documents. Excerpt from a con letter

"The following morning, I traveled to the village and accessed his inner rooms and discovered five trunks full of money, all totaling to Forty Three Million, Four Hundred United States Dollars only ($43.40M).

Dear Friend, as much as we recognize that a lot of wonders happen these days, you do not have to doubt the authenticity of my mothers mail to you, because we are really oppressed, and we need the assistance of a God fearing person and a good natured man to help us clear our funds from a security company, and bank it up for us while we make arrangements to travel and join you up as soon as the shipment is effected.

For your assistance, we will be ready to allow you have 20% of the entire funds, while 5% will be set aside to off set all minor and major expenses that might be incurred by both parties at the end of the transaction.

The remaining 75% will be left for my family to continue our lives."

Sometimes the lads are told to photograph themselves in ridiculous poses, with loaves of bread on their heads, or clutching signs with secret passwords.

A North Islander with the baiter name ScamTech said baiting was plain good fun.

He liked the "thrill of the hunt, matching wits with complete strangers" and getting "trophy" photographs and fake documents.

ScamTech did not think baiting was dangerous, but did not want the fraudsters to know his real identity.

"They have been known to kill people who cause them trouble."

Auckland baiter Vek, aged 17, told a lad he was the head of a multinational firm. "Now I'm convincing him to take photos of various clothing items and generally make a fool of himself.

"These people have pretty bad English, and you can get a laugh out of the lengths they will go to rip you off," Vek said.

Ministry of Consumer Affairs spokeswoman Julie Allan said baiting was "extremely dangerous and silly".

Every conversation with a fraudster gave snippets of personal information that could be used against a person, she said.

Nigeria is the source of endless computer-based attempts to encourage people to invest in fraudulent get-rich-quick schemes.

[shaggy eel]

~ We ain't too smart but we have a whole lotta fun ~

[shaggy eel]

,,, gotta getta laugh outta this news!

[null and void]

LOL! You must have quite a photo album of Nigerians...

[shaggy eel]

ping

[shaggy eel]

You must have quite a photo album of Nigerians...

,,, you'll never understand what want is.

[Peace will be here soon]

Who is that guy?

[Holly_P]

I got one once. What I want to know is there a record of anyone anywhere ever falling for this crap?

[shaggy eel]

,,, he's meant to be me, but he's not. Just an obnoxious pic from my homepage. I scanned it from a Fleetlease advert in a magazine.

[Tennessee_Bob]

That's Shaggy Eel, of course. I thought everyone knew that!

[shaggy eel]

,,, I know there were a few naive and reasonably wealthy New Zealanders sucked in towards the start of it.

[elbucko]

Good for you guy's. Go get 'em. The "Nigerian Fraud" predates the Internet, as my fax machine used to receive one of their pleading letters once a month in the early nineties. Just wasting the the cons valuable (?) time, is a con in itself. Good show.

[tacticalogic]

What I want to know is there a record of anyone anywhere ever falling for this crap?

Unfortunately, yes. If no one ever fell for it, they wouldn't keep doing it.

[concordKIWI]

The new national sport that will over take rugby and soon to be in the Olympics.

[shaggy eel]

,,, Bob! I won't bother with scamming you, just send me the money.

[ElkGroveDan]

I spent an entire afternoon laughing myself to tears reading some of these exchanges at http://www.scamorama.com

[stands2reason]

Never underestimate the stupidity and greed of human beings.

[shaggy eel]

,,, just for the record, I think a lot of those forex traders out of Geneva and Lisbon are in the same boat.

[JimVT]

Bush

The URL is something about Babes for Bush!

[stands2reason]

he's meant to be me, but he's not.

I'm sorry...?

[Holly_P]

Unfortunately, yes. If no one ever fell for it, they wouldn't keep doing it.

You're right. I just wish I could get people to quit sending me ads for viagra and magic pecker growing pills. I don't know any males named Holly. What's their point?