How big/smart do these nigerian scams get?

[magreen]

Look, they claim that they're going to send your family member all $30k of the money before he sends the item to them.

That right there proves they're frauds. NOBODY does that when purchasing a large item. The way business is actually done is the buyer puts the money in an escrow account with a lawyer, who signs a contract that he will transfer the sum of money to the seller after the seller has transferred posession of the object for sale to the buyer.

Your case is clearly a fraud. You'd have to be an idiot to transfer $30k to somebody before receiving any safeguards in return. They're definitely going to cheat him out of the object and/or some money.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: slayer202

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: slayer202

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: slayer202

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: slayer202
anyone have any resources/links that can give some kind of explanation? since a wire transfer seems like a safe route, I don't want to just tell the person "don't do it, it's a scam".

I tried googling a bit but could only find the stupid craiglist/email scams

Is this a person they've known and trusted all their life? Have they met this person face to face?

If not, there is NO reason whatsoever to provide this person with $30,000, no matter what the means.

.....the money is getting transfered TO my family member. they aren't sending anyone else any money.

I am under the impression that wiring money is like sending cash. if the bank says the wire goes through, doesn't that mean the money was there, and is now in your account?

Is your family member being asked to send money or goods at all? If not, they will be. Do NOT send anything whatsoever, no matter what they ask. Even if it's just $100 and that's so paltry compared to the $30,000 that your family member will be able to see they received. That $30k will evaporate in a few days/weeks after receipt. Anything the family member sends to Nigeria will be gone.

This is a CLASSIC scam. DO NOT DO!

ok, don't read the original post...


but how is it possible the bank accepts a fake wire transfer!

I mean they figure it out eventually. It's not the banks job to protect you from your idiocy.

I am receiving a wire transfer. it isn't the bank's job to confirm it is legitimate? a wire transfer is supposed to be a secure transaction, meaning it shouldn't be able to be completed without the actual funds. funds from a stolen account is another thing

Unfortunately, many banks will say the wire transfer funds are available within 24 hours, but this does not mean that the wire transfer is good. It may take two or three weeks to know if the transfer is good or not, but by then it is too late for the victim (during this time they have already wired the money to the overseas person, and they can?t get the money back).

Copied from a scam alert website.

 

[slayer202]

jeez, that is just ridiculous lol. i appreciate the posts everyone, thank you for the help. I am pretty shocked

 

[imported_six]

It's a scam. They're wiring money from a stolen account to your friend. A month later the owner will find out. A month or two later, the owner of that stolen account through the legal process will get back what's left of his/her money from your friend.

Best advice is to talk to the bank rep.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Jesus, just don't do business in Nigeria period. Problem solved.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
As soon as it gets transferred move the money to a totally separate account then close the account it was transferred to. Then ship the item.

Somehow, they probably got all the information required to take money back out of that account now. I would not trust it. These guys are getting way too smart. They've even scammed banks. My guess is now that they got the account number they'll call up the bank as the owner and try to get the money taken out.

Doesn't work like that. The funds are a scam and once discovered you are on the hook whether you closed that account or not.

If you get Western Union then that's as good as cash...

In general though 99% of all transactions to Nigeria are going to be a scam. Chances are even if not you can find a more reputable buyer outside that country.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: mb
It's a huge scam FFS. No more explanation is needed! Being a wire transfer does NOT make it any bit safer.

Text

Wire transfer scams usually involve sending someone money - not receiving.

can go both ways.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: slayer202
but how is it possible the bank accepts a fake wire transfer!

Have you tried calling the banks? If they tell you that the money is 100% safe and in your account, then go for it. It may even pay to record that call so that if something does happen you can hold the bank liable.

If they can't guarantee 100% that the money is safely in your possession then I'd bail out.

This is no protection. Funds can easily clears on an account and then be discovered to be fraudulent. It's your responsibility not the banks.

 

[nerp]

The reason why they can wire a fradulent $30,000 wire transfer is the same reason someone canwalk into a supermarket, put $1,000 worth of groceries into two carts, write a bad check and walk off with the goods. The supermarket deposits the check, their bank balance goes up .. . until the bank actually gets around to processing it and the bank the check is drawn on says insufficient funds. Similarly, a wire transfer can go to your bank, appear as if it's all fine and dandy and when those transcations are finally reconciled, bam.

Seriously, dude. Why in the hell would ANYONE send more money than needed and ask you to send the money back? It's BS plain and simple. If you go through with this, enjoy your new $30,000 debt. And hopefully, your bank is willing to put you on some kind of payment plan.

 

[GeezerMan]

I'm getting a lot of scam emails lately. Most are very funny. I usually respond with a little email of my own, as seen below. So far, no takers.

"What an unusual turn of events my friend. Fate has most certainly introduced us.
I too find myself in need of a proxy for a financial transaction.
I am but a loyal servant to the The House of Abdul, royal family of
Kazakhstan in exile. The recent military coup led by retired American
General George Patton, has succeeded in finally returning The House of Abdul back
into its rightful place as the ruling family. The family had entrusted with
me a portion of their vast fortune while they were in exile. I deposited 40
million U.S. into the USB Swiss Bank. Unfortunately for me, the
Swiss banker I entrusted with the funds has proven to be an unprincipled
enemy of The House of Abdul. He is demanding what he calls an account
withdrawal fee of $10,000.00 cash up front in order for me to access the funds for transfer back to Kazakhstan. I do not have such funds myself.
I am unable to tell his Royal Highness of the situation for it would mean most certain imprisonment for myself.
If you were able to wire the amount of $10,000.00 to my personal
account in the Cayman Islands, this would allow me to pay the Swiss banker
in order to withdraw the deposited 40 million dollars. I would be most
grateful, and in return, I would wire to your account the sum of $750,000.00 U.S.
Time is of the essence in this matter. Please respond as soon as possible.

Borat Sagdiyev, Royal Servant."

 

[gsethi]

Google for answers

[/thread]

 

[Firebot]

Originally posted by: slayer202

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: slayer202

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: slayer202

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: slayer202
anyone have any resources/links that can give some kind of explanation? since a wire transfer seems like a safe route, I don't want to just tell the person "don't do it, it's a scam".

I tried googling a bit but could only find the stupid craiglist/email scams

Is this a person they've known and trusted all their life? Have they met this person face to face?

If not, there is NO reason whatsoever to provide this person with $30,000, no matter what the means.

.....the money is getting transfered TO my family member. they aren't sending anyone else any money.

I am under the impression that wiring money is like sending cash. if the bank says the wire goes through, doesn't that mean the money was there, and is now in your account?

Is your family member being asked to send money or goods at all? If not, they will be. Do NOT send anything whatsoever, no matter what they ask. Even if it's just $100 and that's so paltry compared to the $30,000 that your family member will be able to see they received. That $30k will evaporate in a few days/weeks after receipt. Anything the family member sends to Nigeria will be gone.

This is a CLASSIC scam. DO NOT DO!

ok, don't read the original post...


but how is it possible the bank accepts a fake wire transfer!

I mean they figure it out eventually. It's not the banks job to protect you from your idiocy.

I am receiving a wire transfer. it isn't the bank's job to confirm it is legitimate? a wire transfer is supposed to be a secure transaction, meaning it shouldn't be able to be completed without the actual funds. funds from a stolen account is another thing

That's the whole point of the scam. Same way that international checks will actually clear, until you find out 2-3 weeks after the fact that the account doesn't exist. People get the money, see it stick, then think it's legit. THAT IS HOW THEY FOOL YOU!

And tell your family member to stop using the internet. Seriously getting scammed like this is really really dumb. I can bet you that the reply your family member got can be googled word for word and found in a scam site. I did that for a friend who thought he was getting a great deal when a dude from Texas wanted to buy his 10 year old car situated in Canada for twice as much as asked.

 

[zerocool84]

This thread is a scam.

 

[Insomniator]

What kind of a moron would even think about doing any business with anyone/thing in nigeria?

If 99% of something is a scam, that might as well be 100%. Hell same deal if 10% is a scam...

You should let your family member get ripped off and maybe he'll learn something.

 

[slayer202]

all the people yelling "omg youre stupid it's a scam" need to chill the hell out. there are millions of older people who don't use the internet 1% of the time most of AT members do, and have not heard anything about any scams coming from nigeria. so if you are in business and someone you have been in contact with through other people, as well as met in person says they want to buy "x" item and wire the money, which you think can not be reversed, as the bank says it can't be, why wouldn't you make the deal?

I'll keep the thread updated for the people who are dying to say "i told you so"

 

[Colt45]

nigera = autofail

someone should shut off their tube.

 

[Terabyte]

They even message me on facebook. And then they send me a fake paypal email with my full name on it (cuz of facebook). i just send the email to spoof@paypal and block them stupid nigerians.

 

[us3rnotfound]

eat a Lean Pocket.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: slayer202
anyone have any resources/links that can give some kind of explanation? since a wire transfer seems like a safe route, I don't want to just tell the person "don't do it, it's a scam".

I tried googling a bit but could only find the stupid craiglist/email scams

Don't listen to people on here, if they send your friend money you're friend went to either a Western Union or Money Gram location and would walk out with cash. There is zero chance of it being a scam if they received a wire transfer. W.U. gives you cash not a check, it's 100% safe. The person sending in Nigeria has to send money, Africa does not allow money to be sent via credit card. There's zero chance of your friend getting screwed here. Nigeria might be known as the scam capital of the world, but a W.U. money transfer (cash not money order) is fail safe. I use to work at a store that did W.U.'s and send/received thousands. In the US there can be a problem due to people using stolen CC's to send, but W.U. only takes cash from Africa so your friend is good to go.

if this is a xfer from a bank to another bank that's totally different, but W.U. wire transfers are as legit as you can get.

 

[Firebot]

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: slayer202
anyone have any resources/links that can give some kind of explanation? since a wire transfer seems like a safe route, I don't want to just tell the person "don't do it, it's a scam".

I tried googling a bit but could only find the stupid craiglist/email scams

Don't listen to people on here, if they send your friend money you're friend went to either a Western Union or Money Gram location and would walk out with cash. There is zero chance of it being a scam if they received a wire transfer. W.U. gives you cash not a check, it's 100% safe. The person sending in Nigeria has to send money, Africa does not allow money to be sent via credit card. There's zero chance of your friend getting screwed here. Nigeria might be known as the scam capital of the world, but a W.U. money transfer (cash not money order) is fail safe. I use to work at a store that did W.U.'s and send/received thousands. In the US there can be a problem due to people using stolen CC's to send, but W.U. only takes cash from Africa so your friend is good to go.

if this is a xfer from a bank to another bank that's totally different, but W.U. wire transfers are as legit as you can get.

Did you not read any of the googled links? The fact that people think of wire transfer as fail proof is the exact reason why the scam works!

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: Firebot

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: slayer202
anyone have any resources/links that can give some kind of explanation? since a wire transfer seems like a safe route, I don't want to just tell the person "don't do it, it's a scam".

I tried googling a bit but could only find the stupid craiglist/email scams

Don't listen to people on here, if they send your friend money you're friend went to either a Western Union or Money Gram location and would walk out with cash. There is zero chance of it being a scam if they received a wire transfer. W.U. gives you cash not a check, it's 100% safe. The person sending in Nigeria has to send money, Africa does not allow money to be sent via credit card. There's zero chance of your friend getting screwed here. Nigeria might be known as the scam capital of the world, but a W.U. money transfer (cash not money order) is fail safe. I use to work at a store that did W.U.'s and send/received thousands. In the US there can be a problem due to people using stolen CC's to send, but W.U. only takes cash from Africa so your friend is good to go.

if this is a xfer from a bank to another bank that's totally different, but W.U. wire transfers are as legit as you can get.

Did you not read any of the googled links? The fact that people think of wire transfer as fail proof is the exact reason why the scam works!

wire transfers cash wise are fail proof, W.U. agents can look up if it was sent with cash or with a CC. With a CC there's always a chance if you don't know the person it was a stolen CC. I sent and recevied thousands of wire transfers, many even to and from Nigeria and never had W.U. get involved once due to shady shit happening. I cannot speak on bank to bank transfers except I know they do hold a risk. A money transfer, which is 98% of W.U. is totally safe. I would trust a MONEY wire transfer sent from Nigeria as much as I would trust the check I get from my company every other week for working for them.

with that amount I would guess it's a bank to bank, that should be a huge red flag to anyone.

 

[Firebot]

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: Firebot

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: slayer202
anyone have any resources/links that can give some kind of explanation? since a wire transfer seems like a safe route, I don't want to just tell the person "don't do it, it's a scam".

I tried googling a bit but could only find the stupid craiglist/email scams

Don't listen to people on here, if they send your friend money you're friend went to either a Western Union or Money Gram location and would walk out with cash. There is zero chance of it being a scam if they received a wire transfer. W.U. gives you cash not a check, it's 100% safe. The person sending in Nigeria has to send money, Africa does not allow money to be sent via credit card. There's zero chance of your friend getting screwed here. Nigeria might be known as the scam capital of the world, but a W.U. money transfer (cash not money order) is fail safe. I use to work at a store that did W.U.'s and send/received thousands. In the US there can be a problem due to people using stolen CC's to send, but W.U. only takes cash from Africa so your friend is good to go.

if this is a xfer from a bank to another bank that's totally different, but W.U. wire transfers are as legit as you can get.

Did you not read any of the googled links? The fact that people think of wire transfer as fail proof is the exact reason why the scam works!

wire transfers cash wise are fail proof, W.U. agents can look up if it was sent with cash or with a CC. With a CC there's always a chance if you don't know the person it was a stolen CC. I sent and recevied thousands of wire transfers, many even to and from Nigeria and never had W.U. get involved once due to shady shit happening. I cannot speak on bank to bank transfers except I know they do hold a risk. A money transfer, which is 98% of W.U. is totally safe. I would trust a MONEY wire transfer sent from Nigeria as much as I would trust the check I get from my company every other week for working for them.

I'll give you a huge hint.

What do you need to give a would be buyer for your wire transfer?

2nd hint.

What does websites like this do?

If you haven't put two and two together yet, then I can't help you. The major risk is not that the account sending the money is stolen or not (which can still happen)

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy
It's a scam.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: Firebot

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: Firebot

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: slayer202
anyone have any resources/links that can give some kind of explanation? since a wire transfer seems like a safe route, I don't want to just tell the person "don't do it, it's a scam".

I tried googling a bit but could only find the stupid craiglist/email scams

Don't listen to people on here, if they send your friend money you're friend went to either a Western Union or Money Gram location and would walk out with cash. There is zero chance of it being a scam if they received a wire transfer. W.U. gives you cash not a check, it's 100% safe. The person sending in Nigeria has to send money, Africa does not allow money to be sent via credit card. There's zero chance of your friend getting screwed here. Nigeria might be known as the scam capital of the world, but a W.U. money transfer (cash not money order) is fail safe. I use to work at a store that did W.U.'s and send/received thousands. In the US there can be a problem due to people using stolen CC's to send, but W.U. only takes cash from Africa so your friend is good to go.

if this is a xfer from a bank to another bank that's totally different, but W.U. wire transfers are as legit as you can get.

Did you not read any of the googled links? The fact that people think of wire transfer as fail proof is the exact reason why the scam works!

wire transfers cash wise are fail proof, W.U. agents can look up if it was sent with cash or with a CC. With a CC there's always a chance if you don't know the person it was a stolen CC. I sent and recevied thousands of wire transfers, many even to and from Nigeria and never had W.U. get involved once due to shady shit happening. I cannot speak on bank to bank transfers except I know they do hold a risk. A money transfer, which is 98% of W.U. is totally safe. I would trust a MONEY wire transfer sent from Nigeria as much as I would trust the check I get from my company every other week for working for them.

I'll give you a huge hint.

What do you need to give a would be buyer for your wire transfer?

2nd hint.

What does websites like this do?

If you haven't put two and two together yet, then I can't help you. The major risk is not that the account sending the money is stolen or not (which can still happen)

Nothing, with Western Union I can give the buyer a fake name and tell them I don't have a ID and get a password to pick up the transfer. That way they don't even know my name. I don't have to give them any personal information, and can pick it up from a W.U. location without even showing an ID. A MONEY transfer is cash directly to you, there's no bank account involved, not on your end any ways.

of course a bank to bank xfer is stupid with a stranger involved, but most wire transfers don't involved bank accounts at all.