Jay_workman
Jax,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, July 14, 2008
Hey bro, you just got hit with that is called a Nigerian 419 scam. These scumbags hang out on craigslist, ebay...all over. They offer to send you checks for a large amount, then tell you to take what you need and send them the rest. The checks are fake so by the time you cash it, the money is on its way to them and all the while your bank is still processing it. By the time the bank finds out, you get arrested for fraudulent check and they make off with money that was never theirs. You get stuck paying the funds back because you made the transaction, it's ugly. 419 refers to the penal code of the Nigerian government regarding fraud (AFF) but it has become a very profitable worldwide organization. Think about this, how can they have you arrested if you dont wire their money back? You at the time, didnt cash the checks. Therefore you owe nothing. Bending to their will is how the scam works. They try to intimidate you and scare you into sending money, but they didnt even wire it to you. And diplomat? Come on now, that has suspicion written all over it. Did you ask for an employee ID number for anyone, direct contact numbers through the main company directory, why you were being treated like a leper if you haven't even cashed the checks, where their HQ is located at...any of the above? 9 times out of 10, scammers dont research who they are trying to represent so likely they wont have any valid answers. Best I can tell you is to check out www.419eater.com. The site is not only comical in its approach to dealing with these crooks, but it sheds alot of light on their scams. it will make you wiser, perhaps help you atleast stay out of jail and maybe just maybe help you recover some of your money. Thats no guarantee, but you will see that you now have alot in common with ALOT of people, myself included. I only got nabbed for 150 bucks and I did get it back, but still...these guys operate in every country and some are very convincing. From bank websites, credit card offers, emails, phone calls...they use every venue they can. If only 2 out of a thousand people send money, hey...they didn't do anything to deserve it and its hard to convict them. Just be glad you didn't get robbed out of more than 4 grand. Others have lost hundreds of thousands, even millions! Good luck to you bro, Jay