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We have all heard the phrase "buyer beware" and with the ability of the internet to reach millions of people with a click of a button--this phrase has never been more true. One scam we should all be aware of is labeled the "Nigerian Scam." This subject generally shows up with a subject line of "Urgent Assistance" or possibly "I need your assistance..." There are numerous forms of this scam but they generally all work the same way.

Someone from a foreign country (usually an African or South American Nation) has a large amount of money that they need to move out of the country. They offer to make you a business partner but need your help to setup (including initial deposit of funds) and provide access to, a legitimate bank account. They will use this account to transfer millions of dollars and you get to keep some percentage of the money or some pre-set dollar amount.

Do NOT fall into this scheme. It is most likely, as you can imagine, that once the account is opened and your money is deposited it quickly disappears. Any other type of transaction, if the person on the emailing end were indeed being truthful about a transfer and "your" opportunity, you will most likely find your self on the handcuffed side of an agent from the FBI, U.S.Treasury, or other agency for Fraud and/or Money Laundering.

The U.S. Treasury has a good description of these scams at...

including where to report them if you have lost money. You may also find it useful to refer to:
Indentity Theft - the Risk, Protection from, and How to respond
in order to understand your RISK in involving yourself in any type of situation that compromises your Personal Identification; like might be able to be obtained via Banking information!!

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