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Nigeria Scams

It's unfortunate that Nigeria's reputation is besmirched by all the scams committed by supposed Nigerians. There are limitless variations on the theme, but all involve someone who offers to convey a large sum of money to you in exchange for a few thousand dollars to cover "bank fees" or other nebulous costs.

"Nigerian" Scams • Fake Money Orders Circulated In Arkansas • A New Twist on the Enduring Nigerian Scam • Victims' Complaints

The best way to avoid being a victim? Don't expect to get something for nothing, don't send money to strangers in foreign countries. These scams frequently use counterfeit certified checks, as in Mary Lou's case below. It may take time for your bank to discover the check is counterfeit, but when they do it's you they'll come after for restitution.

Mary Lou of Sellersville PA (12/3/04):
I was scammed, I know I was stupid, but a man from Nigeria told me her had been looking for me a long time and I was the heir to a large sum of money. I was looking into my mother's insurance we never found an I think maybe that is how he got my name. Anyway I fell for it all hook line and sinker.

I told the man I would not come to his country and when he asked me to send money for the bank fees I said I would not do that either. He then sent me his picture and passport information and said so I did not lose what was mine that he would pay the fee -- a total of $9,000. By FedEx I received a certified or cashiers check. I took it to our bank and put the money in our account.

Feeling guilty, I decided I would go no further with him and send what I thought was his money back to him. I went to the bank the next day and sent by Western Union cash back. A week later I get a call from the bank telling me that the certified check was counterfeit. That I had to pay this money back. I went down the next day and they wanted us to pay $375.00 a month or $90 a week. I told her we couldn't pay that much and that I hoped we could come to some arrangement that we could afford.

My husband then went down to see what he could work out, but not solving the problem. After hearing that the check was counterfeit. I then was afraid because this man has all my information. I went to Unvest bank and opened a new account, so no one would have my bank name etc on the internet. I called and had my internet bank cancel my card and ask them to send me a bill each month. I did everything I could think of to be sure we were safe.

Then I received another check, from Canada I think. I thought maybe the man was paying it back or that it was counterfeit and the police could catch them if it was. It was counterfeit, I found out today. I just got done paying for new checks for Unvest and she tells me today that they are closing our account because the Harleysville bank and the counterfeit check that was there. I am not the guilty one here. I am a victim!!!

Why now should I suffer without a checking account? How am I to pay our bills and go on with my life? I did no wrong but to be stupid and believe this man. Why can I not have another checking account I was the one that put the recent check on hold because of the first one. Why should they be allowed to ruin my life? I need someone to help me to tell me what we can do. I have gone to our police, Attorney General consumer protection and everyone I can think of. Doesn't anyone care anymore about people?

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