How churches become victims of Nigerian fee scams

• Internet fraud experts Scambusters look at how churches have been taken in by a common e-mail scam
  

We've talked about the Nigerian (419) fee scam many times, but it seems that criminals out there are always coming up with ways to bilk good people. Here's an unusual twist where they're stooping perhaps even lower by approaching churches and other religious organizations.

The "regular" scam in a nutshell: A supposed official from an African - or other - country offers you a large sum of money in exchange for some supposed assistance getting money out of their country. You end up paying endless "fees" to the scammer, and you never see anything in return. You may well find yourself the victim of identity theft.

A minister of a small church contacted us to tell us his sad story. He was contacted by a woman in Africa who claimed that her husband had died, and that she wanted to leave some of his estate - millions of dollars - to a good church.

Pulling out all the fraudulent stops, she claimed that she'd prayed for advice, had visited the minister's church's website, and had been told by God that his was the right church to donate to.

Later, a "lawyer" for the "war widow" contacted the minister, seeking information for the supposed donation to the church, but in reality collecting potential data for identity theft, as well as huge closing fees.

This scam is particularly well crafted because it pushes hard on the victim's "hot buttons," using all the right language. It focuses on creating a lot of credibility. For example, in addition to the lawyers calling as promised, the victim is given a private mobile phone number so they can call the supposed donor.

The bottom line: If you're promised a huge sum of money for any reason, think Nigerian Fee Scam first. Then, walk away.

Nigerian Fraud Letter Scam Targeting Charities & Churches:
http://www.lpconline.com/Nigerian_charity.html
More About the Nigerian Fee Scam:
http://www.scambusters.org/NigerianFee.html

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.