The following is general information on Nigerian letter scams:
The Better Business Bureau warns businesses not to be tempted by fraudulent letters from Nigeria that offer get-rich-quick schemes. These recent and persistent scams are nationwide, offering quick profits, sometimes in the millions.
The scam, which has been perpetrated worldwide, targets small businesses, churches, and other non-profit organizations. A letter marked "urgent" or "confidential" arrives from Nigeria via mail or fax. The sender claims to be an official of a company or government ministry, or has an official-sounding name such as doctor, chief, lawyer or prince. Some letters are written on "government" stationery.
Although each letter may contain a slightly different appeal, the "official" asks for assistance in transferring millions of dollars of excess money out of Nigeria. The person proposes depositing the money in a trustworthy U.S. bank account, in exchange for which the accountholder will receive 30 percent or more the transferred funds. To participate in the deal, the business or organization must provide its bank account number and the name, address, phone and fax numbers of the bank. Sometimes the person requests copies of the signed but otherwise blank company letterhead and pro forma invoices.
Using the provided information, the con artists can then plunder the victim's bank account. Or they may try to get money directly by requesting exorbitant payments to cover transfer fees, travel expenses, taxes or necessary bribes before the transaction can occur. Once the money has been wired, the scammers typically disappear and are hard to trace. Needless to say, no one has ever received the promised funds, and losses from participating in illegal foreign business deals are nearly impossible to recover.
Anyone receiving such a letter should not respond, but instead send the letter to the Better Business Bureau.