Has the Nigeria E-mail Scam Come to Life?

Almost everybody who has access to an Internet connection has an e-mail address. Then, almost everybody who has an e-mail address knows about the Nigeria scam.

If you do not know about the Nigeria scam, here is what happens.

A person from another country (there are many different countries, but the first e-mail originated in Nigeria) that you do not know e-mails you hoping to find somebody who is nice enough to help. For some reason, this person has a large of money that cannot be accessed. There are many different reasons. Sometimes a family member has moved. Sometimes the money is for charity. However, the most common reason is that a family member has died and left money for the person to access. This is supposed to play on the sympathy of others.

The e-mail will say that the money cannot be accessed except with a United States bank account. The e-mail will then ask for your bank account information - the account number, the pin number, and any other information needed to access the account.

A promise is made that you will get a large amount of the money that is then supposedly available. However, there was no money in the first place. The e-mail is just a way to try to get bank account information. People steal money from bank accounts after they have the information. The people who run the Nigeria scam have had plenty of success in fooling others.

Now, the Nigeria scam has come true in real life, too.

Some seemingly nice people will approach you in a parking lot or a public place. They are not going to seem scary. It may seem like a common occurrence or conversation happening in friendly towns. They will then say that they have money that they will share or some type of a profit making scheme and they have upfront money.

However, they will first ask you to put up some of your own money as a guarantee. It may seem legitimate as some businesses do ask for this. However, these are just random people who approach others.

Before you have a chance to respond after handing over the money, the people will run away and steal your money.

Of course, in real life, this is not know as the Nigeria scam. It is known as pigeon dropping. Still, it is the same idea as the Nigerian scam. Be careful when approached by others if they start talking about money or business opportunities.