| Once
again, PBGC employees are receiving e-mail from individuals
seeking assistance in getting money out of their countries.
These are the world famous "Nigerian Scams," also
known as Advance Fee Fraud (AFF). The perpetrators of AFF,
known internationally as "4-1-9" fraud after the
section of the Nigerian penal code which addresses fraud schemes,
are often very creative. You need to know about this and what
to do if you receive one.
Here
is how it works: Letters (or, nowadays, e-mail messages)
postmarked from Nigeria (or almost any other foreign nation)
are sent to addresses taken from mailing lists. The letters
and e-mails promise rich rewards for helping either officials
of that country or family members of deceased leaders. Typically,
the pitch includes mention of multi-million dollar sums, with
the open promise that you will be permitted to keep a startling
percentage of the funds that will come out of their country.
Once the
victim is sufficiently "glittery-eyed" over becoming
fabulously rich, requests for money begin. For example, officials
need to be bribed, taxes must be paid, paper work fees are
but among of the few reasons the victim must pay money. The
victim parts with this money freely, thinking "What's
$1,000 when I am going to end up with $2 million." After
the first payment, the victim is hooked - he "can't afford"
not to continue.
No one
would fall for such a scheme, right? WRONG! The United States
Secret Service has confirmed losses, just in the United States,
of more $100 million. Some victims do not report their losses
to authorities due to fear or embarrassment.
What
do you do if you receive one of these letters or e-mails?
Bring the letter the OIG (Suite 470), or forward the e-mail
to me. Under NO circumstances should you respond or contact
these individuals. The OIG will refer it to the Secret Service
Task Force that handles this fraud.
How
did these "scammers" get your e-mail address?
They likely got your PBGC address because of your Internet
usage and sharing e-mail outside the Corporation. If you order
personal items from your government computer, or access a
Hotmail (or other free Internet mail) program, your address
is open for these types of contact. Be very cautious!
For more
about the Nigerian Fraud Scams, call OIG Special Agent Tom
Zigan at ext. 3104.
For more
information about reporting suspected fraud, waste or abuse
to the Office of Inspector General, please call an OIG investigator,
Cornelia Green at Extension 3315 or Tom Zigan at Extension
3104. (TTY/TDD Users: 202-326-4115). |
