Just because the scam email originates from elsewhere, that doesn't mean it's not a Nigerian fraud. There's plenty of Nigerians and other West Africans living in - and operating scams out of - Europe.

The sister of a Manila-based acquaintance was ripped off by West Africans living in London, so the scam email - and the online chats that followed - originated in the UK, but the money was routed through Standard Chartered Bank in Nigeria.

There's also been newspaper reports of Amsterdam and (I think) Paris police closing down West African scam operations in their cities.