I have been on the receiving end of a considerable number of these attempted scams, largely because I have belonged to a number or matchmaking sites, although I have also received at least one via TechRepublic.
So Jane’s late husband/father was killed in a civil war in some African country, and he was adviser to the Chief Minister of the former government. Prior to his death he deposited $US 5,000,000 in a bank account.
His heir cannot access this money, and so asks if she can transfer it to my bank after which I will send some of it back to her.
So I give Jane access to a bank account which has hardly any money in it so that I can’t lose out that way.
Does anyone know — hopefully from second-hand rather than first-hand experience — what follows after that and how does Jane get hold of any of my money? Also, would it be legal to bring such a large amount of money into my country? Would I have to declare it? Could I be prosecuted if I didn’t declare it?
No I am not about to fall for this scam but I would like to know precisely how it works so that I can perhaps post an article on my website to warn others.
