Another Batch of Scam Letters Hits MedwayThese letters have been sent out for many years, mostly from Nigeria, and—no matter how official they might look—all of them are false.
There are similar scams being operated (possibly by exactly the same people) via electronic mail and Internet newsgroups. The Police are well aware of these scams, so if you feel like reporting any you have received do feel free to do so, but be prepared for nothing more than it being noted as just another statistic—it really is that widespread. Nothing seems to be able to be done about it, especially as it does not originate here, which also applies (though to a less serious extent) to all those supposed Lottery entries posted from Australia and elsewhere—they too have to be treated as scams.
It is interesting to note that there are obviously enough gullible people around that it pays these con-artists to keep their scams going. They are always along the same lines: either a need to transfer a large sum of money and needing your bank account details, or some sympathy-targeted approach of which there are a few currently in circulation.
Overall, the message has to be: Never, under any circumstances, allow yourself to be taken in by any of these or any other supposed money-making scam.