There are many types of scams.  The advanced fee fraud letter format of scamming is commonplace.  

WEST AFRICAN ADVANCED FEE FRAUD LETTERS

In these types of scams, the victim receives an unsolicited e-mail, fax or letter requesting assistance in transferring a large sum of money to an overseas bank account. The fraud artists usually represent themselves as corporate executives or bank or government officials from Nigeria or another West African country.

This is not a new scam but has become more widespread as the internet provides a means for fraud artists to communicate anonymously with numerous potential victims.

The victim is promised a significant percentage of the funds for his/her assistance via the use of his/her bank account to make the transfer. Personal information such as the victim's phone/fax number, address, and bank account particulars are requested by the fraud artist.

The victim is asked to pay an "advanced fee", a sum of money up front to cover expenses such as the transfer and processing of the funds to his/her account. Once an initial payment is made, additional funds are generally requested to cover additional costs or problems encountered.

The victim is promised a significant percentage of the funds for his/her assistance via the use of his/her bank account to make the transfer. Personal information such as the victim's phone/fax number, address, and bank account particulars are requested by the fraud artist.

The victim is asked to pay an "advanced fee", a sum of money up front to cover expenses such as the transfer and processing of the funds to his/her account. Once an initial payment is made, additional funds are generally requested to cover additional costs or problems encountered.

Individuals receiving these unsolicited letters should not reply to them. Under no circumstances should people commit to one of these schemes and forward any money. The fraud artists will abscond with the funds and no large money transfer into the victim's account will ever occur. The personal information of the victim may also be used to commit additional fraud offences. Identification and prosecution of these indivduals and the recovery of lost funds is unlikely as they frequently operate from other countries and mask their true identities.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF A WEST AFRICAN ADVANCED FEE FRAUD

Residents of the Region of Waterloo who have lost funds in one of these scams should contact the WRPS Fraud Branch to file a report. The report will be forwarded to Phonebusters, which is operated by the OPP. Phonebusters coordinates the investigation of these cases.