So this means I'm not going to get a three times return on my life savings 
?!?!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria_scam
?!?! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria_scam
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OMG. I got a really strange email from the "FBI." Should I be worried?
- Thread starter iParis
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So this means I'm not going to get a three times return on my life savings
I know a pretty intelligent guy (is a medical doctor) who got conned out of his life savings by a scammer, who said almost the same thing as that. He *also* lost his teenage son's college fund. It was some sort of property investment thing in Spain.
I got offered it too, but instantly rejected it as smelling like a scam, and advised the friend NOT to go for it. Couldn't stop him. It all happened about 15 years ago, and wrecked the relationship between my friend and his son.
The police eventually caught the bloke responsible, who had conned about 100 other people in the same scam, but were completely unable to track down any of the money. He served a couple of years in jail, got out a couple of years ago and presumably is living a life of luxury somewhere now.
My Dad got one of them Spain scam letters a few month ago. I mean in the real post. Not email. We laughed so hard. 21st century and these fellas even pay for stamps..I guess it really has to work in some cases, otherwise they wouldn't try it.
People can be so dumb.
People can be so dumb.
Little paranoid?
Of course, just because you're paranoid - doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.
Every time I have taken a flight in USA I have had the extra security checks (and I don't fit the profile)...so a little paranoia is more that warranted!
Yes, I'm sure the FBI are going to send you a random e-mail from "mrsmithy@smithyville.com" or whatever cheap e-mail they're using.
It's a total fake. In fact, pretty much any and every e-mail that even remotely smells like this one is going to be a total fake.
If the FBI or any government agency wanted to contact you with urgent info, they wouldn't e-mail you.
It's a total fake. In fact, pretty much any and every e-mail that even remotely smells like this one is going to be a total fake.
If the FBI or any government agency wanted to contact you with urgent info, they wouldn't e-mail you.
Correct, they'd either send agents to your door or send you a Certified letter.
iParis, you have been activated. The FBI will arrive at your apartment in 10 seconds. Flee the premises
I told all of you!!! CRAP!
*smashes modem and router*
*grabs iPod*
*grabs external hard drive full of illegal music*
*runs the f*ck out the back through a window and forgets he lives on the fourth story*
*dies*
Every time I have taken a flight in USA I have had the extra security checks (and I don't fit the profile)...so a little paranoia is more that warranted!
I never get those extra checks, but my sister (who doesn't fit any profile either) always used to get them. But now that she's working for the Dept. of Homeland Security, which oversees airport security, and has a government security clearance, she doesn't get them anymore. Funny how that works
I have received e-mail from the FBI, but it was from a specific Special Agent discussing a matter I was familiar with, though it was my first contact with that particular person.
I took a quick look at the FBI website. I didn't find a single email address listed, only phone numbers.
3-4 Years ago, my dad got a letter form somebody in Spain saying we won some random check thing. We played along with it. Until they wanted a social security number from my dad. Thats when we just ignored them/canceled.
Trust me, my dad went on a hunt on the interwebs about all scams taking place from Spain while he was doing this.
Trust me, my dad went on a hunt on the interwebs about all scams taking place from Spain while he was doing this.
It was a bit more than that. The Spanish scammer paid full costs to fly out my friend (the doctor) and the 100 other people he scammed, all to Spain, all first class. He put them up in luxury hotels and paid for all meals and drinks, champagne, the works. Then he took them on a VIP tour of a big building project, claimed it was his project or something, and offered them investment opportunities....
Clearly he spent a lot upfront, and probably not everyone he flew out took him up on the offer, but he still made a lot out of it. It took a long time for the police to track him down, as most of the people he scammed didn't want to admit how stupid they'd been. My friend refused to go to the police for many years, and kept saying to me he still believed the guy had a good intentions, a good heart. Bollocks. Just a scammer with a very very smooth way with words and deep pockets to prime the pump.
Here's a tip,
If anyone ever asks you to send them money, or give them your ATM or credit card information, they're a scam. Especially if you see Nigeria mentioned in the body of the email.
The FBI or any other legitimate governmental organization can get your information on their own in all reality if they really needed to.
They'd never ask you to surrender your identity, and if they did, you'd better refuse until an agent shows up at your home and shows you a warrant.
SLC
If anyone ever asks you to send them money, or give them your ATM or credit card information, they're a scam. Especially if you see Nigeria mentioned in the body of the email.
The FBI or any other legitimate governmental organization can get your information on their own in all reality if they really needed to.
They'd never ask you to surrender your identity, and if they did, you'd better refuse until an agent shows up at your home and shows you a warrant.
SLC
But they're going to send me money! I only have to pay them money first, wait, um... why would I pay them money to send me money, couldn't they just take the fee out of the money they're going to send me? Wait a tick, if I have to send them money first, odds are I'm not getting any money, and it has to be a scam. Stupid logic, I wished I never learned it.
Public Service Announcement:
Real Life vs the Internet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwPaxjk0CVE =)
Probably NSFW (language).
Real Life vs the Internet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwPaxjk0CVE =)
Probably NSFW (language).
Wow, this is how people get scammed...
These emails are so obvious I find it impossible that someone could possibly fall for this crap. People do though so that tells you how dumb people are.
Report it like you should. Follow the numerous links provided in this thread.
These emails are so obvious I find it impossible that someone could possibly fall for this crap. People do though so that tells you how dumb people are.
Report it like you should. Follow the numerous links provided in this thread.
