Throughout Canada and the United States letters concerning the “request for urgent business transaction” are scamming unsuspecting consumers.
Calgary Police are issuing a warning after receiving a number of complaints this week.
The Nigerian letter scam has been around for decades and comes in a variety of different forms: via email, text message, or by regular mail.
Typically it’s from a lawyer or government minister and asks for help transferring money in return for a handsome reward, usually in the millions.
While most people don’t believe it, many make the mistake of responding to it or playing along for fun.
Experts stress how important it is NOT to respond to any suspicious email.
“Just responding to that email is the hook that that scammer is looking for and once they have you, they’re very good at what they do,” says Camie Leard with the Better Business Bureau.
“Responding to an email of this sort could open you up to further fraud such as identity fraud so the
recommendation would be not to click on any links, not to respond to the email,” says Kristie Vanheul with the Calgary Police economic crime unit.
In some cases police say the con artists set up web camera links by Skype to talk to a target in person to
convince them it’s real.
If you have received communication that you think may be a scam, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report your suspicions.
A report can be filed online at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or via phone at 1-888-495-8501.
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