Attorney General's News Release

May 22, 1998

Nigerian oil scam letter sent to Attorney General shows proliferation of fraud attempts, Nixon says

Jefferson City, Mo. — A letter from Nigeria offering a fraudulent get-rich-quick scheme was sent to an unlikely would-be victim this month the Missouri Attorney General's Office. Attorney General Jay Nixon said the fact that he received one of the letters demonstrates how widespread the Nigerian oil scam letters are and how indiscriminately they are sent.

"The mail room at Nigerian Oil Scams Inc. must have let this one slip through, and I have joined the thousands of Missourians who have received one of these offers to make millions," Nixon said. "Fortunately, almost everyone who receives one of these letters recognizes it for the scam it is and throws it away."

Nixon's office receives hundreds of inquiries each year from individuals and businesses that receive the letters and faxes. Such letters and faxes are signed by people claiming to be current or former Nigerian government officials and who promise millions of dollars for helping to get illegally obtained money out of that country.

"Like any offer that promises lots of money for very little effort, the ultimate goal and result is the separation of the participant from his or her money," Nixon said. "If you receive a solicitation like this, just throw it in the trash."

Nixon said the "government officials" try to recruit American businesses by claiming that their new "partners" will get cuts worth millions of dollars for depositing huge sums of money into their accounts. As the scam progresses, the Nigerians request blank, signed business letterhead and invoices; bank account numbers; bank addresses, phone and fax numbers; and money to cover transaction expenses.

Missourians who have complaints or inquiries about the Nigerian money scams can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818