One of the main activities of West African organised crime groups is fraud against individuals and companies.

This has a significant impact on the economy of industrialised countries all over the world and is estimated to cost the UK at least £3.5 billion a year.

The most common type of scam operated by these groups is the use of what have become known as "419" letters. These are distributed by post, by fax, and more frequently now by e-mail.

In a typical "419" (advance fee fraud) letter, the author purports to be a senior government, company or bank official, who has managed to over-inflate a contract, generating a huge personal profit. In return for help in smuggling money out of the country, the recipient is offered a percentage, usually between 10% and 30% (which can amount to several £ million). At first no money is requested, but once a victim has been drawn in, requests will be made for legal and administrative payments. Victims have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds in some cases, not to mention loss of a business, reputation etc.

DO NOT REPLY TO THESE LETTERS!

Companies that have sent polite letters of refusal have their letterheads abused.

If you receive a "419" letter, fax, or e-mail, these should be forwarded to your local police force.

If you receive the letter by e-mail, please report it on-line

View an example of a West African Fraud Letter

(The relevant text of this image is given below)

An example of a West African Fraud Letter

West African Fraud Letter. The letter looks official and has a letterhead from the 'Federal Ministry of Health and Social Services, Lagos."

The letter starts with Dear Sir. It then explains that your address was obtained from a member of the NigerSian Export Promotion Council. It then goes on to explain that they are seeking confidential co-operation in a top-secret deal. It claims to be top-secret because of the nature of the deal.

The next paragraph claims that the letter's author is a director within the Ministry of Health. Along with four top officials they have $27,400,000 in overdue payment bills which they wish to transfer abroad, with the co-operation of a reliable foreign company and/or individual. The next paragraph claims that the amount of money comes from over-charging for work by a foreign contracting firm. They claim to have approval to move this money abroad.

They then request that the receiver of the money should act as a trustee for this money which will then be used to pay for further foreign contacts in Nigeria. For acting as a trustee you would receive 10% of the sum to cover taxation and expenses.

The letter then requests that you contact them either by phone or fax.

The letter is signed by Dr. Akinbosavage.