Senator Ian Campbell has increased pressure on Internet scam operators.
The parliamentary secretary to the treasurer has revised the succinctly titled consumer publication, The Little Black Book Scams to help consumers recognise the techniques used by online frauds and avoid being swindled.
Devoting several sections to Internet-borne scams, the book is designed to compliment a scam-busting Web site operated under the auspices of Campbell's Senatorial portfolio, www.scamwatch.gov.au
"A split-second mouse-click can cost hundreds of dollars and endless hours of strife," reads one break-out quote under a section of the site devoted to online scams.
Despite being relatively new in historical terms, Senator Campbell believes Internet frauds use some of the oldest tricks in the book.
"...today's Nigerian scam, where a consumer receives a letter or an e-mail from a fictitious Nigerian exile wanting to transfer millions of dollars, is just a variation on the Spanish Prisoner scam which dates back to 1588," Campbell said. "The only difference is that the original scam used parchment and the promise of a hidden treasure chest."
The book is available free of charge from the Consumer Affairs division of the Treasury.
Just today I received an email (below) such as the Nigerian one described. As suggested, it is a classic scam that the recipient will never benefit from. Also to be considered are the ramifications of possible money laundering for parties most people would rather not deal with due to the ongoing war on terror. Avoid at all costs...it is too good to be true, besides which thie family in this scenario would have a plethora of legal alternatives.
URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL
Dear sir,
I know you will be surprise to read from me, but please consider this as a letter from a family in
dare need of assistance. I am NAME WITHHELD,
the wife of late Brigadier NAME WITHHELD of Angola.
Your firm was introduced to me by a career
diplomat who i consulted in my search for a reliable individual/company who can assist my son in transfering a reasonable sum of money abroad to a company or private account. I, on behalf of my late husband and my only son NAME WITHHELD, decided to solicit for your assistance to transfer the sum of US$15.5M (Fifteen MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND United States Dollars) deposited by my late husband in a private Security Company in South Africa.
Before the death of my husband, he was a
brigadier in charge of arms and ammunitions
procurement for the Angolan Army. In his Will, he
specifically drew my attention to the above mentioned sum which he had deposited in the safe box in a private Security Company in Johannesburg, South Africa. In fact, he said and i quote "My beloved son, I wish to draw your attention to the sum of US$15.5M. I deposited the box containing the fund in a Security and Finance comapany in Johannesburg, South Africa.
During the war i was very dedicated and committed to winning the war against the rebels until recently when i found out that some senior army officials and Government Functionaries were busy helping themselves with Government funds and properties and sending them to foreign countries. Due to this, when i and a former special adviser to the President were assigned
by the President(Eduardo Jose Santos) to purhase arms in South Africa, we saw this as an opportunity to divert this money for our personal use, when we divided the money, my share was US$15.5 Million. I did in case of my absence due to death, so that you NAME WITHHELD, your two sisters and your mother wouldn't suffer. Do not disappoint me. Bye for now and God bless".
From these words of my late Husband, you will
understand that the lives and future of my family
depend on this fund and as such i will be very
grateful if you can assist us. Now what i want you to do as an International partner is to help us clear this sum from the security company, using your name as the beneficiary of the fund. On acceptance of this proposal, you will be required in South Africa for the conclusion of this transaction. Contact my son who is
now in South Africa on this number: NUMBER WITHHELD or email ADDRESS WITHHELD more details.
We have agreed to give 25% of the total sum for
your assistance and 10% for the expenses that might be incured in the course of the transfer and 65% for the family's investment abroad; which you will assist us materialize. Further information and discussion about this transaction will commence as soon as you give us the assurance and confidence that this money will be
safe when transfered to your account and, please treat this as a matter of urgency.
THANKS AND GOD BLESS.
REGARDS,
NAME WITHHELD