419 Scammer Claims To Be U.S. Soldier

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

April 27, 2007

• 419 Scams Never Go Away • Postal Inspectors Seize Billions in Fake Checks • Scam Probe Uncovers 'Startling' Evidence In Nigeria • 419 Scammer Claims To Be U.S. Soldier • Author Finds Sport In Tricking Scammers • Email Scam Has JFK Conspiracy Twist • New 419 Scam Promises Cure For HIV/AIDS • Nigeria 419: The Road to Ruin • Scammers Pose as Marines --- • Scam Alerts

The latest incarnation of the so-called “419” email scam features an American soldier in Iraq, rather than a deposed African prince, in need of help in moving a large sum of money to the U.S.

“Good day,” the scammer begins, perhaps not realizing that’s not exactly how U.S. soldiers routinely greet people. “My name in Donald Smith Fitte, an American soldier serving in the military of the 3rd infantry division in Iraq.”

The email claims the sergeant and his confederates have been hiding $25 million in Saddam’s loot since 2003, but with the new U.S. troop surge, he expresses concern the stash might be uncovered. Therefore, he needs help getting the money out of the country.

That, of course, is where you come in.

The email promises a generous percentage of the cash if the email recipient will agree to accept it. From here, the scam works like any other advance fee scheme.

Victims will be asked to provide bank account information for a direct deposit. Or they may be asked to send money, $500 to $2,500 at a time, to facilitate the alleged transfer.

Even though these "419" email scams have been around almost as long as the Internet, people still fall for them. It has been estimated that there are well over 250,000 scammers involved in 419 scams worldwide and that they reap in over $1.5 billion annually.

The average victim pays out about $20,000.

More Scam Alerts ...

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