Examples of Common internet and dating scams

There are many scams on the internet but below are some of the most common.

Nigerian 419 Letter

You get an email from someone claiming to need a large amount of money moving for which you will get a cut if you help them move it. You are often asked to pay certain fees up front but of course there is no large amount of money that needs moving. There are variation of this scam including receiving a fake cheque and are asked to send the balance of the money on. The cheque then bounces and you are left out of pocket. Alternatively you may be asked to give your bank details out and you later find your account has been emptied.

This scam is named after the section of Nigeria's penal code that the scam violates.

Competition Win

You recieve an email saying you have won a large amount of money, a TV, a car etc but have to pay a confirmation fee to receive it. You pay the fee but never receive the prize. If you havent entered a competition then how can you win anything ?

Dating Scams

You are befriended by someone who lives overseas (or even in the same country) and they need money to come and visit you, or for their ill relative, for their education etc. These are often scams. Click here for more information on dating scams

Phishing Scams

You receive an e-mail that looks like it came from your bank, Paypal, Ebay etc warning you about identity theft and asking that you log in and verify your account. If this isnt done your account will be terminated.

The email however is a clever fake and the web site where you are directed to login is also bogus. Once you login the scammers have captured your online banking details. Your account information will be sold to criminals, who'll use it to empty your account.