While it is common on this site to make light of the various types of email scams which we receive in our inbox, the reality of the matter is that there are serious threats contained in them for those who do not see them as fraudulent.
We have first hand experience dealing with someone who believed that emails such as these were from legitimate sources. It partially the reason this blog came to be.
Be cautious when dealing with such emails. Use common sense. Use the internet to search for subject lines, names and phrases used in the emails.
If you have been invited to participate in a scheme to aquire large sums of money or retrieve lottery winnings, etc. and feel uncomfortable about the offer or feel you may already have been victimized by a fraudster or scam artist, there are organizations where you can seek help.
We are not in a position to offer any legal advice and would be no better than the scam artists if we were to pretend that we were.
We only urge caution and dilligence.
The organizations listed below do have the resources to aid you and we encourage you to contact them before sending anyone any money or personal information.
FINCEN.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
United States Department of the Treasury
Their main website is http://www.fincen.gov
They maintain a Resources for Victims page at http://www.fincen.gov/help4victims.html
Information about contacting them is available at http://www.fincen.gov/contactus.html
FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Their main website is http://www.fbi.gov.
Information about Common Fraud Schemes is available at http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/fraud
Information about contacting the FBI is available at http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us
These are both United States Government organizations. They are on your side. There is no need to be ashamed or embarrassed about seeking help from either of these organizations or from local law enforcement where you live.
If you feel uncomfortable about an offer that is presented to you, seek advice from any of the organizations listed above.
As uncomfortable as you may feel speaking to one of these organizations, it is much more comfortable that having your life’s savings or more endangered by thieves.
As more resources are found, they will be added here.
Update 2.10.2011
Western Union
Western Union is commonly stated to be the method for transferring funds in many of these emails. The Western Union Company has devoted a section of their website to combatting fraud.
It is accessible here: Western Union Consumer Fraud. It provides links to even more information and resources.
Update: 12-14-2011
OnGuardOnlline.gov – United States Federal Government online protection information.
There is a specific page for information about email type scams.
That is all.
How to spot a Fraud 