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Reported Top Nigerian Email Scammer Arrested (bbc.com)

Reader retroworks writes: Interpol reports that a Nigerian behind thousands of online scams around the world has been arrested in the southern oil city of Port Harcourt. The 40-year-old man, known only as "Mike" is alleged to head a network of 40 individuals behind global scams worth more than $60 million. His operations involved using malware to take over systems to compromise emails, as well as romance scams. Nigeria's anti-fraud agency was also involved in the arrest.

"In one case, a target was conned into paying out $15.4 million," Interpol said in a statement. "Mike" also allegedly ran a money laundering network in China, Europe and the US. The network compromised email accounts of small to medium-sized businesses around the world. They would then send fake messages to buyers with instructions to make a payment to a bank account under their control.

17 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. So.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is he really a prince?

    1. Re:So.... by tchdab1 · · Score: 5, Funny

      He's the scammer formerly known as Prince.

    2. Re:So.... by Opportunist · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well, technically no, but last I heard he's looking for someone to help him transfer 60 millions out of the country because they're in danger of being confiscated. I'm sure he's willing to share the booty with a kind soul willing and able to help him.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. Can I get that e-mail? by ZiakII · · Score: 5, Funny

    In one case, a target was conned into paying out $15.4 million

    Anyone know that user's email? I need that user's email for research.

    1. Re:Can I get that e-mail? by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 5, Funny
      Dear Mr ZiakII(829432),

      My name is Abooloosaa Qui`d Ubololso, Prince, and Son of a Prince, and Grandson of a Prince, who called the river bo, the sky so`ck.

      I am in possession of a bank account that holds 15.4 million dollars. This money was conned out of a foolish American businessman. But unfortunately, before we could empty the account, our ring leader has been arrested. For legal reasons I can not appear in person to collect the money.

      Please help me present you as the rightful owner of that money, a foolish man, conned by us. Once you take possession of the money, I plead with you to be honest and give us our fair share, just 5 million dollars. The rest you can keep for your efforts.

      Please contact me ...

      --
      sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
    2. Re:Can I get that e-mail? by michelcolman · · Score: 2

      To be fair, they didn't just send out Nigerian Prince e-mails.

      From the article: "The other strategy they used was to take over the email account of a high-level executive and give instructions to transfer money into a bank account they controlled."

      And the "take over" was probably as simple as "send a fake e-mail appearing to come from that address" which is trivial to do.

  3. Nigeria has an anti fraud agency? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I think the real news here is that Nigeria had an anti fraud agency. I always imagined Nigeria was like that city in adventure time where everyone some from each other, all the time, forever, as if it were a compulsion.

    1. Re:Nigeria has an anti fraud agency? by NotInHere · · Score: 2

      Yes someone has to pursuit you if you didn't pay your bribe money in time

  4. In other words: by fustakrakich · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Mike's" brother in law, "Jeff" has taken over the operation. They have assured us that there will no disruption of service.

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  5. an unfortunate event that was bound to happen. by nimbius · · Score: 4, Funny

    ive been following this story for awhile. Mike of course isnt his real name. Africa is rife with instability and danger around ever corner, so Mike is no doubt a clever alias. For those of us who have had contact with this "scammer" his true identity is Prince Alyusi Islassis. You see, this prince has been hunted during a deadly coup against his once peaceful african nation, and during a mad rush from office under the cover of darkness and several bodyguards, authorised a secret funds transfer untraceable by his nemesis. These funds are safe, of course, as ive already provided bank information for the prince as he no doubt furiously sought asylum from his nefarious enemy. Alas, it seems corruption runs deep in the heart of africa...and I pray Prince Alyusi is being treated fairly by what is no doubt a security bankrolled entirely by the opposition.

    if you'll excuse me ive been contacted by a secret member of the princes royal family, and am to help secure his release by providing my social security number and credit card information so as he may assume my identity, briefly, in what is no doubt a very real situation of life or death.

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
  6. Hope by Tablizer · · Score: 2

    Good, finally I have a chance to get my 5 grand back

  7. Bail set? by Major+Blud · · Score: 5, Funny

    GREETINGS RESEPECTED ONE,

    MY NAME IS WUMI ABDUL I RECEIVED YOUR NAME FROM INTERNATIONAL WEB DIRECTORY. MY COUSIN PRINCE MIKE IS BEING HELD AGAINST HIS WILL BY NIGERIAN AUTHORITIES. HE IS IN THE POSSESSION OF $60 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS THAT WE WILL GIVE YOU 45% OF IF YOU ASSIST US. ALL WE ASK IS THAT YOU DONATE $25000 U.S. DOLLARS TO OUR "FREE PRINCE MIKE" KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN.

    IF YOU DONATE YOU WILL RECEIVE A "FREE PRINCE MIKE" COFFEE MUG.

    ANTICIPATING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.
    THANKS AND GOD BLESS.
    BEST REGARDS,
    WUMI ABDUL

    --
    If you post as Anonymous Coward, don't expect a reply.
    1. Re:Bail set? by davidwr · · Score: 3, Funny

      HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET AROUND THE LAMENESS FILTER??

      According to Prince Mike, CowboyNeal is running the Kickstarter.

      --
      Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
  8. Seriously? by Lodlaiden · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The Nigerian scammer was actually Nigerian?

    --
    Suborbital [spaceflight] is the special olympics of spaceflight. - Rei
  9. Ah crap by ronmon · · Score: 2

    Now I'll never get my inheritance. :(

  10. Re:Why is this even a crime? by PPH · · Score: 2

    Because they are competing with Christian televangelists for a limited number of retarded morons in rich countries.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  11. Interpol press release by bestweasel · · Score: 4, Funny

    Interpol announced today that they have arrested 'Mike', a prolific Nigerian email fraudster. They are keen to hear from victims of this scammer or indeed from victims of any scammer. Please send your name, address and date of birth to fraud@theinterpol.com. Don't forget to tell us the amount you have lost and include your full bank account details so we can process your refund without delay.