"Living conditions too tough"? Better be more than that. Otherwise get back in there.

they can't be bothered with real crime, but want to harrass everone who can't afford tax attys or lobbyest to write laws to help their case. they should keep it open to have some place to assign bad agents.Their union wont let us fire them

We're talking about Nigeria here. This is the country where foreign oil workers get kidnapped every couple months and pipelines get blown up weekly. It's insane to have criminal investigators living anywhere where they're safety can't be at least 90% assured.

I'm sure Lagos is an awful place to live and work- but so is Baghdad, and the troops there can't whine about it and come home. Why can't our government officials just suck it up. Pretoria a short flight? Right.

Cut off their internet connection to the world untill the crimminal activity is cleaned up.

This is typical approach by the government. They can never get the job done.

The world knows when the going gets tough, we get going...

Living conditions ... my foot. I live in Lagos. Do you know how high rolling an average US embassey staff lives in Nigeria? They have all they need out there (booze, sex, food, etc in abundance). Even their own clubhouses and boats / private islands. They all move around with armed security details everywhere they go. YES, Lagos might be a high crime city but so is NYC & LA. How many reports have you gotten about a US personnel officer being attacked.
Please do not confuse Lagos with the Niger Delta Region where all the kidnapping (story for another day) is going on.

I have "won" 5 or 6 international lotteries (In which it is illegal for U.S. citizens to participate) and I have received numerous opportunities to "stand in" as a relative for some deceased millionaire who left millions in a bank account somewhere thanks to the Nigerians.

it saddens my heart that am from nigeria and i see these happens but i also blame the greedy ones who wants to earn money they didnt work for, but one things is that these guys will always device new ways of scams, if you want to catch a fish you must first behave like the fish not if not you are not gonna get it, be wise anyemail that comes your way thats got some question mark dont go for it it might just be one of them.

Brian Ross if you're reading this...this exact type of scam also exists on singles websites, usually a pushy girl will immediately give you her email address. At first some of these profiles had really awful English. Then with time the scammers must have hired an English professor. If you contact one of these girls they will send you pictures, eventually one of them might be very provocative or soft porn. Then it will finally end with them asking for money or you get a Nigerian email scam all of the sudden.

My question as victum of money order scam.Has anyone went to court over this?Or are we wine and dineing these agents.Now it is to boring so now they want to go.This is pitiful.

And this supposed 'news' comes from where? your head?

It beats me that everyone now assumes all these cyber-scams originates from Nigeria, just because the media brands them "Nigerian scams"! While I have personally recieved a lot of these scam emails from Nigeria, I have also recieved as many from other parts of Africa and the Far East. The next time you recieve a scam email, look closely at the URL and the name of the domain hosting the email address. It is decietful for the media to tag this a Nigerian problem, it is a global problem.

Nick is 100% right...the e-mail addresses these people use tell it all: they are almost always a "yahoo.com" address. I,too, have received literally dozens of these things over the years and some of them are downright hilarious--how could anyone fall from the crap they send? Wasn't it WC Fields that said that there was a sucker born every minute?

I think a simpler solution would be to ban all IP address that originate out of Nigeria. If the country can not crack down on there own for doing this then they should not be allowed to participate in the internet community!

Hi my name is Nanette Soto and I was almost a vicitm of one of these Nigeria e-scams. I posted and ad on Craig's list for a condo that I have for rent. I received about 7 emails in 1-2 days from different people wanting to rent the condo. They were saying things like, they were on assignment from UK in Africa working for W.H.O., UNICEF, a modeling agency all being transferred to the states. They tell me their company is going to send me a certified check but it's over the amount that I need and for me to cash the check and then send them via Western Union the difference to pay for their movers/travel agent. I'm not one to watch the news too often but tonight, I'm glad I was watching and saw your report and investigation.

Uh Nick...the only reason all these people are saying these scams originated from Nigeria is because (and this can be seen in the 20/20 piece that aired on fri night), the traces they placed on the email addresses and phone numbers they were given were traced straight to somewhere in Nigeria. Just because its said in the email that they are from Africa, does not neccessarliy mean thats where they are. Yes these scams can be happening in other countries but Nigeria is most likely the one country that started it all. Just go to the Secret Service's website, and look at how long this has been going on. It all originated in Nigeria, they've been doing this for almost 2 decades.

CLASSIFIED ADS SCAMMING: I host a classified ads page on my web site for insect specimen collectors. We have been besieged with fraudulent ads from Cameroon. As it turns out Cameroon has the largest beetles in the world, which are highly desired by collectors. The Cameroonianss know this and are posting ads all over the Internet offering the beetles at a cheap price. 99.999% of these 'dealers' are swindlers using Yahoo e-mail addresses, posting their ads from Internet cafes. Once they get your money they will not deliver the goods. My clients have lost thousands and thousands of dollars on this. After 5 years of running my classifieds I have finally had to resort to banning ALL ads from Africa. It's sad because there are a few honest dealers there who are now going to suffer.

You havae won only 5 or 6 lotteries!!!??? Gee, sometimes I win that many in just one day. Likewise, I get to stand in as a relative all the time, and then, I am asked for donations all the time. Plus, other e-mails making so many request, I don't even remember all the different lines. I didn't know I was so well-known and connected.

Every American should check out this site. I have not read the book but already suspected what I read here.
Do you really want one of those cute west African women?

http://cyberlovesillusions.com/index.html

This is a response to the 20/20 news report yesterday. I am a Nigerian, and was disappointed, and disgraced by the 419 scam still doing on. What they are doing is WRONG, however ABC news got some of their facts wrong. The Nigerian government has been cracking down on them for a very long time. Prior to the establishment of the EFCC, the Nigerian government had in place “task forces on economic and financial crimes” The taskforce on economic and financial crimes worked with United States secret service agents, Interpol, and the Nigerian military and police to ensure US citizens were not duped a small minority of fraudulent Nigerians. While the fight is far from over, the Nigerian government has embarked on a world wide publicity campaign for over 15 years on these 419 scams, and contrary to the ABC news, the Nigerian government has arrested lots of 419ers. The fight is certainly not done, and in my opinion for the most part, both the perpetrator and victims of these crimes, are indeed criminal as well. It makes no sense that people fall for these crimes, but then again people buy diamond for more than its cost, and the US voted Bush in twice.

The biggest scam is not counterfeit dollars, it is the dollar itself, yes! the real dollar issued by Federal Reserve Bank itself.....

Any currency that does not clearly define the "Promise to pay......" pay what? and how much? is a fake currency!

For a currency to be legal it should clearly define "Promise to pay" in terms of something that can sustain life. What is the most essential thing for a human being to live it is "food", the second thing that makes life easy for a humans is fuel, essential to cook food as well as make everything else possible. So unless a currency is clearly defined as promise to pay the bearer an exact quantity of food/fuel it is a fake currency or an empty promise to pay! Anyone who exchanges goods and services against an empty promise is a fool isn't it? or a slave to the issuers of empty promise currency isn't it?

Why SHOULD they be there, it's just a waste of resources. The USSS cant make arrests there, and when they help the Nigerian govt. the scammers bribe their way out in 2 hours anyway. Why bother when the Nigerian govt. is so corrupt?

The problem isnt getting better. Its getting worse, now they actually tell a victim that they are scamming them and that they can get money from it. They even think they can fix the "national banking system" where they check the serial numbers on the money orders. Most of the crimes originated out of Nigeria, then migrated to Ghana, Egypt, Morocco. Some of the criminals arent going for money but for Visa's instead. Get the agents back in there and get the job done.. $74 million isnt chump change. Yes satellite providers should be held accountable for the actions of their users. Filter ISPs from the countries with the highest rate of activity. Shut them down at the source!

How do I report this "Fifth Third Bank" phishing attempt? (I believe it's based in Nigeria)

I am not really surprise at what is going on in Nigeria today. For one, this is what the Bible says that in the last days men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,..... lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having no natural affection.... having a form of godly devotion but proofing false to his power.(2 Timonthy 3:1-5). The Natural inclination of many in these last days is just to do bad and that involves doing all sorts of fraudulent practices.(Genesis 6:5,Ecclessiates 8:9). I am a Nigerian that resident in United States and I know my country men very much that many are indeed involve in this dirty business. They called it "Yahoo" and are refered to as "Yahoo boys". One thing that counts in life is having a GOOD RELATIONSHIP with Jehovah God and not the desire to get rich quick which has plunge many people into destruction and ruin.( 1 Timonthy 6:9). Just be content with sustenance and covering( 1 Timonthy 6:8) and seek first the kingdom of God then every other thing shall be added to you(Matthew 6:33). Remember that we cannot go unpunished in whatever evil thing we during our life time.( Galatians 6:7,8). A word is enough for the wise.

I know it is very wrong to commit these scams, but it is not justifable to try to restrict access to the internet for the vast majority of the people in Nigeria who do not participate in this illegal activity. That would be like restricting internet access from European countries or the U.S. because they are, I would guess mostly responsible for initiating computer viruses and engaging in computer hacking.Furthermore the people who are scammed have to accept half of the blame.If they were not so greedy, they wouldn`t become victims.I have been propositioned via email by suspected scammers, but I never responded. It is so obvious, you would have to be stupid or really greedy to fall for it.

I know it is very wrong to commit these scams, but it is not justifable to try to restrict access to the internet for the vast majority of the people in Nigeria who do not participate in this illegal activity. That would be like restricting internet access from European countries or the U.S. because they are, I would guess mostly responsible for initiating computer viruses and engaging in computer hacking.Furthermore the people who are scammed have to accept half of the blame.If they were not so greedy, they wouldn`t become victims.I have been propositioned via email by suspected scammers, but I never responded. It is so obvious, you would have to be stupid or really greedy to fall for it.

I can't belief Brian Ross will characterize music video that exposes 419 as criminal game played on mostly foreigners as a celebration of loots. This underscores Americans inabilities to understand other cultures. The video clearly warns audience that their money will be taken. How can Brian miss that and still classify his report investigative.

419 scam is not popular in Nigeria and besides many people who fell for it are themselves criminal because they are motivated by greed to make quick buck. Brian’s failure to call the people who want to make quick buck from what has every sign of fraud to me is hypocritical to the highest level. What happens to the fact that person who buys stolen goods is also a thief

funny how all this comes out at this time right now i am talking with a woman of over there her name is debby smith surpose to be from calf. and she over there helping the need childeren and just to night she suggest that i send money to peace around foundation . i ask for imformation and e-mail address but there is none
this is to give all some kind of idea to what goes on

The US government should step in. Everytime someone is scammed out of their money, this money should be deducted out of any assistance or aid monies that are sent by the government to Nigeria. It's time to force the Nigerian government to do something about their organized crime problem.

As a general rule of thumb, no one wants to give you money for nothing. People shouldn't fall for this stupidity.

I don't support 419 becos its criminal, but the people who fall for are to blamed as well.

The Nigerian Government is doing a lot to reduce this ugly trend and i believe that the number of 419 mails sent has reduced drastically.

As a Nigerian living outside the country it is very disheartening to see how this terrible acts by a few Nigerians puts us all in a bad light. No sane person can condone the acts of this evil men, it is despicable, evil, and totally condemnable. As for the dumb americans that fell for this cheap tricks, I say you get what you deserve. You were not scammed, you were only outwitted! This report however underscores some salient issues that is worth pondering.
Q.) Why is the child sex market in Thailand, Mexico, and other parts of Asia still going strong despite the numerous media spotlight on it?
A.) Demand. Some americans/european sex tourists will pay anything to have sex with children.

Q.)Why is it that the drug problem in america seems intractable and the illicit drug market in south america & afghanistan is ever so strong?
A.)Demand. Too many americans just must have their ecstacy, coke, heroine, and weed!

Q.)Why is it that illegal immigration into the US seems uncontrolable?
A) Demand. American corporations cannot resist the urge for higher profits, the people cannot resist the low prices on goods & services - the mexican exodus continues.

So, as long as there are dumb and greedy people in the rich world, who respond to these emails & collaborate with the scammers (while expecting an unfair reward themselves), this problem will remain. I recieve countless unsolicited mails at home everyday, guess what I did? I bought a shredder! I receive countless spam emails everyday, guess what? I use the DELETE button? So the next time you recieve a scam email, use your delete button!

The Secret Service should be back out there doing their jobs. They get paid to go into harms way to protect people. Sounds like they are getting to be just like the lame managers who left the SS to go to the various TSA agencies to simply collect a paycheck. They surely are not doing anything positive.

I'm Nigerian, but i'm also American by birth. Now, I believe that this investigation was biased. Terribly biased. I already know NOT to trust random e-mails that are connected with international money business blah blah; that sercurity on the web is bery low. Come on! And a grown man fell for it?? He cannot blame anyone but himself. But this investigation protrayed this man as a victim we should all have simpathy for. Yes Nigeria is corrupt and yes it has it's 419 problems, but WHAT COUNTRY DOESN'T? You all think America is perfect?? I'm sorry, but narrowing down the scammers to just Nigeria really saddened me and probably a whole lot of other Nigerian-American citizens. Oh yea, thank you (sarcasm); Because now when I tell someone I'm Nigerian, they're automatically going to think I or my family are greedy scammers. You and your investigative team just added wood to the fire or stereotypes.

Lagos, a tough place to live? I spent a summer there a few years ago and while the people there for the most part are dirt poor, foreigners live high on the hog. In this case the US governments hog. US gov personal have access to the embassy grounds, golf courses, etc, so this argument that it is tough there is a bunch of bull.

It is not as awful as some people are painting it. Some areas are worst than lagos or Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Its just that the western press are more focused(bad Views) on Nigeria cos they got lots of interest there. They wont give information about similar occurrences in the world over, especially in USA. I have lived in Nigeria for some years now,and does get into troubled waters. Other Nationals that get into trouble are the gullible ones and those that are obessed with sex, booze. These nationals expecially Americas go outside security radar to do discreet things.OPinion are welcomed.Written without reviewing regards.

well the scammers here in cameroon are more than the way many may think some thing have to be done for the things are moving out of hands here.scamming are not only in Nigeria it is all over west Africa. for the FBI have to help out for i ahve seen many if the was a way i can help i will be great ful to do it.Please every one should be careful buying pet through the internet for the is notting like that the will take ur money and u will never see the pet that means u just pay for the picture the send to u. and by the way the picture is from the internet.

I am from Nigeria living in Nigeria too. Nigeria is a very wealthy country where Government have the power to take care of the need of their citizens as other government does to their citizens, but here, the top-shots are not helping the citizens in anyway, people undergone starvation, poor health and sickness, lack of money, poor salary earners, inability to educate children to the higher institution etc, while those in the government are earning millions of naira and dollars every day living the less priviledge to suffer. To me, the scam act in Nigeria is being caused by the above mentioned problem facing the citizens here. To end this act, government should get a better life for the citizens for them to live well as other countries are doing. It is not all about the EFCC, FBI or Secret Service Agency.