419 Scam Ringleader Arrested in Nigeria

Sophos, a company delivering integrated threat management solutions, has announced in a press release the final chapter of an email scam based on Dutch territory. The fraud produced damaged on in excess of 2 million dollars through what has become known as a 419 scam. The name originates from the relevant section of the Nigerian penal code that describes the fraud process. Via unsolicited emails, the fraudsters promise immediate financial benefits in exchange of processing fees. The man arrested in Lagos, the economical capital of Nigeria is suspected to have been the ringleader of 12 Nigerians apprehended in February for sending over 100.000 fraudulent emails and creating a financial prejudice of 2 million dollars.

"Millions of computer users around the world see these bogus emails in their inboxes every day, claiming to offer fortunes in the form of fake lottery wins or inheritances to the unwary," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "These emails aren't sent for fun - they really do work, and people are falling for the confidence trick all the time and ending up with their bank accounts raided. The con trick, known as a 419 scam, is big business and computer crime authorities around the world need to work in co-ordination to break the gangs behind them."

"Nigeria is a major hub for this kind of criminal activity, and it's good to see the authorities making arrests there even though the victims may be as far away as the United States, UK or Australia," continued Cluley.

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