Unsolicited E-Mails: as fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, firms offered guidance on clients and accounts

Solicitors have been warned that so-called 419 scams - unsolicited e-mails that usually ask for help in moving large sums of money in exchange for a share of the spoils - are becoming increasingly sophisticated.


It comes in the wake of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) last week joining forces with the Nigerian Financial Crime Squad to combat this spam fraud at source.


The e-mails - nicknamed '419' scams after the relevant section of the Nigerian Criminal Code - often appear to come from a respected official, such as a bank manager or a government agency. They explain that they have discovered secret funds that must be moved out of their country and ask for the recipient's help to move them to the UK. They will offer to deposit large sums in the recipient's bank account temporarily in exchange for a share of the money. They will have elaborate explanations about why they need to use the bank account.


All the scams share a common theme. The victims are asked to pay money in advance, to cover eventualities such as taxes, insurance, legal fees, handling fees and bribes that amount to thousands of pounds.


Many, but not all, of the scams originate from Nigeria and west Africa. At least one solicitor is known to have fallen for the scam and returned from Nigeria some £100,000 poorer. Others may well have also been victims but not wanted to admit it.


The OFT warned that new and innovative scenarios are always emerging and are often topical, such as a war reporter who has unearthed Saddam's missing millions and needs to deposit them in the recipient's account in return for a share; a young person orphaned by the tsunami disaster asking for help in moving their parents' millions out of an overseas bank; while the latest versions mention Hurricane Katrina and the 7 July London bombings.


Christine Wade, director of consumer regulation enforcement at the OFT, said: 'If you are targeted, recognise the 419 for what it is - an attempt to defraud you. Do not reply and do not give your personal details out. You are not about to become rich. These scams bear the hallmarks of professional criminals - use your common sense and don't become their next victim.'


Barrie Mayne, head of the Law Society's fraud intelligence unit, added: 'These 419 scams are getting increasingly sophisticated. Solicitors must stay on their guard. My firm advice is to make sure you know precisely who your clients are, allow client accounts to be used only for legal purposes, and never respond to 419-type e-mails.'