Nigeria - Organized Crime

In April 1996, German police uncovered a Nigerian organized crime ring that was operating throughout Europe, and which was allegedly involved in counterfeiting, drug running, and credit card fraud. Over the past few years, German police investigations of these crimes have inevitably led them to Nigeria. Since 1990, the Nigerians have worked the following fraudulent trick: Offers were made to private individuals and medium-sized companies via letters or fax that they should help with the transfer of millions of dollars from Nigeria to Germany. In return, between 30 and 40 percent of the amounts were promised. In reality, however, the gangsters were interested in collecting high amounts for alleged charges in Nigeria from those whom they were cheating. By investigating these scams, the Germans were able to uncover that the Nigerians suspected of the crimes obviously were part of well-organized, internationally active groups.

Nigeria's organized crime enterprises are active in at least 60 countries. And the United States provides Nigerian scam artists a barrelful of suckers. The U.S. Secret Service estimates that Nigerian advance fee fraud letter scams cost Americans US$250 million a year. But back to basics. The South African government says Nigerian criminal operations have penetrated the entire southern African region, with enterprises in heroin and cocaine trafficking, alien smuggling, document fraud, car theft and gang activities.