Posted on 12/29/2017 8:24:13 PM PST by Enchante
SLIDELL – A 67-year-old Slidell man who served as a go-between for an international team of scammers running a “Nigerian prince” email scheme has been arrested after an 18-month investigation.
Michael Neu, who is neither Nigerian nor a prince, has been charged with 269 counts of wire fraud and money laundering.
Neu helped shuttle fraudulently obtained money to his co-conspirators, some of whom actually do live in Nigeria, according to the Slidell Police Department.
The ubiquitous scheme, which begins when an email is sent to an unsuspecting recipient the scammers claim has been named as the beneficiary in a will, is designed to collect personal information that is then used to steal money and identities online.
The scheme nets millions of dollars each year, according to the SPD, and is difficult to track since many of the participants operate outside of the United States.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said. “Never give out personal information over the phone, through e-mail, cash checks for other individuals, or wire large amounts of money to someone you don’t know. 99.9 percent of the time, it’s a scam.”
Other versions of the scam involve people claiming to represent law enforcement agencies or utility companies.
To avoid identity theft scams like this, always ask for a callback number and verify the identity of the person attempting to collect the information, according to the SPD.
Wonder how he got involved? Did he just write back to some of the scam emails saying he could help them collect money? ha ha
How does he type the emails with no arms?
Looks Nigerian to me!
re: he doesn’t look very Nigerian
I think he must be an albino Nigerian.
How in the world is anyone stupid enough to fall for these scams?
LOL!
269 counts of wire fraud is a life sentence. Richly deserved.
G damnit!
I mailed that guy $200,000.
Still waiting for his 4 million dollar wire transfer.
I saved his ass according to his email.
Shit!
A hearty well done to the LA law enforcement community.
Ping!
I’m so old, I remember when those things used to come by fax.
Why does he look so happy?
Maybe he self identifies as a Nigerian Prince? Don’t be a hater!
My wife recently got a call from a scammer claiming to be the IRS...they try to use a little dose of fear to get people to let their guard down.
Cajun Nigerian
“I’m so old, I remember when those things used to come by fax”
I must be older. I remember one coming in the mail.
Pony Express, you young whipper snapper!
Does this mean I won’t get my $15M USD from Barrister Jalawala?
I hope not! He is sending me $15M USD too! Good man, Barrister Jalawala!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.