Bait coordination and April 19th

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Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:11 am

For those of you who have not been following the 'sick children scam' thread, we have an example of a how a 'bait coordinator' can help focus efforts and get results. Jeff volunteered to manage the baits so that everybody wasn't doing the same thing and that there weren't too many 'churches'. Well done Jeff. clapping

For my part, I tried to get cooperation from the police and from HSBC Bank, who hosts the mule's account. I can understand the lack of interest of the police. The Serious Crime Squad (SCD6) that I contacted first are not interested in petty fraud. They only get involve when there are millions of real pounds involved. The local police were not interested either. Even though, in this instance, a UK-based charity was being affected by the scam, the fact that it was internet-based and originated abroad means that they can't do very much but chase ghosts.

There is absolutely no excuse for the lack of interest of the HSBC Bank. I explained that one of their customers (at King's College Branch) was laundering money for a Kenyan scammer. After an hour of being passed around, I got hold of their ex-directory HSBC Police Liaison Team number. I was told to get off the line as I was not police but I persisted and complained that there is NOBODY at HSBC interested in fraud that isn't credit card fraud. I was told that, even though I had the account details and the evidence (a chain of emails implicating the customer) they would do nothing and I should report it to the police.

Vicious circle!

Now, due to the lack of 'official' interest in 419 generally, I am going to take this up with the press and with my MP. A while ago, someone suggested an 'International 419 Awareness Day' and it was mooted that April 19th (4,19) would be a good date. I am suggesting that on that date, we flood the media and our respective MPs, congressmen, or whoever, with communications to the effect that not enough is being done to thwart this scourge. Publicity is the 419er's worst enemy. The more people that are aware of it, the better.

We all know how to spot a 419 scam from a mile off. Obviously, some people don't. I think we should have a coordinated effort to spread the word. We have about three months to come up with a battle plan. And, I think that ALL the other anti 419 sites should be brought on board too.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Posts: 37

And also educate our friends and family.

I've sent EVERYONE in my address book a primary on scams and a link to a couple of my favourite baits. Most knew, but many had no idea.

April 19 would be a good day for all of us to educate those we love (and even some we hate) about scams.

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:31 am

Emma Stralian wrote:

. . . . I had the account details and the evidence . . . . . . . they would do nothing . . . . . .

You should immediately have sent your information to alan@aa419,org

I can assure you that it would have been dealt with swiftly.

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:36 am

Right behind you Emma. Something needs to be done to 'educate' the banks and others that it is time to start to stamp out this crime. Passing the buck or not taking control of their own problems is not OK anymore. Banks must be accountable for their part in this and the law must stand behind those that report a criminal activity. I for one, am spreading the news of 419 to anyone that listens.
Good for you Emma putting it out there for us all to follow your lead. clapping

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:53 am

Breddan Butter wrote:

You should immediately have sent your information to alan@aa419,org
I can assure you that it would have been dealt with swiftly.

I believe that at least one of our group contacted Alan with the details of the three bank accounts given - one in London, two in Greece - but this is a case in point. I didn't contact him because I thought somebody else was doing it.

We should really have a 'channel' to Alan and similar resources. Instead of multiple 'maybes' there should be one or two 'definites' who keep Alan in the loop from 419Eater. I am not suggesting committees or hierarchies, just a little more coordination so that our efforts are less diffused.

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:01 am

I agree too. Regarding the Noma scam, Jeff couldn't cope with it, sadly. So has backed out, but we are all grateful. It does point to that the running of a mass bait needs controlling to ensure effectiveness. We don't want the bait running ,hiding and coming back. This time round, with his long history of this, we are aiming to stop it for all time. That can only come from us accepting a degree of control, publishing what works, knowing what the others are doing , and keeping the whole thing pitched at the right level. The results speak for themselves, we have wrecked two bank accounts, finished a money laundering site and are trying to close another one down, and are waiting for another account to appear. The only thing that the scumbag is getting is a mass mailing in which, probably, baiters control. Real victims are finding they can't actually deposit anything. Also the websites now carry warnings about this particular scam. All done by the efforts of people who are allowing coordination. 419 eater is excelling itself here. It would have been a massive job for one baiter, bur we are all allowing it to be done as a team job ,and that needs coordination.

Master Baiter Joined: 18 Dec 2004 Posts: 106

goodluck, you will need it

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:22 pm

If I may state quite categorically that any bank or financial institution and/or individual of such organisation within the UK who knowingly aids or fails to report the illegal transfer/laundering or use of accounts for tax evasion or fraud is liable to a substantial prison sentence and/or unlimited fine.

The usual response is that - ooooh we did but we couldn't tell you as that could be deemed to represent 'tipping off'. Maybe with some MP or public support it will be possible to see if this got reported. If not the person you spoke to at the bank is liable to a stay in prison.

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:52 pm

Began Steele wrote:

.. It does point to that the running of a mass bait needs controlling to ensure effectiveness. We don't want the bait running ,hiding and coming back. ... That can only come from us accepting a degree of control, publishing what works, knowing what the others are doing , and keeping the whole thing pitched at the right level. ..It would have been a massive job for one baiter, bur we are all allowing it to be done as a team job ,and that needs coordination.

If you need a "leader" in this group-bait I can offer my experience with such matters and my special knowledge about this very lad but you should post it in the sick-children topic Evil or Very Mad

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:52 pm

What you need is something that would really get the press interested in the situation. Something that would really show the seriousnes of the neglect that we are receiving. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to do that would be to document as many of these "ignored cases" as possible. You would need to keep detailed records of each case in which the police have turned you away. We would need to have a huge stack of evidence showing that the police are completely ignoring this crime. Then you walk into the press office and slam it down right in their face.

That should get their attention.

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