A Czech pensioner who had been defrauded by a criminal gang operating the notorious Nigerian e-mail scam has been arrested on suspicion of shooting dead a Nigerian diplomat, according to reports.
Michael Lekara Wayid, Nigeria's consol in the Czech Republic, was shot and killed at the Nigerian embassy in Prague on Wednesday, and an embassy clerk was also injured.
A 72 year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.
Early reports from the scene suggest that the pensioner had contacted the embassy to complain about being defrauded after falling for the infamous Nigerian email fraud, also known as the 419 e-mail fraud, and losing his life savings.
This scam claims to be a get-rich-quick scheme involving the liberation of money from a Nigerian bank account, although recent variations have claimed to involve the transfer of money from Zimbabwe, Bosnia and even America. In return for a share of a multi-million pound fortune, potential victims are urged to contribute thousands of pounds to aid the transfer of the cash.
Initially the scam was sent by post, but the fraud had flourished since the advent of e-mail.
In May last year, South African police arrested six people on suspicion of involvement with the fraud.
ZDNET UK's Graeme Wearden reported from London.
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In the dictionary there is only one word to describe the victim whom has lost all his life saving and that is 'GREED'.Although the amount was very tempting, they should know that 'THERE IS NO FREE MEAL IN THE WORLD".Without prejudice and offence to the victim, I really feel very sorry for them. I feel they should know better what is not theirs, they should not take. If they won a lottery that was bought in their country, then it true; that the money is what they won. I have personally experience receiving this e-mail and their story was more convincing, but I was lucky, I don't believe this such thing.I feel that the Government should work hand in hand with the Interpol so that the sydicate(s) would be facing life sentence,since nearly the whole world knows where they come from or is it there is no way to punish this sinful "crooks"?
Posted by Anne Phang on Monday, July 26 2004 07:08 AM