martin adamson martinsrv0emsedacuk bbc website wwwbbccouk tuesday 8 october 2002 0943 gmt 1043 uk fake bank website cons victims west african criminals used fake version british banks online service milk victims cash say police fake site used squeeze money people already hooked site shut uk national criminal intelligence service ncis said least two canadians lost 100000 taken fake website scam behind fake web domain familiar one offers people share huge sums money need moved various african nations ncis said use web helping conmen hook victims would otherwise spot scam convincing site news latest scam revealed bbc radio5live found unclaimed web domain uk bank used conmen get cash victims ncis spokesman said domain looked legitimate front banks name seen microsite sophisticated said ncis spokesman convincing especially people experienced online con discovered quickly shut however people behind caught ncis know least two people lost 100000 bank involved bought domain used con well many permutations name limit chance could happen domain games usually people first hooked become known advanced fee 419 fraud replying unsolicited fax email offering share cash successfully moved africa 419 refers part nigerian penal code dealing crimes like con money moved instead anyone taking bait asked pay increasingly large sums supposedly bribe uncooperative officials smooth passage cash although con practiced years people still fall victim ncis estimates five americans sitting hotel lobbies london everyday waiting meet people connected con cutting edge fraud often conmen provide fake banking certificates give con air legitimacy people tricked clicking fake sites spokesman ncis said fake spoof websites used place certificates many people nowadays cutting edge banking technology web technology said spokesman one first groups conmen use method set fake website supposedly gave victims access accounts held south african reserve bank countrys national bank typically victims given login name password encouraged visit site see cash getting share deposited name get hands cash victims typically asked hand money help transfer go ahead south african police discovered ruse declared national priority crime soon arrested 18 people behind modern gloss briefing paper prepared ncis august organised crime noted criminals increasingly turning web lure new victims give old cons modern gloss ncis spokesman urged people fallen victim 419 fraud come forward help track perpetrators said last two months arrested 24 people overseas involved type fraud said email fax letter making offer looks good true undoubtedly one first companies fall victim website spoofing net payment service paypal conmen set fake site asked people visit reenter account credit card details paypal lost information website link included email looked legitimate fact directed people fake domain gathered details conmens personal use yahoo groups sponsor sell home top httpusclickyahoocomrrpzmcjtmeaamvfiaa7gsolbtm unsubscribe group send email forteanaunsubscribeegroupscom use yahoo groups subject httpdocsyahoocominfoterms tue 8 oct 2002 120355 0100 zzzzteana fake bank website cons victims