Nigerian web fraud gang targets Jack Straw
JACK Straw, the Justice Secretary, has been targeted by Nigerian internet fraudsters.
Requests for money were sent by e-mail to hundreds of the Blackburn MP's contacts, claiming he had lost his wallet while on charity work in Africa and needed $3,000 to get home.
Among those receiving the bogus pleas for help were Ministry of Justice officials, Labour Party members, constituents and council bosses. One constituent is believed to have replied to the e-mail, but nobody offered any money.
Mr Straw said there were no security issues relating to his Cabinet post, as the attempted fraud related to addresses stored in his Blackburn e-mail account rather than a ministerial one.
It is understood the problems began last Thursday, when Mr Straw's office responded to a message saying its e-mail account would be suspended unless a reply was sent.
Soon afterwards, constituents began to phone the office asking about an e-mail they had received which said Mr Straw was visiting Nigerian capital Lagos.
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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