Nigerian scammers 'exploit tsunami tragedy'

Nigerian scammers appear to be trying to cash in on the public sympathy for the victims of the South-East Asian tsunami.

Benjamin Ott, a member of an anti-scam forum, said Nigerian scammers have sent out emails that pretend to be from a Singaporean charity that is involved in the relief effort. The email, which originates from Lagos in Nigeria, asks people to donate money by Western Union transfer to help victims of the disaster.

Scammers have often used current affairs to trick people into giving money. Last year, an email scam from the Czech Republic used legitimate organisations and Holocaust victims to strengthen its case.