Nigerian authorities arrest alleged mastermind of $60M worth of online scams
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/08/nigerian-authorities-arrest-alleged-mastermind-of-60m-worth-of-online-scams/Authorities finally arrested an alleged Nigerian online scammer accused of orchestrating schemes totaling more than $60 million, according to Interpol. The 40-year-old man, who authorities have said is known as “Mike,” is also believed to have convinced one person to pay out $15.4 million. The man was arrested in Port Harcourt, in southern Nigeria.
Mike and another unnamed Nigerian now face charges including hacking, conspiracy, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
According to the international law enforcement organization, Mike used “a network of at least 40 individuals across Nigeria, Malaysia, and South Africa which both provided malware and carried out the frauds. The alleged mastermind also had money laundering contacts in China, Europe, and the US who provided bank account details for the illicit cash flow.”
The agency did not describe how Mike and his alleged co-conspirator were tracked down.
I was a tad gobsmacked to read that headline.
= new reply since forum marked as read
They scammed her by making false promises. She did a reverse mortgage on her house. She was the best neighbor I've ever had. Unfortunately, she didn't confide in me before doing this. I would have told her no way no how send these scammers any money.
She was verbally abused by her husband who was a heavy drinker and a sergeant in the Vietnam war. He passed away before any of this happened.
Then she told a church friend who turned her over to the Adult Protection Services and they took her away 
I even went to her hearing to testify in her favor. The APS caseworker lied on the stand. Told the judge she didn't have anyone looking out for her. However, my neighbor's court appointed attorney refused to let me testify in her defense. So, they carted her off to a nursing home. Her own niece (who owns a nursing home) refused to take her in unless she got funding from the government. She got the funding and she was moved 80 miles away.
Very sad! Real people get mixed up in these scams. So, I certainly don't consider it a laughing matter!
