Nigerian letter frauds combine the threat of impersonation fraud with a variation of an advance scheme in which a letter mailed , or e-mailed , from Nigeria offers the recipient the “ opportunity ” to sh a percentage of millions of dollars that the author — proclaimed government official — is trying to transf illegally out of Nigeria . The recipient is encouraged send information to the author , such as blank letter stationery , bank name and account numbers , and ot identifying information using a fax number given i letter or return e-mail address provided in the mess The scheme relies on convincing a willing victim , w has demonstrated a “ propensity for larceny ” by responding to the invitation , to send money to the a of the letter in Nigeria in several installments of increasing amounts for a variety of reasons .