Business deals that appear too good to be true usually are, as three Americans discovered recently. They responded to overtures on the Internet promising lucrative business dealings in diamonds and fish in Kenya and arrived only to be abducted by their “business partners” and forced to try to raise ransom money. All three were lured over separately. One had been held since January, the other two were kidnapped in April. The perpetrator, who is now on trial in Nairobi, is Nigerian and his two accomplices, who escaped, are also believed to be Nigerian. For years scams that masquerade as business opportunities have been coming out of Nigeria. Don’t be tempted by any such offer that comes unsolicited, whether over the Internet, via fax, or phone.
