Six spam scammers arrested

SIX MEN have been caught in the Netherlands following an investigation into a $US1.5 million interweb scam.

Dutch coppers say that the six are believed to be part of a west African network. Five of them are from West Africa, including two Nigerians.

According to the Australian, they are alleged to have extorted money from a 49-year-old Australian man after promising him, by email, a business contract worth $US90 million.

Harry Jongkind, coordinator of a Dutch police operation said the scam started a year ago in Japan. The victim was supposed to arrive in Amsterdam where he came for an appointment with his alleged business partners.

The victim had shelled out large sums of cash for things as notary fees, before he got the idea that he was being ripped off. He contacted the police who were then able to arrest the three suspected swindlers in an Amsterdam hotel where they had arranged to meet the Australian bloke. µ