Passport?

[Svejk]

Is it legal for someone to (with)hold a British Passport as collateral. In this instance in Nigeria in case that matters. I've been telling this person for months that they're being scammed and at last he's given me permission/ asked me to gauge other peoples opinions. Well he said he wants facts not opinions but I'm quite happy with either. If anyone is interested I can go into more detail.

[jackthehat]

I am not sure he'll believe any part of it right up to the point where the Police knock on his door.

I'm not sure if having an 'informal' word with a policeman and explaining the situation might help. They may be prevailed upon to have a word with your friend, without threat of prosecution, but failing that, all you can do is point him in the direction of all the information about similar scams on the web.

[woofgang]

Can I suggest that you ask him what he WOULD accept as proof?

[Barmaid]

I would suggest you consider joining, or asking your friend to join

http://www.romancescam.com/

I had an issue a few years back when I realised a relative was being duped by a scammer. Thankfully I was a member of that site at the time (I used to scam bait from time to time when I didnt have lots to do). I enlisted their help and although I am not quite sure what they did, they DID persuade her that she was being duped whereas she just blew her stack at me.

[Svejk]

I think he was hoping I'd have them all tied up in my living room when next he calls, woof. Like I say, young love, what can you do. ;)

[Barmaid]

There are lots of things that can be done to check:-

email addresses used, IP addresses used, documents produced - have they been involved in scams before?
email headers - where are the people REALLY sending emails from?
Photos - how have they been doctored and re-used?

It would be worth a look on there.

[Svejk]

Now, that looks just the sort of thing I was looking for, Barmaid. I shall look into it further and pass it on to him.
Also Barmaid, this held passport is connected, allegedly, to a sum of money the girl is to receive(another long story).
I know in this country if a lawyer was holding a sum of money(in a will say) they would take their fee before dispersing the money. (seems like common sense) Can you believe that in Nigeria, or anywhere else, they would demand their fees up front, before issuing a cheque, as it were.

[Barmaid]

I can think of no circumstances in which a lawyer would demand a payment if he were already holding cleared funds on account. It defies logic, good practice and just increases costs.

[Svejk]

Yes, BM, this person used to get angry/defensive with me. But I think he's coming around to see sense now. One more push, I hope.

[Peter Pedant]

O god obvious scam....

Nigeria + money = scam ( unless proven otherwise )

I think you are onto a loser here Schweik -
You are trying to save your fren' from himself

the only wonder is that he can be taken in by something so preposterous.