Nigerian shot dead in email scam row

A Czech pensioner has been arrested and charged with the murder of a Nigerian diplomat after being left out of pocket by the notorious Nigerian money scam.

The 72-year old man fell for the email scam, which invites recipients to hand over bank details and several forms of ID so that vast sums of money can be laundered through their account in return for a share of the spoils.

However, those who have fallen for the ploy soon realise the error of their ways when, far from getting rich quick, they actually start to lose money from their accounts.

Police say the man took out his anger on the innocent Nigerian diplomat, Michael Lekara Wayid, the Nigerian Consul in Prague, after demanding reparations from the African state.

Earlier this week silicon.com published an email conversation which we conducted with a Nigerian conman, who had approached us with a similar offer. Read the full account here.

If convicted the unnamed Czech could face up to 15 years in prison.