A Louisiana man has been arrested for his alleged role in the notorious “Nigerian prince” scam, a long-running email fraud that continues to deceive victims worldwide.
Michael Neu, 67, of Slidell, Louisiana, now faces 269 counts of wire fraud and money laundering, according to local police. Authorities say Neu acted as a middleman, funneling money stolen from unsuspecting victims to scam collaborators in Nigeria.
The scam typically begins with an email claiming to be from a wealthy Nigerian prince or government official who needs help recovering a large inheritance. In exchange for help — usually involving upfront fees or bank details — victims are promised a substantial reward. Of course, the money never comes, and the perpetrators vanish.
Despite widespread awareness and the scam’s decades-long notoriety, millions of dollars are still lost to it each year, according to law enforcement.
“Most people laugh at the thought of falling for such a fraud,” the Slidell Police Department said in a statement, “but the financial impact is real and ongoing.”
Neu’s arrest follows an in-depth investigation and highlights how local participants help facilitate these international schemes, often making it harder for authorities to trace and shut down the networks entirely.
