Q: Can a foreign government sue me in a class action lawsuit for a romance scam where I was named complicit?
I was a victim of a romance scam from 2017 to 2020 but cut ties afterwards. Recently, I was informed that the scammer named me as complicit to the Nigerian government. While I haven't received any official legal notices from Nigeria, I did receive an indictment letter via email from US federal agents in 2023, although it was allegedly dropped. More recently, I received a separate letter via email informing me of a lawsuit. Can a foreign government like Nigeria sue me in a class action lawsuit in this situation? What are my legal options, and should I seek legal advice, given that I have not consulted with an attorney yet?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
You have received some alarming communications, and it’s understandable that you’re concerned about the possibility of a lawsuit from a foreign government. It is uncommon for a government like Nigeria to initiate a class action suit against an individual under these circumstances.
If you haven’t received any official legal notices and the messages appear questionable, they might be attempts to intimidate you rather than legitimate legal actions. It is important to verify the authenticity of these communications and understand the jurisdiction and basis of any claim made against you.
Your options include carefully reviewing the documents and discussing the matter with an attorney who can help clarify your rights and the proper legal response. This guidance is meant to help you navigate the situation, and seeking professional legal advice is a crucial next step.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
