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The Worst Spam Ever! This rant is about a phenomenon that has been occurring for several months now that is really pissing me off. It's a scam that promises you lots of money. The spammers are relentless. This is an in-depth investigative report on my experience with this phenomenon. Let's begin with the first e-mail from March 2001: > URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL > > ATTN: MANAGING DIRECTOR/C.E.O > > LAGOS - NIGERIA > > REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP > > First, I must solicit your strictest confidence in > this transaction .This > by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential > and'top secret'. You have been recommended by an > associate who assured me in confidence of your > ability and reliability to prosecute a transaction of > great magnitude involving a pending business > transaction requiring maximum confidence. > > We are top officials of the federal government > contract review panel who are interested in > importation of goods into our country > with funds which are presently trapped in Nigeria.In > order to commence this business we solicit > your assistance to enable us transfer into your > account the said trapped funds > > The source of this fund is as follows : During the > last Regime here in Nigeria, some Government > Officials > set up companies and awarded themselves contracts > which were grossly over-invoiced in various > ministries.The present Government set up a contract > Review Panel and we have identified a lot of > inflated contract funds which are presently floating > in the Central Bank of Nigeria ready for payment. > > However, by virtue of our position as civil > servants and members of this panel, we cannot acquire > this money in our names.I have therefore, been > delegated as a matter of trust by my colleagues > of the panel to look for an overseas partner into > whose account we would transfer the sum of > US$21,500,000.00 (Twenty One Million, Five Hundred > Thousand United .States Dollars) Hence we are writing > you this letter. > > We have agreed to share the money thus: > > 1. 20% for the Account owner (you) > 2. 70% for us (The officials) > 3. 10% to be used in settling taxation and all local > and foreign expenses. > It is from the 70% that we wish to commence the > importation business. > > Please, note that this transaction is 100% safe and > we > hope to commence the transfer latest seven (7) > banking > days from the date of the receipt of the > following information below > > (a)company name and Beneficiary of account > (b) Your Personal TeL. Number and Fax Number > (c) Bank account/Sort/ABA/Routing numbers were the > funds will be transfered > to > (d) Your Bankers Address, Telephone and Fax Number. > > The above information will enable us write letters of > claim and job description respectively. This way we > will use your company's name to apply > for payment and re-award the contract in your > company's name. We are looking forward to doing this > business with you and solicit your confidentiality in > this transaction.Please acknowledge the receipt of > this letter using the above tel/fax number. I will > bring you into the complete picture of this > pending project when I have heard from you. > > Your faithfully, > > NOTE: > > Please responed by phone or fax.with the number > above. > Due to our poor communication network, it may be > difficult to access,we therefore appeal for your > persistence in accessing the given tel/fax > line. Wow! All I have to do is give this complete stranger in Nigeria my account and telephone numbers and I make $4.3 million. But then, in August I get this one: Dear Sir, REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP – STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. Firstly, I must solicit your strictest confidentiality in this transaction. This is by virtue of its nature as being utterly CONFIDENTIAL and “TOP SECRET.” Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make anyone apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day. We have decided to contact you first by your email due to the urgency of this transaction, as we have been reliably informed that it will take at least two to three weeks for a normal post to reach you. So we decided it is best using the email. Let me start by first introducing myself properly to you. I am [name withheld], a director general in the Petroleum Ministry and I head a Six-man tender board in charge of Contracts Awards and payment Approvals. I came to know of you in my search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very confidential business transaction which involves the transfer of a huge sum of money to a foreign account requiring maximum confidence. I and my colleagues are top officials of the Federal Government Contract Review and Award Panel. Our duties include evaluation, vetting, approval for payment of contract jobs done for the Petroleum Ministry, etc. In order to commence this business, we solicit for your assistance to enable us transfer into your account the said funds. The source of this funds is as follows: During the last military regime here in Nigeria, this committee awarded a contract of US$400,000,000.00 (Four Hundred Million United States Dollars) to five construction firms on behalf of the Petroleum Ministry for the supply, construction and installation of Oil Pipeline from Warri to PortHarcourt. During this process my colleagues and I decided amongst ourselves to deliberately over-inflate the total contract sum to US$436,500,000.00 (Four Hundred and Thirty Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) with the main intention of sharing the remaining sum of US$36,500,000.00 (Thirty Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) amongst ourselves. The Federal Government of Nigeria has since approved the sum of US$436,500,000.00 (Four Hundred and Thirty Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) for us as the contract sum, and the sum of US$400,000,000.00 (Four Hundred Million United States Dollars) has also been paid to the foreign contractors concerned as contract entitlements for the contract done, but since each of the companies is entitled to US$80,000,000.00 only, we are now left with US$36,500,000.00 balance in the account which we intend to transfer abroad into a safe and reliable account to be disbursed amongst ourselves, but by virtue of our positions as civil servants and members of this panel, we cannot do this by ourselves, as we are prohibited by the ‘Code of Conduct Bureau’ (Civil Service Laws) from opening / operating foreign accounts in our names, making it impossible for us to acquire the money in our names. I have, therefore, been mandated as a matter of trust by my colleagues in the panel to look for an overseas partner into whose account we would transfer the sum of US$36,500,000.00 (Thirty Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), hence we are writing you this letter. My colleagues and I have agreed that if your company can act as the beneficiary of this funds on our behalf, you or your company will retain 20% of the total amount of US$36,500,000.00 (Thirty Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), while 70% will be for us (members of this panel) and the remaining 10% will be used in offsetting all debts/expenses incurred (both local and foreign) in the cause of this transfer. Needless to say, the trust reposed on you at this juncture is enormous. In return we demand your complete honesty and trust. You must however, NOTE that this transaction will be strictly based on the following terms and conditions as we have stated below, as we have heard confirmed cases of business associates running away with funds kept in their custody when it finally arrive their accounts. A very good and recent example is the one of [name withheld] and [name withheld], who we were reliably informed that after the agreement between both partners in which he was to take 15% of the money, while the remaining 85% for Nigerian Officials. With all the required documents signed, the money was duly transferred into his account, only to be disappointed on their arrival in New York and were informed that [name withheld] was no longer on that address, while his telephone and fax numbers have been re-allocated to somebody else. This was how they lost US$18.5 Million to [name withheld]. This is a very recent story here in my country and everybody is aware of this, some of the officials decided to cry out and face the law, because they felt they had lost too much to a stranger, while [name withheld] is hiding in a foreign country. So right now we are taking all precautionary measures to guard against re-occurrence of such act in our case. This is why we have decided that this transaction will be based completely on the following: (a). Our conviction of your transparent honesty and diligence. (b). That you would treat this transaction with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. (c). That upon receipt of the funds, you will promptly release our share (70%) on demand after you have removed your 20% and all expenses have been settled. (d). You must be ready to produce us with enough information about yourself to put our minds at rest. Please, note that this transaction is 100% legal and risk free and we hope to conclude the business in Seven Bank working days from the date of receipt of the necessary information and requirement from you. Please, acknowledge the receipt of this letter using my email address. I will bring you into the complete picture of the transaction when I have heard from you. Your urgent response will be highly appreciated as we are already behind schedule for this financial quarter. Thank you and God bless. Yours faithfully, [name withheld] N.B.: Please, be reminded that this business transaction is 100% legal and risk free. Wow - this stranger, who is different from the first stranger, is promising me $7.1 million for doing the same thing 5 months later. Plus, I can trust him, as he has promised me that this transaction is "100% legal and risk free". I have been entrusted with the fate of the people of Nigeria in my hands. I am a god! If I were to take advantage of both these offers, I have been promised $11.4 million! But then a week later: ABAKPA ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, {VERY URGENT BUSINESS TRANSACTION} GREETINGS IN ORDER TO TRANSFER OUT (USD 26 MILLION DOLLARS) FROM OUR BANK. I HAVE THE COURAGE TO ASK YOU TO LOOK FOR A NEVER LET ME DOWN EITHER NOW OR IN FUTURE. I AM [name withheld], THE EASTERN DISTRICT BANK MANAGER OF [name withheld]. THERE IS AN ACCOUNT OPENED IN THIS BANK IN 1980 AND SINCE 1990 NOBODY HAS OPERATED ON THIS ACCOUNT AGAIN. AFTER GOING THROUGH SOME OLD FILES IN THE RECORDS I DISCOVERED THAT IF I DO NOT REMITT THIS MONEY OUT URGENTLY IT WILL BE FORFEITED FOR NOTHING. THE OWNER OF THIS ACCOUNT IS [name withheld], A FOREIGNER, AND THE MANAGER OF [name withheld] - TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES, A CHEMICAL ENGINEER BY PROFESSION AND HE DIED SINCE 1990. NO OTHER PERSON KNOWS ABOUT THIS ACCOUNT OR ANY THING CONCERNING IT, THE ACCOUNT HAS NO OTHER BENEFICIARY AND MY INVESTIGATION PROVED TO ME AS WELL THAT THIS COMPANY DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ACCOUNT AND THE AMOUNT INVOLVED IS (USD 26 MILLION DOLLARS). I WANT TO TRANSFER THIS MONEY INTO A SAFE FOREIGNERS ACCOUNT ABROAD BUT I DON'T KNOW ANY FOREIGNER, I AM ONLY CONTACTING YOU AS A FOREIGNER BECAUSE THIS MONEY CAN NOT BE APPROVED TO A LOCAL BANK HERE, BUT CAN ONLY BE APPROVED TO ANY FOREIGN ACCOUNT BECAUSE THE MONEY IS IN US DOLLARS AND THE FORMER OWNER OF THE ACCOUNT IS [name withheld] IS A FOREIGNER TOO. I KNOW THAT THIS MASSAGE WILL COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE AS WE DON'T KNOW OUR SELVES BEFORE, BUT BE SURE THAT IT IS REAL AND A GENUINE BUSINESS. I ONLY GOT YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS FROM THE COMPUTER, WITH BELIEVE IN GOD THAT YOU WILL NEVER LET ME DOWN IN THIS BUSINESS YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON THAT I HAVE CONTACTED IN THIS BUSINESS, SO PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY SO THAT I WILL INFORM YOU THE NEXT STEP TO TAKE URGENTLY. I WANT US TO SEE FACE TO FACE OR SIGN A BINDING AGREEMENT TO BIND US TOGETHER SO THAT YOU CAN RECIEVE THIS MONEY INTO A FORIEGN ACCOUNT OR ANY ACCOUNT OF YOUR CHOICE WHERE THE FUND WILL BE REMMITTED.AND I WILL FLY TO YOUR COUNTRY FOR WITHDRAWAL AND SHARING AND OTHER INVESTMENTS. I AM CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO INVOLVE A FOREIGNER WITH FOREIGN ACCOUNT AND FOREIGN BENEFICIARY. I NEED YOUR CO-OPERATION TO MAKE THIS WORK FINE. BECAUSE THE MANAGEMENT IS READY TO APPROVE THIS PAYMENT TO ANY FOREIGNER WHO HAS CORRECT INFORMATION OF THIS ACCOUNT, WHICH I WILL GIVE TO YOU LATER IMMEDIATELY, IF YOU ARE ABLE AND WITH CAPABILITY TO HANDLE SUCH AMOUNT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND TRUST ACCORDING TO MY INSTRUCTIONS AND ADVICE FOR OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT BECAUSE THIS OPPORTUNITY WILL NEVER COME AGAIN IN MY LIFE. A NEED TRUTHFUL PERSON IN THIS BUSINESS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MAKE MISTAKE I NEED YOUR STRONG ASSURANCE AND TRUST. WITH MY POSITION NOW IN THE OFFICE I CAN TRANSFER THIS MONEY TO ANY FOREIGNERS RELIABLE ACCOUNT WHICH YOU CAN PROVIDE WITH ASSURANCE THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE INTACT PENDING MY PHYSICAL ARRIVAL IN YOUR COUNTRY FOR SHARING. I WILL DESTROY ALL DOCUMENTS OF TRANSACTION IMMEDIATELY WE RECIEVE THIS MONEY LEAVING NO TRACE TO ANY PLACE. YOU CAN ALSO COME TO DISCUSS WITH ME FACE TO FACE AFTER WHICH I WILL MAKE THIS REMITTANCE IN YOUR PRESENCE AND TWO OF US WILL FLY TO YOUR COUNTRY AT LEAST TWO DAYS AHEAD OF THE MONEY GOING INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. I WILL APPLY FOR ANNUAL LEAVE TO GET VISA IMMEDIATELY I HEAR FROM YOU THAT YOU ARE READY TO ACT AND RECEIVE THIS FUND IN YOUR ACCOUNT. I WILL USE MY POSITION AND INFLUENCE TO EFFECT LEGAL APPROVALS AND ONWARD TRANSFER OF THIS MONEY TO YOUR ACCOUNT WITH APPROPRIATE CLEARANCE FORMS OF THE MINISTRIES AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEPARTMENTS. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS BUSINESS, YOU WILL BE GIVEN 20% OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT, 75% WILL BE FOR ME, WHILE 5% WILL BE FOR EXPENSES BOTH PARTIES MIGHT HAVE INCURED DURING THE PROCESS OF TRANSFERING. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR EARLIEST REPLY BY EMAIL. YOURS TRULY, [name withheld] Wow - this stranger (yet a different person) has promised me $5.2 million, but I don't have the guilt trip that I do on the others that I am saving the people of Nigeria. This one is pure greed. If I do all three of these, I am promised $16.6 million! But wait, there's more. According to this guy, "I KNOW THAT THIS MASSAGE WILL COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE AS WE DON'T KNOW OUR SELVES BEFORE" - I even get a massage! Can this deal get any better? Also, this is an exclusive deal as, "YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON THAT I HAVE CONTACTED IN THIS BUSINESS!" Ironically on September 11th I received the following, Dear Sir, I am [name withheld], son of the late [name withheld] of former Zaire, now Congo Democratic Republic. My family and I now live in exile, in Morocco. I believe you are aware through the International press how the European Government froze my late father bank accounts. Recently the French Government confiscated my father's Chateaux in South of France. In view of this, my family and I are afraid to make any investment without a front. In this line, therefore, it is the wish of my family to solicit for a trustworthy and sincere person who will invest these fund under trusteeship. I am interested in making an enormous investment worth US$50Million in some parts of the world of which will be beneficiary to both parties SOURCE OF FUND. Before the death of my father, he deposited the above stated funds with a security Firm here in Amsterdam. Hence I am in asylum here in lome. Therefore, I intend to have a front who will manage this funds and invest it into property development, buying of sharesstock in Multinational Companies and engage in non speculative investments and other related ventures. As soon as I hear from you I will then aarrange a face-to-face meeting for us to deliberate on this investment. It will also give me the opportunity to assess your capability of handling this investment. Please, I will like you to send me your private telephone/fax numbers to allow me discuss privately. Meanwhile, reach me on the above email address. Kindly treat this matter with utmost confidentiality. Best Regards, [name withheld] Well, this guy, whose even different - hell, he's from a different country, well, he doesn't make any promises of a cut, but he does promise a $50 million investment in my company, so let's go ahead and assume that I would get the entire $50 million, bringing our grand total of promised money up to $66.6 million. URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL First, may I solicit your confidence in this transaction, which by virtue of its nature is utterly confidential and “top secret”. I am however aware that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive, but I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day. My contact with you is based on the urgency and believes that you will not betray the trust bestowed on you for the actualisation of the deal. I am [name withheld], a Branch General Manager with the [name withheld]. I came to know you in my desperate but private search for a Reliable and reputable confidant to handle a very confidential transaction which involves the transfer of Huge Sum of Money to a Foreigners Account. THE PROPOSITION: A Foreigner an American, Late [name withheld] an Oil Merchant & Contractor with The Federal Government of Nigeria, until his death months ago in Kenyan Air Bus (A310 - 300) Flight KQ430, He had in his domicillary account US$26.5million with us at [name withheld] hqrts. Lagos as at the end of September, 2000 closing balance. The bank now expects the Late Engr.’s next of kin to claim the US$26.5million as the beneficiary. Valued consultations have been made by the [name withheld] to get in touch with any of the [name withheld]’s Family or Relatives but to no success. As a result of this the Management and Board of Directors of our Bank intends to declare the fund unclaimed and donated to a Trust fund for Arms Ammunitions of the Military War College. The above idea is most unreasonable, as an insider and actual accounts manager to the [name withheld]’s account, myself and Colleagues have decided to contact you to act as the Late [name withheld] Next of Kin to receive the fund as inheritance claim for the benefit of our both parties. The fund US$26.5 Million will be paid into your Account as the beneficiary’s next of kin. All documentation required to perfect the arrangement would be put in place once you indicate your interest and acceptance. For your role in the transaction, you will be entitled to 30%, 10% for Taxation while 60% will be for us. I await your prompt response to take advantage of the trust we have bestowed in you and your Company. Kindly get to me immediately furnishing me with your most confidential Telephone, Fax numbers including your postal address for prompt communication. Thank you and God bless. Wow, another 30% of $26.5 million, which is $7.95 million, for a grand total of $74.55 million! STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
FROM THE DESK OF:
DR. [name withheld].
Director General, [name withheld].
Lagos, Nigeria.
Dear Sir,
REQUEST FOR BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
I got your contact as a result of my discreet search
for a reputable foreign business partner in your
country. I am interested in doing business with you.
I am Dr. [name withheld], Director General, [name withheld]
, Lagos and I hope to retire very
soon into private business with you as my foreign
partner. I am prepared to go into partnership
agreement with you but I will need your assistance in
securing on my behalf the sum of US$32.455 Million
(Thirty-two Million, Four Hundred and Fifty-five
Thousand U.S Dollars only), being over invoiced
Federal Government of Nigeria, World Bank Assisted
Rural Electrification Projects contract proceeds now
ready for payment by the present administration in
this year budget.
Since I am still in active Government service, it is
not possible to secure the fund in my name for obvious
reasons. I shall process necessary documents/invoices
and file payment application for the fund to be
released to you for our joint business ventures. I
consider this a once in a lifetime opportunity to get
the needed capital for my future after retirement.
Please, treat this offer with top secrecy because we
need to conclude this deal with absolute
confidentiality.
To demonstrate my willingness to conclude this deal
with you, I am prepared to offer you a good negotiable
percentage (30%) of the money to be secured by you and
another negotiable percentage (10%) from our joint
ventures. Be assured that this transaction is to our
mutual benefit and will not affect you in anyway
presently or in future. With your full co-operation,
we can conclude this transaction within the next 14
working days upon the receipt of good bank account
details from you.
Let me know immediately your response to this proposal
so that we can arrange meetings and enter into
possible agreements. Direct your reply to me through
my direct telephone no. or fax no
or send me an email to my personal e-mail
address
Yours faithfully,
DR. [name withheld]
Wow - another $9.7365 million for a total of $84.2865 million. All if I give these strangers my account numbers. I received a couple of these in December, which I deleted. And 2002 was to be no different. On January 15th, I got the following (SIX times, no less): G.R.A, ENUGU. ENUGU STATE {VERY URGENT BUSINESS TRANSACTION} GREETINGS IN ORDER TO TRANSFER OUT (USD 26 MILLION DOLLARS) FROM OUR BANK. I HAVE THE COURAGE TO ASK YOU TO LOOK FOR A RELIABLE AND HONEST PERSON WHO WILL BE CAPABLE FOR THIS IMPORTANT BUSINESS BELIEVING THAT YOU WILL NEVER LET ME DOWN EITHER NOW OR IN FUTURE. I AM MR.[name withheld], THE EASTERN DISTRICT BANK MANAGER OF [name withheld]. THERE IS AN ACCOUNT OPENED IN THIS BANK IN 1980 AND SINCE 1990 NOBODY HAS OPERATED ON THIS ACCOUNT AGAIN. AFTER GOING THROUGH SOME OLD FILES IN THE RECORDS I DISCOVERED THAT IF I DO NOT REMITT THIS MONEY OUT URGENTLY IT WILL BE FORFEITED FOR NOTHING. THE OWNER OF THIS ACCOUNT IS MR. [name withheld], A FOREIGNER, AND THE MANAGER OF [name withheld], A CHEMICAL ENGINEER BY PROFESSION AND HE DIED SINCE 1990. NO OTHER PERSON KNOWS ABOUT THIS ACCOUNT OR ANY THING CONCERNING IT, THE ACCOUNT HAS NO OTHER BENEFICIARY AND MY INVESTIGATION PROVED TO ME AS WELL THAT THIS COMPANY DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ACCOUNT AND THE AMOUNT INVOLVED IS (USD 26 MILLION DOLLARS). I WANT TO TRANSFER THIS MONEY INTO A SAFE FOREIGNERS ACCOUNT ABROAD BUT I DON'T KNOW ANY FOREIGNER, I AM ONLY CONTACTING YOU AS A FOREIGNER BECAUSE THIS MONEY CAN NOT BE APPROVED TO A LOCAL BANK HERE, BUT CAN ONLY BE APPROVED TO ANY FOREIGN ACCOUNT BECAUSE THE MONEY IS IN US DOLLARS AND THE FORMER OWNER OF THE ACCOUNT IS MR. [name witheld] IS A FOREIGNER TOO. I KNOW THAT THIS MASSAGE WILL COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE AS WE DON'T KNOW OUR SELVES BEFORE, BUT BE SURE THAT IT IS REAL AND A GENUINE BUSINESS. I ONLY GOT YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS FROM THE COMPUTER ,WITH BELIEVE IN GOD THAT YOU WILL NEVER LET ME DOWN IN THIS BUSINESS YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON THAT I HAVE CONTACTED IN THIS BUSINESS, SO PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY SO THAT I WILL INFORM YOU THE NEXT STEP TO TAKE URGENTLY. I WANT US TO SEE FACE TO FACE OR SIGN A BINDING AGREEMENT TO BIND US TOGETHER SO THAT YOU CAN RECIEVE THIS MONEY INTO A FORIEGN ACCOUNT OR ANY ACCOUNT OF YOUR CHOICE WHERE THE FUND WILL BE REMMITTED.AND I WILL FLY TO YOUR COUNTRY FOR WITHDRAWAL AND SHARING AND OTHER INVESTMENTS. I AM CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO INVOLVE A FOREIGNER WITH FOREIGN ACCOUNT AND FOREIGN BENEFICIARY. I NEED YOUR CO-OPERATION TO MAKE THIS WORK FINE. BECAUSE THE MANAGEMENT IS READY TO APPROVE THIS PAYMENT TO ANY FOREIGNER WHO HAS CORRECT INFORMATION OF THIS ACCOUNT, WHICH I WILL GIVE TO YOU LATER IMMEDIATELY, IF YOU ARE ABLE AND WITH CAPABILITY TO HANDLE SUCH AMOUNT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND TRUST ACCORDING TO MY INSTRUCTIONS AND ADVICE FOR OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT BECAUSE THIS OPPORTUNITY WILL NEVER COME AGAIN IN MY LIFE. A NEED TRUTHFUL PERSON IN THIS BUSINESS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MAKE MISTAKE I NEED YOUR STRONG ASSURANCE AND TRUST. WITH MY POSITION NOW IN THE OFFICE I CAN TRANSFER THIS MONEY TO ANY FOREIGNERS RELIABLE ACCOUNT WHICH YOU CAN PROVIDE WITH ASSURANCE THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE INTACT PENDING MY PHYSICAL ARRIVAL IN YOUR COUNTRY FOR SHARING. I WILL DESTROY ALL DOCUMENTS OF TRANSACTION IMMEDIATELY WE RECIEVE THIS MONEY LEAVING NO TRACE TO ANY PLACE. YOU CAN ALSO COME TO DISCUSS WITH ME FACE TO FACE AFTER WHICH I WILL MAKE THIS REMITTANCE IN YOUR PRESENCE AND TWO OF US WILL FLY TO YOUR COUNTRY AT LEAST TWO DAYS AHEAD OF THE MONEY GOING INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. I WILL APPLY FOR ANNUAL LEAVE TO GET VISA IMMEDIATELY I HEAR FROM YOU THAT YOU ARE READY TO ACT AND RECEIVE THIS FUND IN YOUR ACCOUNT. I WILL USE MY POSITION AND INFLUENCE TO EFFECT LEGAL APPROVALS AND ONWARD TRANSFER OF THIS MONEY TO YOUR ACCOUNT WITH APPROPRIATE CLEARANCE FORMS OF THE MINISTRIES AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEPARTMENTS. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS BUSINESS, YOU WILL BE GIVEN 20% OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT, 75% WILL BE FOR ME, WHILE 5% WILL BE FOR EXPENSES BOTH PARTIES MIGHT HAVE INCURED DURING THE PROCESS OF TRANSFERING. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR EARLIEST REPLY BY EMAIL. YOURS TRULY, [name withheld] So, while this might appear to be the same e-mail as I received on 27 August, it had different names, so that can only mean different accounts. An additional 20% of the $26 million results in an additional $5.2 million, thus meaning that a number of Nigerians have promised me a total of $89.5 million! Does Nigeria even have $89.5 million? Who cares! Oh, but wait - less than 24 hours after I first put out this page on January 16th, I received the following: The Owner, FROM: [name withheld] LAGOS-NIGERIA. Dear, My name is [name withheld] the eldest son of [name withheld] who was the est. while Minister of the Federal Capital territory Abuja in the late dictator rule of General Sani Abacha's Regime of 1993-1998. I am contacting you in a benevolent spirit; utmost confidence and trust to enable us provide a solution to a money transfer of $60M that is presently putting my entire family into great disarray. You may be quite surprised at my sudden contact to you but do not despair, I got your contact from the Foreign Affairs Commission through an associate of my father and following the information I gathered about you, I was convinced that you could be of assistance to me. So, decided to contact you at once due to the urgency required for us to immediately transfer the said funds out of the country. During the time my father was in the government with the late General Sani Abacha as the head of state, they were both involved in several deals that yielded Billions of Dollars. The prominent amongst the deals was monies that emanated from funds set aside for the importation of Arms and Ammunitions to boost the Nigerian Defense, funds set to embark on an oversea campaign to counter the United States action to put a stop to the self succession bid of the Abacha's government to retain power, and monies set aside to rehabilitate the ailing Nigerian Petroleum Refineries and the National Electric Power Authority which supplies Electricity to the entire nation. If you are conversant with world news, you would understand better. During this period my father was able to make some good money for himself and kept in his private bank accounts. The then head of state General Sani Abacha transferred his share of the money through a Lebanese businessman, [name withheld] and a Jewish businessman, [name withheld] to bank accounts overseas. Unfortunately, all the secrets were revealed by the investigation agencies set up by the successive governments and most of the Abacha's loots were traced and repatriated from the various accounts to the Federal Government Treasury. Out of the money my father made, he left the sum of N50 Million (Fifty Million Naira) in the CBN escrow account for further transfer into a foreign account and a sum of $60M (Sixty Million Dollars) was kept in a Private security firm here in Nigeria. Through the confessions made by the Abacha's Family, the N50 Million was recovered by the investigating agency from the CBN escrow account. But were unable to discover the $60M, which he kept in the vaults. The reason is because no names were used to lodge in the funds. Instead, he used PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (PIN) and declared the contents as Bearer Bonds and Treasury Bills. Also the firm issued him with a certificate of deposit of the consignments. Note that I have this information in my custody. Right now, my father has been arrested and detained for interrogation. As the eldest son of my Father, I believe that I owe the entire family an obligation to ensure that the $60M is successfully transferred abroad for investment purposes. With the present situation, I cannot do it all by myself. It is based on this that I am making this contact with you. I have done a thorough homework and fine-tuned the best way to create you as the beneficiary to the funds and effect the transfer accordingly. Is rest assured that the modalities I have resolved to finalize the entire project guarantees our safety and the successful transfer of the funds. So, you will be absolutely right when you say that this project is risk free and viable. If you are capable and willing to assist, contact me at once via email for more details. Believe me, there is no one else we can trust again. All my fathers' friends have deserted us after exploiting us on the pretence of trying to help my father. As it is said, "it is at the time of problems that you know your true friends". So long as you keep everything to yourself, we would definitely have no problems. For your assistance, I am ready to give you as much as 20% of the total funds after transfer and invest a reasonable percentage into any viable business you may suggest. Please, I need your assistance to make this happen and please; do not undermine it because it will also be a source of upliftment to you also. You have absolutely nothing to loose in assisting us instead, you have so much to gain. Awaiting your urgent and positive response. BEST REGARDS, [name withheld] But holy crap, this guy confirmed what I believed all the time - "I got your contact from the Foreign Affairs Commission through an associate of my father and following the information I gathered about you, I was convinced that you could be of assistance to me. " - that the Nigerian government has a dossier on me! All this time I thought it was our government that was involved in conspiracy, but it turns out that it was the Nigerians! Someone contact Mulder and Scully! Anyway, this guy promises 20% of the $60 million, or $12 million, bringing my grand total up to $101 million promised! What really strikes me is the professionalism of these guys. I mean, there's nothing like proper grammar and spelling to say "Gee, this guy is a professional." Hey spammers, you obviously have a computer; how about running a little spell checker before you send? Thanks. (And remember this mantra - "I before E except after C" - it's not RECIEVE ") Oh, but then, I didn't get any e-mails for three months. Could the Nigerians and their co-conspirators be on to me and my contest? But then on March 28th, I received: [Address withheld] CLOSE, JO, BORG SOUTH AFRICA. PHONE# [withheld] URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL) (RE: TRANSFER OF ($ 152,000.000.00 USD ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO MILLION DOLLARS ) Dear sir, We want to transfer to overseas ($ 152,000.000.00 USD) One hundred and Fifty two million United States Dollars) from a Bank in Africa, I want to ask you to quietly look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable and fit to provide either an existing bank account or to set up a new Bank a/c immediately to receive this money, even an empty a/c can serve to receive this money, as long as you will remain honest to me till the end for this important business trusting in you and believing in God that you will never let me down either now or in future. I am [name withheld], the Auditor General of a bank in Africa, during the course of our auditing I discovered a floating fund in an account opened in the bank in 1990 and since 1993 nobody has operated on this account again, after going through some old files in the records I discovered that the owner of the account died without a [heir] hence the money is floating and if I do not remit this money out urgently it will be forfeited for nothing. the owner of this account is Mr. Magnus leon, a foreigner, and a sailor, and he died, since 1993. and no other person knows about this account or any thing concerning it, the account has no other beneficiary and my investigation proved to me as well that Magnus Leon until his death was the manager Magnus Coy.(pty). SA. We will start the first transfer with fifty two million [$52,000.000] upon successful transaction without any disappoint from your side, we shall re-apply for the payment of the remaining rest amount to your account, The amount involved is (USD 152M) One hundred and Fifty two million United States Dollars, only I want to first transfer $52,000.000 [fifty two million United States Dollar from this money into a safe foreigners account abroad before the rest, but I don't know any foreigner, I am only contacting you as a foreigner because this money can not be approved to a local person here, without valid international foreign passport, but can only be approved to any foreigner with valid international passport or drivers license and foreign a/c because the money is in us dPOST http://us.f203.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?YY=19893 HTTP/1.0ollars and the former owner of the a/c Mr. Magnus Leon is a foreigner too, [and the money can only be approved into a foreign a/c However, we will sign a binding agreement, to bind us together I got your contact address from the Girl who operates computer, I am revealing this to you with believe in God that you will never let me down in this business, you are the first and the only person that I am contacting for this business, so please reply urgently so that I will inform you the next step to take urgently. Send also your private telephone and fax number including the full details of the account to be used for the deposit. I want us to meet face to face to build confidence and to sign a binding agreement that will bind us together before transferring the money to any account of your choice where the fund will be safe. Before we fly to your country for withdrawal, sharing and investments. I need your full co-operation to make this work fine. because the management is ready to approve this payment to any foreigner who has correct information of this account, which I will give to you, upon your positive response and once I am convinced that you are capable and will meet up with instruction of a key bank official who is deeply involved with me in this business. I need your strong assurance that you will never, never let me down. With my influence and the position of the bank official we can transfer this money to any foreigner's reliable account which you can provide with assurance that this money will be intact pending our physical arrival in your country for sharing. The bank official will destroy all documents of transaction immediately we receive this money leaving no trace to any place and to build confidence you can come immediately to discuss with me face to face after which I will make this remittance in your presence and three of us will fly to your country at least two days ahead of the money going into the account. I will apply for annual leave to get visa immediately I hear from you that you are ready to act and receive this fund in your account. I will use my position and influence to obtain all legal approvals for onward transfer of this money to your account with appropriate clearance from the relevant ministries and foreign exchange departments. At the conclusion of this business, you will be given 35% of the total amount, 60% will be for me, while 5% will be for expenses both parties might have incurred during the process of transferring. I look forward to your earliest reply Yours, [name withheld]. Someone from South Africa has promised me 35% of $152 million or $53.2 million, bringing my grand total to $154.2 million! I guess when the Nigerian military accidentally blew up half the country at the end of January, the spammers had to relocate to the other nearby countries, although South Africa isn't exactly nearby to Nigeria. And how did this guy get my name? From "the Girl who operates computer" - which girl might that be? But there is so much wrong with this letter, that I don't even know where to begin. Most glaringly is when the idiot posted "the money is in us dPOST http://us.f203.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?YY=19893 HTTP/1.0ollars " in the middle of his e-mail. Oops. I am sure that the Yahoo spam abuse guys will get a kick out of that. And then there is this statement "my investigation proved to me as well that Magnus Leon until his death was the manager Magnus Coy.(pty). SA. " - what the hell does that mean? Is that English? And more bad grammar? Well, check this out - "We will start the first transfer with fifty two million [$52,000.000] upon successful transaction without any disappoint from your side, we shall re-apply for the payment of the remaining rest amount to your account, " - nice run on sentence. I hope there was no "disappoint" from my side and you can feel free not to send me the "remaining rest" of your spam to my e-mail. Oh, and then my favorite part - "Before we fly to your country for withdrawal, sharing and investments. " - uh, you might have some trouble getting past airport security and immigration; heck, I did - and I was born in America! Oh, but it doesn't end there... |