Free Money!
Email scams from Nigeria
27 November 2001
I've been accosted by these email scams from Nigeria. At first they annoyed me, but now I find them amusing. I've decided to start a kind of a collection.
Just in case someone reading this is unaware of these scams, most of my friends from West Africa are very aware of them, yet most of the recipients of such emails (individuals in Europe and America, etc) are still taken by them. Come on, wise up! Money is not free, unless you are a civil servant or scam artist (and I'm not always clear as to the difference between the two) from Nigeria. I've heard numerous stories of people getting taken for like $10,000. One unfortunate pastor from the southern United States was hoping to pursue one of these offers in hopes of raising funds for his congregation and a small non-profit venture, but he lost everything he had.
I'm doing research in West Africa and have searched a number of sites and I suppose have also signed up for some news groups or something re West Africa. Since then I have received these messages.
These emails are used as the approach. Then they ask for some seed money to open up an account or something. Then they keep asking for more and more money for stupid reasons. They are very professional. They can even send representatives to meet you in person if you wish. I mean, why not? Do you know what $10,000 can buy you in Nigeria!!!!! They are more than happy to make an investment on airplane ticket, etc. They seem not to take care of who they send these to, as they hope that in mass mailings they may catch more individuals. It's indicative of some scammers that made it rich quick and are now trying to maintain unsustainable consumption habits.
I've been in the habit of using msn or other corporate spam mail addresses for websites that require an email address from me to access their services. But now I guess I'll be using some of these addresses.
Maybe this site can be promoted and can contribute to public awareness of these dimwits? If you've found this, please send the link to everyone you know.
Unfortunately I've erased many of the first ones that I was sent. But here are some of the more recent few:
Received: 27 Nov 2001
Sender: drelvis@madmail.com
FROM THE DESK OF DR. ELVIS ANYIM.
PROCURMENT MANAGER AND FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
N. N. P. C
ATTN: MD.
l am DR. ELVIS ANYIM, the Procurment Manager and Financial Comtroller
of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Because of my
position
and that of other strategic officials who are heads in their
departments, we have in our possession, since 1997 the sum of US$800M
Dolllars (Eight hundred million United States Dollars) which we emassed
through over invoicing of foreign contracts fully executed and
commissioned
with the different foreign contractors duely paid their full contract
amounts.
We have made several fruitless moves to transfer this fund abroad for
our mutual benefits. One in 1998 when one Mr. Patrice Miller of the
United
States of America, living at No 10, West 54th Street, New York, ran
away with our US$65M Dollars after the fund has been transfered into
his account.lt was unbelievable, shocking and hypertensive that when
we went there
to claim our share of the fund, we were told that nobody with that name
was living in that house and that the former occupier of the flat moved
away few weeks ago to an unkown house. This is how we lost US$65M
Dollars
to the heartless Patrice Miller.
The second attempt was when in 1999, we decided to carry US$80M dollars
in cash through the Lagos lnternational Airportbut was stopped by the
Nigerian Custom Officers who seized the fund till today. This is how
we lost another US$80M Dollars to the Nigerian Custom.
Following the peaceful life ushered in by the current democratic
dispensation
in Nigeria, l and my colleages have decided to transfer the sum of
US$28.5M
(twenty eight million five hundred thousand united states dollars) into
a foreign account operated by a foreigner for our mutual benefits. By
this letter, l request your assistance in transferring and safeguarding
the sum of US$28.5M Dollars for our mutual benefits.
For assisting us in transferring and safeguarding this fund, you will
be entitled to 35% of the total sum 5% will be set aside for charity
and philantropic purposes 57% belongs to me and my colleagues while 3%
will go for reimbursement of all expenses made by both parties.
However,
l want you to be human and humane so that you do not become this second
Patrice Miller of the United States. lt is imperative to note that this
transaction is riskfree as all modalities for the successful transfer
of this fund have been perfected by my colleagues in the relevant
ministries.
However, we should see absolute confidentiality as our watchword
throughout
the course of this transaction for we are civil servants and will
equally
not like the 1999 event to redramatise itself.
l will not be ungrateful if you can urgently furnish me with your
private
telephone, fax and mobile numbers and name of beneficiary with the
telex
numbers of the receiving bank. These will enable us speed up the claim
of the fund and eventual transfer into your nominated account.
Looking forward to hear from you soonest.
Regards
DR. ELVIS ANYIM.
Sign up for your "FREE E-MAIL" @ MADMAIL
http://www.madmail.com
Received: 25 Nov 2001
Sender: homogbai@yahoo.com
FROM: HAJIA MARIAM ABACHA
A CRY FOR HELP.
Dear friend,
Following the sudden death of my husband, Late General
Sanni Abacha, the former head of state of the federal
republic of Nigeria in June 1998, I have been thrown
into a state of utter confusion, frustration and
hopelessness by the present civilian administration.
Security agents in Nigeria have subjected me to
physical and psychological tortures. One of my sons is
still under detention as well as arraigned before a
Federal High Court of Nigeria for an offence he did
not commit. As a widow, that is so traumatized, I have
lost hope and confidence in anybody within the
country.
You must have heard over the media and the Internet on
the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited
by my late husband in different security firms abroad.
Some willingly gave up their secrets and disclosed our
money confidently lodged with them and many
out-rightly declined lodgment. In fact the total sum
discovered by the Government so far is to the tune of
$700 million dollars. And the government has not
relented in its efforts to completely bring my
children and I back to square one. This is why I
deemed it necessary to act fast by contacting anybody
abroad for assistance. Furthermore, due to the
security network placed on my daily activities I
cannot afford to visit any embassy for a possible
solution, hence I have decided to contact you and I do
hope you will be the person God is going to use to
rescue my family and I.
I have deposited the sum of $35 million dollars in a
security firm abroad as whose name is with held for
now for security reasons until we fully commence
communication. I shall be grateful if you could
receive this fund on my behalf for safekeeping.
Adequate arrangement has been made for receiving the
fund. It is totally risk free. This arrangement is
known to you, my brother (who is contacting you and I
only. This means that my brother will deal directly
with you as surveillance is on me. My Lawyer’ name is
Ediri Omogbai.
You are entitled to 30% of the total sum. I hope to
invest a proportion of the balance in your country.
Please forward your private Telephone and Fax numbers
so that we can fully commence communication
immediately. I will quite appreciate, if you accept my
proposal in good faith. I look forward to receiving
your urgent reply to my plea.
Yours truly,
Hajia Mariam Abacha
Received: 24 Aug 2001
Sender: dnwokoro6@yahoo.com
10 USENI ROAD,
EKULU 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.DOZIE NWOKORO, THE EASTERN DISTRICT BANK
MANAGER OF UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. (UBA). 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. SMITH B. ANDREAS, A
FOREIGNER, AND THE MANAGER OF PETRO - 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 MR. SMITH B.
ANDREAS 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 MISTAKES I
NEEDS 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,
DOZIE NWOKORO
Received: Fri, 20 Jul 2001
From: kkmbadiwe33m@yahoo.com
14 NIMO STREET,
NEW HAVEN, ENUGU,
ENUGU STATE,
TEL:874 762 864162
FAX:874 762 864164
{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.K K MBADIWE, THE EASTERN DISTRICT BANK
MANAGER OF UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. (UBA). 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. SMITH B. ANDREAS, A
FOREIGNER, AND THE MANAGER OF PETRO - 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 MR. SMITH B. ANDREAS 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. I NEED A 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 RECEIVE 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,
MR KALU K. MBADIWE.
