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419 scam (was Re: private business proposal)
On Mon, May 07, 2001 at 08:11:56AM -0400, anitraf@juno.com wrote:
>The list doesn't have a .uk suffix, so maybe they are expanding their
>horizons to the US. In that case, would you please send an outline of
>the scam to the List, so we know what to watch out for? Thanks.
Actually, someone who'd been the victim of one of these might make
for an interesting patron of BE/BE, so it's not entirely off-topic.
I'm attaching the original letter; in summary, it purports to be from
a Nigerian civil servant who has arranged over-payment for a contract
(in newer variants, pretty much anyone in Nigeria who needs to get
money overseas). He can't channel the money directly into his own account,
so he needs an overseas account to use as a drop-point.
It seems safe enough: all they ask for is a name and sometimes a bank
account number, at least to start with. The next stage (while the
victim's still being buttered up) is the arrival of a package of
official-looking documents. Usually at this point they ask for some
company letterhead, blank invoices and such like. (The victim, of
course, thinks he's being clever by opening a new account with no money
in it, so the Nigerians can't get anything out even though he's given
them the account number...)
Now that the bait's been taken, the hook shows: there's some previously
unknown transfer tax, or a bureaucrat who needs to be bribed... one
site describes it as any of:
* export or insurance fees to help move the money safely to foreign
bank accounts
* attorney fees, transaction fees or bribes
* gifts, tender fees, cable and communications fees
* a variety or processing, licensing or registration fees
* advance fees, transfer taxes, performance bonds
* a request to extend credit or grant COD privileges
* fees for signing, VAT, audits, or for the National Economic Recovery Fund.
Naturally, the Nigerians are "contributing money" at their end as well -
selling their houses, whatever sob story works.
This goes on until the victim gives up. One side line: the victim may be
asked to travel to Nigeria, told that no visa is necessary, and then
bribed through Immigration. Being in Nigeria without a visa is a fairly
major offence, which gives the scammers another hook... some people have
been threatened with violence, and a few killed, when they decided they
wanted to back out of the "deal".
The whole thing seems crazy. But the US DoT estimates that it's netting
more than $1m per day form the US alone...
ObME:
So picture a rich business type, who's been hooked in this way; maybe he's
been scooping company funds to pay for it... and now he wants his money
back. Quickly. No questions asked.
--
Roger Burton West - roger@firedrake.org - gamer since 1984
http://firedrake.org/roger/rpg/
22. If the sergeant can see you, so can the enemy.
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
DR. LAWRENCE BARIGA..
NO. 16, KINGSWAY ROAD,
IKOYI-LAGOS,
NIGERIA.
TEL/FAX :. 234-1-7747907. 5TH , MAY ,2001.
ATTN: MANAGING DIRECTOR /C.E.O.
SIR,
REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP.
FIRST, I MUST SOLICIT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THIS TRANSACTION. THIS IS 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 RECIEVE THE SAID TRAPPED FUNDS ABROAD.
THE SOURCE OF THIS FUND IS AS FOLLOWS : DURING THE REGIME OF OUR LATE HEAD OF STATE, GEN. SANI ABACHA, THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SET UP COMPANIES AND AWARDED THEMSELVES CONTRACTS WHICH WERE GROSSLY OVER-INVOICED IN VARIOUS MINISTRIES. THE NEW CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT SET UP A CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL (C.R.P) AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A LOT OF INFLATED CONTRACT FUNDS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY FLOATING IN THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (C.B.N). HOWEVER, DUE TO 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 THE SUM OF US$31,000,000.00 (THIRTY ONE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) WILL BE PAID BY TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER. HENCE WE ARE WRITING YOU THIS LETTER.
WE HAVE AGREED TO SHARE THE MONEY THUS:
1. 70% FOR US (THE OFFICIALS)
2. 20% FOR THE FOREIGN PARTNER (YOU)
3. 10% TO BE USED IN SETTLING TAXATION AND ALL LOCAL AND FOREIGN EXPENSES.
IT IS FROM THIS 70% THAT WE WISH TO COMMENCE THE IMPORTATION BUSINESS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% SAFE AND WE HOPE THAT THE FUNDS CAN ARRIVE YOUR ACCOUNT IN LATEST TEN (10) BANKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF RECIEPT OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BY TEL/FAX: 234-1-7747907: A SUITABLE NAME AND BANK ACCOUNT INTO WHICH THE FUNDS CAN BE PAID.
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 PAYMENTS AND RE-AWARD THE CONTRACT IN YOUR COMPANY NAME.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING BUSINESS WITH YOU AND SOLICIT YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IN THIS TRANSACTION.
PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE 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.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
DR. LAWRENCE BARIGA .