Although this fraud has been around since Pluto was a pup, the volume of spurious offers is increasing, more variations are being created, and these fraudsters are getting better at their craft. (lpconline.com)Sadly, more than one individual has scowled at me across my conference room table while I politely tried to explain that they were being solicited by, or worse yet – a victim of, a “Nigerian” letter scam. A common response is disbelief – “this letter is not from Nigeria” – suspicion of my counsel and then anger directed at me for bursting their bubble.
Because few who start this post will read to the end – let me give you a link to save. When the letter is too good to be true, it likely is not true. Here is a link. You will find a plethora of sites devoted to informing the public about these scams. A simple "Nigerian letter scams" google search will get you started . . . .
As follows is a typical “Nigerian” letter scam. Nothing has been revised or deleted. The letter arrived in my email box this week . . . .
FROM MR. UZZI SIBONA
32 CLUB GRACE EDDISON
CRECENT SUNIHILL SANTON
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27737928322
ALTERNATE EMAIL ADD: uzzi_sibona@yahoo.com
Dear Sir/Madam,
I sincerely apologies for the inconveniences this mail may bring to you
especially coming from a complete stranger. Please bear with me, as it is
just an urgent call for assistance as my ugly predicaments here compelled my
action. My introduction will provide a foundation for this relationship as I
got your contact on the Internet while searching for a foriegner to help me.
I am MR. UZZI SIBONA, Son of a farmers from Zimbabwe affected by President
Mugabe's land reform acts which is now depriving so many farmer in my
country their rights to carryout their profession in full. However, the main
reason for contacting you is to ask for your urgent assistance as I desire
to relocate my fund and my entire family outside my country through a
reputable and reliable individual or company for safe keeping /investment.
The total fund to be transferred is USD$7 million presently secured in
Johannesburg-South Africa and the number of people to relocate are (3)
myself, my wife and our young child. You may ask why don’t I invest or make
use of the fund in South Africa. Yes I cannot because I do not have the
confidence in the South African government, for not doing enough to stop the
wicked act of the Mugabe’s government. They claim that the Mugabe’s
government was instrumental to their fight against the apartheid rule in
South Africa, which to me keeps alive the possibility of same reform act or
similer problem taking place in South Africa in the near future.
However, I have secured the services of a top financial adviser who is very
willing to assist us relocate this fund into any offshore account that I
provide especially with my offer (pledge) of $500,000 to him redeemable
immediately after successful transfer of fund. He has also promised to
outline the modalities of transfer upon my securing offshore assistance. On
this note I ask for your permission to present you as my friend (Technical
Partner) and beneficiary to enable him transfer the fund to your bank
account immediately. After which I will be travelling to your country for
disbursement and investment of the said fund. I have resolved with my wife
to offer you our technical partner 20% of the total amount transferred into
your account and additional ten (10%) of all profits from subsequent
investments which you will be helping us to set up in your country. More so,
you will be appointed our "Fund Manager" while in your country and during
investments.
Therefore I kindly ask for your urgent help as we are facing untold hardship
here in this country. Please if it does not interest you to help, discard
the mail but if you are touched by God Almighty to help me my wife and young
daughter, please clarify the followings and send me your response
immediately with answers to the following questions:
1. Would taxation be much in your country, as we desire a low/free tax zone?
2.What other lucrative businesses would you suggest as we intend Real
Estate, tourism or still our farming business investment.
3. What are your Government incentives to foreign investors in your
locality, and how do you suggest we handle that?
4. Can you be able to purchase houses and obtain residential documents for
us to settle in your locality.
5. How old are you and what do you do for leaving? We are believing that you
will be sincere enough and of good assistance to us in this issue.
Please contact us through this phone: +27737928322 and kindly provide us
with your full (C.V) details including your postal (Home/Office) addresses
and private (mobile) telephone/Fax numbers, if any for easy and confidential
contact. Do not hesitate to ask any question as you may wish.
My warmest regards to you and your dear family as we look forward to good
business/Family relationship.
May God bless and empower you in this great relationship.
Best Regards
MR. UZZI SIBONA
NB: Please I would really like you to call on phone, if you really want to
help.
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1 comment:
I'm getting more than my share of these scam letters. It's amazing how many people are dying in Nigeria with no next of kin... Once in a while, I'll respond sarcastically. Here's the unintentionally truthful response I received today:
"NOW LISTEN, YOU MIGHT FEEL THE WAY YOU ARE FEELING NOW,
THIS IS NOT UNCONECTED WITH SCAM IN THE INTERNET. BUT THIS
IS THROUGH, I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHOLE THING SO
JUST LET THE FUNDS COME TO YOU, SO LONG YOU WILL DO ME A
LETTER OF SYNCERITY, AND WHATCH HOW THINGS WORK OUT
REGARDS
PAUL"
Not unconected [sic] with scam?! I couldn't have said it better myself.
To see a real pro at work in scamming the scammers, go to Hog On Ice. I believe he's working on making a book out of it. Priceless. :-)
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