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Weird Business-Proposition Emails

evilsprout

Gone But Not Forgotten
(ACCOUNT RETIRED)
Joined
Jul 27, 2001
Messages
1,217
Keep getting emails like this one in my inbox. They're always purporting to come from somewhere in Africa.

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.Hence your ability to
prosecute a transaction of this magnitude and keep it confidential is
required.
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
past Military Regimes here in Nigeria, government
officials set up companies and awarded themselves
contract which were grossly over-invoiced in various
Ministries. As a result, the Democratic Government of
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo deemed it neccessary to set up
a Contract Review Panel to investigate and recommend
accordingly. After a thorough investigation, we
discovered a lot of inflated contract funds which are
presently floating in the Central Bank of Nigeria. We
(members) have unanimously agreed to transfer part of
these funds to a foreign account 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 in the Panel to look for an Overseas
partner into whose account we would transfer the sum
of US,400,000.00 (Twenty Six Million, Four Hundred
Thousand US. Dollars). Adequate logistics and
strategies had been worked out to ensure a successful
transfer with your maximum co-operation. Hence we are
writing you this letter.

We have agreed to share the money thus:
1. 25% for the account owner (you)
2. 65% for us (the officials)
3. 10% to be used in settling taxation and all local
and foreign expenses.

We wish to commence the importation business with our
own share, please note that this transaction is 100%
safe and we hope to commence and conclude the transfer
latest in ten (10) banking days from the date of
receipt of the following information through the above
e-mail: your current tel/fax number, your name/company
name and address.

The above information will enable us write letters of
claim and job description respectively and these will
be used to apply for payment and re-award the
contract.We are looking forward to doing business with
you and solicit your confidentiality in this
transaction. Please acknowledge the receipt of this
mail as soon as possible. I will bring
you into the complete picture of this project when I
have heard from you.

Yours Faithfully,

DR. ADAMS AKPAN

Obviously a scam of some kind... can anyone shed any light on any details?
 
Can't shed light exactly, but can confirm that I had the same email at least 2 years ago. Obviously someone must fall for it or they wouldn't still be at it.
 
It is indeed a scam, and a fine 10 year old vintage apparently. Couldn't find an official line but this article is the most reputable I could find with a quick search. Seems that the authorities are keen to hear from people on the receiving end, whether or not you were dumb enough to part with any cash.

[Edit}

http://www.snopes2.com/inboxer/scams/nigeria.htm
 
Thanks for the links, guys. Always wondered how it exactly worked... I always thought it was a case of gathering banking info out of people, but it's a lot nastier than that I see.

I like this bit [from the Scambusters site]...

The goal of the scam artist is to delude the victim into thinking that he or she has been singled out to participate in a very lucrative -- although questionable -- arrangement.

I think they lose credibility when they start targetting a jobless third year student, with a two figure sum left on their overdraft until the next loan cheque day!
 
Evilsprout said:
I think they lose credibility when they start targetting a jobless third year student, with a two figure sum left on their overdraft until the next loan cheque day!

No Evilsprout!!!!

You scatter your bait thinly but widely with the hope that someone will bite!!!!!
 
As I sit here in Rynner Towers, enjoyng a large cigar and a bottle of the finest brandy, I can't see what you're all whinging about - my £1,000,000 came through with no trouble.

If you're having trouble getting yours through, perhaps I can help you out. All you have to do is open a new bank account in the...

[Post censored by moderator]
 
I had one or two of these a few months ago. They were obviously false as they mentioned our business's good reputation in Nigeria!

A recent Radio program mentioned that several people in London have fallen for this scam. In one variation, the person is invited to go over to Nigeria to collect money from a safe deposit box. This has resulted in several kidnappings and one disappearance.

The disappearance could always be someone who successfully collected the cash and "retired" to a quiet desert island!:)
 
I get those at work every two weeks or so. Keep on reporting them to IT, but it doesn't seem to make much difference.

I also get emails saying 'would you like me to talk to you about the ordination of women priests?' or quoting the Bible to justify why it shouldn't be done.

Still, I suppose at least it's not porn. I just wonder why they target me? And where did they get my work address from?
 
rynner said:
As I sit here in Rynner Towers, enjoyng a large cigar and a bottle of the finest brandy, I can't see what you're all whinging about - my £1,000,000 came through with no trouble.

If you're having trouble getting yours through, perhaps I can help you out. All you have to do is open a new bank account in the...

[Post censored by moderator]

Haha - you'll start a new UL at that rate. I got the same email as Sprout, but off President Mugabe's widow (it said)! If you want to make real money, invest in my pyramid scheme! :devil: Only £500 for your "Real Yorkshire Moors Lucky Heather©" training and sellers pack!!!
 
Got home from work this morning, checked email & got this (X=info changed):

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM
AND NATURAL RESOURCES,
ABUJA, NIGERIA.
EMAIL: [email protected]
TEL: 234-1-470XXXX
FAX: 234-1-759XXXX

ATTN: CEO/PRESIDENT

I want you to patiently read this offer. I am Prof. Mamman Jos thes pecial assistant to the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources inNigeria. I am the linkman between the Organization For Petroleum ExportingCountries - OPEC and the petroleum sector in Nigeria. I also attend OPECmeetings constantly with the Minister.Through the sale of our allocated oil quota in OPEC, I was able to make US$22.2million, which is currently deposited in
a European Security and Finance company. I want you to assist me to claim this money as Icannot claim it directly because I am still a civil servant, and the code ofconduct bureau forbids me to acquire such amount of money. It is on this basis that I am contacting you for assistance, If you will be interested,all you will do is to travel to the European nation after all official claim documents have been processed and sent to you. The documents
withwhich the fund is deposited will be changed to reflect you as the new beneficiary so that you will be eligible to collect the fund on my behalf. I will give you 20% of the fund for this assistance.I am aware of the international monitoring of all large-scalefinancialmovements after the September 11th terrorist attack on America and toavoid any state of financial investigation I will provide aclassifiedclearance paper from the relevant body which will exonerate themoney fromeither drug, money
laundered or terrorist related proceeds. Kindly respond to my proposal through this email:[email protected] or Tel: 234-1-470XXXX or Fax: 234-1-759XXXX on the receipt of yourmail indicating interest I will provide you with my phone and fax numbers for further correspondence. I want to assure you that there is no risk attached in this transaction. You
should also try to provide me your own personal telephone and fax numbers.Expecting your response.

Best regards,
PROF. MAMMAN JOS
Email: [email protected] or Tel: 234-1-470XXXXor Fax:234-1-759XXXX

Hopeful devils, aren't they?
 
Strangley I get between 3-7 of these a week, no other spam at all just basicly the same mail with a few changes...........

If you do get anything really iffy the people below might be able to help (we got some links to Child porn sites at work)

IWF
Reporting illegal internet material through the IWF
The IWF is only able to deal with material that falls into the following three categories:
1 Child Pornography located anywhere in the world
2 Adult material that would breach the Obscene Publications Act, but only if the offending site or service is hosted or registered in the UK.
3 Criminally racist material - but only if it is physically hosted in the UK

The procedure is as follows:

Contact the IWF at http://www.iwf.org.uk/hotline

If they decide action is needed they will contact...
The ISP/The Police
 
here's mine...

From:Dr.ozzidi.
8/9 ROADPASS
CLOSE, JO, BORG
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.
TEL:874-762-XXXXXX
FAX:874-762-XXXXXX.



(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 Prime 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 Dr.ozzidi,the Auditor General of prime
banks, 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. Adams.C. Nicole, a foreigner,
and an industrialist, 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
Adams.C. Nicole until his death was the manager
Diamond Safari [pty]. SA.

We will start the first transfer with fifty two
million [,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 ,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
dollars and the former owner of the a/c Mr. Adams.C.
Nicole 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 through my email
address.

Yours truly
Dr.ozzidi.
Not from nigeria this time
 
Who do you give your email adress's out too, to get emails like this? i never get any spam email except for the crap from my ISP wanting more money and informing me of there special offers that i cant live without!
 
I don't know how they get peoples addresses, a guy at work received one on his company email and the same day I received one on my home email. I've since received about 3 more.

The 419 scam is well known to the police, as mentioned earlier, and there is an officer within every Police authority who deals with them, just ring your local Police HQ and they'll sort you out.
 
mrchopper said:
Who do you give your email adress's out too, to get emails like this? ...

You don't have to give out your email address. A few months ago I received some spam at my hotmail address, which had been cc'ed to about 30 other hotmail addresses, all in alphabetical order and all in the address range [email='martin_n***@hotmail.com]'martin_n***@hotmail.com[/email]'. So someone had their hands on hotmails database. I wrote to hotmail and they denied this, but since then I regularly get 20 junk mails a day, including some that offer to sell me a disk with 'Hundreds of thousands of active genuine email addresses'.

I've only ever got one 419 email, and I replied telling them that God would punish thieves. Never got bottered again.
 
I think we ought to turn the tables on these scammers and start a blanket e-mail campaign in that part of the world wherein we sell Disappearing-Penis Protection Spells and AIDS Cure--The Non-Baby Rape Way!
 
many of these

I get about one of these emails everday on average in my online spam account.

I can't remember the details but I read something about it in the Guardian a couple of years ago, I think it's one of those scams that caters towards peoples greed and they probably do get naive people responding and then sell them some big pitch and rip them off.

I guess it's like one of those "do you want to earn 1 million dollars a year with no effort running a business from home" things I get in my junkmail folder all the time, almost as common as the "britney giving head" or "Increase the size of your penis" things.

Best thing is not to even reply as they will know your email address is active and then caryy on bombarding you with BS.
 
Re: many of these

keefus said:
Best thing is not to even reply as they will know your email address is active and then caryy on bombarding you with BS.
Sadly, they'll know the account is active if they don't get a "Could not deliver.." reply. There are spam-buster progs available, but I've not yet found one suitable for me.

But I have set up my message rules to kill the most common ones, and it's satisfying to see stuff go straight into my 'Deleted Items' folder where I don't even have to see it before it's flushed away! (That's for 'marginal' stuff, which might be really from someone I know, but the real bad stuff gets the 'Delete from Server' treatment.)
 
My favourite one I got recently was from a US Special Forces Commando, who had come across a stash of cash in Afghanistan, and needed, etc,etc.
I've also had Nigerians, Libyans, Liberians, Bosnia Muslims, Uzbecks, Kahazstan and Urkaninas.
Never knew I was such a popular guy.
 
I'm a Policeman and have dealt with these before. As mentioned it is called the '419' scam and most although not all do emanate from Nigeria and the stories of gullible folk meeting up with these people and being kidnapped is also unfortunately true.
There was an article in the media recently about them, I forget where, but they (the emails) are collated by the National Criminal Intelligence Service.
What amused me was that I got one sent to my Police email account!
 
As posted in Ananova

Spanish police break up internet fraud gang

Spanish police say they have smashed a Nigerian-led email fraud believed to have reaped up to 20 million euros.

The civil guard arrested five Nigerians, a British man, a Spanish woman and a minor whose nationality was not disclosed.

The arrests follow an investigation into a swindle that duped victims worldwide into paying for access to safety deposit boxes supposedly full of dollars.

Officials said members of the gang found most of their targets in internet chat rooms and email exchanges.

Most of the 300-plus victims lived in the United States, Germany, Australia or France.

Gang members billed themselves as working for companies that represented relatives of a prominent African with up to million of dollars stored in safety deposit boxes in Spain.

The Civil Guard said the trick was to get people to hand over money on the pretext of paying off a debt owed to the security company overseeing those boxes.

Victims believed they would get 25% of the take once a strong box was opened.

The Civil Guard said the organisation paid to fly some of its victims to Spain, took them to bogus offices in Madrid and showed them trunks full of counterfeit dollars as an enticement.

Story filed: 09:17 Thursday 3rd October 2002
 
Good grief. The human capacity for stupidity knows no bounds.
 
James "The Amazing Randi" Randi writes:

"We've all been sent those vicious messages from "Nigerian" lawyers/politicians/bankers/widows/military types, that plead for our participation in bringing vast sums of money from mysterious places, to the USA — better yet, right to our own bank accounts. This is for convenience, of course, since there are certain political difficulties that must be overcome, but we're assured that since we are of impeccable character, intelligence, and reputation, they trust us.
Well, this is the cake-taker of them all, one that arrived in my e-mail last week. This operator actually sent me a photo of two trunks full of Ben Franklins, the smaller of which is to be mine when I've assisted them to get the stuff shipped to my home. How can I resist?

Unfortunately, there are hundreds of persons here in the USA who have fallen for this scam, a modernized version of the very old "Spanish Prisoner" swindle. Recently, David Mamet turned out a film starring Steve Martin, on this theme. Though it appears different from the Nigerian swindle, it's the same general structure. In a more innocent day, starting in the 1920s, victims were told that a member of Spanish (or Hungarian, or Roumanian, etc.) royalty was unjustly imprisoned, but had vast funds available if he/she could only get at them. A crooked official, the story (known in the racket as, "the tale") went, was willing to look the other way if some generous soul would sufficiently lubricate his palm with money, thus enabling the prisoner to escape and make his/her way to freedom and the USA, eventually.

Since communication was not what it is today, the swindlers could get, first the bribe money, then the transportation costs, followed by various "good-faith" deposits (each of which would be acknowledged by a bank receipt from a fictitious private bank), and the overseas fares, from the victims. They were to be rewarded handsomely upon the landing of the royal personage, but all this was to be kept very confidential, since there were jealous and vindictive officials abroad and in the States who could abort the entire operation.

Indeed, there were cases in which the victims would actually go to the dock, flowers in hand, to greet the royal personage, only to be told by a very sad messenger that he/she had been detained by officials at the boarding point, and would not be arriving for another three months....

It's hard to believe that we have among us folks who would fall for such an obvious scam, but then there are those who believe that fast-talking show folks can call up the dead, that pills of unknown and untested herbs can cure cancer, and that some brave, unheard-of inventors have found the secret to free energy and will allow us to invest in their companies. Oh, say not so!"
 
"In a more innocent day, starting in the 1920s, victims were told that a member of Spanish (or Hungarian, or Roumanian, etc.) royalty was unjustly imprisoned, but had vast funds available if he/she could only get at them. A crooked official, the story (known in the racket as, "the tale") went, was willing to look the other way if some generous soul would sufficiently lubricate his palm with money"


The scam dates back earlier than the 1920s. It was around 1893 that
a priest, an ex-nun and a crooked lawyer, working out of Lyon set about
raising money from wealthy Catholics. Their declared objective was to free the
true Pope Leo XIII from his captivity by the Freemasons who had placed
a false Pope on the throne! It formed the basis of André Gide's sotie,
Les Caves du Vatican, 1914.
 
I always think that the bible should contain a warning -
"for truly there is one born every minute,

and from him that has and is so born shall pass all his inheritance even unto the fluff in his pocket

But to him that doth hear the word of the Lord it shall be as if he were born anew," (Book of Marks Chap 29 v 92)
 
One of Styx's first ten rules of existence is "The more they promise the less you get"
I still can't believe people are actually dumb enough to trust someone they have never met and if they are then they deserve to get ripped off. Simple as that.
 
I had one of these E mails about a year ago, only to tell a friend and find that she had had one too! Very strange.
 
The US secret service used to have a page somewhere that detailed this and a bunch of other scams, but I can't seem to find it at the moment. http://www.scambusters.org/NigerianFee.html pretty much recaps what the secret service page said, and gives a number to fax the letter to.
The most interesting 419 scam stories I recall recently were 1) the one where some guy dedicated a web page to his reverse scamming the scammers, which was absolutely hysterical, and 2) one where the secretary at a law firm in Detroit embezzled 2 million and sent it to the scammers... I think via wire transfers to taiwan banks and so on.
I'll have to have a look for the URL of the reverse scamming site...

*edit* oh, and check this out; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1438872.stm
Apparently they kidnapped the mayor of Northampton... And the US FTC says something like 25 Americans have been killed/disappeared in connection with the scam, which makes it rather less amusing.
 
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