African scam

African Scam

Welcome to Scam-City February 8, 2006: Romance Scam

February 1, 2006

I have stopped adding to this page the constantly growing list of accounts concerning these "African Scams". If people don't understand, it's because it's... hopeless. The mechanism is always the same.

*- A character immersed in a troubled political or economic situation claims to hold a large sum of money. Usually it's an African man, or an African woman. An orphan, a grieving widow, etc. The variations are endless. *

*- Very often the "poor orphan" wishes to "study outside his country, torn apart by civil war". The "poor widow" ("God bless you!") plans to devote these funds to humanitarian work, to honor the memory of her late husband, "cowardly murdered". *

*- The correspondent requires the help of the person being addressed for "a simple transfer of funds". The offer is enticing and the amount of these funds evokes the contents of Ali Baba's cave. *

*- If the pigeon follows up, various partners take over. A "lawyer", people belonging to "public services". The correspondent provides various and varied "supporting documents", "stamped paper". Whereas nowadays with Photoshop you can make any fake you like. *

- There are "fees", not very large. And that's where the pigeon gets caught. He says to himself "what do I risk? The sum isn't very large". If he follows up there will be "other fees", etc....

The cases presented here are eloquent enough to illustrate this pattern. Now, if you feel like getting pigeonholed, feel free. I don't think it's useful to lengthen this already long list. There are more acute problems in the world for us not to spend more time on these age-old swindles.

When you go through these cases you feel like saying "frankly, do you believe anyone could offer you a share of an enormous sum in exchange for 'minor fees'?

- You'd better believe it..... ---

June 15, 2003, completed November 29, 2004

September 17,
2005: how to stop the scams linked to voila messaging services

**Since 2002 a scam has developed, which has made many victims and which has its source in Africa. You thus receive an email from a widow or a child of extremely wealthy parents, having miraculously escaped some massacre. The father, for example, before dying, would have confided to his child, or to his grieving wife, the existence of a stash deposited in such and such a bank. There are multiple variations. The recipient of the email is then asked to serve as an intermediary to allow this poor wife or this orphan heir to get this money out. In exchange for a substantial percentage. The sums are generally enormous and the pigeons are attracted by the lure of gain. After a while the scammers demand some money "to cover fees", a sum that seems derisory compared to the expected profits. Alas, the dream stops there. **

**Read
these email exchanges which bear witness to the recent scamming (July-August 2005) of a young man of 19 living in Saint Brieuc. **

**May this reading strengthen readers' mistrust of the miraculous promises made on the Internet. ** ---

FROM : PRINCE ISAAC KOSONGO.

Sender: Prince Isaac Kosongo, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, West Africa. Tel: etc...... ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST WEST-AFRICA. TEL: +225-07-71-67-98.

DEAR JEAN-PIERRE PETIT ,

Dear Jean-Pierre Petit, Allow me to inform you that I would like to be in business with you. I am Prince Isaac Kosongo, the only son of the last king of Kosongo, my father, who was an important coconut merchant (or... cocaine?) based in Abidjan, the economic capital of the Ivory Coast, before he was poisoned by his associates at the end of one of the last of their business meetings.

PERMIT ME TO INFORM YOU OF MY DESIRE OF GOING INTO BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. I AM PRINCE ISAAC KOSONGO, THE ONLY CHILD OF LATE KING KOSONGO MY FATHER WAS A VERY WEALTH

COCOAMERCHANT BASED IN ABIDJAN, THE ECONOMIC CAPITAL OF IVORY COAST BEFORE HE WAS POISONED TO DEATH BY HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATES ON ONE OF THEIR OUTING TO DISCUSS ON A BUSINESS.

When my mother died in October 1984 my father took care of me. Before my father's death, on June 29, 2000, in a private hospital in Abidjan, my father called me to his bedside and explained that he had set aside a sum of fifteen million dollars for me, in a local bank in Abidjan, in my name. He also explained that he had been poisoned by his associates and that I should find a partner living abroad, of my choice, to be able to transfer this sum abroad and invest it.

WHEN MY MOTHER DIED ON THE 21ST OCTOBER 1984, MY FATHER TOOK ME SO SPECIAL BECAUSE I AM MOTHERLESS.

BEFORE THE DEATH OF MY FATHER ON 29TH JUNE 2000 IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL HERE IN ABIDJAN. HE SECRETLY CALLED ME ON HIS BEDSIDE AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAS A SUM OF US$ 15,000,000 (FIVTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) LEFT IN A SUSPENCE ACCOUNT IN A LOCAL BANK HERE IN ABIDJAN, THAT HE USED MY NAME AS HIS ONLY SON FOR THE NEXT OF KIN IN DEPOSIT OF THE FUND. HE ALSO EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT WAS

BECAUSE OF THIS WEALTH THAT HE WAS POISONED BY HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATES. THAT I SHOULD SEEK FOR A FOREIGN PARTNER IN A COUNTRY OF MY CHOICE WHERE I WILL TRANSFER THIS MONEY AND USE IT FOR

INVESTMENT PURPOSE, (SUCH AS REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT). SIR, I AM HONOURABLY SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS.

This is how, sir, that I beseech you in all honor to open an account in your country where this money could be transferred. You would then be the guardian of these funds, my tutor, for I am a young man aged twenty-five. You would then have to help me reach your country. For such a service I would be ready to give you fifteen percent of this sum. Be so kind as to indicate to me how you would envisage things for a transaction that should be done in the coming week. Hoping to have your call soon, I thank you and I ask God to bless you.

Prince Isaac Kosongo

NB: For further clarification (...) my phone number is +225-07-71-67-98

Follows a URL for sending "anonymous mails".

1. TO PROVIDE A BANK ACCOUNT WHERE THIS MONEY WOULD BE TRANSFERRED INTO.

2. TO SERVE AS THE GUARDIAN OF THIS FUND SINCE I AM A BOY OF 25 YEARS.

3. TO MAKE ARRANGEMENT FOR ME TO COME OVER TO YOUR COUNTRY AFTER THE MONEY HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED.

MOREOVER, SIR, I AM WILLING TO OFFER YOU 15% OF THE TOTAL SUM AS COMPENSATION FOR YOUR EFFORT/INPUT AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER OF THIS FUND TO YOUR NORMINATED BANK ACCOUNT OVERSEAS.

FURTHERMORE, YOU CAN INDICATE YOUR OPTION TOWARDS ASSISTING ME AS I BELIEVE THAT THIS TRANSACTION WOULD BE CONCLUDED WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS YOU SIGNIFY INTEREST TO ASSIST ME.

ANTICIPATING TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON. THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU.

PRINCE ISAAC KOSONGO.

NB : YOU CAN CALL ME ON THIS NUMBER FOR MORE CLEARIFICATION : +225-07-71-67-98.

.::: http://www.emailanonyme.com Free anonymous mail service

Not bad, eh? Those who had the misfortune to put a finger in this kind of thing found themselves the object of blackmail, etc. If there are any takers, the hassles are apparently guaranteed.

Personally, I receive a message of this kind every week, in every possible variant.

**Here are others, sent by readers: **

From: saratadobe007@netscape.net Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 01:50:41 +0200 To: clarence_o@graffiti.net Subject: A CRY FOR HELP.

Dear Friend.

Iam Mrs. Sara Tadobe wife to the late Chife Micheal Tadobe from Sierra Leon. Iam writing you in absolute confidence primarily to seek your assistance to transfer our cash of Twelve Million and five hundred thousand Dollars ($12,500.000.00) now in the custody of a private Security trust firm in Europe the money is in trunk boxes deposited and declared as Precious stones by my late Husband as a matter of fact the company does not know the content as money, although my husband made them to under stand that the boxes belongs to his foreign partner.

Source of the money:

My late Husband Chief Michael Tadobe , a native of Mende District in the Northern province of Sierra Leone, was the General Manager of Sierra Leone Mining co-operation (S.L.M.C.) Freetown . According to my Husband, this money was the income accrued from Mining Co-operation's over draft and minor sales.

Before the peak of the civil war between the rebels forces of Major Paul Koroma and the combined forces of ECOMOG peace keeping operation that almost destroyed my country, following the forceful removal from power of the civilian elected President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah by the rebels. My Husband had already made arrangement for Iand my two children to be evacuated to Ivory coast with the CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT he made with a security firm in Europe through the aid of U.N evacuation team.

During the war in my country, and following the indiscriminate looting of Public and Government properties by the rebel forces, the Sierra Leone mining coop. Was one of the target looted and it was destroyed. My husband including other top Government functionaries were attacked and killed by the rebels in November 2000 because of his relationship with the civilian Government of Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.

As a result of my husbands death , and with the information we got that the rebels are out for us the burden became too much for me to handle coupled with the ill health of my daughter she died in the process as Icould not afford her a decent medical care. Our only hope now is in you and the boxes deposited in the Security Firm To this effect, Ihumbly solicit your assistance in the followings ways.

1. to assist me claim this boxes from the security Firm as our beneficiary

2. to transfer this money (USD$12.5 M) in your name to your country

3. to make a good arrangement for a joint business investment on our behalf in your country and you, our Adviser/ Manager. For your assistance, Ihave agreed with my only surviving son that 20% of the total amount will be for your effort and another 5 % to cover all the expenses that may incur during the business transaction, Last, Iurge you to keep this transaction strictly confidential as no one knows our where about.

Please as you show your willingness, Forward to us your full name, address and Tel/ Fax numbers, to me via my private email address as indicated bellow, this is for security reasons as Iwill only be accessing my private email earnestly awaiting your response.

Thanks.

May God bless you as you assist us.

MRS. SARA TADOBE.

**Another one: **

----- Original Message -----
From: "uche1224 kobo" uche1224@go.com To: uche1224@go.com Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003 7:11 PM Subject: mail from uche

My Dear,

My name is Uche Kobo the son of late Mr.Chima Kobo, Iam still a student of University of Lagos, Please Iwant you to help me in doing one thing for me.

My late father deposited the sum of U$20Million with a local bank here in Nigeria (GLOBAL BANK NIG PLC), my late father wanted to send the money to his friend in USA unlucky to him he died and right now Idon't know my father's friend address. All Iwant you to do for me is to send your account where the money will be transferred as the owner of the money.

My dear Ihave decided to share the money as follows 50% for me 40% to my business partner while 10% will be for you as my eyes over there, Please Idon't want you to look at this offer as a scam because Idon't want my father's money to go like that.

Please don't border to call me if you feel that this is a scam, as Iwill also need your direction on how to come over to Finnish my education while my 50% will be invested in your company until I Finnish my education in your place.

Please Iwill be very happy if you can call me as soon as you get my mail

Thanks for your understanding

Yours Friend

Uche Kobo House Phone 234-80-331-27-410

**Received by Yann Langeard on 17 June 2003: **

-----Original Message-----
From: BASHE MOBUTU [mailto:bashemobut@latinmail.com] Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 12:34 PM To: yann@langeard.com Subject: THANKS

Good day,

You may be surprise to receive this email since you do not know me. Iam the son of the late president of Democratic Republic Of Zaire, President Mobutu Sese Seko, ( now The Republic of Congo, under the leadership of the son of Mr. Laurent Kabila). Ipresume you are aware there is a financial dispute between my family ( THE MOBUTUS ) and the present civilian Government. This is based on what they believe as bad and corrupt governance on my late father's part. May his soul rest in perfect peace. As you might have heard how a lot of my father's bank account in Switzerland and North America have been frozen. Following the above named reasons, Iam soliciting for your humble and confidential assistance to take custody of THIRTY Million United States Dollars ( US$30,000,000.00 ), also to front for me in the areas of business you desire profitable.

These funds have secretly been deposited into a confidential Security beneficiary. The funds will be released to you by the Security Company,based on my recommendations, on that note, you will be presented as my partner who will be fronting for me and my family in any subsequent ventures. Myself and my mother have decided to give 20% to you if you are money spent on phone calls or traveling expenses in the course of this transaction at the end of the transaction.

Please, Ineed your entire support and co-operation for the success of this transaction, your utmost confidentiality and secrecy is highly required, due to my family's present predicament. Isincerely will appreciate your willingness to assist us as soon as possible.I am presently in the refugee camp here in the Netherlands under the united nations refugee camp in Netherlands. All correspondence must be by my email address bashemobutu3@latinmail.com and you can also call me on this telephone number 0031-630-674-930,for more information on how we can proceed in this transaction.

Please indicate your interest by sending your telephone and fax number. Isincerely will appreciate your acknowledgement as soon as possible.

Warmest regards,

Bashe Mobutu Sese-Seko.

Forwarded by Mr. Norguet on 18 June 2003

----- Original Message -----
From: mohammed Djima To: norguet.osteo.cab@wanadoo.fr Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 8:13 PM Subject: From Mohammed Djima

Attn: strictly confidential This proposal (transaction) must seem strange to you. Several events oblige me to contact a totally unknown person (you) for this assistance for mutual profit which requires discreet and serious cooperation. The proposal is as follows: My father Djima Saheed was the chief controller of the diamond mines in my country (Sierra Leone) and thanks to this position that he occupied, he was able to build up an immense fortune for the family ( 50 million US dollars). But in the end, he was arrested,and imprisoned for having supported the rebel groups of the (R.U.F.) who are fighting the government of SIERRA,LEONE. sir, I want to notify you here that the sum of money I have just spoken to you about was deposited by my father in my name in a security and guarding company in West Africa ( Republic of BENIN ).According to my observations, it has already been 4 years now that the money has been deposited in the security and guarding company.All the documents concerning this deposit of funds are currently in my possession and I would like you to give me all the necessary assistance for the transfer of the money to your country. My wish is that the money be invested in good business and I believe that it is an opportunity for you to assist me because you will be my trusted man in all my affairs once the transaction is completed. I await your response and suggest that you contact me on my direct telephone for more information . GSM: 00229 95 99 88

All my greetings. Mohammed Djima

Another form of this African scam chain :

From: Miss Lizy KAMARA Tel: 225- 0785-xxxx. Attn: PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR

CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Sir,

Iam Miss Lizy KAMARA the only daughter of late former Director of finance,Chief Micheal U. Kamara Sierra-Leone diamond and mining corporation. Imust confess my agitation is real, and my words is my bond, in this proposal. My late father diverted this money meant for purchase of ammunition, for my country, during the peak of disastrous civil war in my country, now he has deposited the money with ECOBANK Abidjan, where Iam residing under political asylum with my younger brother.

Now the war in my country is over with the help of ECOMOG soldiers, the present government of Sierra Leone has revoked the passport of all officers who served under the former regime and now ask countries to expel such person at the same time freeze their account and confiscate their asset, it is on this note that Iam contacting you, all Ineeded from you is to furnish me with your bank particulars:

1. Account name 2) Account number 3) Bank address, telephone and fax number For you to assist me transfer this money in your private bank account, the said amount is (Sisteen Million Dollars) $16 Million. Iam compensating you with 15 % of the total money amount, now all my hope is banked on you and Ireally wants to invest this money in your country, were their is stability of Government, political and economic welfare.

Honestly Iwant you to believe that this transaction is real and never a joke. My late father Chief Kamara gave me the photocopies of the certificate of deposit issued to me by ECOBANK on the date of deposit, for you to be clarify because, Ido not expose my self to anybody Isee, Ibelieve that you are able to keep this transaction secret for me because this money is the hope of our life, it is important.

Please call me immediately after you must have gone through my message fill free and make it urgent. That is the reason why Ioffered you 15 % of the total money amount, and in case of any other necessary expenses you might incur during this transaction.

N.B Try and negotiate for us some profitable blue chip investment opportunities which is risky free which Ican invest with this money when it is transferred to your account, personally Iam interested in estate management and hotel business, please advise me.

Call me back immediately you receive this message for more explanation.And promisse me my younger brother and our mother to be a father considering our situation and not to betray us.

Thanks and God bless Best regards

Miss Lizy Kamara TEL: 225 0785-xxxx. NB: my late father used my brother the only son as the beneficiary / next of kin on the day of deposit and also told me Ineed a foreign assistance of a foreigner with a legitimate bank Account abroad who will stand as co-beneficiary and partner abroad

Received by me on 19 June 2003

Hello My Dear,

Iam Mrs Rose Savimbi please Ii need your help since after the incidence that lead to the death of my late husband MR JONAS SAVIMBI of unita of Angola .I know we have not met before but Iam contacting you with due sense of humanity responsibility and the fewawareness that you will give it a mutual understandingI am soliciting for an assistance to move the sum $24 million USD to your country for investment The fund is presently in a security company in Ghana for safety since on the 12- 2- 1999. The real content was not declared as it was kept as photographic equipment Ineed you as partner to assist in transferring the fund and provide good investment plans for it.

The fund will be under your investment control for three years during which only the profit will be shared annually 70% for me and 30% for you annually

Iam a Christian with the fear of GOD in any thing Iam doing so please Iwant us to build trust to each other. All deposit contract documents shall be sent to you as soon as you indicate your interest.

Thanks in anticipation of your response Best regards MRS ROSE SAVIMBI

Here is a certain Rose Savimbi who contacts me because of my sense of humanity and my courage, which mean that we should get along, the goal being to ensure the transfer of some 24 million dollars to France, which she inherited from her dear husband, so that they may be invested there. These funds are currently safe in Ghana. This money has not been declared and is kept "as photographic equipment". This good lady therefore counts on me for the transfer of the funds and to make "this money work". She offers to give me 30 % of the profits, while she would keep 70 % of the income from this money. She adds that she is a good Christian and "fears God" in all the undertakings she embarks on.

We are delighted to learn it.

Of course, if I expressed my interest (by e-mail) I would receive all the documents relating to this sum deposited in a safe place.

**5 July, from Stephen Croissard. This time it is the widow of president Mobutu who is seeking to place her money (after her son, see the list). **

June 17, 2003

This African scam network is definitely inexhaustible.

I translate this last message:

Dear Sir,

I am Doctor Uchenna Eboh, deputy secretary of the Nigerian Football Association.... During the preparation of the world championship over the last two years a huge sum of money amounting to millions of US dollars was allocated by the military government to finance this event. Joseph Blatter also made millions of dollars available. There were also donations from private individuals......blah blah blah.....as this..... that... I was able to get my hands on 32 million dollars..... blah blah blah..... thirty percent for you and 60 percent for us.......the transaction is risk-free (...) but obviously we would appreciate it if you were as discreet as possible about this transaction.

DEAR SIR,

Iam DR UCHENNA EBOH , Deputy secretary to the Nigerian Football Association, parent body of the World Youths Championship, Nigeria 99'Local Organizing Committee, an affiliate of Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

In the course of our preparation to host the World Youth Soccer Championship Tagged (Nig99) early last two years, huge sum of money running into millions of United States Dollars was budgeted by the then Military Government for the successful organization of this competition. In the same vein, FIFA via its President, Mr. Joseph (SEPP) Blatter, made millions of dollars available for the same project, not to talk of Corporate Organizations and Football loving individuals who made huge donations.

However, in my capacity as the deputy secretary, to both the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), and the Nigerian Football Association(NFA), I,along with two of my colleagues in sensitive positions were able to over-invoice most contracts, which were awarded for the construction and the refurbishing of the 8 stadia used for the competition. The contractors who handled these projects have been paid-off.

It is pertinent to note that a total sum of thirty-two million United States Dollars(US$32,000,000.00) was realized as over-invoice after the successful completion of the project.

This over-invoiced sum is lying in my organization's (NFA) suspense account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), ready for transfer into the beneficiarys account oversea, waiting for the appropriate opportunity to do so.

In this years (2003) budget speech, the new Civilian President has ordered that all foreign contractors debts should be paid in order to boost more Foreign investors into Nigeria.

On this note, Ihave been unanimously mandated by my two colleagues to seek an honest and trustworthy Foreigner who will assist in ensuring the successful transfer of the above sum into a personal/company account since the Nigerian code of conduct does not allow us (Civil servants) to operate foreign accounts.

It is pertinent also to let you know that 30% of the total fund will be for you, while 10% will be used to settle any expenses that might be incurred by both parties and the remaining 60% will be for us (my colleagues and I) to be invested in your country.

We have chosen you /your company to benefit with us in this transaction due to the respect your country commands here.

You might be surprised and curious about an offer like this, be rest assured that the methods and logistics towards the successful transfer of this fund have been worked out. All we require from you is your co-operation. This transaction is risk free.

We kindly request that you accord it the highest level of secrecy it deserves. Email: uchennaeboh001@abacho.fr Your swift response will be highly appreciated.

Best regards,

DR UCHENNA EBOH

**July 15, 2003: Last email from Arnaque city, received by Nicolas Roger: **

DEAR SIR,

SORRY FOR THE EMBARRASSMENT WHICH THIS LETTER MIGHT HAVE CAUSED YOU FOR WE HAVE NOT MET EACH OTHER BEFORE BUT I AM MAKING THIS PROPOSAL TO YOU TO SOLICIT FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. I AM MR STEVEN UBA AN ACCOUNTANT WITH DIAMOND BANK PLC,ABUJA NIGERIA. I CAME IN CONTACT WITH YOUR ADDRESS IN MY SEARCH FOR A RELIABLE AND TRUSTHWORTHY PERSON THROUGH THE NET TO HANDLE THIS CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS TRANSACTION. ON JUNE 6TH 1997,MR WILLIAM ALFRED A FOREIGN OIL CONSULTANT/CONTRACTORWITH THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION(NNPC),MADE A NUMBERED TIME(FIXED)OR TWELVE CALENDER MONTHS,VALUED AT US$23,500,000.00(TWENTYTHREE MILLION FIVE HUNDERED THOUSAND US DOLLARS.)IN MY BRANCH.AS THE ACCOUNTANTING OFFICER TO THE DECEASED PERSON,UPON MATURITY OF THE FIXED,I SENT A ROUTINE NOTIFICATION TO HIS FORWARDING ADDRESS BUT GOT NO REPLY. AFTER A MONTH I SENT A REMINDER AND FINALLY DISCOVERD FROM HIS CONTACT EMPLOYERS, (i.e)THE NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION(NNPC)THAT THE MAN DIED ON THE 11TH SEPT,2001 TERRORIEST ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE IN U.S.A. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION,I FOUND OUT THAT THE MAN DIED WITHOUT MAKING A WILL AND ALL ATTEMPT TO TRACE HIS NEXT OF KIN WAS FRUITLESS. I THEREFORE MADE FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DECEASED DID NOT DECLEAR ANY NEXT OF KIN OR RELATION IN ALL HIS OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS PARTICULARLY WITH OUR BANK. CONSEQUENTELY,IAM SENDING THIS PROPOSAL AS A FOREIGNER TO STAND AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO THE DECEASED, AS THIS WILL PREVENT MUCH QUESTIONS FROM THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BANK. AS THE ACCOUNTANTING OFFICER TO THE LATE MAN ,EVERY ARRANGEMENT TO BRING THIS TRANSACTION TO A SUCESSFUL CONCLUSION AND TRANSFER THE SAID FUND INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT ON ACCEPTANCE OF THIS PROPOSAL HAS BEEN PERFECTED AS ALL DOCUMENTATION TO PROOF YOU AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO THE DECEASED SHALL BE SECURED BY AN ATTORNEY, AUTHENTICATED IN THE COURT OF LAW FORWARDED TO THE BANK MANAGER WHICH WILL IN TURN GETS TO MY OFFICE FOR ENDORSEMENT/CLERAFICATION AS THE ACCOUNTANTING OFFICER.ON THAT NOTE I ASSURE YOU A SAFE AND 100% RISK FREE TRANSACTION.

FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE,YOU SHALL BE ENTILLIED TO 30% OF THE TOTAL SUM, 5% SHALL BE FOR ANY INCENDENTIAL EXPENSES, WHILE 65% SHALL BE FOR I AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSESE ACCORDING TO AGGREMENTS WITHIN BOTH PARTIES. AS SOON AS WE RECEIVE AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE RECEIPT OF THIS MESSAGE IN ACCEPTANCE OF OUR MUTUAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL THROUGH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS,I WILL FURNISH YOU WITH THE NECESSARY MODALITIES. IF THIS PROPOSAL IS ACCEPTABLE BY YOU,DO NOT MAKE UNDUE ADVANTAGE OF THE TRUST BESTOWED IN YOU.

BEST REGARD,

MR. STEVEN UBA

The scam of the month. God to the rescue:

Mr. Petit, I almost got caught by a certain Kévin Sankoh from Côte d'Ivoire....Thank you for having created a preventive site.... Here is what I received:

"Dear Mélanie,

We have received your letter and we thank you very much. We believe that you can help us because it is not complicated. Please know that this money we are talking about is our only hope for our better future, satisfying you thus must be very kind and honest with us. We prayed with the pastor of our small church before sending you the letter. Although the church is small and has about 47 members, but God works very considerably with the pastor. When we obtained your contact, we gave it to the pastor with two other names and he prayed over the names and asks us to send you the letter. He said that the almighty of God has sent you to help us and God wants to bless you also through us. Now, this is what you must know about this money.

When we had the problem when our father was killed, the only thing we could stretch our hands to were at the time very easily the boxes so we sent them here to Abidjan by means of DIPLOMATIC COURIER SERVICE directly to the SAFEKEEPING AND STORAGE and declared the contents as FAMILY VALUABLES. When we got here, the political situation of this country made us afraid as well so we discussed with the director here who indicated that they have a sister securities company in Holland where he can send the boxes by means of the DIPLOMATIC COURIER SERVICE. He said that we can claim the boxes from there and that they are very safe there.

Now what we want you to do for us now is that you will send us a copy of your driving license or a copy of your identity card or a copy of your passport. We will then see you and then give it to a lawyer here who will write an agreement between you and us. In the agreement, you will see everything we want from you. We will send you the agreement and you will read it and if you agree with the content, you will sign it and then send it back to the lawyer. We will also send you all the bank statement of the boxes and also of the agreement that we made with the securities company here as at the time of the deposit and we will also send you the receipt of the payment we made for the deposit.

We will also make a change of beneficiary in your name so that the securities company in Holland can release the boxes to you. As soon as you finish clearing the boxes, you will send us a letter of invitation so that we obtain the visa and come to meet you in your country.

Judge-and call me with this number 0022507619416. Excuse me for the errors in my written French as you know that my native language is English.

God bless you. Respect, Kevin Sankoh "

-----Original Message-----
From: kacou simon [mailto:monneyissa@yahoo.fr] Sent: 19 octobre, 2004 16:42 To: monneyissa@yahoo.fr Subject: Aide orphelin

MONNEY Issa ABIDJAN

COTE D'IVOIRE TELEPHONE

TELEPHONE: 00225 07 18 09 64

Dear ,

I am Mr. MONNEY Issa the only son of the former chief MONNEY Ahamed of SIERA LEONNE.

I am writing to you with absolute confidence first of all to ask for your assistance in transferring our liquidity of 25,000,000 dollars which is currently in the safe of a security company here in Abidjan into your personal account until our arrival in your country.

SOURCE OF THE MONEY

My late father, chief MONNEY Ahamed, was the boss of the gold and diamond extractors in Sierra Leone (S.L.M.C) Freetown. Concerning my father, this money is the result of the gold and diamonds extracted from the Sierra Leonean mines before the start of the civil war between the rebel forces and the ECOMOG peacekeeping forces which destroyed my country after the coup that drove from power the democratically elected president AHMED TEJAN KABBAH.

My father had already put in place a plan to evacuate us (our family) my mother, my little sister and myself to Abidjan in Ivory Coast with our personal effects and the box containing the money through the United Nations evacuation forces.

My father asked my mother to deposit the box in a private security company until he joined us after the war. During the war in my country, and with the looting of public and government property by the rebel forces as a consequence, the Sierra Leonean mining cooperation was one of the targets looted and destroyed.

My father and several other senior officials were attacked and killed by the rebels in November 2000 for their relationship with the civilian government of AHMED TEJAN KABBAH. Following the death of my father, and with the announcement of the death of my uncle following the plane crash that occurred in December 2001 over Abidjan, our hopes of survival were completely drowned.

This premature death of my father and my uncle caused other complications and a heart attack in my mother which caused her death later in a hospital after we had to spend a large sum of money for her medical care.

Currently my sister and I are alone in this foreign country, suffering and without any support . without any relations, we are currently like refugees and orphans. Our only hope currently is in you and in the safe that we deposited in the security company.

Since the events that occurred here (19 September 2002) in Ivory Coast the director of the security company sent by diplomatic flight the parcels that had been deposited in his company , to Europe where they have representatives To this effect, I humbly request your assistance in the following sense:

help me get the parcel out of the agency in Europe. you, as CO-beneficiary so as to then be able to transfer this money in your name into your bank account in your country for a profitable investment .with you as main actor. The most important thing is that the security company does not know the exact contents of the box because it was declared as family wealth. All the documents relating to the deposits are in my possession. For your assistance, I will give you 20% of this money (of the total sum) for your efforts and your assistance. Finally I beg you to keep this transaction strictly confidential. Thank you and may God bless you for your assistance to us.

Very sincerely

MONNEY Issa

**Below, a map allowing one to locate oneself in Scamland. **

and some of the people calling good souls to their rescue:

Sender

Alleged identity

Country

Proposed commission

"Prince" Isaac Kosongo Son of a coconut merchant Abidjan, 15% of 15 M $

poisoned by his associates Ivory Coast

Mrs. Sara Tadobe Heiress of a mining magnate Sierra Leone 25% of 12.5 M$

Mr. Uske Kobo Student in Lagos, son of a family Nigeria 10% of 20 M $

Mr. Bashe Mobutu Son of President Mobutu, assassinated Zaire 20% of 30 M$

Mr. Mohamed Djima Son of a diamond mine controller, imprisoned Sierra Leone ? of 50 M$

Miss Lizy Kamara Daughter of a financial director of a diamond mine Sierre Leone 15% of 16 M$

Miss Ann SaroWiwa Daughter of a poet of a Nigerian minority (the Ogoni) Nigeria 15% of 16 M$

hanged by the government

M. Abu Timi Former Director of Mines, exiled in Togo Togo and S. Leone 25% of $21.5 M

Emmanuel Ojo or Federal government agent Nigeria 26.5 M$

Ben Uyiisa

Mrs. Felicia Kabila 3rd wife of Laurent Kabila Congo 25% of $22 M

Mrs. Sese-Seko Widow of Mobutu Congo and x% of $100 M

Côte d'Ivoire

Mrs. Rose Svimbi Widow of Mr Savimbi. Concerns the Angola and 30% of the income of

economy of her dear husband Ghana 24 M$

Dr. Uchenna Eboh Football wheeler-dealer Nigeria 30% of $32 M

Steven UBA Diamond broker Nigeria 30% of $65 M

Nov 27, 2003: Mr. Henri Eeckart informs me of the result of an investigation carried out by a "hoaxbuster" group. According to him, the most common version of the Scam would consist of getting the victim to create an account, then inciting them to make deposits there at their own expense "for the costs relating to the receipt ... of these gigantic sums, obviously. Simple ... customs details."

July 13, 2004: Confirmed. A reader had fun following up. He received a proper contract. The crooks are good lawyers and the affair seems sound at first glance. The crux of the story consists of inciting the victim to create an account where the crook can not only deposit funds, but also withdraw those that the sucker will deposit "for the costs." Turning things around, the reader asked for an advance of 2000 euros, payable in his name, to cover the costs of opening the account and preparing the transaction.

No more news of the 12 million dollars linked to ... etc.

I hope that by now enough people are warned and that this will have helped prevent new people from falling into the trap by rushing to the aid of an orphan or a poor widow who fears for her life.

September 2004. It's been a while.....

Mr Felix MORRISON Residence Emile Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Email:f_m02000@yahoo.fr

Dear Friend,

I hereby solicit from your great benevolence an assistance of great importance. My name is Mr Felix MORRISON son of the late Dr. Henry MORRISON former Director of Mines of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

My father was assassinated by rebels of Jonny Paul Kohromah during a visit to open a gold and diamond mining site located in Mende 320 KM from FREETOWN, the capital of our country.

After my father's death, life became very difficult for us, as we were constantly threatened by the rebels. Given this difficult situation, I arranged with one of my late father's best friends who was an army colonel, Mr Souleyman Gbaker, to get me and my two children out of the country.

So I took all of my father's property that was in his safe, which are a metal trunk and all his important documents that I brought with me.

We are currently in Côte d'Ivoire with the property including the sum of 10.500 million US dollars. As we know no one in Côte d'Ivoire, I decided to deposit this metal trunk with a private security company here in order to safeguard and protect this large sum of money that we cannot keep on us at the hotel.

Given the unstable political climate in Cote D'Ivoire and that our family is very well known in the sub-region, I decided to look for a partner in order to invest this sum outside the continent in profitable sectors, which is therefore the reason why I come to you to solicit your assistance and help us invest in your country.

The best method to conclude this transaction given the political tension in Cote D'Ivoire would be to ship the trunk containing the funds to Europe. The security company has the possibility of making things easier for us by shipping the trunk to Europe via the Courier company

As soon as these funds arrive in Europe, you will collect them and safeguard them and begin the procedures to help us come and settle in your country.

I have planned to offer you for your good faith a good percentage of the total amount contained in the trunk.

Reply to me as soon as possible.

Sincere Salutations

Mr Felix MORRISON!

November 29, 2004: Very active response. How many pigeons?
For them to respond so quickly, people must be letting themselves be trapped. Afterwards, probably, they hardly boast about it, I suppose.

Initial announcement:

Cotonou - Republic of Benin.

PROPOSAL. To your attention from FATHER Kër Nazareth.

This letter will surely seem surprising to you; nevertheless I beg you to take it SERIOUSLY without being surprised at the choice I make of you.

In fact, I am Mr. YAO Koffi Bonaventure of Ivorian nationality and only son of Mr. YAO Jules, businessman and politician.

Thanks to the help of a senior executive of a storage company in the Republic of Benin, my father deposited two metal trunks, each containing funds in the amount of fifteen million US dollars, with the said company. These trunks were registered as containing family treasures (personal effects and precious documents); because this company is not authorized to keep cash funds on its premises.

Since the attempted coup d'état perpetrated on September 19, 2002 in Côte d'Ivoire, my father has been reported missing. Following this painful situation, I went into exile in Benin and now wish to transfer the said funds (30 million US dollars) with the main aim of investing them in various income-generating activities.

I am sending you this letter today in order to solicit your collaboration within the framework of this project, which must be carried out with the greatest confidentiality. Collaboration following which I guarantee you a commission that will be the subject of a mutual agreement between each of our two parties.

Please contact me as soon as possible in the event of an agreement, or do me the favor of forgetting all details concerning this letter.

Awaiting your response, I count on your discretion.

Cordially,

After Father Kër Nazareth made contact**:

Sir,

I thank you for having responded to my letter. The judicious success of this project will depend on the confidential nature that must be granted to it and on the frankness of each of our parties. I really need you to help me in this financial transaction; because these funds are all that I was able to inherit from my late father and also all that I have left in this life. This is why I am absolutely determined to invest the greater part of these funds in various lucrative and profitable activities.

I fled Côte d'Ivoire for fear of being arrested or assassinated since my father was the right-hand man of the former President Robert GUEI, assassinated during the same events. This is the reason why my most absolute wish is to invest outside Africa and settle far from Côte d'Ivoire. I therefore solicit your collaboration so that you can help me to:

1- take possession of my funds 2- transfer these funds from Benin 3- invest these funds

In order to prove my good faith and my good will to you, I propose to designate you with this company as the new beneficiary of these trunks. This will allow you to have the same rights as me over these trunks. Because according to the internal regulations of this company, only the owner and/or the beneficiary are authorized to proceed with the withdrawal of property placed in safety within our company.

If this prerequisite seems acceptable to you, please contact me as soon as possible; otherwise I am open to all proposals or suggestions from you aimed at the proper realization of this project. I therefore await your news for the follow-up to be given to this project.

Cordially, Koffi Bonaventure YAO

Reply to the following letter, still by e-mail. **

Sir,

I thank you once again for the interest you are giving to this project, and also inform you that this project must be carried out in strict discretion and total frankness in order to lead to a fruitful result for each of our two parties. As I notified you previously, in my capacity as the current legal owner of the funds, I propose to designate you as the new beneficiary of the trunks containing the said funds with this storage company..

It will therefore fall to me to send a request to the attention of the general manager of the said storage company in order to notify him that I am designating you as the new beneficiary of the said trunks.

To do so, I will ask you to kindly send me a copy of your identity document via the Internet. This copy will serve as supporting documentation to be attached to my file within this company. You would kindly specify the following information to me:

• Surname, - First names, - Date and place of birth, - Nationality, - Full address, - Profession, - Telephone, fax and mobile number.

In fact Mr. Jacques H. is employed within this storage company as Director of Operations; he is my late father's friend and he is my guardian in Cotonou, Benin. He will therefore help us to speed up and facilitate the usual formalities.

Once this step has been completed, it will fall to you to come here to Cotonou in the Republic of Benin. Once on site you will proceed with the withdrawal of the trunks so that we can have access to the funds. For the actual transfer of these funds, there exists here in Cotonou, Benin a financial firm that has proven itself extensively in matters of transferring funds of a large volume as in our case. We will therefore approach this financial firm to solicit its assistance and services.

Know that all expenses (travel, accommodation, communication or other possible expenses) that you will have to incur within the framework of the realization of this project will be fully reimbursed to you upon withdrawal of the trunks.

As regards the commission, I await a proposal from you.

I therefore await your news for the follow-up to be given to our project.

Cordially,

K.B. YAO

Another message:

Sir

I thank you once again for your reply . For the effective realization of this project I am willing to grant you 20% of the total amount (15 x 2) million, that is an amount of six million US dollars .

I therefore await news .

Cordially

Yao B K

After that, that's all, I got tired. these exchanges were very quick. barely a few hours. So there is a real organization behind it. That's it for my testimony

July 2005. French-language version of the African scam.

Hello . Before anything else, I would like to apologize for intruding into your private life. My name is Mrs. Marie-laure BILLARD, Executive in the Accounting and transaction Department within the EcoBank-Côte d'Ivoire group. An account was opened within our bank in 1985 and since 1990, no banking transaction has been carried out. This account presents to this day in our books, a credit account of 20.8 million US dollars. After having meticulously consulted all the archives and the files relating to this account, I realized that I could easily dispose of this money if I succeeded in transferring it to an account outside the country. The owner of this account, the late Mark Davids, an expatriate, chemical engineer, was director of Petrol-Technical Support Services Inc. He found death following a traffic accident. No one knows to this day of the existence of this account. This account has no other beneficiary either in his family or in his company. I would like to transfer the money from this account to a reliable account abroad but I know no one outside. This is how the idea came to me to contact you and to make you the proposal to transfer this sum to your bank account, for sharing. I am aware that this message will surprise you because we did not know each other before, but be sure that it is a real opportunity that is offered to you and to me. I ask you to answer me as quickly as possible for possible finalization, while knowing to count on your most total discretion .

cordially.

Marie-laure BILLARD

marie_laure1970@yahoo.fr

My answer :

• And your sister?

August 21, 2005 : The Chinese channel.

FROM:MR.LI LE SONG

Hang Seng Bank Ltd Fu Shan Mansion 25 Taikoo Shing Road Taikoo Shing Branch Hong Kong.

Tel/Fax: +852-301-01462 Private E-mail:lesong32@walla.com

Iam Mr.Li Le Song credit officer of the Foriegn Operations Dept. of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd,Taikoo Shing Branch.I have a obscured business suggestion for you.Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Colonel Sadiq Uday who was with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Nineteen millions Five Hundred

Thousnd United state Dollars Only (USD$19,5M) in my branch. Upon maturity several notice was sent to him, even during the war early last year.

Again after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him. We later find out that the Colonel and his family had been killed during the war in bomb blast that hit their home.After further investigation it was also discovered that Colonel Sadiq Uday did not declare any next of kin in his,official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my Bank. So, Nineteen millions Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it.

What bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country at the expiration 4 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that Iwill like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Colonel Sadiq Uday so that you will be able to receive his funds.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:

Iwant you to know that Ihave had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful. Ihave contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Colonel Sadiq Uday,all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job.

After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be provided by you.There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going to adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.

Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue.Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account the sharing ratio is open for negotiation for you .Should you be interested please send me your full names and current residential address and Iwill prefers you to reach me on the email address below (lesong32@walla.com) and finally after that Ishall provide you with more details of this operation.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Kind Regards Mr.Li Le Song

FROM:MR.LI LE SONG

Tel/Fax: +852-301-01462 Private E-mail:lesong32@walla.com

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Kind Regards Mr.Li Le Song

August 27, 2005 **Obviously, the "African" scam, Chinese version, is developing quickly **

There, the proposal is different. The correspondent is simply looking for an accomplice to recover the eight million dollars of a client of his bank, who has kicked the bucket. He claims to be the only one to know of the existence of his account and to be in a position to deliver its contents by claiming that the recipient of the mail is "his closest relative". Afterwards, both of them would go halves. ** ** ****

----- Original Message -----

From: "CHEN QINGXUAN" mrchenqingxuan_2000@yahoo.com

To: undisclosed-recipients:

Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2005 1:20 PM

Subject: Reply immediately.

Chen Qingxuan

Lloyds TSB Pacific Limited

Hong Kong Branch

Thank you for giving me your time. Please be patient and read my email to you.

Iam a staff of Lloyds TSB Group attached in Private Banking services.

I belong to the staff of the Loyds bank..

. ). I am contacting you concerning a customer and an investment placed under our bank's management 3 years ago, I contacted you independently of our investigation and no one is informed of this communication and I would like to intimate you with certain facts that I believe would be of interest to you.(

I am contacting you about a customer who had placed his money with us three years ago

In 2000, the subject matter; ref: bb/tsb/bank/73 came to our bank to engage in business discussions with our Private Banking Services Department. He informed us that he had a financial portfolio of 8.35 million United States Dollars, which he wished to have us turn over on his behalf. I was the officer assigned to his case; I made numerous suggestions in line with my duties as the de-facto chief operations officer of the Private Banking Services Department, especially given the volume of funds he wished to put into our bank. We met on numerous occasions prior to any investments being placed. I encouraged him to consider various growth funds with prime ratings. The favored route in my advice to customers is to start by assessing data on 600 traditional stocks and bond managers and alternative investments. Based on my advice, we spun the money around various opportunities and made attractive margins for our first months of operation, the accrued profit and interest stood at this point at over 10 million United States Dollars, this margin was not the full potential of the fund but he desired low risk guaranteed returns on investments.

In mid 2001, he asked that the money be liquidated because he needed to make an urgent investment requiring cash payments in Europe.

He directed that I liquidate the funds and had it deposited with a firm in Europe. I informed him that our bank would have to make special arrangements to have this done and in order not to circumvent due process, the bank would have to make a 9.5 % deduction from the funds to cater for banking and statutory charges. He complained about the charges but later came around when I explained to him the complexities of the task he was asking of us. Cash movement across borders has become especially strict since the incidents of 9/11.

I contacted my affiliate in Europe and had the funds available in main land Europe. I undertook all the processes and made sure I followed his precise instructions to the letter and had the funds deposited in a security consultancy firm, the firm is a specialist private firm that accepts deposits from high net worth individuals and blue chip corporations that handle valuable products or undertake transactions that need immediate access to cash. This small and highly private organization is familiar especially to the highly placed and well- connected organizations. In line with instructions, the money was deposited. He told me he wanted the money there in anticipation of his arrival from Norway later that week.

This was the last communication we had, this transpired around 25th February 2002

. In June last year, we got a call from the security firm informing us of the inactivity of that particular portfolio. This was an astounding position as far as I was concerned, given the fact that I managed the private banking sector

I was the only one who knew about the deposit,

and I could not understand why he had not come forward to claim his deposit. I made futile efforts to locate him I immediately passed the task of locating him to the internal investigations department of our bank.

Four days later, information started to trickle in, that he was apparently dead.

The guy asks for his money to be placed. Then, suddenly needing liquidity, asks for all his assets to be made available. And suddenly the guy gives no further sign of life. They find a guy matching his profile, dead of a heart attack, in Cannes. It was possible to realize that it really was this guy

A person who suited his description was declared

dead of a heart attack in Cannes, South of France

. We were soon enough able to

identify the body and cause of death was confirmed.

The bank immediately launched an investigation into possible surviving next of kin to alert about the situation and also to come forward to claim his estate. If you are familiar with private banking affairs, those who patronize our services usually prefer anonymity, but also some levels of detachment from conventional processes. In his bio-data form, he listed no next of kin. In the field of private banking, opening an account with us means no one will know of its existence, accounts are rarely held under a name; depositors use numbers and codes to make the accounts anonymous. This bank also gives the choice to depositors of having their mail sent to them or held at the bank itself, ensuring that there are no traces of the account and as I said, rarely do they nominate next of kin. Private banking clients apart from not nominating next of kin also usually in most cases leave wills in our care, in this case; he died in testate.

What I wish to relate to you will smack of unethical practice

what I am going to tell you may perhaps shock you...

) but I want you to understand something. It is only an outsider to the banking world who finds the internal politics of the banking world aberrational. The world of private banking especially is fraught with huge rewards for those who occupy certain offices and oversee certain portfolios. You should have begun by now to put together the general direction of what I propose.

There is US$ 8,370,000.00 deposited, I alone have the deposit details and they will release the deposit to no one unless I instruct them to do so.

I alone know of the existence of this deposit

I am the only one who knows of the existence of this money

) for as far as the finance firm is concerned, the transaction with our deceased customer concluded when I sent the funds to the firm, all outstanding interactions in relation to the file are just customer services and due process.

The finance firm has no single idea of what's the history or nature of the deposit. They are simply awaiting instructions to release the deposit to any party that comes forward.

This is the situation. This bank has spent great amounts of money trying to track this man's family; they have investigated for months

and have found no family. The investigation has come to an end.

My proposal; I am prepared to place you in a position to instruct the finance firm to release the deposit to you as the closest surviving relation.

I am in a position to present you as the closest relation of this guy

) Upon receipt of the deposit, I am prepared to share the money with you in half and no more. That is:

I will simply nominate you as the next of kin

the closest relative

) and have them release the deposit to you.

We share the proceeds 50/50.

we would share 50/50

I would have gone ahead to ask the funds be released to me, but that would have drawn a straight line to me and my involvement in claiming the deposit.

But on the other hand, you with a similar name as the original depositor would easily pass as the beneficiary with the rights to claim.

on the other hand you, with a name close to that of this guy, could easily pass as the rightful claimant

) I assure you that I could have the deposit released to you in a few days (

I guarantee you that I could ensure the withdrawal of the money in a few days

) . I will simply inform our bank of the final closing of the file relating to the customer. I will then officially communicate with the finance company and instruct them to release the deposit to you.

With these two things: all is done. The alternative would be for us to have the firm direct the funds to another bank with you as account

holder. This way there will be no need for you to think of receiving the money from the firm. We can fine-tune this based on our interactions. I am aware of the consequences of this proposal. I ask that if you find no interest in this project that you should discard this mail. I ask that you do not be vindictive or destructive. If my offer is of no appeal to you, delete this message and forget I ever contacted you. Do not destroy my career because you do not approve of my proposal. You may not know this but people like myself who have made tidy sums out of comparable situations run the whole private banking sector.

I am not a criminal and what I do; I do not find against good conscience, this may be hard for you to understand, but the dynamics of my industry dictates that I make this move. Such opportunities only come ones' way once in a lifetime. I cannot let this chance pass me by I hope you understand because for once I found myself in total control and face to face with my destiny.

I am not a criminal and I have no scruples about doing this. This may seem hard for you to admit but these are the laws of the environment in which I operate. I cannot let this chance pass me by. I hope you understand. I find myself face to face with my destiny

) These chances won't pass me by. I ask that you do not destroy my chance, if you will not work with me let me know and let me move on with my life but do not destroy me. I am a family man and this is an opportunity to provide them with new opportunities. There is a reward for this project and it is a task well worth undertaking. I have evaluated the risks and the only risk I have here is from you refusing to work with me and alerting my bank. I am the only one who knows of this situation, good fortune has blessed you with a name that has planted you into the center of relevance in my life.

Let's share the blessing.

let's share this chance that comes along, you and me.

If you find yourself able to work with me, contact me through this email account: mrchenqingxuan2000@yahoo.com.hk

If you give me positive signals, I will initiate this process towards a conclusion. I wish to inform you that should you contact me via official channels; I will deny knowing you and about this project. I repeat, I do not want you contacting me through my official phone lines nor do I want you contacting me through my official email account. Contact me only through this email address. I do not want any direct link between you and me. My official lines are not secure lines as they are periodically monitored to assess our level of customer care in line with our Total Quality Management Policy.

Please observe this instruction religiously. Please, again, note I am a family man; I happily married with two kids. I send you this mail not without a measure of fear as to what the consequences might be, but I know within me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that success and riches never come easy or on a platter of gold. This is the one truth I have learned from my private banking clients. Do not betray my confidence. If we can be of one accord, we should plan a meeting, soon.

I await your response.

Sincerely,

Chen Qingxuan

----- Original Message -----

From: "CHEN QINGXUAN" mrchenqingxuan_2000@yahoo.com

To: undisclosed-recipients:

Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2005 1:20 PM

Subject: Reply immediately.

Chen Qingxuan

Lloyds TSB Pacific Limited

Hong Kong Branch

Thank you for giving me your time. Please be patient and read my email to you.

I am a staff of Lloyds TSB Group attached in Private Banking services.

(

I belong to the staff of Loyds bank..

)

I was the only one who knew about the deposit,

(

)

A person who suited his description was declared

dead of a heart attack in Cannes, South of France

. We were soon enough able to

identify the body and cause of death was confirmed.

What I wish to relate to you will smack of unethical practice

(

what I am going to tell you may perhaps shock you...

Ialone know of the existence of this deposit

(

I am the only one who knows of the existence of this money

and have found no family. The investigation has come to an end.

(

I am in a position to present you as the closest relation of this type

Iwill simply nominate you as the next of kin

(

the next of kin

) and have them release the deposit to you.

We share the proceeds 50/50.

(

we would share 50/50

)

(

) Iassure you that Icould have the deposit released to you in a few days (

(

Let's share the blessing.

(

let's share this chance that comes along, you and me.

..)

Iawait your response.

Sincerely,

Chen Qingxuan

The example of a successful scam shows how things unfold. The victims are often little people whose savings the crooks snap up. The thing appears possible because the sums scammed are relatively small (600 euros) compared with the hoped-for profits (which themselves run into millions of dollars!). The victim thinks they are taking a small risk for a possible gigantic benefit. The sucker says to themselves "if I pull this off, I'll be set for the rest of my days". Conversely the tricks are still pretty crude and it takes a good dose of naivety to get caught.

Once you've understood the trick, reading these messages, with all the imagined variations, has something comic about it.

Investigation done, according to information provided by readers, these scams do indeed originate in black Africa. The scale is considerable, planetary. We can speak of genuine mafia networks and not small amateur operations. And if the system persists it's because from time to time, it works. As with spams, robots must send thousands of messages to anyone, the crooks only stepping in when a fish bites the hook. The scale of the operations means these networks secure the complicity of serving judicial officials, in the countries, who block all investigations and complaints, coming from individuals or associations. A word to the wise.

It is to be hoped that files like this one, supported by the detailed account of a successful scam, will allow this information to spread, by word of mouth, and that more and more people will be made aware. When a naive youngster is about to fall into the trap, one of their relatives will say: before investing your savings in this "deal", go and take a look at JPP's site".

As a general rule the solution is not to reply to these solicitations, otherwise you end up "on the file".

**3 September 2005: The scam ... "franco-African", now! ** **** ****

jeaneric17@yahoo.fr

Subject:

Partnership Request

Date: 3 September 2005 10:01:30 GMT+02:00

To: jatse@wanadoo.fr

Reply to: jeaneric17@yahoo.fr

Dear Sir and Madam,

Allow me to inform you of my desire to maintain a business relationship with you. I am Jean Eric LECLAIRE, a 28-year-old French soldier belonging to the army of the Licorne Force. You know as well as I do, since the crisis of 19 September 2002 in Côte-d'Ivoire perpetrated by Mr Soro Guillaume's rebellion. The latter were unable to overthrow the incumbent power of President Laurent GBAGBO. Thus we are witnessing a partition in two (2) of the territory of Côte-d'Ivoire. Following the failed attempt to overthrow the regime of the current president. We, the Licorne Force led by General PONCET, were dispatched by the French government to Côte-d'Ivoire on 22 September 2002 with the mission of looking for our nationals and serving as a buffer zone between the FANCI and the rebels.

My colleagues and I were precisely in the Bouaké buffer zone, until the day when a wonderful event came to pass.

On 24 – 26 September 2003 the rebels attacked the branch of the BCEAO (Central Bank of West African States) in Bouaké, (an amount of 20,000,000,000 FCFA (twenty billion CFA francs) taken after assessment, i.e. around $ 30,000,000 (thirty million dollars)) numerous exchanges of gunfire. It was then that we intervened and found a large sum of money in the bank going up to the order of $ 19,550,000 (eighteen nine million five hundred and fifty thousand dollars). The loot was shared out and I have $ 2,000,000 (two million dollars) as my share. To avoid any observation that would make me a suspect, I decided to entrust the money to a bank here in Côte-d'Ivoire, precisely in Abidjan, with the complicity of a lawyer and an Ivorian magistrate in order to avoid the Ivorian government which would be in a position to trace the funds belonging to it.

To this day the investigations continue. I honourably need your help within the brief delays that will follow in the following steps:

1- To swear to me not to denounce me.

2- To provide a bank account where the fund will be transferred far from here.

In return I undertake to offer you 30% of the sum as compensation for having helped me put the money into your account.

.If I am caught this risks jeopardising my job and sullying the name of the Licorne Force as well as of France. I beg you to give particular importance to this message. For any documentation that could be useful to you do not hesitate to ask me and I will put you in contact with the magistrate in question. But please, for pity's sake, treat this message very very confidentially and do not show my identity to anyone, because that could be the subject of my arrest.

I await a rapid response from you.

Thank you

Jean Eric LECLAIRE

From:

jeaneric17@yahoo.fr

Subject:

Partnership Request

Date: 3 September 2005 10:01:30 GMT+02:00

To: jatse@wanadoo.fr

Reply to: jeaneric17@yahoo.fr

Dear Sir and Madam,

1- To swear to me not to report me.

2- To provide a bank account where the funds will be transferred far from here.

I await a quick response from you.

Thank you

Jean Eric LECLAIRE

--- ********

September 17, 2005

A way to stop these scams on voila:

Hello,

I inform you that email providers track down "African-style" swindlers and close their accounts.

To do this, you must send to the providers' "abuse" service (email: abuse@....) a copy of the email (including the headers) with the subject: "attempted scam / fraud attempt". That's all, and it works: this morning I received a message telling me that a swindler's account had been closed thanks to this kind of report.

You should indicate on your page that these emails must be reported to the providers' "abuse" service

Copy of the message received this morning:

From: abuse@voila.fr

To: QBE presse www.qbe@free.fr

Subject: In response to your complaint

Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 11:49:01 +0200

Hello,

The conduct of this person legal_barrstevenwa@voila.fr has already been reported to us.

We have taken action against them, by permanently closing their account.

Cordially,

The ABUSE team of Voila.fr

September 17, 2005

.

A way to stop these scams on voila:

Hello,

Copy of the message received this morning:

From: abuse@voila.fr

To: QBE presse www.qbe@free.fr

Subject: In response to your complaint

Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 11:49:01 +0200

Hello,

The conduct of this person legal_barrstevenwa@voila.fr has already been reported to us.

Cordially,

The ABUSE team of Voila.fr

September 20, 2005. **From a reader who followed up out of curiosity and finds himself asked for 1000 euros "for expenses": ** ****

To the attention of MR PHILIPPE,

We, LAVEGARDE SECURITY COMPANY of Ivory Coast, come to satisfy your request concerning the transaction of the trunk of MR HERMANN REED to your country.

Indeed MR HERMANN REED is the legal beneficiary of this trunk deposited by his late father Mr REED who was one of our important clients. Since you have been designated by MR HERMANN REED to receive his trunk in your country, we ask you to send us:

Your full postal address

Your telephone and fax number

Your photocopy of passport or driving license

Before proceeding with such a transaction, we will need to assign certain administrative documents, a change of beneficiary title and an authorization to transfer this briefcase to your pay, these documents will be assigned at the high court of justice in Ivory Coast,

the net cost of this procedure will cost you the sum of 1000 Euros

this sum will also serve for the costs of transferring the briefcase and for the diplomat to communicate by Western Union transfer in the name of my courier RICHARD CHRIS at the address ABIDJAN IVORY COAST.

NB: this documentation will allow the diplomat to pass through the International Airport of Ivory Coast and your Airport without being searched by the Customs authority, once payment of these costs is made tomorrow the diplomat will be at your home.

Awaiting, receive our sincere greetings.

cordially Mr CHARLES SMITH Tel: +225.08456057.

...... and your sister!

To the attention of MR PHILIPPE,

Your full postal address

Your telephone and fax number

Your photocopy of passport or driving license

the net cost of this procedure will cost you the sum of 1000 Euros

Awaiting, receive our sincere greetings.

cordially Mr CHARLES SMITH Tel: +225.08456057.

...... and your sister!

October 23, 2005**: The charitable version of the African scam** ** **

by Rose Marak

marak_6@yahoo.fr

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must worship our Lord Jesus Christ with all our heart because we are destined to remain under the protection of his anointing, obedience to his commandments is the goal of life, whoever honors him will be kept under his hand of blessing.

I am Mrs Rose Marak originally from Kuwait. I am married to Mr Lobi Marak who worked at the Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2003. We were married for eleven years without child. He died after a sudden illness that lasted only four days.

Before his death we were both Christians and we loved each other, which is why after his death I decided not to remarry or have a child outside my matrimonial home because the bible is against that. When my late husband was alive he had deposited the sum of ($2,500,000.) two million five hundred thousand American Dollars in a Bank here in Abidjan in Ivory Coast. Currently, this money is still within the company.

Recently, my doctor told me that I will not live more than eight months because of a cancer. What worries me more than the cancer I am suffering from is the anxiety about the recovery and re-investment of the property of my late husband. After learning of my health condition I decided to give these funds to a charity organization that will use this money in the manner I will indicate below. I want to create an organization that will use these funds to create orphanages, schools and churches, take care of widows, spread the word of God and ensure that the house of God is maintained. The bible taught us to understand that "blessed is the hand that gives". I made this decision because I have no child who will inherit this money and my husband's parents are not Christians, I do not want my husband's efforts to be squandered by non-believers.

I do not want this money to be used in a diabolical way. That is why I make this decision. I am not afraid of death therefore I know where I am going. I know that I will be in the heart of the lord jesus christ.

Exodus 14:14 said that "the Lord will fight my cause and I will obtain my peace." I do not want any telephone communication on this subject because of my health and because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me. I do not want them to know what I am doing. With God all is possible. As soon as I receive your response I will give you the contact of the company here in Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire. I will also send you an authorization letter that will establish you as the current beneficiary of these funds. I want you and the members of your church to always pray for me because the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. My happiness is that I have lived a worthy and Christian life. Whoever wants to serve the Lord must serve Him in the spirit of truth.

Please always pray for your salvation. Contact me at the following email address

(rose_m175@yahoo.fr) by delaying your response you will oblige me to contact another church or another trusted person for this same purpose.

Please assure me that you will act in accordance with the instructions I have listed above.

I will hope to receive your response very soon. Be blessed by Jesus.

Your sister in Christ,

Rose Marak.

from Rose Marak

marak_6@yahoo.fr

Your sister in Christ,

Rose Marak.

February 8, 2006: In this file we have already seen the example of people who let themselves be caught in these African scams. It is possible that people who have been victims of them do not particularly care to boast about it. But if this kind of maneuver remains so present on the net it is because the approach must sometimes be profitable. The following file shows that scammers now use multiple variants to approach their victims. We have known the formula "help, help!" then "help me use my late husband's funds to do good in the world." Here, it is the variant "my darling, do you trust me?"

Hello, I came across your site somewhat by chance and I find the example texts of African scams very good.

I suggest you add a way of doing things of which I almost became a victim. I will not give you too many details because I want to keep a minimum of privacy. I also want neither my name nor my address to be mentioned. Thank you in advance.

I have been single for a while and I decided to sign up on a dating site. One day, a woman from Paris (according to her profile) contacts me. After examining her profile, I said to myself why not. Anyway I reply to her message. First of all, she tells me that she comes from Côte d'Ivoire and not from Paris (strange but possible). But she sends me 2 photos of herself (supposedly) and we exchange increasingly detailed emails. We get to know each other. Anyway after 3 weeks, trust having been established, she asks me if she can talk to me about a very personal problem and if I know how to keep a secret. I answered yes. So she sent me the following email:

I confess to you this secret that I have kept for a very long time now I trust in good Almighty God our creator, anyway what pushes me today to talk to you about this problem that has been bothering me for a very long time now I can no longer continue to live like this because this suffering haunts me day and night I want to suffer no more to be happy like any person so I took the initiative to expose my problem to you today

May this remain strictly confidential just between you and me, I know that chance knew how to do it and here we are today met I thank heaven.

I would like you to take this confidence seriously because at present I do not know what to do in the face of all this fortune and the political tensions of my country frighten me so please help me and I would be truly very grateful to you for all my life even before talking to you about it since then I have prayed at length to the Lord who guides me, I wanted to be very sure that you could not betray me and take advantage of me once everything is resolved,

Here I explain to you My name is KOUASSI REGINA as you already know, I am the eldest and only daughter of the deceased MR KOUASSI JEAN, my father was a large exporter of coffee and cocoa because my country is the leading producer of this crop and he was also the best friend of the deceased general GUEI ROBERT former president from 1999 to 2000, and that happened during the coup d'etat when president HENRI KONAN BEDIE WAS OVERTHROWN. my deceased father was a very rich man among many other Ivorian politicians and some thought he was the pillar of this coup d'etat for that he was assassinated by the current president. these enemies were the very ones who had just had lunch with him at his residence and after killing him they took all our cars and two of our residences are occupied by a general currently during the last regrettable events of the coup d'etat that occurred in Côte d'Ivoire. But that day I was absent from the house, I had gone to the pool and as soon as these events began I stayed hidden at one of my aunts' for fear that I would be found and then assassinated because before his death, on his return from a trip, my father handed me two documents, one would even say that he knew that something was going to happen to him, that is how he entrusted me with certain secrets referring to his property and his fortune as well which was the basis of this coup d'etat since the former GENERAL GUEI ROBERT was his best friend.

the documents are:

1-the deposit certificate of his bank account

2-the attestation letter proving the totality of his fortune proving that I am the total heir.

He let me know that he had made a deposit of an important sum of money of 20,000,000 Dollars (TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS) in a bank here in Abidjan. honorably I solicit your help in the following ways:

My wish would be to have you as a co-beneficiary, that is to say I would like you to help me invest this money in your country, and a little everywhere we will see that together ok.

Of course in sectors of activity where we could benefit. It has been more than 5 years that I have been living this problem and at present I would like to enter into possession of my assets because these funds must stay on the account until September 7, 2010, the date left by my father, but on the other hand, I can ask for these funds to be transferred to an account outside, given the current situation of my country I really have no choice, I absolutely must leave the country and rebuild my life, I am tired of waiting, I ask for your support, your help, I beg you, help me please, you will be rewarded as promised please. It is in this part that I humbly solicit your assistance, I would like you to be my partner, you will help me on this matter.

I would especially like it to remain strictly confidential, I am willing to offer you 20% of the total amount as compensation for the effort you will undertake for the success of this operation. Your role will be to be my foreign partner, that is to say my funds will be transferred to your account, certainly you will say to yourself won't you have trouble with the authorities of your country, such an enormous amount will be transferred to your account, I want to reassure you that no, I have already had to discuss all this with my banker, he says that there is a procedure to follow, that there is nothing to worry about, he also confirmed to me that even if it happened that this foreign partner decided to double-cross me, he would be found, but certainly we will not get to that, right. Just below you will see the deposit certificate, the attestation letter, I believe for my part that this transaction can be concluded thanks to your help and support.

Also, I beg you to act diligently given the political situation that this country is experiencing, while waiting to read you. I hope to be able to count on your silence on this matter until the end of the transaction, I want it to be discreet, just between you and me until the transaction is finished.

May GOD bless us

Regina.

I must say that here, I fell from very high and fortunately I had already heard about these kinds of scams. In short, in conclusion, BE CAREFUL. THEY USE ALL POSSIBLE MEANS WITHOUT ANY SCRUPLES.

That is what I wanted to add. Thank you for having read me.

H. C.

the documents are:

1-the deposit certificate of her bank account

May GOD bless us

Regina.

That is what I wanted to add. Thank you for having read me.

H. C.

**Number of consultations since ** **June 15, 2003 **: