Post by Michael on Apr 17, 2004 4:27:12 GMT -5
The Nigerian Scam...
While we would like to think that everyone that would frequent a Christian site would be honest and trustworthy we know that there are those out there who are dishonest. We do not want to scare you away of course, but we believe that everyone should be prudent.
This page is to alert you to a common scam. It is called the Nigerian Scam because that is where it originated though the proposal can come from any location and it takes a variety of forms.
Here's how it works: Letters (or, nowadays, e-mail messages) from Nigeria (or Sierra Leone, or the Ivory Coast, or almost any other foreign nation) are sent. The letters promise rich rewards for helping officials of that government (or bank, or quasi-government agency) out of an embarrassment or a legal problem. Typically they need help in transferring multi-million dollar sums of money to the United States (or whatever country you might be living in). The pitch includes the open promise that you will be permitted to keep a startling percentage of the funds if you help them.
A recent twist to the scam that we've seen is that the schemers claim to be Christian and/or Born Again and now want to transfer this million dollar loot to a Christian organization or church or to a Christian individual like yourself. Frankly, we are very confident that you would not be taken in by such a scheme. But, we do know that is possible that in the spirit of Christian compassion that there might be those who want to reach out to these folks and by doing so get taken in.
Remember.... always be prudent... Think Safety: While you are frequenting this site remember to use common sense and be cautious.
Don't believe everything you read or are told, whether it is on a profile or in a mail message. Trust yourself and your feelings. Take all the time you need to make sure a person is honest and trustworthy. Please - never, ever get taken in for pleads for money (or for dreams of riches). If you receive any Nigerian Scam letters report it here at once. Here are some links where you can find out more information and below that is a sample Nigerian Scam letter.
www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Business/nigerian.htm
www.treas.gov/usss/alert419.shtml
www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Business/nigerian.htm
Sample Scam Letter...
REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
FIRST, I MUST SOLICIT YOUR STRICTEST CONFIDENCE IN THIS TRANSACTION. THIS IS BY VIRTUE OF ITS NATURE AS BEING UTTERLY CONFIDENTIAL AND 'TOP SECRET'. I AM SURE AND HAVE CONFIDENCE OF YOUR ABILITY AND RELIABILITY TO PROSECUTE A TRANSACTION OF THIS GREAT MAGNITUDE INVOLVING A PENDING TRANSACTION REQUIRING MAXIIMUM CONFIDENCE.
WE ARE TOP OFFICIAL OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN IMPORATION 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 LAST MILITARY REGIME HERE IN NIGERIA, THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SET UP COMPANIES AND AWARDED THEMSELVES CONTRACTS WHICH WERE GROSSLY OVER-INVOICED IN VARIOUS MINISTRIES. THE PRESENT CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT SET UP A CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A LOT OF INFLATED CONTRACT FUNDS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY FLOATING IN THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA READY FOR PAYMENT.
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 OF THE PANEL TO LOOK FOR AN OVERSEAS PARTNER INTO WHOSE ACCOUNT WE WOULD TRANSFER THE SUM OF US$21,320,000.00(TWENTY ONE MILLION,THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND U.S DOLLARS). HENCE WE ARE WRITING YOU THIS LETTER. WE HAVE AGREED TO SHARE THE MONEY THUS; 1. 20% FOR THE ACCOUNT OWNER 2. 70% FOR US (THE OFFICIALS) 3. 10% TO BE USED IN SETTLING TAXATION AND ALL LOCAL AND FOREIGN EXPENSES. IT IS FROM THE 70% THAT WE WISH TO COMMENCE THE IMPORTATION BUSINESS.
PLEASE,NOTE THAT THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% SAFE AND WE HOPE TO COMMENCE THE TRANSFER LATEST SEVEN (7) BANKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE RECEIPT OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIOM BY TEL/FAX; 234-1-7740449, YOUR COMPANY'S SIGNED, AND STAMPED LETTERHEAD PAPER THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL ENABLE US WRITE LETTERS OF CLAIM AND JOB DESCRIPTION RESPECTIVELY. THIS WAY WE WILL USE YOUR COMPANY'S NAME TO APPLY FOR PAYMENT AND RE-AWARD THE CONTRACT IN YOUR COMPANY'S NAME.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THIS BUSINESS WITH YOU AND SOLICIT YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IN THIS TRANSATION. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF THIS LETTER USING THE ABOVE TEL/FAX NUMBERS. I WILL SEND YOU DETAILED INFORMATION OF THIS PENDING PROJECT WHEN I HAVE HEARD FROM YOU.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
DR CLEMENT OKON
NOTE; PLEASE QUOTE THIS REFERENCE NUMBER (VE/S/09/99) IN ALL YOUR RESPONSES.
While we would like to think that everyone that would frequent a Christian site would be honest and trustworthy we know that there are those out there who are dishonest. We do not want to scare you away of course, but we believe that everyone should be prudent.
This page is to alert you to a common scam. It is called the Nigerian Scam because that is where it originated though the proposal can come from any location and it takes a variety of forms.
Here's how it works: Letters (or, nowadays, e-mail messages) from Nigeria (or Sierra Leone, or the Ivory Coast, or almost any other foreign nation) are sent. The letters promise rich rewards for helping officials of that government (or bank, or quasi-government agency) out of an embarrassment or a legal problem. Typically they need help in transferring multi-million dollar sums of money to the United States (or whatever country you might be living in). The pitch includes the open promise that you will be permitted to keep a startling percentage of the funds if you help them.
A recent twist to the scam that we've seen is that the schemers claim to be Christian and/or Born Again and now want to transfer this million dollar loot to a Christian organization or church or to a Christian individual like yourself. Frankly, we are very confident that you would not be taken in by such a scheme. But, we do know that is possible that in the spirit of Christian compassion that there might be those who want to reach out to these folks and by doing so get taken in.
Remember.... always be prudent... Think Safety: While you are frequenting this site remember to use common sense and be cautious.
Don't believe everything you read or are told, whether it is on a profile or in a mail message. Trust yourself and your feelings. Take all the time you need to make sure a person is honest and trustworthy. Please - never, ever get taken in for pleads for money (or for dreams of riches). If you receive any Nigerian Scam letters report it here at once. Here are some links where you can find out more information and below that is a sample Nigerian Scam letter.
www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Business/nigerian.htm
www.treas.gov/usss/alert419.shtml
www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Crimes/Business/nigerian.htm
Sample Scam Letter...
REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
FIRST, I MUST SOLICIT YOUR STRICTEST CONFIDENCE IN THIS TRANSACTION. THIS IS BY VIRTUE OF ITS NATURE AS BEING UTTERLY CONFIDENTIAL AND 'TOP SECRET'. I AM SURE AND HAVE CONFIDENCE OF YOUR ABILITY AND RELIABILITY TO PROSECUTE A TRANSACTION OF THIS GREAT MAGNITUDE INVOLVING A PENDING TRANSACTION REQUIRING MAXIIMUM CONFIDENCE.
WE ARE TOP OFFICIAL OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN IMPORATION 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 LAST MILITARY REGIME HERE IN NIGERIA, THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SET UP COMPANIES AND AWARDED THEMSELVES CONTRACTS WHICH WERE GROSSLY OVER-INVOICED IN VARIOUS MINISTRIES. THE PRESENT CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT SET UP A CONTRACT REVIEW PANEL AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A LOT OF INFLATED CONTRACT FUNDS WHICH ARE PRESENTLY FLOATING IN THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA READY FOR PAYMENT.
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 OF THE PANEL TO LOOK FOR AN OVERSEAS PARTNER INTO WHOSE ACCOUNT WE WOULD TRANSFER THE SUM OF US$21,320,000.00(TWENTY ONE MILLION,THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND U.S DOLLARS). HENCE WE ARE WRITING YOU THIS LETTER. WE HAVE AGREED TO SHARE THE MONEY THUS; 1. 20% FOR THE ACCOUNT OWNER 2. 70% FOR US (THE OFFICIALS) 3. 10% TO BE USED IN SETTLING TAXATION AND ALL LOCAL AND FOREIGN EXPENSES. IT IS FROM THE 70% THAT WE WISH TO COMMENCE THE IMPORTATION BUSINESS.
PLEASE,NOTE THAT THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% SAFE AND WE HOPE TO COMMENCE THE TRANSFER LATEST SEVEN (7) BANKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE RECEIPT OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIOM BY TEL/FAX; 234-1-7740449, YOUR COMPANY'S SIGNED, AND STAMPED LETTERHEAD PAPER THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL ENABLE US WRITE LETTERS OF CLAIM AND JOB DESCRIPTION RESPECTIVELY. THIS WAY WE WILL USE YOUR COMPANY'S NAME TO APPLY FOR PAYMENT AND RE-AWARD THE CONTRACT IN YOUR COMPANY'S NAME.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THIS BUSINESS WITH YOU AND SOLICIT YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IN THIS TRANSATION. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF THIS LETTER USING THE ABOVE TEL/FAX NUMBERS. I WILL SEND YOU DETAILED INFORMATION OF THIS PENDING PROJECT WHEN I HAVE HEARD FROM YOU.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
DR CLEMENT OKON
NOTE; PLEASE QUOTE THIS REFERENCE NUMBER (VE/S/09/99) IN ALL YOUR RESPONSES.