Useful Websites and Stuff
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African Scams
Third part series on scams.
Well started this topic to let people be more aware of scams surrounding us, they comes in all forms and test the limits of human ingenuity, so it will be useful if we know a bit.
Here are examples of what Commercial Affairs Department, Singapore Police Force terms as 'African scams', but as you can see, Africans are not the only ones doing it.
Here's one example sent to me.
Ok, there is a bit of change. This PM was send to me and few others. Please do beware of such schemes, coz there are many cases of this throughout the world.
This was sent by someone nicknamed selinagabriel right in this forum, and his/her PM ran similar to many African scams letter. I edit this post to put up hers. As for the previous letter, I will put it up again in few minutes time.
Mod might want to beware of such solicitation.
Dear sir/ma,
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord.
Please permit us to use this medium to thank you once more for given us this avenue to explain our problem to you.
But firstly, We will like to tell you who we are so that you will understand and comprehend our point clearly.
My name is Selina& my brother name is Gabriel Marinze and We are here in Benin Republic but We are from GHANA in West
Africa but we are here in Benin Republic We entered as a result of the Death of our Parent in our country. And here in Benin We
entered as a refugee . But We are still a student . Am Selina is 24years and gabriel is 22 years , am studying medicine before
the out break of the death our parent.
Please we need your assistance because our living here is not ok after our father and mother has leaving us alone in this
world. But before the death of our father who is a GOLD MERCHANT S.A in Ghana, he has used our name to deposit some
fund of $35.5 MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS in a finance house and he used our name as the beneficiary of the fund but
we are not in access to the fund because,Our father as stated with the finance House that upon our present an investors to
manage the fund for us they should release the fund for us.
Please what we need from you is to assist to be our beneficiary as investors to manage this fund with us overthere for
investment purpose and immediately we hear from you we will submit your particulars to the finance house as our new
beneficiary and investors to invest the funds for us, so you can now instruct them for releasement of the consignment so that
we can now come over there for the continuation of our education while you help us to manage the fund.
And Moreover we agreed to give you 30% of the total funds for your kindly assistance and the remain 70% for invest into any
reliable business over there you suggest that is profitable. please if you are ready to assist us, Kindly forward the following .
We NEED YOUR FULL NAME,
YOUR ADDRESS
TELEPHONE NUMBER AND FAX.
THIS WILL ENABLE US TO PROCEED FOR SUBMIT YOUR NAME TO THE FINANCE HOUSE AS OUR NEW BENEFICARY TO
INVEST THE FUND.
LORD BE WITH YOU
And please call us on this telephone number:00229-08-41-46
Regard
Selina&Gabriel Marinze
Contact us via our E-mail:[email protected] -
Second one.
FROM: FRANK SMITH
TEL:+ 27 83 511 9111
FAX:+ 27 73 318 3229
E-MAIL:[email protected]
I know you will be surprised to read from me, but please consider this letter as a request from a family in dare need to assistance. Firstly l must introduce myself, my name is MR FRANK SMITH from ANGOLA, in the southern region of AFRICA. I am 30 years old, I am the eldest son of the UNITA REBEL LEADER MR JONAS MALHEIRO SMITH who was ambushed and killed on 22nd February 2002 by GOVERNMENT TROOPS OF MPLA. I am presently residing in SOUTH AFRICA with my widowed mother MRS ELIZABETH SMITH, my WIFE and my 4year old son.
I got your address from the CAPE TOWN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY here in SOUTH AFRICA. On behalf of my widowed mother MRS ELIZABETH SMITH, I decided to solicit for your assistance to transfer the sum of US$25.000.000.00 (TWENTY FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) which l inherited from my late father into your PERSONAL/COMPANY ACCOUNT.
In his “WILL” he specifically drew my attention to the US$25.000.000.00, which he deposited with a SECURITY/FINANCE COMPANY here in SOUTH AFRICA fully documented on my name. In fact my FATHER said and l quote (my beloved son, l wish to draw your attention to the US$25.000.000.00 which is deposited with the PRIVATE SECURITY /FINANCE COMPANY IN SOUTH AFRICA. I am very much dedicated and committed to win this war against the ruling Government troops of MPLA, incase of my absence on earth, as a result of death, only you should solicit for assistance for investment purpose).
From the above you will understand that the lives and future of my family depends entirely on this money, as such l will be grateful if you can assist us. We are now living in SOUTH AFRICA as ASYLUM SEEKERS and the FINANCIAL LAW of SOUTH AFRICA does not permit ASYLUM SEEKERS certain FINANCIAL RIGHTS. In view of this, you can see that I cannot be able to invest this money in SOUTH AFRICA.
For your effort I am prepared to offer 25% of this total sum, while 5% will be set aside for local and international expenses. Then 70% will be for my family and me for our investment purposes.
Finally, modalities on how the transfer will be made will be conveyed to you once we have established trust and confidence between ourselves. Please treat this matter as very urgent, contact me on line or email as above.
Best regards,
MR FRANK SMITH
Comments from CAD on such schemes:
African Scams
The public is advised to be wary of conmen involved in the infamous 'African scams', commonly termed "419" fraud ( named after the relevant section of the Nigerian Criminal Code). The scams involve a number of schemes, all designed to dupe victims into parting with their money. The conmen typically send letters through the postal mail, facsimile or more recently, the Internet, claiming to have acquired or inherited large sums of money, sometimes purporting it to be 'excess government or bank funds.' They seek the victimÂ’s help to supply a foreign bank account number to be used to transfer the 'funds' out of Africa. The victim is promised a huge commission in return. These offers are bogus and the victims are often duped into paying large sums in up-front payments, purportedly as taxes or fees in order to transfer the 'funds.'
Another ruse used by the conmen is to dupe the victims into believing that blackened US currency notes smuggled out of Africa can be 'washed' and used after treatment by 'special chemicals'. The victims are usually offered large sums of the US currency notes at a huge discount. The catch is that the currency notes are painted black to avoid detection and can only be washed by using 'special chemicals.' The conmen also sometimes conduct demonstrations to 'wash' the notes with the 'special chemicals.' The victims are then duped into paying huge up-front payments purportedly for the purchase of the 'special chemicals.'
What to do if...
If you receive a "419" letter or e-mail, do not reply. Be wary when offered such get rich-quick-offers that promise exorbitant returns. Those who receive such offers or wish to pass on the letter to the police, can contact the Duty Officer, Commercial Affairs Department at 63250000 or at 391 New Bridge Road, #06-701 Police Cantonment Complex Block D, Singapore 088762. They can also contact any police station.
Remember: "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!" -
African Scams
From CAD websites.
The public is advised to be wary of conmen involved in the infamous 'African scams', commonly termed "419" fraud ( named after the relevant section of the Nigerian Criminal Code). The scams involve a number of schemes, all designed to dupe victims into parting with their money. The conmen typically send letters through the postal mail, facsimile or more recently, the Internet, claiming to have acquired or inherited large sums of money, sometimes purporting it to be 'excess government or bank funds.' They seek the victimÂ’s help to supply a foreign bank account number to be used to transfer the 'funds' out of Africa. The victim is promised a huge commission in return. These offers are bogus and the victims are often duped into paying large sums in up-front payments, purportedly as taxes or fees in order to transfer the 'funds.'
Another ruse used by the conmen is to dupe the victims into believing that blackened US currency notes smuggled out of Africa can be 'washed' and used after treatment by 'special chemicals'. The victims are usually offered large sums of the US currency notes at a huge discount. The catch is that the currency notes are painted black to avoid detection and can only be washed by using 'special chemicals.' The conmen also sometimes conduct demonstrations to 'wash' the notes with the 'special chemicals.' The victims are then duped into paying huge up-front payments purportedly for the purchase of the 'special chemicals.'
What to do if...
If you receive a "419" letter or e-mail, do not reply. Be wary when offered such get rich-quick-offers that promise exorbitant returns. Those who receive such offers or wish to pass on the letter to the police, can contact the Duty Officer, Commercial Affairs Department at 63250000 or at 391 New Bridge Road, #06-701 Police Cantonment Complex Block D, Singapore 088762. They can also contact any police station.
Remember: "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!" -
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Haha .. I also received this kind of mail before ... Though me abit dumb one but of coz me not stupid to believe in that fellow lah ... But i was bored coz me studying for A'level everyday at home so i play along and replied the fellow .. Then he sent back :
From: "christopher baloyi"
To: [email protected]
Subject: ASSURE ME PLEASE.
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2003 16:05:29 +0200
Dear Christabel,
Thanks for your willingness to assist me in this transaction that will
be
more beneficial to both of us if formally finalized.
Well it pained me most for you to have regarded my fortune as a joke
eventhough you do not kown me.
As i told you in my first mail,Stallion security company is a reputable
firm
with nine(9)directors which iam one of. and with the portfolio of
delivery/operation services,and as regards,before discovering this fund
i
have worked here for a good period of eighteen(18 )years.
Yes, iam assuring you that all the document prove with which the fund
is
deposited are in my custody,so there is no risk attached on your
side.But
before sending them to you as you requested i will like to please
question
your honesty and capability to handle this fund when it finally get to
your
care.
Again,i wish to inform you that this fund has accumulated some
dummurages
from the time it was deposited in our vault till now which i am going
to pay
with my hard earned salaries but only when iam sure of your capablity
and my
security.
Now,all that i will be needing from you is to send to me your phone and
fax
numbers so that i will send to you the prove documents if you assure me
security.
Moreso,i will also want to know if you can come down here to
johanessburg to
sign the release documents and agreement papers that will bind both of
us as
regards to this effect.Or alternativly i will have to arrange for the
frieght of this consingment to any of our affiliated companies in
europe
then you can go and cliam it with me joining you overthere.
So please, i will like you to get back to me as soon as you get this
mail or
call me(27-833-416-368 ) so that we willhave a heart to heart duscussion
as
partners.
Wish to stop here while waiting for your anticipated co-operation.
Thanks and best regards
Christoper Baloyi.
From: "christopher baloyi"
To: [email protected]
Subject: I am still waiting to hear from you.
Date: Sat, 01 Nov 2003 18:18:51 +0200
Dear Christabel,
How are you today i hope everything is in good condition with you.
Chritabel, i have been waiting for the mail of my last message but up
till
now you have said anything as regards to the transaction.please
indicate
your intention so that i will arrenge for for the consingment to be
taking
out of the company.momently i have consulted an attorney who will help
us in
finalizing the deal so that will be no risk of any kind his name is
Barister
Harry momo .He might be contacting you if you are still interested.
From: "christopher baloyi"
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: HUMBLE ASISSTANCE
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2003 19:39:43 +0200
Dear christabel,
It have been quite sometime now since i wrote to you last, but up-till
this
moment there has been been no response from you. so it keeps me
wondering if
everythingt is in good other.
Well from the latest development i can find out from my banker friend
who i
appealed to assist me that this fund could be transfered to your
countary
from the Resrve bank with his position in the bank because as he said
he
will create any account that can carry the volume of the fund.
So all i need from you now is to furnish me with your personal details
and
your receiving bank account and most importantly to assure me that this
fund
will be save as soon as it gets into your custody and also promise to
help
with the neccesary documents to join you immediatly the is transfered
into
your account.
Please i am waiting anxiously for your urgent reply.and please send
your
phone and fax numbers while repling beacuse it is very important or
call me
(27-833-416-368 ).
Thanks and best regards.
Christopher Baloyi
From: "christopher baloyi"
To: [email protected]
Subject: Your urgent response is needed!
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 2003 19:58:29 +0200
To Christabel.
How are you today ,I have been waiting to read your mail,but up till
now
you haven't come back to me.I hope all is fine with you.
Yes, from my previous letter i told you that I have all the documents
to
prove the authencity of this fund in my custody. In fact I have
contacted
my friend who is a custom officer ,and he have agreed to help me
freight
this consignment to your country but I need to be asssured by you that
you
will be capable to receive/ clear this consignment once it arrive in
your
country.
But before this should be done you will have to promise, to send the
neccessary documents for me to come to your country once this is done.
Or alternatively you will have to furnish me with your account to
transfer
this fund to your account,all this is to be done on my own expensis
,but
once this money is in your account or in your country ,I believe you
will
help to do the expensis over there I also believe that with this mail
you
will have to hesting up because time is no longer on our side, and the
year
is also running out.
I am waiting for your urgent response to this mail while anticipating
your
cooperation as soon as you get this mail.
Thanks and best regards.
Christopher baloyi..
Haha ... Up to now i haven't reply ... Luckily he stop bugging me le ... Evil Bell at work here ... Haha .. Really regret being so playful in the first place ... 
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Anyone else got more stuff to contribute, yah..
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Here is the one supposed to be on the first post.
29 January, 2004
Dear Beloved friend,
I am writing this letter to you to request your assistance and co-operation in addressing the issue facing me at the moment. As you may rightly want to know, I got your contact from our Chambers of Commerce & Industry and after reading through our impressive profile, I decided to write you this personal letter.
There was this foreigner who lived in my country long time ago, his name is Mr. John Creek Schelpert (now deceased). He is from Canada. During his life time in my country, he contracted me as his personal attorney. It happened that in 1999, Mr. Schelpert made a numbered time (Fixed) deposit for twelve calendar months valued US$12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million United States Dollars)only with Banquiers Sans Frontieres Togo.
On maturity, the bank sent a routine notification to Mr. Schelpert forwarding address in Canada but they got no reply. After having sent several reminders to Mr. Schelpert's address without any response, the bank made an inquiry to the Togo Oil Company where Mr. Schelpert is a contract employer and they were informed that Mr. Schelpert and his wife died in a plane crash in America. Since the news of Mr. Schelpert death, the bank had expected some one from Late Mr. Schelpert family to come forward to the bank for collection of the deceased fund: but till this very day, nobody has come forward.
The problem now is that according to the banking laws and edicts here, any dormant account after (5) years will be frozen and the fund therein forefited to the government treasury. What this meant is that the bank will declare my client's fund unclaimed and hand it over to the government this year. In view of this situation, the bank mandated me to trace my client family so that they come forward to the bank for collection of the deceased fund.
My enquiries to the American Embassy here in Lome and my contact with different Oversea Search Agencies for over one year now has not produced any positive result. This is as a result that the deceased died without a "WILL" and did not even declare any relation's name in all his official documents with me including the bank deposit papers with the bank.
To forestall forefiting my client's fund to the government, I am appealing to you to allow me your personal information(your full name and address) so that I go to the bank and inform them that I have been able to locate you (one of my client's relations) so that the bank will hand over to you my client's fund and both of us will share the money on collection for our personal use.
There is no risk in this transaction since I am acting on the bank instuction. I have all the vital documents of the deceased which I will use to back up my claim in your favor as the deceased next of kin and bonafide beneficiary as required by the bank. The nature of your proffession or your origin is not relevant. What is important is your willingness to cooperate with me.
If, upon reading this letter you agree to work with me, please send me your full name and address including your telephone and fax numbers so that I proceed to meet the management of the bank for the release of the fund to you. You are also at liberty to commence sift investigation at the bank: Banquiers Sans Frontieres, 2 Commerce Avenue Lome -Togo. Phone: 00 228 26 11 13 or 00 228 222 9468; Account Number: 602 110 5616. You can equal for your reference log in to: http://www.wabao.org/waba/bank_togo.html
I would like to end this letter with a plea: that we do this business together so that I will be able to collect my client fund to avoid loosing it to Swindlers or forefeiting it to the government. My name is Mr Hamed K. Kojo. I am a lawyer by proffession.
I will appreciate any advice or opinions you would like to share as we undertake our discussions. Please do not disclose this message to a third prson and ensure that you do not reveal the reasons for your enquiry to any official should you wish to make cerification to avoid putting me in danger.
The email address above will locate me if by mail and number: 00 228 (906) 7116 will if by phone.
Sincerely yours,
Barrister Hamed K. Kojo -
Done!
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Just ignore them. -
ooops
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edited...technical error
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edited....moving in process