|
 |
|
BUSINESS BASICS CHANNELS 
|
E-Mail Scams
- ABC's has been getting listed in more directories recently. While that's good, because it lets you find us, it also gets us on some great spam/scam mailing lists. For the next few issues, we're going to examine some existing and potential email scams so that you can see what they are and why they sometimes work. We're going to start with a classic, the "Nigerian Letter." This has been around since at least 1987, but the advent of email and the cheapness of spam has made it spread further and faster, so it's actually becoming a better deal for the scamsters. In 1997, the U.S. government estimated that U.S. citizens alone were losing over $300 million a year to this scam. Some investors you would consider to be "real achievers" have been bitten hard by this one. One guy spent $5.2 million dollars and sued the Central Bank of Nigeria for the funds in U.S. Court before he realized he'd been scammed. How do they do it? The basic concept is that the scamster offers big bucks, in the millions, that he can obtain only with the victim's help. The reasons range from overbilled funds that can be recovered for oil or commodities, through mislaid bank deposits to the fruits of outright bribery and corruption. We received a fresh example that covers all of the bases in today's email. Here it is, with our comments interspersed. ******************************************** MR.
EDWARD MAKOBA ABIDJAN - COTE D'IVOIRE INVESTMENT PROPOSAL Dear
Sir, SBB: Here's the windup. Once again the author of this letter is flattering you: "Me, listed with the International Business Bureau? Wow!" Sounds a bit like the Better Business Bureau, doesn't it? But it's INTERNATIONAL! That's what they want you to think. Look at the buzzwords used: foreign investment, security, life, possession and proposal. Sounds pretty urgent, doesn't it? I was the personal confidant to the president of Sierra-Leone (ALH. TEJAN KABBAH) who was formerly pushed out of office by a military coup carried out by disgruntled soldiers. However, when these soldiers strucked His Excellency was forced to run into Guinea Conakry on exile, some of his closest aids left for some other countries. While these events took place I decided to move to Ctte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) with my family and a treasure containing the total sum of US $12.000.000 (Twelve Million US Dollars) which was part of the cash left under my control within the presidential mansion where I was in charge of securities. SBB: Here's the hook. There's a BIG chunk of money involved and the guy who wrote this letter almost certainly doesn't have it legally. But...it does look possible. Look at the buzzwords: Sierra-Leone, naming of the president, military coup, disgruntled soldiers. Cash left behind which the writer took with him during this chaos. It could have happened, right? With the help of an Ivorian farmer, I was able to move this money to Abidjan. On arrival here in Abidjan, I immediately deposited the treasure containing the fund into a private Security Company for safe keeping, although the Security Company is not aware of the contents as they were deposited as personal effects and artefacts. SBB: This fills out the story, adding details to make it more believable and mouth-watering: the Ivorian farmer, Adidjan, private, security, treasure, fund, safe keeping. Once again, the writer includes details that show he's keeping this "treasure" secret. It doesn't belong to him. By now, you're drawn into reading the letter -- it's entertaining. You want to see where it goes. Right now the situation in my country has returned normal and I do not want to go back. I am seeking for a partner who shall serve as the guardian of this fund with whom I can plan the best way to move this money for investment purposes which is my motive for contacting you to actualise the project. SBB: Now we know he's a crook. But he's looking for a partner to take care of all that MONEY!-- You are required to assist in the following manners. SBB: This is SO directive. If you're wavering on it, you are "required" to assist. Take orders, don't think. If you hesitate, you'll realize that someone who will cheat the good people of Sierra Leone AND the presumably fearsome former president won't hesitate to cheat you too. 1) That you shall be required to provide a good Bank account where the money could be transferred and where taxation will not take much toll on the money. SBB: Most reasonable people, myself included, worry that this is to drain your bank account. Not so, or at least it's not the primary purpose. When you contact them with this info, they KNOW they have you. If you didn't believe them, why would you give them your bank account info? In these scams directed towards business, they'll also ask for your letterhead. That's so they can start using your letterhead to forge recommendations to other people who are investigating the "opportunity." Once you have sent this to them, the hook is set and they're ready to reel you in. 2) That you shall serve as the general overseer and guardian of this fund and all investment thereafter. SBB: They're trying to get you with greed. That whole $12,000,000 under my control? And this guy, he's such a crook, he doesn't deserve it all. Why shouldn't I get some? Someone else will if I don't! 3) To assist in providing me and my immediate family a permanent residential permit in your country after the money must have been transferred to your account. SBB: This sounds plausible, brings him into your turf playing with your rules. The fact that it may be difficult to get that permit just keeps you busy, too busy to think too much. For these services a suitable percentage (%) will be mapped out for you after you have shown your willingness to assist. So if you are interested reply me via email for further details. SBB: The usual offer is often 20 - 50% of the deal, big money for most people, but still kind of believable. The reader clearly knows there's something wrong going on, but the clearly admitted theft of the money by this head of security explains that, if you don't look any deeper. Having stated the above clearly, I expect to receive your response soonest as I do not intend to have this transaction delayed. SBB: Oh my gosh! I've got to move QUICKLY or someone else will get this chance! Please treat this as highly confidential. SBB: Yeah, right. That's why I'm publishing this so that thousands of people a month can see it on ABC Small Biz's site. Thank you and God Bless. SBB: Sometimes even very smart people reduce their level of caution and increase their faith when God is mentioned. This makes the writer seem like a very nice guy, the kind of guy you'd meet at a Chamber of Commerce meeting or after church during the social hour. Yours Truly, EDWARD MAKOBA SBB: This scam is very convincing. It's made even more convincing by what the victim of the fraud experiences once they have given the scamster their contact information. Usually documentation is provided by the scamsters, with many official seals, and it is very convincing. (Remember the guy who paid $5.2 million before he found out they had him?) Return addresses look as though they come from official government ministries. On occasion, the scamsters have arranged meetings in official government buildings. They make their money through fees, stringing the victim along and extracting ever larger sums. It's all somewhat plausible. Since they have the money in an obviously shady place, they need the help of a lawyer to move it and they are all tapped out by previous expenses. The victim/partner should be willing to pay a few thousand dollars to help get $12,000,000 released! Once the victim has invested money, they often continue paying a few thousand bucks here, a few thousand bucks there. Then there are other fees, fees to government agencies and other officials. Maybe a bribe here or there. If the victim's money holds out long enough, the final goal is to get them to a country neighboring Nigeria. The victim will be told that they will not need to enter Nigeria, but at the last moment it is required to finalize the deal. The victim does not have the proper documentation, but is told that it is okay and is escorted through the border by the scamsters. Once inside, it is very serious offense to be there without documentation. The scamsters relieve the victim of his final cash, leaving him to face returning home empty-handed. Embarrassing, particularly if the victim recruited friends and family to raise cash for the deal. If you give the scamsters any trouble, you will find yourself explaining your illegal status to real Nigerian police and could be headed for a prison term. Or worse, one American was killed in this scheme and numerous Europeans and Asians have simply disappeared. So when an email promising great riches comes your way, examine it skeptically. Advance fee fraud scams can be entertaining to read but poisonous for your wealth, health, family and friends. -Cynthia Nemeth-Johannes |
|