Crimes of Persuasion

Schemes, scams, frauds.


Fraudulent Use of Dead Foreigners and Bank Managers in Nigerian E-Mail Internet Beneficiary of Will, Next of Kin Scams


In a new twist since Sept. 11, some e-mails have said that a person with millions of dollars in a Nigerian bank account died at the Pentagon, with no next of kin to claim the funds.

While the scammers generally use a fictitious and unrelated name they are not above creating a dead individual with your surname as discovered by Joyce Ostler 04/23/02


Dear Joyce Ostler 

I am Tijani Sorji a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. Mark Ostler a national of your country, who used to work with Shell - development company in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client.

On the 21st of April 1999, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along sagbama express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an account valued at about USD$5.2 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the the relatives for over 2 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at USD5.2 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 60% to me and 40% to you I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by my email and send to me your telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.

Best regards,  Barrister Tijani Sorji.


Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
Lagos University Teaching Hospital
Sworn Affidavit as to Next of Kin
Chief Magistrates Court of Lagos State
Apapa Magisterial District
Barrister Tijani Sorji
W. O. Odumosu, Commissioner for Oaths

Joyce was surprised to note a family resemblance to this imaginary Mark Ostler.

Gulf Arabian Bank of Senegal, Payment Slip Gulf Arabian Bank

Dear Mam,

Please be informed that I have today deposed an affidavit of next of kin being the first step towards the actualization of our project.

The attached documents, i.e certificate of death and the picture of Late Mark, has been in my custody. I have equally included a copy of my International Passport for your records and identification as I do expect to meet you in person once the funds hit your account.

I will in return, demand any form of identification from you. Once you are satisfied with the position of things, I will send a copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), that will be the pivot in which our sharing agreement will revolve.

Finally, kindly confirm receipt and inform when it will be convenient for me to call you. Voice contact is paramount.

Regards,  Tijani


ugba.momoh\\caramail.com
FROM THE DESK OF DR UGBA MOMOH,
BILL AND EXCHANGE MANAGER,
FOREIGN REMMITTANCE DEPT.
BANQUE INTERNATIONALE DU ABIDJAN
ABIDJAN, COTE D,IVOIRE
TEL / 225 078 002 60

Sent in by Petter Handlykken 04/25/02


... Sukor Agorh the manager (Cash controls) of Eko Bank Plc. Cotonou, Benin Republic...

... a PAPUA NEW GUINEAN by nationality... saw the house over growned by weeds...

sukoragorh\\spinfinder.com


... I am MR. BELLO OSAGIE, the MANAGER of AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK [ADB] ASSISTED GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN BENIN REPUBLIC. There is an unclaimed ADB assisted contract money...

... Mr. SMITH B. ANDREAS, a foreigner, and a miner at KRUGER GOLD CO., a geologist...

PHONE#:(871)-762535865, FAX#: (871}-762535866,
COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC
bosagie202\\yahoo.com

Sent in by Gisela Rese 05/02/02


... I am Barrister Chris Okeke a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. Mark Sadat a national of your country, who used to work with Shell Development Company in Nigeria and as well a one time secret agent in transferring of money overseas for the Late head of state of Nigeria {Late Gen.SANI ABACHA}. Before his death...

... huge deposits were lodged... the Citi Trust Finance Company where the deceased had an account...

Sent in by Don Plummer 05/02/02


MR. ANTHONY UMARU
ACCOUNT DEPARTMENT
UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC.
MARINA- BRANCH, LAGOS.
CELLPHONE #234-8033328501.

... AN AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL, LATE ENGINEER BUTCH R. MIGUEL, AN OIL MERCHANT / CONTRACTOR WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA...

Sent in by Sue Hunt 05/07/02


... I am DR NKEM OGE ( Dr Afis Ubeki ) the manager with the ZENITH BANK NIG PLC , Lagos...

... A Foreigner, an Australian, Late Engr. Steve Moore (Snr.) an Oil Merchant with the Federal government of Nigeria, until his death months ago in Kenya Air Bus (A310-300) Flight KQ431, Banked with us at ZENITH BANK NIGERIA PLC, Lagos...

Sent in by Jeff Kleckner 05/14/02

... DR. NKEM OGE / NKEM OGE ELUE one of the directors with the ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK... Engr. Steve Moore...

... A/C NUMBER 1335114894 WITH YOUR ESTABLISHMENT PURSUANT TO MY CLAIM AS BENEFICIARY THERETO, UNDER WILL NUMBER 66 AT PAGE11 OF VOLUME117, PROBATE REGISTRY LAGOS STATE... nkemoge\\qrio.com

Sent in by Mary Young 05/17/02


Next of Kin Death Certificate

Permit me to introduce myself; I'm Tonye Dokubo a private investigator based in Africa. I have a peculiar case in which I require your assistance. I was contracted earlier this year by one of my clients to find someone, somewhat like a missing person. I shall explain but you must understand that I can only give you limited details at this time.

My client is a lawyer; he was employed by one Mr. David Prescott a Canadian contractor resident here, as legal counsel to help retrieve a large sum of money in millions of dollars owed him by the government. Mr. Prescott however died in a car accident before the money was retrieved. The money having been retrieved is lying in the bank with no one to claim it, as Mr. Prescott has no known next of kin here or in Canada.

The problem now is that my client needs to find a relative of Mr. Prescott to claim the money so that he (my client) can be paid for his legal services.

I was contracted to find Mr. Prescott's next of kin. I have tried all avenues without luck hence my contacting you. I need you to help me find this person. You shall be handsomely paid for your services if the person is found.

The person must however provide adequate proof of being related to Mr. Prescott no matter how remote. This proof is to be in form of a driver's license or international passport bearing the name Prescott or (nee Prescott).

The person's name shall be registered in court as next of kin and will then be allowed to administer the account. You shall however be paid for your service as soon the person is successfully registered.

Here is all I know about Mr. Prescott. (Please under no circumstance should you show this information to any possible next of kin)

Mr. Clive D Prescott
Date of birth 1st Oct 1943
Place of birth Halifax Canada
Died 14th Nov 2001

Please respond immediately to let me know if you agree to these terms.

Thank you for your anticipated co-operation.

Tonye Dokubo
tonyedokubo\\mailcity.com

Sent in by Larry Cravey 05/17/02


I am Okiro Adams, am the bill and exchange manager of ADB Burkina Faso branch-ANNEX...

... money belongs to our customer who died along with his family in 1997 he is Mr. Seng Kai, a Korean national, he is into importing and exporting of gold and diamonds from the Burkina Faso ministry mining...

Sent in by Gabriel Hrdlicska, Romania 05/19/02


Mr Johnson Coulibaly
BIA Togo s.a
13 rue du Commerce
Lome-Togo.
Direct-Line Tel: 228 911-76-60

... I am Mr. Johnson Coulibaly a senior Manager at BIA (Bank) Head Office here in Togo...

... very wealthy deceased customer of our bank, Mr.Talbot Camara - a Sierra Leonean and one time minister for natural resources in that country... sole authority for the nomination of this foreign trustee to his personal Lawyer - Mr. Donald Lukeman and the Head of the Domiciliary Account Department of my bank...

... Due to the exigencies of Togolese legislation, there became the need to acquire a Letter Of Administration from the Togolese Probate Registry to give legal impetus to the execution of this Will in Togo...

... the foreign partner will receive in addition to his share, the 20% earmarked for Charity under the strict agreement that this part must be spent for Charity through him or his organization in compliance with the wish of the late account holder...

Sent in by Cherie Shockley 05/20/02


The scenario went like this:

... bank officer Bill Onuibo at the Diamondbank in Lagos, Nigeria (There's a website that seems real enough.) ... a Barry Kelly died several years ago with no next of kin. With your help, I can get this money ($43,000,000).

Anyway, the guy got me a lawyer whom he contended not to know, this lawyer (Chuks Okoye (san)) put together a neat package of documents including letters of probate and as a grand finale, the author of the deal, Bill, claimed to have had the funds transferred to Amsterdam. I received official notification of the funds being transferred and a call from the guy in Amsterdam letting me know that I can come and pick up the funds.

Naturally, there was a VAT tax and such which had to be paid prior to the release of the funds...

This guy, Bill Onuibo and his cadre had a pretty convincing thing going.

Sent in by Scott Frank 05/21/02


Dear Esteemed Client,

How are you and your family. ... it is a large amount of money your GODFATHER left for you... many people will do any thing to get their hands on your inheritance...

The only number I maintain for my VIP clients is (234-803-3253037). Please use the name of your daughter as the pass code whenever you call.

I was in the ministry of justice the whole day and by the grace of GOD we shall have our LETTER OF PROBATE soon.

CHUKS OKOYE(SAN)


Dear Esteemed Client,

How are you and your family?  I have been tied up to my neck on this legal issues. I collected your letter of probate yesterday and immediately submitted it to the bank.

I also filled all the forms relating to the DRUG FREE CERTIFICATE, the ANTI-TERRORIST CERTIFICATE and also INSURANCE.

I made sure that it was speedily processed. Thanks be to God, I also waited for close to 4 hours trying to see the branch manager of the bank. This man really proved a hard nut to tackle.

The bank is right now passing our file to all required officials for all necessary endorsements. I was assured that the funds should be transferred shortly. The insurance charge($2500) was settled by the bank.

Yours Faithfully,

CHUKS OKOYE (SAN)


High Court of Lagos State of Nigeria
Probate Registry, Letter of Probate
Administration of Estates Law
E. C. Beko, Probate Registrar
Diamond Bank Limited, Idumota Branch Lagos

Diamond Bank, Diamondbank
Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell
Victoria Island, Lagos
Investment Banking & Special Projects Department
Forex Department, Federal High Court Probate Department,
Eurolite Services B.V., George Baker, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Chuks Okoye

akoko_kojo88\\yahoo.com

Dr. Akoko kojo.
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.
BICICI BANK Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire.
Tel:00225-0760 9294.

Sent in by Paul Mexcur 05/24/02


MR. TOURE IDRISSA.
BILL AND EXCHANGE MANAGER,
FOREIGN REMMITTANCE DEPT.
BANQUE INTERNATIONALE DU ABIDJAN
ABIDJAN, COTE D,IVOIRE
TEL/00225 07 94 17 67.itoure6\\caramail.com.

Sent in by Juan J. Alba, Spain 05/28/02


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