Crimes of Persuasion

Schemes, scams, frauds.


Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud Using Farm / Land Disputes in Africa


Mr. Smith Goes to Johannesburg

Dave Green sent this along 11/11/01

simeon atanga <simmanga1\\yahoo.com

My names are Mr. SIMEON ATANGA SMITH, the elder son of Mr. George Smith of Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise to you where I got your contact address, I got your e-mail address from the internet, please don't be worried.

During the current crisis against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our country, he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and their followers.

My father was one of the best farmers in the country and knowing that he did not support the president’s political ideology, the president’s supporters invaded my father’s farm burnt down everything, killed him and confiscated all his investments.

After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger brother decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along with us the money my father kept in the safe in my mother’s house which amounted to the sum of US$23.7 Million United States Dollars to the Republic of South Africa. The funds are presently being kept away in the secret vaults of a private security firm based here in Johannesburg.

The officials of the firm believes they are helping me in keeping my personal Valuables, not realizing, that it is money.

My self and my mother have decided to contact any reliable overseas firm/person who could assist us to transfer this money out of The Republic of South Africa, because we as asylum seeker here in South Africa cannot open a non-resident account through which this fund will be channeled out to your nominated overseas account.

If my proposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you 20% of the total fund, and 5%  of the total will be set aside to cover any expenses incurred during this transaction. 75% will be for me and my family to invest in your country under your supervision.

For detailed information, you can contact me on my E-MAIL;simmanga\\yahoo.com

NOTE: THE KEY WORD TO THIS TRANSACTION IS ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCIPLINE. THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% RISK FREE. YOUR URGENT RESPONSE WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.

Best Regards,

SIMEON A. SMITH.


Bring Your Baby While You're At It

... With respect, trust, and humility I write to seek your assistance, though it is difficult since we have not meet before but I got your contact through South Africa Information Exchange. S.A.I.E.

I am Felix Moyo the First Son of Dr Peter Moyo a Zimbabwe Politician and Businessman from Bulawayo district, who was kidnapped on 20th July 2001 by soldiers suspected to have the backing of Government of President Robert Mugabe because of my fathers outspokenness against Mugabe's decision to seize farms own by Whites and freely give it to Black farmers without compensation to the original owners in other for him to secure their votes in the coming presidential election, this has led to the dead of many blacks and whites since it started.

... managed to sneak out a written note to me and my younger brother John... box he concealed under the roof of his bedroom... meant for his party Movement for Democratic Change in Zimbabwe...

... now we are in South Africa with the money deposited with a security company...

Follow-up:

... I DON'T SUPPORT YOUR WAVING AWAY THE 25% OFFERED TO YOU FOR HELPING ME BECAUSE A WORKER DESERVES HIS OR HER PAY...

... I CAME ACROSS YOUR NAME ON THE NET AND PRAYED OVER IT AND WAS CONVINCED THAT YOU MAY BE THE RIGHT PERSON TO HELP ME OUT SO PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP BECAUSE YOUR REWARD AWAITS YOU BOTH NOW AND AFTER...

... AS AN ASYLUM SEEKER I HAVE NO RIGHT TO RUN ANY BANKING TRANSACTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY...

... I WANT YOU TO COME TO SOUTH AFRICA IS THAT I WANT YOU TO SEE THE MONEY WITH YOUR TWO NAKED EYES AND BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING...

... CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW BORN BABY. YOUR HOTEL RESERVATION WILL BE MADE BY ME HERE, SO YOU ARE 100% SAFE...

... YOU SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 3000 POUNDS FOR CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP AND OPENING OF ACCOUNT WHICH YOU WILL GET BACK AFTER SIGNING OUT THE MONEY FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY...

martin lawrence <moyofex_za\\yahoo.co.uk>

TEL:27837390303 FAX:27731485293.

Sent in by Sue Haskins whose cousin, out of innocence and pity for the terrible things going on in Zimbabwe, was fairly close to buying her ticket to Johannesburg and paying the required $US 3000.


Displaced Widow

... I am Mrs. Theresa Makagbo, the wife of Chief John Makagbo, who was recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. My late husband was among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the agents of the ruling government of president Robert Mugabe for his alleged support and sympathy for the Zimbabwean opposition party controlled by the white minority.

Before his death he had taken to Dakar-Senegal and deposited... with a Security and Finance Company...

.... Subsequently, the South African Development Community (S.A.D.C) has continuously supported Mugabe's new land act... forced into exile...

... call me on this phone number, 00221-6639-666 Theresa Makagbo tsmakagbo3\\yahoo.com

My full name is Mrs. Theresa Imhanwo Makagbo; I am 40 years old and blessed with three children, two sons and one daughter. Festus 25, Manfab 24 and Tracy 22 yrs. Festus had polio when he was young which subsequently led to his disability... currently seeking political asylum in Holland, The Netherlands.

His name is Festus Makagbo and his phone number is +316-155-655-28 while his email address is First28\\omaninfo.com festusmk\\omaninfo.com

Basically, I want you to help me receive this money as the beneficiary.

... only the foreign affiliate that can claim it... will send to you a copy of the certificate of deposit, the certificate of ownership, the receipt of deposit, power of attorney...

... have made all necessary arrangements here in Dakar for a diplomat to assist you and my son, Festus in the area of lodging and transfer... help you to open an offshore account... have agreed to pay to him as soon as he completed his role...

Please sir. I am counting on you and I hope and believe that you can rescue me out of the trouble I find myself. In your goodwill, I want you to consider me and my children as your family members who you cannot afford to let suffer and die in pain... I am writing you this mail in tears...

Sent in by Richard Prior 04/15/02


CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL

You may be surprised to receive this letter from me, since you do not know me personally. I am ABDUL MOMOH, the first son of NDIATA MOMOH, the most popular black farmer in Zimbabwe. He was recently murdered in the land dispute...

Before the death of my father, he had taken me to Johannesburg to deposit... private security company... ... deposited in a box as gemstones to avoid much demurrage... for establishment of new farms in Swaziland.

This land problem came when Zimbabwean President Mr. Robert Mugabe introduced a new land Act Reform wholly affecting the rich white farmersand some few black farmers...

... fled Zimbabwe for fear of our lives and are currently staying in the Netherlands where... law prohibits a refugee (asylum seeker) to have such amount of money in any bank account or to be involved in any financial transaction of such magnitude...

... faced with the dilemma of moving this amount of money out of South Africa... make an arrangement with the security company to clear the consignment (funds)... all modalities will have to be put in place like change of ownership...

GOD BLESS YOU Yours Faithfully, Abdul Momoh.

Sent in by Emmanuel de Poorter 04/18/02


Toxic Offer

BENJAMIN GEZI
TEL : +27-731-597-775
FAX : +27-116-431-489

... I am MR. BENJAMIN GEZI the son of MR. CLEMENT B. GEZI, who was recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe.

... planned using it for the past Zimbabwe election campaign... deposited as germ stones to avoid much demurrage from the Security Company...

... land problem come when Zimbabwean president Mr. Robert Mugabe introduced a new Land Act reform...

Sent in by Emmanuel De Poorter 04/23/02


The Father, The Son and the Whole e-Boast

I am Mrs. Janet Benson the Wife of the late Mr. James Benson of Zimbabwe. I got your contact address from the South African Chamber Of Commerce and Industry, please don't worry.  

During the current crisis against the farmers of Zimbabwe by supporters of our President Robert Mugabe to Claim all the white owners farms in my Country, he ordered all the farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and their followers. My Husband was one of the biggest farmers in the Country and although a black indigene, He did not support the presidents political ideology.  

Therefore the Presidents supporters invaded my Husband farm burnt down everything , killed him and confiscated all his investments. After the death of my Husband, my Son and I together with His younger brother decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives.

On our departure from Zimbabwe, We took along with us some money, which my father kept in the safe, in my mothers custody, which amounted to the of $20,000,000.00 ( twenty million united states dollars) to the republic of South Africa where we have deposited it as personal valuables in Private Security Company and sought for Political asylum.  

My Son has suggested and I agree that we have to further move out of African Continent to overseas for actual safety and to do a reliable business investments. Therefore we have decided that I should contact any reliable overseas person , firm, Company who could assist us to transfer this money out of South Africa through a current investment account because as refugees we are not allowed to operate any account.

If my proposal is considered, assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we confidentially agree to offer you 20% of the total found, 5% will be for any expenses that may be incurred during the transaction, 75% will be for me and my family to invest in your country with your assistance.  

For detailed information, please you can contact my Son Douglas Benson his private number is 27-83533-6259 

NOTE: PLEASE FOR THE REASON OF OUR ASYLUM STATUS DO MAINTAIN ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECRECY WHILE WE ALSO PROMISE TO DO THE SAME. I ASSURE YOU THAT THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% RISK FREE.  

TIME OF ESSENCE. YOUR URGENT RESPONSE WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED. 

Best Regards,

JANET BENSON on behalf of the family

Sent in by Emmanuel De Poorter 04/23/02


Feminine Fair-Skinned Black Man

Dear Friend

Good day to you. My name is Lynda Muller, owner and director of Wattle Group of Companies (PVT) Ltd., established by my late husband here in Zimbabwe, southern Africa.

We have had various interest in mining (precious stones and coal), in tobacco, Estates, and in large scale farming through our Inyabamba Farms. In these we have achieved tremendous success for several years. However in the past few years, our business has been drastically affected by government policies which have been against white minorities (of which my family is one) controlling the nations wealth.

This has led to our being compelled to sell most of our interests, leaving only the Farms. But with the recent Land Seizure Policy by the government, our farms and lands were forcefully taken from us by the majority blacks led by ex-war veterans. The physical attacks and trauma led to my husbands ill health which sadly led to his demise.

With the continuous discrimination and insensitivity to our situation, it has become impossible for my children and I to continue in the only environment we have always known.

I am now seeking to invest our saved resources abroad in a safer environment were I intend to subsequently relocate with my family. Thus I make research from the internet for reputable companies with whom I can open discussions on business partnership and investments abroad. For this, I make contact with you, and hoping to commence business relationship with you.

I thank you for your understanding, and look forward to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Lynda Muller,

Wattle Group of Companies (PVT) Ltd.,
4 Dalney Street, Belmont,
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
lynda_muller2\\lycos.com (Lynda Jennifer Muller)
Note: click images to enlarge

Nigerian Victim

Dear Lynda,

Please come to America for a Visit and let me get a chance to know you.  I think a holiday abroad would be a good change from all the depression and anxiety of your circumstances. Although the pictures of you and your children are quite lovely, you can see the unhappiness very clearly in your eyes.

God Bless,

Sincerely,  Ms. Nicholas


Dear sister,

Good day to you, and thank you for your email inviting me to the US. This is my earnest desire. However, you did not answer my last email to you on your stand regarding your assistance to me. Please acknowledge.

God bless,
your sister,
Lynda.


Dear sister,

... received your email ... preferred... to contact you by phone... unable to connect to international trunk... from the public phone I used (as my personal lines have been bad).

... I hired the services of Mr. Ohen Matizanadzo of Coghlan, Welsh & Guest Law Chambers... here in Harare...

... do not have direct access to the funds my husband saved behind. I told you that my husband disguised the deposits he made into the Inyabamba Trust Funds, by claiming that the money belonged to a foreign partner who wished to be silent in the investment, and transact only through my husband.

... I had to work out a plan to retrieve this money, as I do not have the access, and the only way was for a real foreign business person to make a claim through an attorney. The whole arrangement is workable...

... desperate to give my children respite from the terrible ordeal... researched through the net... cannot explain, but I got drawn to you...

Things are different here in Africa than in the western world. Over there, things are done in orderly manner, and well laid out. But here, the situation is opposite. There is no order, and I hope you will understand this.

God bless, your sister,
Lynda


1.  Why is your Attorney charging you $30,000.00 ?
2.  This Attorney does not state his credentials such as Attorney at Law and for a man charging such a large sum of money, he cannot spell either.

Sent in by Wanda Nicholas 04/20/02 who feels that they are pretty psychologically tricky when you think you about it. "First they look for a weakness or emotion to play on such as sympathy or greed."

"Once the victim has realized that their weaknesses have been played on they probably are too embarrassed to admit they were tricked."


I am Max Crawford, the secretary of Commercial farmers Union (CFU) OF Zimbabwe. After the last general elections in my country where the incumbent president Mr. Robert Mugabe won the presidential election, the government has adopted a very aggressive land reforms programme.

This programme is solely aimed at taking the land owned by white African farmers for redistribution to black Africans. This programme has attracted worldwide condemnation from world leaders including British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair and also forced several white farmers to flee the country for fear of victimization and physical abuse.

A Few weeks ago, our headquarters in Harare was attacked and looted by black protesters and in the process burnt down the whole building. Fortunately, they did not get access to the huge funds kept in the strong room which belong to the Union.

This cash was kept at the secretariat rather than in the bank for fear of seizure by the government. Now we have the funds in our possession and would need to get it Invested in a viable business venture in Europe. The cash in question is US$46Million dollars.

Once I can get your commitment and sincerity of investing this fund on our behalf then we would proceed to get the funds freighted/transferred to Europe, where you would be required to pick it up for investment for us.

You do not have anything to worry about as we would undertake all Charges involved in freighting/transfering the funds to Europe, and the business proposal is 100% legal and risk free.

You would be adequately compensated for all your effort once we Have gotten the funds to Europe. Please get back to me if you can be of assistance and I would want our correspondence to be via email as most phone lines of white farmers are bugged by the government.

Please reply to the following email addresses. William Hamilton ESQ (Chairman Board of trustees) Colin Cloete (President) David Hasluck (Director).

He would be handling all transfer processes as I will be busy with court proceedings and assisting our members who have been arrested and victimized. I expect 100% confidentiality and your prompt response to this mail so as to proceed.

Kind regards, Max Crawford.

Sent in by Robert Brinks 09/12/02 who notes that the real secretary's name is Mac Crawford; David Hasluck does exist and knows his name is being abused by these scam artists and that William Hamilton Esq died in 1865.


05/04 - According to South African news reports, fraudsters are now impersonating white Namibian farmers who are allegedly "fleeing their farms and want to hide their money abroad".

The scam, which has been on the go for almost 20 years, has previously not fraudulently used Namibians to try and solicit money from businesses abroad.

But recent reports on Namibian land redistribution - and the resultant international news coverage - seem to have enticed fraudsters to pursue this line.


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