Use of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC Company in Advance Fee Fraud
Wishing to Avoid the Crane Drain
From: <thomas20\\cyber.com
Sent: September 30, 2001
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL
From: Dr.Bode Thomas
Nigerian National Pet Corp.
P.M.B 1122
Lagos-Nigeria.
Attn:President/Ceo.
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL RE: TRANSFER OF US$21.5 MILLION (TWENTY ONE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS ONLY).
I know this email will reach you as a surprise, but need not to worry as we are using the only secured and confidential medium available to seek for foreign assistance/partnership in a business transaction which is of mutual benefit.
I am a member of the Federal Government of Nigeria Contract Award and Monitoring Committee in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Sometime ago, a contract was awarded to a foreign firm in NNPC by my Committee.
This contract was over invoiced to the tune of US$21.5M. U. S. Dollars. This was done deliberately. The over-invoicing was a deal by my committee to benefit from the project.
We now want to transfer this money which is in a suspense Account with NNPC into any Overseas Account which we expect you to provide for us.
SHARE: - For providing the account where we shall remit the money into, you will be entitled to 30% of the money,60% will be for me and my partners while 10% has been mapped out from the total sum to cover any expenses that may be incurred by us during the course of this transfer, both locally and international expenses.
It may interest you to know that a similar transaction was carried out with one MR. PATRICE MILLER, President of Crane International Trading Corp. of 153 East 57th St., 28th floor, NY10022, TEL: (212)-308-7788 AND TELEX: 6731689.
The deal was concluded and all covering documents were forwarded to MR. MILLER to authenticate the claim.
Once the funds were transferred, MR. MILLER presented his Bank with all the legal documents and remitted the whole funds to another Bank Account and disappeared completely.
My colleagues were shattered, as such opportunities do not come all the time. I would require the following: -
1.Your company's name, address, telephone and fax numbers.
2.Your bank name, address, account and routing numbers
The above information would be used to make formal applications as a matter of procedure for the release of the money and onward transfer to your account.
It does not matter whether or not your company does contract projects of this nature described here. The assumption is that your company won the major contract and subcontracted it out to other companies.
More often than not, big trading companies or firms of unrelated fields win major contracts and subcontracts to more specialized firms for execution of such contracts.
We have strong reliable connections and contacts at the Central Bank of Nigeria, as well as the Federal Ministry of Finance and we have no doubt that all the money will be released and transferred if we get the necessary foreign partner to assist us in this deal.
Therefore, when the business is successfully concluded we shall through our same connections withdraw all documents used from all the concerned Government Ministries for 100% security.
We are ordinary Government workers and we will not want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to get rich.
We want this money to be transferred to the overseas Accounts for us, before the present Democratic Government start Auditing all Federal Government owned Parastatals.
Please contact me immediately through my telephone number whether or not you are interested in this deal.
If you are not, it will enable me scout for another foreign partner to carry out this deal.
But where you are interested, send the required documents aforementioned herein through my confidential email addresses (thomas800\\email.com) (thomas100\\dubaimail.com) as time is of the essence in this business.
I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.
Yours faithfully,
Dr.Bode Thomas
He's Bent All Right
V. Preston sent along this follow up with many other samples June 15, 2001. Her email address appears to be a magnet for these offers.
From: ahmed aminu aminu_2ahmed\\yahoo.com
Subject: Re: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL
Thank you for your email reply to my proposal. I understand your apprehension, but you should agree with me that there comes a time in a man's life when certain decision has to be taken, this is no scam and is never going to be.
I am too old to be involved in scam, I have worked with the NNPC for close to 30 years and I see this as an opportunity to make real money for myself.
If you know Africa very well you will know what I am talking about, a situation when leaders carry funds out of the country for their selfish interest.
I have this opportunity and I am bent on using it. Opportunity they say "comes but once". My major reason of contacting you even though we have not met is because I believe that when this thing is true you could help me to arrange a viable investment in your country.
I also believe that it is not possible for anyone in the whole world to run away with this kind of money, where will the person run to.
I believe that you will not make attempt at running away with the money I will send you the necessary documents backing up the transaction including photocopy of my international passport, you will do same.
Frankly speaking this is a DEAL, the money involved is large hence we informed you of the sharing formalities.
I work in the NNPC where the money originated and as a result of this I cannot be too forward as regard putting up my personal account number for the clearance.
In Nigeria Civil Servants are not allowed to operate foreign bank accounts, this is why we simply need a third party to act on our behalf by assuming the position of a contractor with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
The contract has already been executed and the original contractor has been paid his money. The $18.5 Million here has been over-invoice by few of us in our department to share among us.
What we want from you is to assure us that you will be able to handle the transaction for us and we will change all the documents, into your name and open a file for you so that you will appear like an authentic beneficiary of the funds for the funds to be transferred into your nominated account to be shared by us all.
You will have to send us you phone number, fax number, bank details where the money will be transferred.
Besides the transfer, I would love to invest part of my share of the money in your country this is where you will actually play a bigger role.
I want you to keep it confidential because of the nature of money involved so that we can conveniently and quietly transfer and enjoy ourselves especially now that I am planning for my retirement from the civil service of my country.
Reach me urgently,
Regards,
Aminu Ahmed
This e-mail example came by way of another visitor, Mark Smaga, on Sept. 30, 2000.
It has had its spelling cleaned up to make it readable. Most offers contain numerous misspellings and are almost always displayed in continuous capital letters.
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIVATE AND STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
FROM: ALHAJI SALISU BUHARI
ATTN: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS LETTER WILL NOT COME AS A SURPRISE TO YOU, OR CAUSE YOU ANY EMBARRASSMENT SINCE WE NEITHER KNEW EACH OTHER BEFORE, NOR HAVE HAD ANY PREVIOUS CONTACT OR CORRESPONDENCE.
I AM ALHAJI SALISU BUHARI, AN ACCOUNTANT GENERAL WITH THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION [NNPC], AND ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONTRACT AWARD COMMITTEE [CAC].
I WAS WELL INFORMED OF YOUR STRONG HOLD IN BUSINESS OVER THE YEARS, AN INCENTIVE THAT INDUCED ME TO WRITE YOU TO SEEK YOUR ABILITY AT SUSTAINING THE CONCLUSION OF A PENDING TRANSACTION FOR OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT.
WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE AN INSTRUMENT OF PAYMENT FOR $21.5 MILLION [TWENTY-ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) IN MILLION DOLLARS] WHICH IS NOW IN A DEDICATED ACCOUNT WITH THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
THE ABOVE FUNDS CAME ABOUT FROM THE OVER-INVOICING OF CONTRACTS AWARDED TO A CONSORTIUM OF FOREIGN FIRMS IN 1994 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ELEME CHEMICAL AND LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS PLANT IN PORT HARCOURT WORTH $1.2 BILLION.
THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTORS HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL, HENCE THE $21.5M IN QUESTION IS THEREFORE FREE TO BE TRANSFERRED OVERSEAS UPON PROPER APPLICATION WITHOUT ANY RISK WHATSOEVER.
I SHALL EXPLAIN THE ORIGIN. IN THE COURSE OF DISCHARGING MY DUTIES I DISCOVERED THAT SOME GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THE PAST HAD COMMITTED SOME IRREGULARITIES IN THE FORM OF OVER-INVOICED CONTRACT VALUES WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY GO INTO THEIR PRIVATE BANK ACCOUNTS.
WHAT INTERESTED ME MOST AND IS THE REASON I AM WRITING YOU IS THAT THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR WHICH WAS OVER INVOICED TO THE TUNE OF $21.5MILLION [TWENTY-ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) IN OUR RECORDS AND THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND COMMISSIONED.
THE CONTRACTORS HAVE RECEIVED FULL PAYMENT FOR THE CONTRACT EXECUTED, LEAVING BACK $21.5M WHICH REPRESENTS THE OVER-ESTIMATED VALUE CURRENTLY LYING IN THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
BECAUSE OF THE HASTE WITH WHICH THE LAST GOVERNMENT WAS REMOVED FROM OFFICE, THESE MEN HAD NO CHANCE TO COLLECT THE MONEY BEFORE LEAVING OFFICE.
BUT AS A RESULT OF AN UPDATED PAYMENT ADVICE AT THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA IT HAS BEEN AWAITING TRANSFER TO A FOREIGN ACCOUNT.
IN MY REPORT I RECOMMENDED THAT THIS FUNDS SHOULD BE PAID, BUT ON THE CONDITION THAT THE CONTRACTOR SHOULD BE INFORMED.
MY RECOMMENDATION WAS ACCEPTED AND THERE WAS A MANDATE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE FOREIGN CONTRACTOR, BUT SINCE THE CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN PAID ALREADY, I NOW WANT TO DIVERT THIS MONEY TO ANOTHER FOREIGN ACCOUNT.
NOW MY PARTNERS AND I HAVE AGREED TO SOURCE OUT A RELIABLE OVERSEAS PRIVATE [PERSONAL] OR COMPANY ACCOUNT TO TRANSFER THESE FUNDS TO WITHOUT RAISING DOUBTS.
THIS IS THE ASSISTANCE WE SEEK OF YOU. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE ACCRUAL OF THESE FUNDS, IT HAS TO BE APPLIED FOR BY A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR/COMPANY AND PAYMENT CAN ONLY BE PAID IN A FOREIGN ACCOUNT, HENCE THIS CONTACT IS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS DEAL.
YOU AND YOUR COMPANY WILL BE COMPENSATED WITH 30% OF THE AMOUNT AS THE ACCOUNT OWNER, 5% SHALL BE SET ASIDE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF ALL EXPENSES THAT WILL BE INCURRED BY BOTH PARTIES IN THE COURSE OF THIS TRANSACTION.
THE REMAINING 65% IS FOR ME AND MY PARTNERS. WE SHALL URGENTLY REQUIRE OF YOU THE FOLLOWING BY FAX OR E-MAIL
1] NAME, TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS OF THE BENEFICIARY
2] NAME AND FULL ADDRESS OF THE COMPANY
3] COMPLETE PARTICULARS OF THE BANK ACCOUNT WHERE YOU WISH TO THE FUNDS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO. THIS SHOULD INCLUDE THE ACCOUNT NUMBER, BANK ADDRESS, TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS.
MY COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE HAD SOME FRUITFUL DISCUSSION WITH RELEVANT TOP OFFICIALS OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE [FMF].
AN APPLICATION FOR THE FUNDS RELEASE SHALL BE MADE TO THE APPROPRIATE MINISTRIES IN FAVOUR OF THE BENEFICIARY [YOU AND YOUR COMPANY].
THEREAFTER, YOUR COMPANY WILL BE OFFICIALLY REGARDED AS HAVING EXECUTED THE CONTRACT FOR THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM [NNPC] FOR WHICH PAYMENT IS BEING MADE.
THIS PROCESS MAKES THE OPERATION LEGAL AND ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA.
HOWEVER, BEFORE FURTHER DETAILS OF THIS LAUDABLE TRANSACTION WILL BE REVEALED TO YOU, I MUST BE CONVINCED OF YOUR INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND HONESTY.
PLEASE TREAT THIS AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AS WE ARE CIVIL SERVANTS WHO WOULD NOT WANT ANY EXPOSURE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR URGENT RESPONSE
PLEASE REPLY STRICTLY TO salisubuhari\\excite.com
MY PHONE IS telefax-234-1-92045321 USA FAX-1-208-4453923
BEST REGARDS ALHAJI SALISU BUHARI
Left Stranded
From: "malas dikko" <munfema\\onebox.com
Subject: RELATIONSHIP
Date: Sun, 24 June 24, 2001
RE: REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS TRANSACTION
I am ENGR.MALAS DIKKO, Director of Procurement and Contract Award with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I got your contact from the foreign office of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
It is with trust that I wish to contact you on this matter concerning the transfer of US$65.5 Million Dollars.
Sometime ago, a contract was awarded by my Corporation (NNPC) to Alliance Oil International to Service, Turn Around Maintenance and Rehabilitation Work on Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) Plant in Nigeria.
This contract was over-invoiced by us to the tune of US$65.5 Million (sixty five Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).
Myself and some officials reached a compromise to transfer the Fund into a foreign Bank Account that will accommodate this fund. We have all modalities set.
We have been disappointed last year by a Briton Mr. Henry Strand whom we trusted with a transaction of this nature up to the tune $35 Million USD.
He is sitting on our money for no apparent reason but we believe that good people still exist in this world and we are willing to try again with you.
You can confirm the above transaction from Mr. Henry Strand on phone No. +44-7939-62054. (No.+44-7939-662054) He still resides in London and enjoying our collective money and refused to give us our share but we believe that for his act of wickedness to us, he will never go unpunished by God.
Because of this we are afraid and we need your total trust and assurance that you must be an honest and straight forward person.
We have agreed to share the money thus:
1. 20% for the account owner
2. 70% for me and my partners
3. 10% to be used in offsetting taxes and all local & foreign expenses.
Please, note that this transaction is 100% safe and risk free and we will commence the transaction from the date of receipt of the following information via the telefax number above.
Please if you accept this proposal, send to me by fax.
1. Your company's name address, telephone and fax numbers.
2. Your bank name, address, telephone, fax as well as your bank
account numbers.
With these information, we are going to put in application for the release of this fund into your account for us all.
Due to our sensitive position, we cannot afford a slip in this transaction so contact me immediately through the above telephone/fax or Email numbers for further information on the requirements and procedure for this transaction.
Please treat with the strictest confidentiality and utmost urgency.
Yours faithfully,
ENGR.MALAS DIKKO
Taking Job Sharing To A New Level
Identical requests sent from:
From: kennedy George <geoken\\onebox.com Sent: July 29, 2001
I am ENGR. KENNEDY GEORGE, Director of Procurement and Contract Award with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
From: danil dikko <danildikos\\yahoo.com Sent: July 27, 2001
ENGR. DANIL DIKKO
From: john eze <ma2001aya\\yahoo.com Sent: July 28, 2001
Dr. John Eze
"Bobsan" sends along this example for Urgent Assistance 18 May 2001
From: "Uba Mohamed"ACCOUNT DEPARTMENT
NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC)
Building 23-26, Falomo office complex.
Ikoyi, Lagos.
ATTN: CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
I am a principal accountant to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and a member of five men committee appointed by the present democratic Government, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We were empowered to verify and investigate contractual payments of the ministry made during the past Military dictatorship in Nigeria.
During the course of this investigation we discovered US$14.5 Million floating in a suspense account of the ministry.
Subsequently, our investigation revealed that this amount originated from over inflated contract whose beneficiary has been dully paid for the contract executed in accordance with the terms of the contract agreement.
In the full exercise we discovered more other seventy-two similar cases but were recovered to the government confer few months after our investigation.
Consequently to our resolution to transfer this sum(US$14.5M) into a foreign account to enable us invest the money, I therefore seek for a trustworthy individual or company whose bank account will retain this money.
I got your contact from Ms Regina Huchmutt a Paraguayan working with world information technology institute, Lagos.
We resolved that you should own US$3,000,000.00 for your service and assistance while US$1,000,000.00 shall be used for taxable charges. The remaining amount shall be for our investment abroad.
Hence, if this offer interest you, be very urgent to indicate your interest through my email address.
With our position and relevance to this present government we have consolidated every modalities to get this money transferred within 10 working days without any risk.
All you need to do is to maintain strict confidential until the transfer period is concluded.
Having accepted our proposal you should forward your safe bank account particulars, your private phone and fax numbers for immediate commencement of this transfer into your account.
In anticipation to have deep business relationship with you, I expect your positive reply.
Best Regards.
DR UBA MOHAMED
Yvonne Schwartz sends another over-invoiced example.
FROM THE DESK OF SULEIMAN GIDADDO
E-fax: (509) 561-9992
mailto:suleiman48\\hotmail.com
TO: THE PRESIDENT/CEO
Dear Sir,
PROPOSAL FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP/ASSISTANT
Permit me to introduce myself. I am Suleiman Gidaddo a finance director in the foreign payment department of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under the Federal ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.
With the assistance of some senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance, we want to quietly transfer the sum of Twenty-One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States dollars (US$21.5M) out of my country Nigeria.
This US $21.5 Million was made quietly by over-invoicing of contract receipts for the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the two Port Harcourt refineries in Nigeria and the rehabilitation of Petroleum pipelines, depot and Jetties.
The actual contract value is put at US$258.5M, but I and my colleagues increased the contract value to US280M, of which the over-invoiced value of US$21.5M belongs to us and this is the amount we want to secretly transfer into your personal OR company account for safe keeping and sharing.
The Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum resources have approved the total value of US$280Million, and the payment of foreign contractors from Japan, France and U.S.A. has already started, because most part of the work for the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) has been fully Completed, as we will register you/your company as a consultant and job costing contractor to NNPC so that the US$21.5M can be transferred into your account without any hitch whatsoever.
This over-invoiced value of US$21.5M belongs to us, and this amount is still lying in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) coded account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
As civil servants, we cannot operate foreign account because of the code of conduct act in Nigeria, which makes it an offence for any civil servant to operate foreign account.
It is as a result of this, that we solicit for your assistance to make use of your PRIVATE or COMPANY'S bank account to transfer the US$21.5M.
After several discussions with my colleagues, we have decided that you will be entitled to 25% of the US$21.5M for providing us the account/assistance for the successful completion of this mutually beneficial business, while 70% will be for us (from Nigeria) and the remaining 5% would be used to offset all local/foreign expenses we might incur in the course of this transaction.
However, this is based on the ground that you will assure me of the followings:
(a) That after the successful transfer of the US$21.5M into your account, you will give us our own fare share of 70% without running away with the money.
(b) That you will treat this business with utmost secrecy, confidentiality and sincerity which it demands.
(c) That you will assist us (by way of advice) to invest our own share in a business venture in your country, in the importation of your company's finished products and high-tech machineries and also in the buying of properties/mansions.
If you are interested in assisting us in this transaction, please contact me immediately on my e-mail address ( suleiman48\\hotmail.com) to enable us discuss further details for the successful completion of this transaction.
You are required to provide a secured telephone and fax line for the purpose of this transaction.
Expecting to here from you soonest.
Yours faithfully, SULEIMAN GIDADDO
Jason Hockley of Surrey B.C. sends us this short and sweet example.
FROM THE DESK OF: DR. PAUL
EZE
NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC)
LAGOS _ NIGERIA
DIRECT FAX: 234 1 7590806
DATE: 10/11/2000
DEAR SIR,
PARTNERSHIP
PARDON THE ABRUPTNESS OF THIS LETTER; IT IS DUE TO ITS URGENCY. I DO HOPE WE SHALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE BETTER FORMALLY INTRODUCED.
YOU WERE LINKED TO ME BY AN OFFICIALS IN THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH. I AM A GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARY IN MY COUNTRY AND I AM REPRESENTING A CAUCUS IN DIRE NEED OF A FOREIGN PARTNER TO ASSIST IN THE TRANSFER AND INVESTMENT OF US$20.5M (TWENTY MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS).
AT THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE KEY ISSUES ARE THE TRANSFER AND THE SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENT OF THE SAID SUM. YOU KNOW THIS WOULD REQUIRE A GREAT AMOUNT OF TRUST CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY INVOLVED.
MY PRINCIPALS ARE READY TO GO INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH YOU PLUS OFFER YOU A PERCENTAGE OF THE SUM FOR AIDING THE TRANSFER AND A NEGOTIABLE MANAGEMENT FEE FOR PUTTING TOGETHER A PORTFOLIO FOR INVESTMENT.
ALL WE NEED IS YOUR TRUSTWORTHINESS AND YOUR CAPABILITY TO WORK ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE SHALL GO THROUGH THE DUE PROCESS AND LEGAL PROCEDURES ENTAILED IN OUR LAWS AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS. THE SOURCE OF THE MONEY IS AUTHORITATIVE. WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL TAKE THE ESSENCE OF THIS LETTER IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
YOU CAN REACH ME IMMEDIATELY FOR MORE DETAILS BY EMAIL SO AS TO COMMENCE PROCESSES IN EARNEST.
BEST REGARDS,
DR. PAUL EZE
NOTE: PLEASE ALSO SEND TO ME YOUR OFFICE AND PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS FOR CONFIDENTIAL REASONS.
Malu from Brazil sends along this one:
15 May 2001
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL/URGENT
FROM THE DESK OF:DR BENSALA
E-mail bensala\\onebox.com
Dear madam,
REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP. - STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
It is with my profound dignity that I write you this very important and highly confidential letter.
First, I must solicit your strictest confidentiality in this transaction. This is by virtue of its nature as being utterly CONFIDENTIAL and "TOP SECRET".
Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and worried, considering the fact that we have not met each other before, but I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day.
We have decided to contact you by email due to the urgency of this transaction, as we have been reliably informed that it will take at least a minimum of two to three weeks for a normal post to reach you, so we decided it is best using the e-mail, which is quicker and also to enable us meet up with the first payment quarter for the year 2001 which has already begun.
However, let me start by introducing myself properly to you. I am Dr Ben Sala, a Director General in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and I presently head a seven man tenders board in charge of Contract Awards and Payment Approvals.
I came to know of you in my search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very confidential business transaction which involves the transfer of a huge sum of money to a foreign account requiring maximum CONFIDENCE.
I and my colleagues are Top Officials of the Federal Government Contract Review and Award Panel. Our duties include Evaluation, Vetting, Approval for payment of Contract jobs done for the N.N.P.C e.t.c. In order to commence this business we solicit for your assistance to enable us transfer into your Account the said funds.
The source of this funds is as follows: In the first quarter of 1999 this committee was mandated to review and award contracts to the tune of US$400 million US dollars to a group of five firms for the supply, construction and installation of Oil Pipe lines in Warri and Port Harcourt.
During this process my colleagues and I decided and agreed among ourselves to deliberately over-inflate the total contract sum from US$400 million to US$428 million United States dollars with the main intention of sharing the remaining sum of US$28 million amongst ourselves.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has since last year approved the sum of US$428 million for us as the contract sum, and the sum of US$400 million has also been paid to the foreign companies concerned as contract entitlements for the various contracts done.
But since the companies are entitled to US$400 million dollars only, we are now left with US$28 million dollars balance in the account which we intend to disburse amongst ourselves.
By virtue of our positions as civil servants and members of this panel, we cannot do this by ourselves, as we are prohibited by the Code of Conduct Bureau (Civil Service Laws) from opening and/or operating foreign accounts in our names while still in Government service, making it impossible for us to acquire the money in our names right now.
I have therefore, been delegated as a matter of trust and urgency by my colleagues in the panel to look for an overseas partner into whose account we would transfer the sum of US$28 million. Hence we are writing you this letter.
My Colleagues and I have agreed that if you or your company can act as the beneficiary of this funds on our behalf, you or your Company will retain 20% of the total amount (US$28 million), while 60% will be for us (OFFICIALS) and the remaining 20% will be used in offsetting all debts/expenses and Taxes incurred both local and foreign in the cause of this transfer.
Needless to say, the trust reposed on you at this juncture is enormous. In return we demand your complete honesty and trust. You must however NOTE that this transaction will be strictly based on the following terms and conditions as we have stated below;
a) Our conviction of your transparent honesty and diligence
b) That you would treat this transaction with utmost secrecy and confidentiality
c) That you will not ask for more share or try to sit on the funds once
it is under your custody, or any form of blackmail.
d) That upon receipt of the funds you will release the funds as instructed
by us after you have removed your share of 20% from the total amount.
Please, note that this transaction is 100% legal and risk free and we hope to conclude this transaction seven bank working days from the date of receipt of the necessary requirements from you. We are looking forward to doing business with you and solicit your Total Confidentiality in this transaction.
There is no cause for alarm. I give you my word that you are completely safe in doing business with us. Transactions like this have been successfully carried out in the past by most Government executives.
Here in my country there is great economic and political disarray and thus looting and corruption is rampant and the order of the day, thus explaining why you might have heard stories of how money is been taken out of Nigeria,
this is because everyone is making desperate attempts to secure his or her future, so that when we retire from active service we do not languish in poverty. I will explain more to you when I have heard from you.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter using the above e-mail address. I will bring you into the complete picture of this pending business transaction when I have heard from you and also receive your confidential telephone and fax numbers to enable me fax to you all necessary information you need to know about our pending business transaction.
I will also send to you my private telephone and fax numbers where you can always reach me.
Your urgent response will be highly appreciated to enable us transfer the funds under this first quarter of the year 2001.
Thank you and God Bless.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. B Sala
N.B. PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT THIS BUSINESS TRANSACTION IS 100% LEGAL AND COMPLETELY FREE FROM DRUG MONEY OR MONEY LAUNDERING. THIS IS A COMPLETE LEGITIMATE BUSINESS TRANSACTION.
Robert O'Donnell sends along another NNPC over-invoice example.
Subject: CAMC
THE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT COMPLEX,
FALOMO DRIVE,
IKOYI-LAGOS
DATE:3RD AUGUST 2001
E-MAIL: v_ade2002\\yahoo.com
ATTN: THE PRESIDENT/CEO
BUSINESS PROPOSAL-STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
I AM DR VINCENT ADE, THE SECRETARY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA CONTRACT AWARD AND MONITORING COMMITTEE IN THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (N.N.P.C).
SOMETIME AGO, A CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO A CONGLOMERATE OF FOREIGN COMPANIES IN N.N.P.C BY MY COMMITTEE. THESE CONTRACTS WERE OVER - INVOICED TO THE TUNE OF US$22.35MILLION. THIS WAS DONE DELIBERATELY; THE OVER-INVOICING WAS A DEAL BY MEMBERS OF MY COMMITTEE TO BENEFIT FROM THE PROJECT.
WE NOW DESIRE TO TRANSFER THIS MONEY, WHICH IS PRESENTLY IN A SUSPENSE ACCOUNT OF THE N.N.P.C IN OUR APEX BANK INTO AN OVERSEAS ACCOUNT, WHICH WE EXPECT YOU TO PROVIDE FOR US. SINCE ALL CONTRACTS UNDER THIS CATEGORY WERE ALL FOREIGN BASED.
BENEFIT
FOR PROVIDING THE ACCOUNT WHERE WE SHALL REMIT THE MONEY AND FOR ASSISTING US IN THE REALISATION OF THE TRANSFER AND ALSO PARTAKING IN THE ENTIRE PROCESS, YOU WILL BE ENTITILED TO 30% OF THE MONEY, 65% WILL BE FOR ME AND MY PARTNERS, WHILE 5% HAS BEEN MAPPED OUT FROM THE TOTAL SUM TO COVER ANY EXPENSES THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY US DURING THE COURSE OF THIS TRANSACTION, BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPENSES.
IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER OR NOT YOUR COMPANY DOES CONTRACT PROJECTS OF THE NATURE DESCRIBED HERE, THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT YOU WON A MAJOR CONTRACT AND SUBCONTRACTED IT OUT TO OTHER COMPANIES,
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, BIG TRADING COMPANIES OR FIRMS OF UNRELATED FIELDS WIN MAJOR CONTRACTS AND SUBCONTRACTS TO MORE SPECIALISED FIRMS FOR EXECUTION OF SUCH CONTRACTS.
WE HAVE STRONG AND RELIABLE CONNECTIONS AND CONTACTS AT THE APEX BANK, AND THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND WE HAVE CONTACTS IN THE DEBT MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT (DMD) WHICH ACTUALLY IS THE APPROVING BODY, AND WE ALSO HAVE NO DOUBTS THAT ALL THIS MONEY WILL BE RELEASED AND TRANSFERRED IF WE GET THE NECESSARY FOREIGN PARTNERS TO ASSIST US IN THIS DEAL.
THEREFORE, WHEN THE BUSINESS IS SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED WE SHALL THROUGH OUR SAME CONNECTIONS WITHDRAW ALL DOCUMENTS USED FROM ALL THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES FOR 100% SECURITY.
WE WANT THIS MONEY TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE OVERSEAS ACCOUNT WHICH YOU ARE GOING TO PROVIDE FOR SAFEKEEPING PENDING WHEN WE WILL DETERMINE HOW WE WANT OUR PORTION OF THE MONEY,
ALL EXPENSES REGARDING THE ACCOUNT OPENING IF NOT ALREADY IN EXISTENCE SHALL BE BORNE BY YOU, ALL EXPENSES ARE HOWEVER REIMBURSABLE AS ALREADY STATED ABOVE ON CONCLUSION OF BUSINESS.
UPON YOUR POSITIVE RESPONSE TO THIS DEAL WE SHALL IMMEDIATELY BEGIN NECESSARY APPLICATION FOR THE RELEASE OF THIS FUNDS, WE ALREADY HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK IN PLACE. HOWEVER THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS EXPECTED TO LAST 10 WORKING DAYS.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS DEAL, SO THAT IF YOU ARE NOT, IT WILL ENABLE ME SCOUT FOR ANOTHER FOREIGN PARTNER TO CARRY OUT THIS DEAL,
FORTUNATELY, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, E-MAIL ME THROUGH MY CONFIDENTIAL EMAIL; v_ade2002\\yahoo.com, FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS BUSINESS.
I WAIT IN ANTICIPATION OF YOUR CO-OPERATION.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
DR. VINCENT ADE (MNIM).
We'll Spend Our Profits on Your Products, Really!
Krishna R. Shirali from India sends this example Aug 13/01
from the Desk of DR. ONYEKA ANI, B.sc.(UNN);
Msc; Ph.D; Mnim; Mica
Executive Director and Financial Controller (NNPC)
CONFIDENTIAL
ATTN: PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR
DEAR SIR,
THIS LETTER MAY COME TO YOU AS A SURPRISE, PLEASE TREAT IT LIKE A BLOOD BROTHER AFFAIR. YOUR ADDRESS WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO ME BY A GOOD FRIEND WHO WORKS WITH THE NIGERIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
HE ASSURED ME OF YOUR COMPANY'S VIABILITY AND CAPABILITY IN BUSINESS TRANSACTION. I THEREFORE PICKED A KEEN INTEREST IN THE IMPORTATION OF YOUR COMPANY'S PRODUCTS AND ALSO TO REQUEST FOR THIS BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU.
I AM DR. ONYEKA ANI, THE PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT WITH THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC). I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE NNPC AND HAS BEEN MANDATED TO SEEK FOR THE ASSISTANT OF A RELIABLE FOREIGN COMPANY THROUGH WHICH WE CAN TRANSFER THE SUM OF THIRTY TWO MILLION, FIFTY THREE THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ONLY (US$32,053,000.00). THIS MONEY IS NOW DEPOSITED IN THE NNPC TREASURY ACCOUNT WITH THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
ORIGIN OF THE FUND:
THE SUM AROSE FROM THE DELIBERATE OVER-INVOICING OF A CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE NNPC TO A FOREIGN FIRM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS PLANT (LNG) IN BONNY, SOUTHERN NIGERIA DURING THE LAST MILITARY REGIME.
THIS CONTRACT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY EXECUTED AND COMMISSIONED AND THE CONTRACTOR THAT HANDLED THIS CONTRACT HAS COLLECTED HIS FINAL PAYMENT THUS LEAVING BEHIND THE ABOVE STATED AMOUNT WHICH REPRESENTS THE OVER INVOICED SUM.
WE HAVE BEEN SAFEGUARDING THIS MONEY WAITING FOR CONDUCIVE TIME FOR ITS TRANSFER OUT OF THE COUNTRY FOR OUR INVESTMENT PLAN.
THE CURRENT FAVOURABLE POLITICAL CLIMATE SINCE THE ASSUMPTION OF DUTY BY THE NEW CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATION PRESENTED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS MONEY TO BE TRANSFERRED OUT OF THE COUNTRY.
HOWEVER, THE CODE OF CONDUCT BUREAU (CIVIL SERVANTS LAWS) DOES NOT ALLOW US TO OWN AND OPERATE FOREIGN ACCOUNT,
THEREFORE, WE NEEDED A FOREIGN PARTNER THAT WILL PRESENT HIMSELF AS THE SUB-CONTRACTOR BY PROVIDING HIS BANK PARTICULARS SO THAT THE MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED INTO HIS COMPANY'S OR PERSONAL ACCOUNT.
HENCE THE NEED OF YOUR BUSINESS IS NOT PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS TRANSACTION . ALL WE REQUIRE IS YOUR WILLINGNESS TO PRESENT YOUR BANKING INFORMATION SO THAT THE MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.
FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS BUSINESS, YOUR SHARE WILL BE 30% OF THE TOTAL SUM, I AND MY COLLEAGUE WILL TAKE 60% WHILE 10% WILL BE SET ASIDE TO OFF-SET ANY EXPENSES WE MAY INCURE IN THE COURSE OF THIS TRANSACTION.
NOTE ALSO THAT SOME PART OF OUR OWN SHARE WILL BE USED FOR IMPORTATION OF PRODUCTS INTO NIGERIA WHILE THE REST WILL BE USED FOR FURTHER INVESTMENT YOU MAY ADVICE ON. IF YOU ARE WILLING TO ASSIST US IN THIS TRANSACTION, PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION .
(1) NAME OF YOUR BANK AND ADDRESS
(2) YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER/BENEFICIARY'S NAME.
(3) YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBER FOR EASY COMMUNICATION.
THIS INFORMATION WILL ENABLE US FILE AN APPLICATION FOR PAYMENT APPROVAL TO THE CONCERNED MINISTRIES AND FINALLY TO THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA AND IT IS GOING TO LAST BETWEEN 7-10 BANKING DAYS STARTING FROM THE DAY WE RECEIVE THE ABOVE INFORMATION FROM YOU.
ALL MODALITIES FOR THE TAKE-OFF OF THIS TRANSACTION HAS BEEN WORKED OUT AND FURTHER ACTION WILL COMMENCE IMMEDIATELY WE HEAR FROM YOU. WE SOLICIT FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK ME IMMEDIATELY ON THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS: 234-1-7593405, 234-1-7593123.
TRULY YOURS,
DR. ONYEKA ANI.
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