Hoax Warnings

	Alphabetical Index Select from the list A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Other Latest 50

 URGENT

 Attention: The President

 I am the wife of Ex-head of State of the Federal Republic of
 Nigeria, Late General Sanni Abacha. I want to know if you can
 assist me by providing your foreign account for a quick transfer
 of a total sum of $95.5m U.S. Dollars from Africa to your
 account. Your company was recommended to me by a friend of my
 late husband Rtd. Col. Usman Mohammed. But I did not disclose my
 intentions to him. I promise to offer you 25% of the total sum
 if you can assist me as requested.

 Further details relating to this will communicate to you
 immediately I hear from you. Remember also to include your
 private telephone and fax numbers for easy and confidential
 communication.

 Regards.

 Alhaja Mariam Abacha
 Chairperson family Support Programme

There's another variant of this hoax. It looks like that:

 STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL
 RE: TRANSFER OF US$21.5 MILLION (TWENTY ONE MILLION,
 FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS ONLY).

 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, T EL: (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,Tel.&Fax. Numbers.
 2. Your Bank Account Number and Address where the money will be
 remitted.

 The above informations 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 civil servants 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 starts Auditing all Federal
 Government owned Parastatals.

 Please contact me immediately through my telefax 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 above  tel/fax number, as time
 is of the essence in this business.

 I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.

 Yours faithfully,
 DR.Sheik Alhassan.

Another variant of this hoax appeared in summer 2000. It looks like that:

 Subject: Cooperation

 Dear Sir,

 I am Dr. Chris Ogbe, the Chief Accountant of the Nigerian
 Football Association, Parent body of the Nigeria '99 Local
 Organizing Committee, an affiliate of International Football
 Association (FIFA). In the course of our preparation to host the
 world youth soccer championship tagged (NIG ,99) early last
 year, huge sum of money running into millions of United States
 Dollars was budgeted by the then military  Government for the
 successful organization of this competition. In the same vein,
 FIFA made millions of dollars available for the same project.

 However, in my capacity as the Chief Accountant, to both local
 organizing committee (LOC), and the Nigeria Football Association
 (NFA), I and some of my colleagues in sensitive positions were
 able to influence the award of a contract for the reconstruction
 and refurbishing of the eight (8) stadium used for the
 competition. The contractor who handled these projects agreed to
 give my colleagues and I 10% of the total contract sum, if we
 were able to influence the award of the contract to their favor.
 So many foreign firms bided for this same contract, but because
 we knew whom we wanted the contract to be awarded to, we made
 sure that the contract we had this understanding won the
 contract. They have been paid 90% of their total contract sum
 remaining the balance of 10% which we never wanted them to
 collect on our behalf because of the fear that they might not
 give us the balance of 10%. It is pertinent to note that, the
 remaining balance of a total sum of twelve million eight hundred
 thousand united states dollars (US$12,800,000.00) is laying in
 the suspense account of the Nigerian Deposit Bank (NDB), ready
 for transfer into an oversea account.

 I have been unanimously mandated to seek for an honest and
 trustworthy foreign partner who will assist in ensuring the
 successful transfer of the above sum of money into his
 Personal/Company account since the Nigerian Code of Conduct
 Bureau does not permit us to operate a foreign account as public
 servants. On the successful remittance of the fund
 (US$12,800,000.00) into your nominated account, for your kind
 assistance you will be adequately compensated.

 Be rest assured that, the modalities and logistics towards the
 successful transfer of this fund has been worked out. All we
 require from you is your cooperation. This transaction is 100%
 risk free. We kindly request that you accord to it the highest
 level of secrecy it deserves. Your swift response will be highly
 appreciated. Reach me through my official email address
 fmysc@accountant.com, and kindly provide your phone and fax
 number for more informative discussions. Upon your
 acknowledgement of this proposal, I will forward to you the
 detailed procedure for the transaction.

 Note that, this transaction is legal and free from all sorts of
 risk and trouble. It does not contravene the laws of my country
 nor any International laws, hence the whole approval for the
 transfer will be official and legally processed. This
 transaction will be concluded within five (5) working days if we
 follow it up give the serious attention it deserves. Awaiting
 your prompt response.

 Best regards,
 Dr.Chris Ogbe

The below version appeared in autumn 2000:

 BUSINESS PROPOSAL [STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL]

 It is my great pleasure in writing  you this letter on behalf of
 myself and my colleagues.

 Your particulars were given to me by a member of the Nigerian
 Export Promotion Council (NEPC) who was at the Federal
 Government Delegation to your country during a trade exhibition.
 I have decided to seek a confidential cooperation with you in
 the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of
 all parties and hope you will keep it as top secret because of
 the nature of the business and the personalities involved.

 Within the Ministry of Petroleum Resources where I work as a
 Director, Project Implementation and with the cooperation of
 four other top officials, we have in our possession as overdue
 payment bills totaling Twenty Five Million United States Dollars
 only (US$25,000,000.00) which we want to transfer abroad with
 assistance and cooperation of a foreign company and/or
 individual to receive the said fund on our behalf or a reliable
 foreign non-company account to receive such fund.

 The amount represents some percentage of the total contract
 value executed on behalf of my Ministry by a foreign contracting
 firm which  we the officials over-invoiced deliberately. Though
 the actual contract cost have been paid to the original
 contractor, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount
 which we have in principles gotten approval to remit by
 Telegraphic Transfer (T.T) to any foreign bank account you will
 provide.

 Since the present government of Nigeria is determined to pay
 every foreign contractor all debts owed so as to maintain good
 relationship with foreign government and non-government
 financial agencies, we have decided to include our bills  for
 approvals with the cooperation of some officials from the
 Federal  Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria
 (CBN). We are seeking your assistance in providing  a good
 companys account or any other offshore bank account into which
 we can remit this  money by acting as our main partner and
 trustee or acting as the original contractor. This we can do by
 swapping of account and changing of beneficiary and other forms
 of documentation upon application for claim to reflect the
 payment and approvals to be secured on behalf of your company.
 This processes being internal arrangement with the departments
 concerned.

 I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that
 should you be willing to assist us in the transaction, your
 share of the sum will be 20% of the US$25 million while 75% will
 be for us and 5% for taxation and miscellaneous expenses
 incurred in the process of the transactions which will first be
 reimbursed before we share.

 The business itself is 100% safe on your  part, provided you
 treat it with utmost secrecy and confidentiality. Certificates
 will also be secured by us, here, which will clear the fund of
 being a drug/laundered money thereby making the money clean
 money, so that your authorities will have nothing to question
 you about when the money finally hits your account.  Also, your
 area of specialization and the size of your business will not be
 a hindrance  to the successful execution of this transaction. We
 have reposed my confidence in you and hope that you will not
 disappoint us.  Kindly e-mail your response to us to indicate
 your willingness in being our partner and also in assisting us.
 Endeavour to include your direct telephone, mobile and fax
 numbers through which we can reach you any time of the day as
 you are responding by e-mail.We will then start a full
 communication with you through telephone and fax.We will require
 your full bank details which are:

 Bank name
 Bank address with telephone and fax numbers
 Your bank account number
 The account name.

 Thanks for your anticipated cooperation as we look forward to a
 mutually benefiting business relationship with you.

 Sincerely Yours,
 Dr. Ahmed Tijani.

Another version:

 EMAIL: SIMON_EDDY23
 ATTN: DIRECTOR

 SIR,

 I AM 23YRS (TWENTY THREE YEARS) OF AGE, A SCIENCE STUDENT OF THE
 FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKA UNDER 200 LEVEL. THE ONLY
 SON OF LATE JUSTICE EPHRAIM AKPATA THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF
 INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF NIGERIA (INEC) WHO
 DIED ON THE MONTH OF APRIL 2000.

 HOWEVER, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE TOWERY SECURITY COMPANY
 DUBAI TO COME AND CLEAR THE SUM OF $US36.MILLION (THIRTY SIX
 MILLION US DOLLARS) WHICH MY FATHER KEPT IN THEIR COMPANY FOR
 SAFEKEEPING WHEN HE WAS ALIVE.

 MEANWHILE, DUE TO MY AGE AND EDUCATION, I WROTE TO THEM FEW DAYS
 AGO THAT I WILL SEND MY PARTNER WHO IS RESIDING ABROAD TO
 COMEDOWN TO DUBAI AND CLEAR THE FUND ON MY BEHALF, SO THEY HAVE
 AGREED TO SEND A CLEARING DOCUMENTS WHICH MY PARTNER AND I
 SHOULD ENDORSE OUR SIGNATURE BEFORE THE RELEASE OF THIS FUND,
 BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE MADE CASH. SO IF YOU CAN ASSIST TO GO TO
 DUBAI FOR CLEARING OF THIS FUND AS MY PARTNER, THEN SEND ME AN
 EMAIL REPLY SO THAT WE CAN REACH AGREEMENT ON WHAT PERCENTAGE TO
 COMPENSATE YOU ON CLEARING THE FUND FOR ME BEFORE WE CAN GO INTO
 A CURTAIL BUSINESS FOR A MUTUAL INTEREST.

 MEANWHILE, THIS MONEY WAS KEPT ON 25TH, MAY 1998, NOW I AM
 CONTACTING YOU WITH THE BELIEVE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU ARE
 NOT GOING TO LET ME DOWN . I HAVE MADE UP MY MINED TO COMPENSATE
 YOU VERY WELL SO THAT YOU WON'T REGRET HAVING THIS FUND WITH ME.

 NOTE, THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE KEPT IN A TRUST ACCOUNT WITH YOU
 AS SOON AS IT HAS BEEN CLEARED, BEFORE GETTING INTO A CRUCIAL
 BUSINESS FOR A MUTUAL INTEREST, SO DO CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY IF
 YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO INDICATE YOUR
 PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS FOR EASY COMMUNICATION, I AM
 LOOKING FORWARD TO RECEIVE YOUR REPLY.

 BEST REGARDS
 SIMON EDDY AKPATA.

And another one:

 ATTN: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO
 FROM: MRS FLORADYN CHROMA,

 Dear sir,

 URGENT INVESTMENT ADVISE

 I am Mrs. F. S. Chroma the widow wife of late dr. Sanfrankoh
 Chroma former minister of finance in Sierra Leone, killed by the
 rebels during the outbreak of the civil war.

 However, I am contacting you for my personal willing to invest
 in your country and needed an advice of an expert of some one in
 your position who has been in the business for a very long time,
 as I was told that your country is economically balanced and
 conducive for foreign investors.

 The proceed which is about $7.8 million is presently in a
 security company and it was the major cause of the death of my
 beloved husband. My late husband told me that the money was
 originally meant for a very important government project the gas
 plant project that was originally planned to be site in the
 north and later transferred down to the south. For this reason,
 the northern part began riot, which it late generated to the
 four years old war, which has claimed life of thousand of life
 of innocent women and children of Sierra Leone.

 For the fact that my husband was a strong person in the
 government, when the war began the rebels demanded that the
 allocated fund for the gas plant project be release to them
 embark the revolution. But my husband's refusal to partake in
 the no revolution or release fund to embark it for the fair that
 the crisis will soon stop and the government will hold him
 responsible, resulted to his murder by the rebels.

 Before the death as if he knew that he will die, he quickly
 arrange and ordered me to move with the children to a
 neghbouring west African country where he deposited the fund in
 a security company pending when the war will be over. The fund
 was registered as personal effect belonging to a white man so
 that the security company will not demand to know the actual
 content of the luggage. Presently we were granted asylum in Togo
 but because of the closeness to my country, unfavourable
 economic climate and instabilities in its government
 administration. I do not want to invest the fund here in Togo or
 any African country.

 I want to invest it in a stabilizes country where my children
 will given a sound education. More importantly, I will want to
 use part of the fund to buy house where I will reside with my
 kids and the balance of it invested into a variable business
 with your advice. I offer to give you 25% of the fund if only
 you can be of help to a widow and my children. The only thing I
 require from you is cooperation, a guarantee that you will not
 sit on the funds when you claim, your full address, private
 telephone and fax number to enhance the speedy processing and
 arrangement for the delivery of the consignment in your favor by
 courier.

 Please contact me immediately by e- mail upon your acceptance to
 help so that the security company will not confiscate the fund
 as non-claimant luggage.

 Yours Sincerely,
 MRS FLORADYN S. CHROMA

Here's one more variant appeared in early 2001:

 Dear Sir,

 I am Dr. Mrs. Mariam Abacha, wife to the late Nigerian
 Head of state, General Sani Abacha who died on the 8th
 of June 1998 while still on active service for our
 Country. I am contacting you with the hope that you
 will be of great assistance to me, I currently have
 within my reach the sum of 32million U.S dollars cash
 which I intend to use for investment purposes. This
 money came as a result of a payback contract deal
 between my husband and a Russian firm in our country's
 multi-billion dollar Ajaokuta steel plant. The Russian
 partners returned my husbands share being the above
 sum after his death. Presently, the new civilian
 Government has intensified their probe into my
 husbands financial resources which has led to the
 freezing of all our accounts, local and foreign, the
 revoking of all our business licenses and the arrest
 of my First son. In view of this I acted very fast to
 withdraw this money from one of our finance houses
 before it was closed down. I have deposited the money
 in a security company in Europe (with a coded name)
 with the help of very loyal officials of my late
 husband. No record is known about this fund by the
 government because there is no documentation showing
 that we received such funds. Due to the current
 situation in the country and government attitude to my
 family, I cannot make use of this money, thus I seek
 your help in receiving these funds and pay into your
 account for the family safety. On your consent, or
 e-mail via the under listed contacts immediately for
 further discussion and clarification. Bearing in mind
 that you may assist me, l have decided to part with
 15% of the total sum. Your URGENT response is needed.

 Regards
 Dr. Mrs. Mariam Abacha.

And another variant appeared in February 2001:

 Dear Sir,

 Good day and compliments.  This letter will definite come to you
 as a huge surprise but I implore you to take time to go through
 it carefully as the decision you make will go a long way to
 determine the future and continued existence of my family.

 Please allow me to introduce myself.  I am Yusuf M. Nguessoh a
 native of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C)
 and the commander of late President Laurence Desire Kabila's
 presidential guard.

 I write you this letter because of the tragic events that
 occurred in my country on the 16th of January. On this day, my
 president was assassinated by one of his bodyguards Major
 Rachidi and his vindictive son implicated me because of my
 ethnic Tutsi Banyamulenge roots. Fortunately, I had prior
 knowledge of my arrest and escaped across the Congo River to
 Brazzaville and then on to South Africa where I am seeking
 political asylum.

 As the commander of the presidential bodyguard, I was aware of
 the secret location of a huge sum of money which I took with me,
 hidden under false identity, into exile. It is this sum of money
 that I seek the assistance of a mature trustworthy overseas
 partner to help me honestly invest abroad because of the
 unstable political situation in Africa. However, you shall be
 required to sign up a legal document with me even though the
 Zimbabwe chamber of commerce and Industry introduced you as
 having a very good repute in the world trade directories.

 This money is exactly Forty Seven Million, Seven Hundred
 Thousand American United State Dollars (USD 47,700,000.00) and
 it is presently deposited with an international security company
 but shall be released to you on request immediately we conclude
 arrangements on how to move it out of Africa as if it is yours
 to avoid scandals or risks on my part.  I shall explain better
 on hearing from you.

 I expect you to help me to move this fund and secure it
 irrespective of the nature of your private business or
 profession. For your assistance I shall pay you 20 % commission.

 Yours Faithfully,
 Yusuf M. Nguessoh

A new variant that appeared in May, 2001:

 FROM THE DESK OF CHIEF ODUM EGEGE PH.d MBa.

 DEAR SIR,

 WE ARE SENDING THIS LETTER TO YOU BASED ON INFORMATION GATHERED
 FROM THE FOREIGN TRADE OFFICE OF THE NIGERIAN CHAMBER OF
 COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. WE BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD BE IN A
 POSITION TO HELP US IN OUR BID TO TRANSFER THE SUM OF FORTY-0NE
 MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($41.5M USD) INTO A
 FOREIGN ACCOUNT.

 WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE FOR BUDGET AND PLANNING
 OF THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM, THIS COMMITTEE IS PRINCIPALLY
 CONCERNED WITH CONTRACT APPRAISALS AND APPROVAL OF CONTRACTS IN
 ORDER OF PRIORITIES AS REGARDS CAPITAL PROJECT OF THE FEDERAL
 GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA. WITH OUR POSITIONS, WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY
 SECURED FOR OURSELVES THE SUM OF FORTY-ONE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED
 THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS(US$41.5M). THIS AMOUNT WAS
 ACCUMULATED THROUGH UNDECLARED WINFALL FROM SALES OF CRUDE OIL
 DURING THE GULF WAR.

 WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ACCOUNT INTO WHICH
 THE FUNDS WILL BE TRANSFERRED SINCE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE NOT
 ALLOWED BY OUR LAWS TO OPERATE FOREIGN ACCOUNT. IT HAS BEEN
 AGREED THAT THE OWNER OF THE ACCOUNT WILL BE COMPENSATED WITH
 US$8.3 MILLION OF THE REMITTED FUNDS, WE KEEP US$31.125MILLION
 WHILE US$2.075MILLION WILL BE SET ASIDE TO OFFSET EXPENSES AND
 PAY THE NECESSARY TAXES. IT MAY INTEREST YOU TO KNOW THAT TWO
 YEARS AGO A SIMILAR TRANSACTION WAS CARRIED OUT WITH ONE MR.
 PATRICE MILLER, THE PRESIDENT OF CRAINE INTERNATIONAL TRADING
 CORPORATION AT NUMBER 135, EAST 57TH STREET, 28TH FLOOR, NEW
 YORK 10022 WITH TELEPHONE (212)308-7788 AND TELEX NUMBER
 6731689, AFTER THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH PARTNERS IN WHICH HE
 WAS TO TAKE 25% THE MONEY WAS DULY TRANSFERRED INTO HIS ACCOUNT
 ONLY TO BE DISAPPOINTED ON OUR ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK AS WE WERE
 RELIABLY INFORMED THAT MR. PATRICE MILLER WAS NO LONGER ON THAT
 ADDRESS WHILE HIS TELEPHONE AND TELEX NUMBERS HAVE BEEN
 REALLOCATED TO SOMEBODY ELSE, THAT IS HOW WE LOST US$27.5M TO MR
 PATRICE MILLER.

 THIS TIME AROUND WE NEED A MORE RELIABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY PERSON
 OR A REPUTABLE COMPANY TO DO BUSINESS WITH HENCE THIS LETTER TO
 YOU, SO IF YOU CAN PROVE YOURSELF TO BE TRUSTED AND INTERESTED
 IN THIS DEAL THEN WE ARE PREPARED TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU. WHAT
 WE WANT FROM YOU IS THE ASSURANCE THAT YOU WILL LET US HAVE OUR
 SHARE WHEN THIS AMOUNT OF US$41.5M IS TRANSFERRED INTO YOUR
 ACCOUNT.

 IF THIS PROPOSAL SATISFIES YOU, PLEASE CONTACT ME THROUGH E-MAIL
 STATED ABOVE  SO WE CAN ADVICE YOU ON THE MODALITIES OF THE
 TRANSACTION. ALL MODALITIES OF THE TRANSFER HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT
 AND ONCE STARTED WILL NOT TAKE MORE THAN 14 WORKING DAYS WITH
 THE ABSOLUTE SUPPORT OF ALL CONCERNED. THIS TRANSACTION IS 100%
 SAFE.

 PLEASE TREAT AS URGENT AND VERY CONFIDENTIAL. GOD BE WITH YOU AS
 I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY.

 BEST REGARDS.
 DR. ODUM EGEGE.

Another variant appeared just after the above listed one:

 DEAR SIR,

 I GOT YOUR ADDRESS FROM A BUSINES CONSULTANT ON MY REQUEST FOR A
 FOREIGN BUSINESSMAN OR FIRM.

 I DID NOT DISCLOSE THE EXACT KIND OF BUSINESS I HAVE IN MIND TO
 THE CONSULTANT.

 I AM A FORMER AIDE TO THE LATE PRESIDENT OF  THE RICHEST  NATION
 IN AFRICA (NIGERIA).

 I WAS MANDATED BY MRS MIRIAM ABACHA WIFE OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT
 TO SEEK FOR A RELIABLE FOREIGNER WHO WILL ASSIST US TO INVEST
 SOME HUGE AMOUNT OF USD.

 THE ABACHA FAMILY ARE UNDER SERIOUS MONITORING BY THE PRESENT
 GOVERNMENT DUE TO HEAVY AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY LOOTED. ALL THEIR
 ACCOUNTS HAS BEEN FROZEN AND CONFISCATED.

 I WAS VERY POWERFUL AND INFLUENTIAL DURING ABACHAS REGIME BUT I
 DO NOT HAVE FOREIGN CONTACTS HENCE MY REASON FOR MAKING THIS
 KIND OF CONTACT WITHOUT EVEN HAVING MET YOU BEFORE.

 I WOULD WANT AN ASSURANCE FROM YOU THAT YOU WILL BE VERY HONEST
 AND ALSO KEEP THIS BUSINESS CONCEALED FROM OTHER EARS. HOWEVER
 THIS BUSINESS DEMANDS ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY IN ALL PLACES AT
 ALL TIME.

 THE MONEY IN QUESTION WAS KEPT WITH A SECURITY COMPANY BY ABACHA
 WHEN HE WAS ALIVE,  THE MONEY WAS MEANT TO BE USED TO LOBBY
 PRESIDENT OF OTHER AFRICAN NATIONS SO THAT HE WILL GET ALL THE
 SUPPORTS HE NEED TO PERPETUATE HIMSELF IN POWER.

 THE SECURITY COMPANY IS NOT AWARE OF THE CONTENT BECAUSE ABACHA
 USED HIS INFLUENCE TO KEEP THE CONSIGNMENT CONTAINING THE MONEY
 AS PRECIOUS STONES WHEREAS THE REAL CONTENT IS AMERICAN U.S
 DOLLARS.

 I HAVE ALREADY MADE AN ARRANGEMENT WITH A BRITISH DIPLOMAT WHO
 HAS AGREED TO HELP ME FREIGHT THE CONSIGNMENT OUT OF MY COUNTRY,
 I TOLD HIM TOO, THAT THE CONSIGNMENT CONTAINS PRECIOUS STONES.
 HIS DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY IS A GREAT ADVANTAGE IN MOVING OUT THE
 MONEY.

 WE WILL MEET AT AN AGREED COUNTRY WHERE YOU WILL CLAIM OWNERSHIP
 OF THE CONSIGNMENT CONTAINING THE MONEY. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR
 A COUNTRY WHERE WILL BE VERY CONDUCIVE FOR US ALL.

 I WILL TELL YOU THE AMOUNT INVOLVED WHEN I HEAR FROM YOU AND
 ALSO YOUR PERCENTAGE.

 I WILL GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN I RECEIVE YOUR REPLY.

 REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT I WON'T CONTACT ANY OTHER
 PERSON.

 BYE AND GOD BLESS.

 YOURS TRULY

Another version from May 2001:

 Attention: president/CEO.

 Dear Sir,

 REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP.

 Firstly I must solicit your strictest confidence in this
 subject. This is by virtue of its nature as being utterly
 confidential and top secret. A member of the Nigeria Export
 Promotion Council (N.E.P.C.) who was part of the federal
 government delegation to your country during a trade exhibition
 gave your particulars to me. I have decided to seek a
 confidential operation with you in the execution of the deal
 described hereunder for the benefit of all the parties and hope
 that you keep it top secret because of the nature of the
 business.

 Within the ministry of petroleum resources where I work as a
 director of engineering and projects, and with the co-operation
 of four other very top officials, we have under our control as
 overdue contract payments, bills totaling Thirty One Million
 United States Dollars, which we want to transfer to a foreign
 account, with the assistance and co-operation of a foreign
 company to receive the said funds on our behalf or a reliable
 foreign individual account to receive the funds.

 The source of the fund is as follows: during the last military
 government here in Nigeria which lasted bout eleven months,
 government officials set up companies and awarded themselves
 various contracts which were grossly over-invoiced in various
 ministries.  The present civilian government is not aware of the
 atrocities committed by their predecessors and as a result, we
 have a lot of such over invoiced contract payment s pending
 which we have identified floating at the central bank of Nigeria
 ready for payment. However by virtue of our position as civil
 servants, we cannot acquire this money in our names.  I was
 therefore delegated as a matter of urgency by my colleagues to
 look for an over seas partner into whose account we would
 transfer the sum of  US$31,000,000.00 (THIRTY ONE MILLION UNITED
 STATES DOLLARS) hence we are writing you this letter.

 Since the present civilian government is determined to pay
 foreign contractors l debts owed so as to maintain an amiable
 relationship with foreign governments and non-government
 financial agencies.  We have decided to include our bills for
 approval with the co-operation of some officials of the federal
 ministry of finance (F.M.F) and the central bank of Nigeria
 (C.B.N).  We are seeking your assistance in providing us with a
 good company account or any other offshore bank account into
 which we can remit this money by acting our main partner and
 trustee or acting as the original contractor.  This we can do by
 swapping of account information and changing of beneficiary and
 other pertinent information to apply for payment.  By this act,
 we would be using your company information to apply for payment,
 and prepare letters of claim and job description on behalf of
 your company. This process would be an internal arrangement with
 the departments concerned.

 I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that
 should you be willing to assist us in this transaction, your
 share as compensation will be us$6.2 million (20%), us$21.7
 million (70%) for us and us$3.1 (10%) for taxation and
 miscellaneous expenses.

 The business itself is 100% safe, provided you treat it with
 utmost secrecy and confidentiality.  Also your area of
 specialization is not m hindrance to the successful execution of
 this transaction.  I have reposed my confidence in you and hope
 that you will not disappoint me.

 You may Fax your response to my home fax: 234 1 7591666 to
 indicate your willingness in assisting us.  I will bring the
 complete picture of the transaction to your knowledge when I
 have heard from you.

 Thanks for your co-operation,

 Yours faithfully,
 Ali Magoro

Another version from October 2001:

   OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
   CONTRACT AWARDING COMMITTEE
   ECOWAS HEADQUARTERS
   ABUJA -NIGERIA
   Private Tel.

   Dear Sir,

   ACCOUNT PROVISION FOR USD 15.5M
   FORGIVE MY INDIGNATION IF THIS MESSAGE COMES TO YOU AS
   A SUPPRISE AND IF IT
   MIGHT OFFEND YOU WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR CONSENT AND
   WRITING THROUGH THIS CHANNEL.
   I AM DR.LAZO ADAMS
   THE CHAIRMAN,CONTRACT AWARDING COMMITTEE OF THE ECOWAS
   COMMITTEE OF WEST
   AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS) WITH HEADQUARTERS IN
   ABUJA-NIGERIA.

   I GOT YOUR INFORMATION IN A BUSINESS DIRECTRIES FROM
   THE NIGERIAN CHAMBER OF
   COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES WHEN I WAS SEARCHING FOR A
   RELIABLE, HONEST AND
   RUSTWORTHY PERSON TO ENTRUST THIS BUSINESS WITH. I WAS
   SIMPLY INSPIRED AND
   MOTIVATED TO PICK YOUR CONTACT FROM THE MANY NAMES AND
   I LIST IN THE
   DIRECTORY.

   AFTER DISCUSSING MY VIEW AND YOUR PROFILE WITH MY
   COLLEAGUES, THEY WERE VERY
   MUCH SATISFIED AND DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU IMMEDIATELY
   FOR THIS MUTUAL BUSINESS
   RELATIONSHIP. WE WISH TO TRANSFER THE SUM OF US$15.5
   (FIFTEEN MILLION FIVE
   THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) INTO YOUR PERSONAL OR
   COMPANY’S BANK ACCOUNT.

   THIS FUND WAS RESIDUE OF THE OVER INVOICED CONTRACT
   BILLS AWARDED BY US FOR
   THE SUPPLY OF AMMUNITIONS, HARD/SOFT WARES,
   PHARMACEUTICALS/MEDICAL ITEMS,
   LIGHT AND HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES, APPARELS AND OTHER
   ADMINISTRATIVE LOGISTICS
   ETC
   FOR THE ECOWAS IN SIERRA-LEONE LIBERIA DURING THE
   PEACE KEEPING PROJECTS. THIS
   DEAL WAS DELIBERATELY HATCHED OUT AND CARFULLY
   PROTECTED WITH ALL THE
   ATTENDANT LOPE HOLES SEALED OFF. AS THE CHAIRMAN OF
   CAC,I HAVE THE COOPERATION
   AND MANDATE OF THE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR AND THE
   SECRETARY OF THE ORGANIZATION.
   WE ARRANGED AND OVER INVOICED THE CONTRACT FUNDS
   SUPPLIED BY DIFFERENT
   COMPANIES FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES DURING THE CRISIS.
   IT WAS OUR CONSENSUS TO
   SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OF WILLING FOREIGNER TO PROVIDE US
   WITH THE FACILITIES TO
   TRANSFER THIS MONEY OUT OF WEST AFRICA. THIS IS BORNE
   OUT OF OUR BELIEF IN THE
   NON-STABLE AND SPURIOUS POLITICAL NATURE OF THIS
   SUB-REGION.

   THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTORS HAVE BEEN DULY PAID BY THE
   BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS
   DE L’AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST (CENTRAL BANK OF THE WEST
   AFRICA STATES) THROUGH OUR
   BANKERS-ECOBANK, THIS BALANCE IS SUPENDED IN THE
   ESCROW ACCOUNT AWATING CLAIMS
   BY ANY FOREIGN COMPANY OF OUR CHOICE. WE INTEND TO PAY
   OUT THIS FUND NOW AS
   THE ORGANIZATION IS WINDING UP ITS ACTIVITIES SINCE
   THE AIM OF RETURNING
   PEACE TO THE COUNTRIES AND THE COAST HAS BEEN
   ACHIEVED. BASE ON THE LAWS AND
   ETHHICS OF EMPLOYMENTS, WE AS CIVIL SERVANTS WORKING
   UNDER THIS ORGANIZATION,
   ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OPERATE A FOREIGN ACCOUNT. THIS IS
   THE MORE REASON WHY WE
   NEEDED YOUR ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE AN ACCOUNT THAT CAN
   SUSTAIN THIS FUND FOR
   SAFE KEEPING AND OUR FUTURE INVESTMENT WITH YOU
   COMPREHENSIVE ADVISE,
   ASSISTANCE
   AND PARTNEERSHIP IN YOUR COUNTRY.

   IT IS HOWEVER AGREED, AS THE ACCOUNT OWNER IN THIS
   DEAL TO ALLOW YOU 20% OF
   THE TOTAL SUM AS COMPENSATION, 75% WILL BE HELD ON
   TRUST FOR US WHILE 5% WILL
   BE USED TO DEFRAY ANY INCIDENTAL CHARGES AND COST
   DURING THE COURSE OF THE
   TRASACTION. THIS TRASACTION WILL BE SUCCESSFULLY
   CONCLUDED WITHIN 14 DAYS IF
   YOU ACCORD US YOUR UNALLOYED AND DUE COOPERATION. YOU
   SHOULD PROVIDE THE
   FOLLAWINGS : YOUR COMPANY’S NAME WITH COMPLETE
   ADDRESS, TEL AND FAX NUMBERS IF
   AVAILABLE. THE NAME OF YOUR BANK, ITS ADDRESS WITH
   TEL/FAX AND TELEX NUMBER.
   THE COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF THE BENEFICIARY WITH
   TELEPHONE AND FAX
   NUMBERS.

   UPON THE RECEIPT OF THIS INFORMATION, THE DOCUMENTS
   AND APPROVAL WITH THE
   TEXTS WILL BE SENT TO YOU FOR CONFIRMATION AND THE
   FORWARDED TO THE
   ORGANIZATION FOR RATIFICATION AND SUBSEQUENT PAYMENT.
   AS WITH THE CASE OF ALL
   ORGANIZED(SENITIVE) AND CONSPIRED DEALS, WE SOLLICIT
   FOR YOUR UNRESERVED
   CONFIDENTALITY AND UTMOST SECRET IN THIS BUSINESS. WE
   HOPE TO RETIRE
   PEACEFULLY AND LEAD A HONOURABLE BUSINESS LIFE
   AFTERWARDS. THERE ARE NO RISK
   INVOLVE. CALL ME UPON RECEIPT OF THIS MESSAGE FOR MORE
   DETAILS ON MY PRIVATE
   TELEPHONE NUMBER :  OR YOU REPLY ME
   WITH lazoadams@xxx.xxx FOR MORE
   DETAILS.
   REPLY ASAP

   . WITH REGARDS

   DR.LAZO ADAMS

Another version from October 2001:

  Subject: Plaed For Assistance!!!

  How are you? and your family? I hope all is well.
  All the same we are fine too here in Accra-Ghana.
  My name is Lioyd Parkinston the son of the former
  Governor of the central Bank of Sierra Leone Dr. Mack
  B. Parkinston who was killed by the rebels on his way
  home from the office.I am writing you for assistance
  if you can help me receive an amount of money my late
  father deposited here in Accra Ghana with a security
  company which is an agent with the Prime Bank.This
  money was kept there for his foreign investment before
  his untimely death he notify me and my  mother about
  the cash and the documents covering the money with the
  Prime Bank is with us. The total amount is $88 million
  (US DOLLARS) we are now begging you if you can help us
  receive this cash and put it in your account over
  there in your country because we are seeking political
  asylum here in Accra Ghana, we shall like you to work
  with us as a foreign associate.And I will like to know
  which areas of investments you think we can invest
  this money when you receive it:Right now we are in
  Guest House paying alot of money everyday. Please I
  will like you tell me how much percentage you are
  going to take in this transaction. Everything we are
  doing with you now is based on trust and don't betray
  us when  you see this cash.Please when replying me do
  give me your private telephone and fax numbers so that
  I can send you the documents covering the money.
  God Bless you.
  Thanks

Another version from November 2001:

  ATTN:  Dxxxx Bxxxxx

  STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

  RE: TRANSFER OF SIXTY FIVE MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED
  THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS (US$65.4M) INTO AN
  OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNT.

  I am extending this proposal to you in my capacity as
  an accountant and a  member of the Audit panel
  scrutinizing all records covering executed
  contracts awarded by the previous Military
  Administration. My colleagues and I have uncovered a
  floating amount of US$65.4m without a clear
  beneficiary

  Owning to a deliberate act of over involving and
  inflating of values by the officials of the past
  government.

  This money has already been approved for payment by
  the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and
  is secured contract number FGN/NNPC/0229976/CB/97.

  As top civil servants, we are not authorized to
  operate foreign Bank account; this is why we want you
  to provide us with a bank account where this fund can
  be lodged for safekeeping and investment purposes.

  Upon receipt of your favorable reply and your
  nominated bank particulars,you shall automatically be
  considered as our foreign partner and you will
  be furnished with details and modality of the
  transaction.

  We have resolved to let you have 25% for your
  contribution, 70% will come to us while the balance 5%
  will be set aside for all expenses that might be
  incurred during the transaction.

  Please contact me urgently by Email as shown above
  only as soon as you received this letter.

Anther version from January 2002

  Dear Sir,
  Let me first on behalf of my colleagues and I express our sincere
  appreciation for your quick response and interest in rendering
  assistance to us as regards this transaction.  Following your response
  to our business proposal I had a meeting with my colleagues to
  deliberate on your interest and review the modalities for the
  successful execution of the transaction.  Based on your response, I am
  sending this correspondence to you.  In our desire to be open and
  transparent with you, we are providing a detailed explanation of the
  process of actualizing the transaction.  In this transaction, there
  are no grey areas; and should you require any further clarifications
  do not hesitate to ask me.  We will be all too glad to furnish you
  further information.  It is our belief that you understand the
  necessity of upholding the strictest level of confidentiality in a
  transaction of this nature, and magnitude.  Being very meticulous
  people, we have perfected our strategies such that every detail has
  been taken into consideration to ensure a 100% risk free and hitch
  free execution of this business.  As long as you follow our
  instructions (as originators of this business as well as active
  participants), success is assured.  The necessity of following our
  instructions and maintaining a high degree of confidentiality cannot
  be over-emphasized as we are committed to not just the transfer of the
  fund itself but a 100% success that guarantees our enjoyment of the
  proceeds with absolute peace of mind thereafter.  In fact, the
  elimination of all potential risks to you and ourselves is a paramount
  objective, which is why we have gone to great lengths to properly plan
  the modalities for the execution of this business.  We have indeed
  spared no efforts, and have invested a lot of financial, material
  resources and goodwill in laying the foundation for the success of
  this transaction.  Therefore, we need your reassurance of commitment
  and total partnership.  This can actually make the difference between
  the success and failure of the transaction.  It is our assurance that
  if you follow our instructions religiously, promptly and accordingly,
  neither your interest nor ours will be jeopardized on account of this
  transaction.  We acknowledge your confidence in this transaction, and
  we reciprocate it.  Therefore, please be doubly assured.  Out of the
  budgetary allocation of US$ 458million to my Ministry for the 2000
  financial year we have a sum of US$31.5million unspent.  But according
  to the book of Financial Instructions guiding the expenditure of
  government funds the sum of US$10million may be retained in the
  Ministry's account in the following year for contingency needs.  So
  the amount involved in this business transaction is US$21.5million.
  This is the amount we wish to transfer into your account.  Before we
  can proceed we must know the amount which your account can accommodate
  without raising any suspicion from your home government.  I wish to
  point out that when the money is finally transferred into your account
  my government will at your request issue official documents to show
  that the money in question is earnings derived from legitimate
  business transaction with the Federal Government of Nigeria and not
  proceeds from any illegal deal such as arms running, drug trafficking
  etc.  Furthermore the document will also state that not all the amount
  involved is profit but only a small margin of the money and that it
  has already suffered company tax in Nigeria thereby the incidence of
  tax will not exert a heavy toll.  The above information is to assist
  you in making your mind in determining how much your account can
  accommodate.  But we are of the opinion that your account can
  accommodate the total sum of US$21.5million without any problem.  You
  must have absolute control of the account to be used.  We have taken
  steps to ensure that this transaction conform with the local
  regularity requirements for the payment of foreign consultants and
  also comply with all that of the Securities and Exchange Commission
  (SEC) of Nigeria as it affects the transfer of monies.  Consequently,
  all the necessary paperwork will be adequately taken care of.  To
  commence this transaction in earnest, I will incorporate your company
  with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria, this will
  empower your company to carry out business in Nigeria.  After the
  incorporation, I will then register your company as a category "A"
  consultant with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.  This will
  qualify you to do contract work with the Ministry.  Your company's
  income tax will also be paid here in Nigeria and income tax
  certificate will be obtained.  All the above satisfy all statutory
  requirements for companies doing business in Nigeria.  We shall have
  these documents back dated to reflect the time, which this supposed
  consultancy work was carried out.  What I need from you now are the
  following information:

  1.    Beneficiary: (your name)
  2.    Your company's name and address
  3.    Your Tel/fax numbers

  Consequently, an application for the payment of a contract debt of
  US$21.5M will be filed at the account department of the Ministry on
  behalf of your company.  We will discreetly use our official clout to
  ensure that the application is approved.  Once it is approved, your
  company payment claim file will be forwarded to the Federal Ministry
  of Finance (FMF)/Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for final processing
  and subsequent payment all these will not take more than 14 days from
  the day of commencement.  Note that from the moment your payment claim
  file is forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF)/Central
  Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the time of payment, all dealings with
  regards to this transaction will be done directly with your company.
  We as civil servants cannot afford to directly involve ourselves in a
  payment claim as to do so will jeopardize not only the transaction but
  our careers as well.  At this stage therefore we rely on you for
  prompt information on development for necessary advice and input, we
  shall be at hand to guide you on the process to follow and the
  requirements to meet.  May I reiterate that the importance of
  confidentiality and speed in this transaction cannot be be
  over-emphasized.  In boosting confidentiality you should desist from
  discussing with your bank the expectation of the funds until we advise
  you otherwise just before the arrival of the funds into your account.

Anther version from January 2002

                 (VERY URGENT BUSINESS)

  Dear sir,

  In order to transfer out (USD 126 M) One hundred and twenty six
  million United States Dollars) from African Development Bank.  I have
  the courage to ask you to look for a reliable and honest person who
  will be capable for this important business believing that you will
  never let me down either now or in future.

  I am Mr John Onwudi, the Chief auditor of African Development Bank
  (ADB).  There is an account opened in this bank in 1980 and since 1990
  nobody has operated on this account again.  after going through some
  old files in the records I discovered that if I do not remit this
  money out urgently it will be forfeited for nothing.  the owner of
  this account is Mr.  Smith B.  Andreas, a foreigner, and a miner at
  kruger gold co., a geologist by profession and he died since 1990.  no
  other person knows about this account or any thing concerning it, the
  account has no other beneficiary and my investigation proved to me as
  well that this company does not know anything about this account and
  the amount involved is (USD 126M) One hundred and twenty six million
  United States Dollars million dollars.  I want to first transfer USDM
  twenty six million United States Dollars from this money into a safe
  foreigners account abroad before the rest, but I don't know any
  foreigner, I am only contacting you as a foreigner because this money
  can not be approved to a local bank here, but can only be approved to
  any foreign account because the money is in us dollars and the former
  owner of the account is Mr.  Smith B.  Andreas is a foreigner too.  I
  know that this message will come to you as a surprise as we don't know
  our selves before, we will sign agreement, but be sure that it is real
  and a genuine business.  I only got your contact address my from my
  secretary who operates computer, with believe in god that you will
  never let me down in this business you are the only person that I have
  contacted in this business, so please reply urgently so that I will
  inform you the next step to take urgently.  Send also your private
  telephone and fax number including the full details of the account to
  be used for the deposit.

  I want us to meet face to face or sign a binding agreement to bind us
  together so that you can receive this money into a foreign account or
  any account of your choice where the fund will be safe.  and I will
  fly to your country for withdrawal and sharing and other investments.

  I am contacting you because of the need to involve a foreigner with
  foreign account and foreign beneficiary.  I need your full
  co-operation to make this work fine.  because the management is ready
  to approve this payment to any foreigner who has correct information
  of this account, which Iwill give to you later immediately, if you are
  able and with capability to handle such amount in strict confidence
  and trust according to my instructions and advice for our mutual
  benefit because this opportunity will never come again in my life.  I
  need truthful person in this business because I don't want to make
  mistake I need your strong assurance and trust.

  With my position now in the office I can transfer this money to any
  foreigner's reliable account which you can provide with assurance that
  this money will be intact pending my physical arrival in your country
  for sharing.  I will destroy all documents of transaction immediately
  we receive this money leaving no trace to any place.  you can also
  come to discuss with me face to face after which I will make this
  remittance in your presence and two of us will fly to your country at
  least two days ahead of the money going into the account.

  I will apply for annual leave to get visa immediately I hear from you
  that you are ready to act and receive this fund in your account.  I
  will use my position and influence to effect legal approvals and
  onward transfer of this money to your account with appropriate
  clearance forms of the ministries and foreign exchange departments.

  At the conclusion of this business, you will be given 35% of the total
  amount, 60% will be for me, while 5% will be for expenses both parties
  might have incurred during the process of transferring.

  I look forward to your earliest reply through my email address or by
  my tel XXX XXX

Another version from February 2002

  A senior member of the Nigeria trade chamber made your mailing address
  available to me, here in Lagos.  On my request for a reputable company
  or individual I could do business with, he made available your address
  and that of two others in your country.  Highlights: I am a member of
  the Federal House Committee probing the accounts of federal
  parastatles.  We need a reliable individual or company with which we
  can transact some confidential business, involving the immediate
  transfer of the sum of $27,000,000:00 (27 million usd.) to a foreign
  account, preferably secret coded account.  Source of funds: the funds
  originated from over invoiced contracts executed at one of our
  ministries.  During a recent audit of the Ministry's accounts, we
  discovered that the total sum of $ 27,000,000 was floating in the
  accounts of the corporation, unclaimed.  We now want to transfer this
  fund to a foreign account for our personal use.  Many other top
  government officials have been doing this kind of business before now.
  The contract, which was originally done in 1999, has been completed
  and commissioned, and the original contractors have been paid their
  fees.  What is left now is the over invoiced amount.  Due to the
  uncertain political and economic situation in Nigeria now it is
  important that we guarantee our future elsewhere.  The common nature
  of this type of business in Nigeria has made it necessary for
  government to try to use propaganda to discourage people like you from
  assisting in this type of business .we assure you success.
  Documentation: in order to transfer this money to your foreign
  account, we will require the following: -
  (1)	Your full company name and address.
  (2)	A letter of invitation to your country.
  The information above will be used to obtain official government
  approval for the transfer of the money into your account.
  Disburse7ment: the money, will, upon the safe transfer to your

  be shared by you and us in the ratio; 30% (thirty percent) for you the
  account owner, 60% (sixty percent), for us and 10% will be for all
  expenses incurred by you and us in the course of the transaction.
  Duration: immediately the necessary information is received from you,
  the transaction will be concluded within fourteen working days.  (14
  days.) All necessary modalities for the successful conclusion of this
  transaction has been worked out awaiting your immediate response
  please do not entertain any fears, as we are very familiar with the
  sequence of this transaction.  Contact me immediately only the TEL:
  -234-xxxxxxx, Fax 234-1-xxxxxx.  Do keep this transaction very
  confidential even where you are not interested.  Thank you for your
  anticipated cooperation.

Another version from April 2002

  Dear N.N,

  I am barrister  chris Bello a solicitor at law.  I
  am the personal attorney to the late Mr Micheal Virta,a
  national of your country, who used to be a financial
  controller with Shell Oil development company in
  Nigeria. Herein  shall be referred to as "my
  client''.On the 21th of April 1998, my client'' his
  wife and their three children were involved in a car
  accident along Sagbama express road Port Harcourt
  Rivers State Nigeria. All occupants of the vehicle
  burnt to ashes.Ever since then, I have made several
  enquries to your embassy to locate any of "my
  client''extended relatives this has also proved
  unsucessful.After these several unsuccessful
  attemps.
  I decided to track his last name over the internet
  to locate any member of his family hence I contacted
  you."My client''left a lot of money in banks here as
  well as bought many other valuable properties worth
  millions of dollars.

  I have contacted you or any person you know that
  bears this surname to reparate his money and properties
  before they get confiscated or the bank account
  declared unserviceable.I have all documents to this
  deposit and properties all I require is your
  assistance to help me locate this family to relocate
  especially his huge deposits.

  Your soonest response is anticipated.

  God bless you and Best Regards.
  X X esq.

Please ignore all these hoaxes and do not pass them on.

Another version from April 2002

  DEAR FRIEND,

  I AM MRS. MARIAM MOBUTU SESE-SEKO, WIDOW OF LATE
  PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE-SEKO OF ZAIRE NOW KNOWN AS
  DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC). I AM MOVED TO
  WRITE YOU THIS LETTER, THIS IS IN CONFIDENCE
  CONSIDERING MY PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATION.

  I ESCAPED ALONG WITH MY HUSBAND AND TWO OF OUR SONS
  JOHNSON AND MICHAEL OUT OF DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
  CONGO (DRC) TO ABIDJAN-COTE DIVOIRE, WHERE MY FAMILY
  AND I SETTLED. WHILE WE LATER MOVED TO SETTLE IN
  MORROCO WHERE MY HUSBAND LATER DIED OF CANCER DISEASE.
  HOWEVER DUE TO THIS SITUATION WE DECIDED TO CHANGE
  MOST OF MY HUSBAND'S BILLIONS OF DOLLARS DEPOSITED IN
  SWISS BANK AND OTHER COUNTRIES INTO OTHER FORMS OF
  MONEY CODED FOR SAFE PURPOSE BECAUSE THE NEW HEAD OF
  STATE OF DRC, MR. LAURENT KABILA, HAS MADE ARRANGEMENT
  WITH THE SWISS GOVERNMENT AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
  TO FREEZE ALL MY LATE HUSBAND'S TREASURES DEPOSITED IN
  SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. HENCE MY CHILDREN AND I
  DECIDED LAYING LOW IN AFRICA TO STUDY THE SITUATION
  TILL WHEN THINGS GET BETTER. LIKE NOW THAT PRESIDENT
  KABILA IS DEAD AND THE SON (JOSEPH KABILA) TAKING
  OVER, ONE OF MY LATE HUSBAND'S CHATEAUX IN SOUTHERN
  FRANCE WAS CONFISCATED BY THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT, AND
  AS SUCH I HAD TO CHANGE MY IDENTITY SO THAT MY
  INVESTMENT WILL NOT BE TRACED AND
  CONFISCATED. I HAVE DEPOSITED THE SUM OF THIRTY
  MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS (US$30,000,000,00) WITH A
  SECURITY COMPANY, FOR SAFEKEEPING. THE FUNDS ARE
  SECURITY CODED TO PREVENT THEM FROM KNOWING THE
  CONTENT. WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO IS TO INDICATE YOUR
  INTEREST THAT YOU WILL ASSIST US BY RECEIVING THE
  MONEY ON OUR BEHALF. ACKNOWLEDGE THIS MESSAGE, SO THAT
  I CAN INTRODUCE YOU TO ONE OF MY SONS WHO HAS MAPPED
  OUT THE MODALITIES FOR THE CLAIM OF THE SAID FUNDS. I
  WANT YOU TO ASSIST IN INVESTING THIS MONEY, BUT I WILL
  NOT WANT MY IDENTITY REVEALED. I WILL ALSO WANT TO BUY
  PROPERTIES AND STOCK IN MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES AND
  TO ENGAGE IN OTHER SAFE AND NON-SPECULATIVE
  INVESTMENTS. MAY I AT THIS POINT EMPHASIZE THE HIGH
  LEVEL OF CONFIDENTIALITY, WHICH THIS BUSINESS DEMANDS,
  AND HOPE YOU WILL NOT BETRAY THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE,
  WHICH I REPOSE IN YOU. IN CONCLUSION, IF YOU WANT TO
  ASSIST US, MY SON SHALL PUT YOU IN THE PICTURE OF THE
  BUSINESS, TELL YOU WHERE THE FUNDS ARE CURRENTLY BEING
  MAINTAINED AND ALSO DISCUSS OTHER MODALITIES INCLUDING
  REMUNERATION FOR YOUR SERVICES.

  FOR THIS REASON KINDLY FURNISH US YOUR CONTACT
  INFORMATION, THAT IS YOUR ADDRESS, PERSONAL TELEPHONE
  AND FAX NUMBER FOR CONFIDENTIAL PURPOSE.

  BEST REGARDS,

  MRS M. SESE SEKO

Another version added April 2002

  Attn: THE ADMINISTRATOR / PRESIDENT

  Dear Beloved in Christ

  It is a privileged to hear from God and it gives me joy to relate my
  testimony to you haven received instruction from God through divine
  revelation.  I was once a Moslem before and also a retired military
  top officer in Nigerian Army that served under the past military
  regime.  I was the financial secretary to the Armed Force Ruling
  Council(AFRC).  Before the death of our late head of state then ( Late
  General Sanni Abacha rtd.) and with my position as a financial
  secretary then also, I was instructed by the late head of state then,
  to divert two hundred million America dollars ($200,000,000USD) into
  his wife personal Bank Account in oversea, after executing the job
  gave to me perfectly by the late head of state, I was compensated with
  twenty million America dollars ( $20,000,000USD) as my own gratuity /
  well done job.  And my planned is to invest my own gratuity when I
  retire but immediately when I got retired, I was converted from Moslem
  to Christian when I was preached the words of God through my cousin
  Pastor Osaretin Ogundele.  I then gave my life to Christ and became a
  born again Christian.  However, since I gave my life to Christ, I had
  no rest of mind again why because some times I think of the souls I
  killed when I was a soldier and the dubious character performed by me
  when I was in service, hence the need for me to seek the face of God
  for forgiveness.  After fasting and prayer through Divine Revelation,
  the Almighty God revealed to me that the only way I could have rest of
  mind and also receive His forgiveness is only when I follows the
  commandment of God, then after my much reading of the Holy Bible to
  really know the will of God, I then picked some of this under
  mentioned chapters and verses in the Holy Bible: Firstly, it is
  written in 1 PETER 4:8 that in Above all things have fervent charity
  among yourself, for charity shall cover the multitude sin.  And
  similar thing is also written in under mentioned chapters and verses
  of the Holy Bible ( 1 CORINTHIANS 16:14 ) that we should let all our
  things be done with charity, ( MATTHEW 6:1-6 ) that we should give
  alms but in secret and not openly for people to know who gives out the
  alms.  ( 11 CORINTHIANS 9:6 ) that we should sow as we expected to
  reap, And as a matter of fact, this few chapters and verses in the
  Holy Bible mentioned above and the many other that I have read in the
  Holy Bible is enough for me to start doing things according to the
  commandment / the will of God, also in order to expand His Kingdom and
  also to see the face of God for the forgiveness of sins as there is no
  gain for a man who inherited the all good of this world but can not
  enter the kingdom of God.  Also since then, I have been thinking of
  the particular thing to do for my God, before the present civilian
  president of my country now set up a panel (Honorable Oputa Panel) to
  probe the Bank Account of the past Military officers like me and
  instead of me loosing this money to my government, and also because
  country's government will never pardon any person who wish to return
  the money back to them, no matter how politely confession that the
  person might confess because they are all bunch of unbelievers and
  they don't do their things for the sake of God due to their
  unbelievers conduct and lack of conscience, thus I quickly withdrew my
  money out of my Bank Account and deposited all the monies in a finance
  and security company for safety.  Now I am ready to sow half of this
  money into any reliable ministries, Christian Schools or Christian
  Organizations abroad for the purpose of Gospel's work, and this is
  reason why I am contacting you or your Christian
  Schools/Organizations.  I have been making arrangement on how to come
  over to your country but you need to assist me to receive this money
  from the finance and Security Company in cash first pending my arrival
  in to your Country.  Should be incase the nature of your work will not
  permit you for the assistance incase you are always too busy, then I
  will want you to use your trusted status which the people of God
  reposed on you to be their leader to kindly recommend a believer/God
  fearing minded person who can be of help in assisting me to receive
  this money from the security company for the only purpose of sowing
  the money into the work of God, because I want to avoid inherited all
  good things of this world so that I can be able to inherit the Kingdom
  of God in!  my life after.  The security company has packaged this
  money as consignments and ready for shipment but the security company
  must require for the contact informations of the receiver.  Please
  kindly contact me upon your readiness to assist me for the sake of God
  and for the purpose of Gospel's work, so that I can give you more
  information on how you will be able to receive the money from the
  security company.  I will be coming over to your Country with my
  family as soon as the money is being received by you from the security
  company over there in your Country.  I look forward to your quick
  response

  God bless you.

Another version added May 2002

                  GOLDEN LOTTO,
            10 SUNSET AVE. ILLOVO, 2154
                  JOHANNESBURG,
                  SOUTH AFRICA.
               TEL/FAX: xxxxx xxxxxxx xxx

  FROM: THE DESK OF THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
  INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT,
  REF: GLS/5181/7390007/77
  BATCH: 2101/14/LPP

  ATTENTION:
          RE/ AWARD NOTIFICATION; FINAL NOTICE

  We are pleased to inform you of the announcement today, 24th APRIL  2002,
  of winners of the GOLDEN LOTTO/ INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS.

  Your company, attached to ticket number 025-1146-1992-750, with
  serial number 2113-05 drew the lucky numbers 4, 14, 17, 28, 62, 63.

  You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of
  US$1,200,000.00  in cash credited to file REF NO. GLS/5181/7390007/77.
  Participants  were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from
  25,000
  names from Middle East, Asia, Africa,Canada, Europe, USA and North
  America as part our International Promotions Program.

  CONGRATULATIONS!

  Your fund is now deposited with a Finance and Security House insured  in
  your name. Due to the mix up of some numbers and names, we ask  that you
  keep this award strictly from public notice until your
  claim has been processed and your money remitted
  to your account. This is part of our secuity protocol to avoid double
  claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants of this program.

  We hope with a part of your prize, you will participate in our end  of
  year high stakes US$1.3 billion International Lottery.

  To begin your claim, please contact your claim agent;
  N N,
  FOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER,
  GLOBAL CROSSING,
  JOHANNESBURG, S.A
  TEL: xxxxx xxxx    FAX:xxx xxxx
  EMAIL: stagolden@consultant.com

  For due processing and remittance of your prize money
  to a designated account of your choice.

  Remember, you must contact your claim agent not later than 10th May
  2002. After this date, all funds will be returned as unclaimed.

  NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delays and
  complications, please remember to quote your reference
  and batch numbers in every one of your correspondences
  with your agent. Furthermore, should there be any
  change of your address, do inform your claims agent as
  soon as possible.

  Congratulations again from all our staff and thank you
  for being part of our promotions program.

  Sincerely,

  THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER,
  GOLDEN LOTTO.

  N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the
  winners will result to disqualification. Please do not
  reply to this mail. Contact your claim agent.

Another version added in May 2002

  PRINCE DESMOND OKOTIEBOH
  OGONI PALACE
  OGONI KINGDOM.
  TEL/FAX:XXX-XX-XXXXXX

  I WISH TO INTRODUCE MYSELF TO YOU. I AM PRINCE DESMOND
  OKOTIEBOH. THE NEXT HEIR TO THE THRONE OF THE OIL RICH
  KINGDOM OF THE OGONI COMMUNITY. I HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT
  OF MONEY PRESENTLY IN MY POSSESSION.THE FUNDS WERE
  REALISED FROM OIL ROYALTIES THAT WERE PAID TO MY LATE
  FATHER BY THE MULTINATIONAL OIL COMPANIES THAT ARE
  DRILLING OIL IN OUR KINGDOM.

  DUE TO SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMICAL REASONS THE
  PRESENT GOVERNMENT IN POWER IS PERSECUTING OUR KINGDOM
  BECAUSE OF OUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, SOCIO-POLITICAL
  FIGHTS AND OUR AGITATION AGAINST SEIZING OUR LANDS BY
  GOVERNMENT.

  AS A RESULT OF OUR KINGDOMS OPPOSITION TO THE PEOPLE
  IN POWER, THE FEDERAL ARMY WAS SENT TO OCCUPY OUR
  KINGDOM. MY LATE FATHER THE KING AND OUR COMMUNITY
  SPOKESPERSON AND ENVIRONMENTALIST; AUTHOR KEN SARO
  WIWA WAS KILLED IN THE COURSE OF THE ARMY'S BRUTALITY
  AND OCCUPATION. CONSEQUENTLY THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS OF
  THE KINGDOM HAS AGREED AND DECIDED THAT THESE FUNDS
  MUST BE INVESTED ABROAD IN ORDER TO SAFE GUARD THE
  FUTURE OF THE OGONI KINGDOM. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT
  KNOW THAT THIS HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY IS IN THE PALACE.

  I THEREFORE SOLICIT YOUR ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION IN
  ASSISTING US IN GETTING THESE FUNDS OUT OF THE COUNTRY.
  YOUR PERCENTAGE SHARE OF THE FUNDS WILL BE MADE KNOWN
  TO YOU AS SOON AS YOU INDICATE YOUR INTEREST TO ASSIST
  US.

  YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE, FAX AND MOBILE PHONE NUMBERS
  ARE REQUIRED SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IN ORDER TO
  ADVISE ON HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET THESE FUNDS OUT OF
  THE COUNTRY WITH YOUR COOPERATION. PLEASE LOOK AT YOUR
  ASSISTANCE AS A FORM OF HUMANITARIAN SERVICE TO THE
  KINGDOM. PLEASE SEND YOUR RESPONSE ON THE RECEIPT OF
  THIS MAIL. ENDEAVOUR TO KEEP THIS BUSINESS
  CONFIDENTIAL.

  I URGENTLY AWAIT YOUR E-MAIL.

  HOPE TO MEET YOU SOON.

  BEST REGARDS,

  PRINCE DESMOND OKOTIEBOH.

Another version added at August 2002:

  Dear Sir,

  This may reach you as a surprise,i am sending you this mail due to my
  present urgent position.

  I am Mr.  James Smith,the officer in charge of special projects to Mr.
  John Mendelson who recently resigned as a member of the board of
  directors of Enron energy coporation,a multibillion dollar energy
  coporation in the united states of america.

  My Job description amongst others is Auditing,Verification and
  Recommending for payment, funds for our overseas operations and
  projects for work done by our Europe and far east countries clients.

  Just before Enron filed for bankrupcy,we were in the process of paying
  out huge funds to some of our foreign clients,this was however
  suspended after the federal agents stepped in following the discovery
  that our Accounting firm Atrhur Anderson was carrying out some
  accounting irregularities.

  Incedentaly, before the company was sealed,i succeded in securing some
  vital classified documents in collaboration with my boss who ordered
  that the documents be destroyed.These documents shows how funds meant
  for overseas payment are lorged abroad.These funds are safely in
  offshore online bank accounts.

  Presently,i am in the island of Haitti and need a reliable friend that
  can assist in standing in as a client of Enron,of which payment for
  work done is long overdue.

  If you agree to work with me in this venture, I will provide all
  information and details in respect of the funds deposited, that will
  empower and enable you collect the funds on my behalf.

  I would provide you with more details as soon as you acknowledge
  reciept of this mail.

  Please note that this venture is completely safe as we shreaded all
  documents concerning the whereabout of our offshore accounts before
  the company folded up and the funds can not be traced anywhere in the
  world.

  I expect your prompt response.And please respond only to this my
  confidencial mail address xxxxx.xxx.com only.

[Last modified: May 2002]