Warning on the 419 Scam
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Raheem
Governments and law enforcement agencies have for years been aware of a scam operating mainly out of West Africa, particularly Nigeria, known as Advance Fee Fraud. This has become known as the 419 scam, after the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with this type of fraud.
The way it works is that one of their operatives will send a letter, fax or (in more recent cases) an email to some total stranger, out of the blue, in which they claim to be someone of great wealth or power who has fallen on hard times as a result of political troubles in West Africa. They have a substantial sum of money, an eight-figure sum in dollars or pound sterling, which they need to get out of the country to stop the government, or their enemies, getting their hands on it. They need you to help them, either by opening your bank account to them, or by some other means. In return, they'll give you a cut of the money, which will amount to a seven-figure sum.
Once you reply, they will come up with some excuse to demand money from you, either to pay fees to somebody or to bribe an official. And they will keep on coming up with excuses, and getting more money out of you, until you realise that you've been "had" and give up. By this time, you'll have handed up a big sum of money, perhaps your life savings. (In some cases, another group of people will turn up and tell you that the people you'd been dealing with were crooks, and if you stump up some money, they'll go and get your money back for you. You can guess what happens then.)
From time to time, I receive invitations from these scammers which attempt to use Islam to get me to join in. It's not unusual to see Muslim names in 419 emails, because a huge percentage (possibly a majority) of Nigerians are Muslims and this includes a lot of the corrupt élites such as the notorious Abacha family. Less common are emails like the one I reproduce here, in which the author pulls a "help a Muslim brother/sister" line. This was the first of the kind I received, although people have pulled this line on me since.
Here's the email:
FROM:MRS ADJIA BASIRA GUEI. SON: MR ISMAIL A GUEI PHONE:+225 07493491. Dear Yusuf I am Hon.Mrs.Adjia Basira Guei from Republic of Cote D' Ivoire.I was married to late Gen .Guei Robert the late president who was killed during the uprising in Abidjan-Cote D' Ivoire.we were married for nineteen years and i was the second wife before he was assissinated on the 19th september 2002.We had a child (son)Ismail A Guei. Before his death i was a dedicated muslem.And since his death i decided not re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which i do not like because my hunsband's family are all christians not believers in Allah (kafri). When my hunsband was alive he deposited the sum of $18.5 million (eighteen million five hundred thousand U.S.Dollars) with one security company in Abidjan later transfered to Brussels in Belgium.Presently,this fund is still with the security company in Brussels. Recently,my doctor told me that i would not last six months time due to the cancer and stroke sickness am facing.Having known my condition i decided to donate this fund to the work of Allah that would be Utilized to build mosques and for orphanages,widows and to propagate the word/work of Almighty Allah in Africa/World. The koran made me to understand that blessed are the hands that gives than the hands that takes,i took this decision brecause i have only one son and my husband relatives are not muslems and i don't want my husband's efforts to be used by unbelievers. I don't want a situation where this fund will be used in an ungodly way. Conclusively,this is why i have taken this decision.I know where i am going.I know that i am going to be in the bosom of Allah in peace,I don't need any telephone communication in this regard for now because of my health and my husband's relatives are always around me. I don't want them to know about this development.With Allah all things are possible. As soon as i receive your reply i shall give you the contact of the security company in Abidjan and Brussels,I will also issue you an authorisation letter. Please you can contact my son through the above phone number and the same e-mail address. Insh'Allah please always contact me on this e-mail address.Hoping to hear from you insh'Allah. Best regards, Hon.Mrs.Adjia Basira Guei.
Since writing this page I've done a bit of research on this story, and it is a total fabrication. First of all, the expression "bosom of Allah" is not part of the Islamic vocabulary. I looked up this phrase on Google and it produced a few occurrences which appeared in similar scams to this one. A number were by non-Muslims talking about Muslims, sometimes in an insulting way. Second, Robert Guei was not Muslim, and if this lady really was a "dedicated Muslim", she would not have married a non-Muslim at all. Thirdly, I found a letter on an archive of scam letters (since removed) claiming to be from Robert Guei's other second wife, called Franka. How many second wives can a man have?
There are a number of scams a lot like this one; in particular, there are people in eastern Europe who claim to be women seeking to marry western men, who send them pictures of themselves (which are actually of a Russian model) and then ask for money on various false pretences, many of them similar to those used by the Nigerian fraudsters. One of these people, called Oksana (the surname varies), targeted men who posted their email addresses on Islamic matrimonial databases like islam.tc and Kismatlinx, which display email addresses openly (and I suspect the 'traditional' 419ers use these as well). There is a blacklist of bogus Russian brides here, and an article in the Observer (London) about this issue. Note also that there are traditional 419 scams apparently emanating from countries outside West Africa; I have recently received emails of this sort supposedly from Egypt and Pakistan. (I don't think Muslims would go after the lottery winnings that they might be informed of in emails from total strangers, but ... wouldn't hurt to mention it. They're a scam as well.)
More information on this and other online scams
- Watch Out - It's a Scam! - Wael Abdulgawad gives another Muslim perspective, including an "Iraqi" variant
- 419 Eater - stringing the scammers along. It demonstrates just how stupid these crooks are. How could they get $20 million together without stealing it?!
- Artists Against 419 - draining the bandwidth of bogus bank websites run by fraudsters
- Article from The Observer (London) on this subject
- The Kizombe Correspondence - see a scammer get taken for a ride. Also mirrored here.
- J. Cosmo Newbery's Is It A Scam? test
- The Metropolitan Police of London have a detailed page on the racket
- UK National Criminal Intelligence Service also have a page on the scam.
- 419 Fraud - Another detailed page.
- BBC News reports:
- 27th Nov 2003 - Obansanjo government promises to tackle 419
- 3rd December 2003 - Britons targeted in lottery scam
- 3rd March 2004 - Interview with Nuhu Ribadu, head of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
- Scammed - Article by Umm Zaid on online scams targeting Muslim women (worth reading for men too)
- Muslim Leader Impersonation Fraud - CAIR warning about con men targeting Muslims recently in Florida.
- The Second Golden Age of the Confidence Trick - Christi Scarborough on online auction stings.
Comments
Jarry obowo & Barr. Justice Gani JARRY obowo AND BARR. JUSTICE GANI = FRAUDS.
Whoever reads this blog, feel free to add to it. These two maggots are frauds, scammers, bottom feeders, etc.
I wish I had the very first email, but this is the 2nd. I will post all of our conversations below.
EMAIL #1. Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 05:47:05 -0700 (PDT) From: Send an Instant Message "jarry obowo" View Contact Details View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert Yahoo! DomainKeys has confirmed that this message was sent by yahoo.com. Learn more Subject: P.B.Galante estate / more info. To: "Victoria Galante"
Dear Victoria,
How are you doing? Thank you for your prompt response. The contents were understood and I consider it expedient to give you the details of this transaction. This transaction is legitimate and in essence it will undergo normal procedures as stipulated in the financial and allied matters act and all legal documents will be issued in your name. I contacted you because you share the same last name with Mr. Patrick B.Galante (blessed memory)and so you can lay claims to this huge amount he left behind as his next of kin.
Late Mr. Patrick B.Galante was born in 1946. He worked with Shell Petroleum Company as an engineer and later retired to private practice as a consultant and formed an oil servicing company. He operated an account with Post Finance Bank Lome-Togo until his death in an auto accident on 21st April, 2003 along with this wife and their only daughter ( May their souls rest in peace).
You must understand that in the banking industry chances or opportunities like this are common but not heard. People put their monies in banks and some of these accounts are either coded or confidentially operated,therefore, when such people die what do you think that happens to these monies when nobody comes for their claims? Well, this is one of the numerous avenues good "free" monies are made within and amongst bankers. I did not mastermind my client's death and I did not operate or manage his account but I was his personal attorney so was privy to his transaction with the bank.
Now be advised my friend that in line with my operational master plan for the success of this our mutual benefit business, what you are required to do now is to tender an application to the bank as next of kin to this deceased customer putting claim over his balance with the bank. This application will be written and then faxed to the bank for immediate action and processing to start.
As soon as they receive this application, documentation for the claim will automatically start. It will be tendered to the board of directors of the bank for approval. As soon as the approval is obtained, you will be issued an approval letter, approving your application as the next of kin/sole beneficiary to the deceased. Business starts from there. You will also notify the bank in your application that you wish your deceased cousin's fund inherited and transferred into your designated account as you will state in the application.
For being involve in this transaction, I have therefore resolved to offer you 35% of the total sum as gratification in helping me champion this business. 60% will be for myself while 5% will be used to take care of the settlement of all expenses that might come up in the course of this transaction as soon as the fund is into your bank account. Please, understand that I put so many things into consideration before offering you this 35% and I do hope that it will be appreciated.
I have in my possession certificate of deposit and death certificate which are the requirements for the claim.
As soon as you give me your hands of co-operation, I will send to you the specimen of the text of application you will send to the bank and the transaction will commence immediately and the deposit and death certificates of my late client for your reference. Please note that this transaction requires utmost trust,sincerity and confidentiality for its conclusion.
I await your prompt reply.
Best Regards,
Barrister Jarry obowo
Tel:+228-929 2522I email him back below
EMAIL #2.
This message is not flagged. [ Flag Message - Mark as Unread ] Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 19:08:42 -0700 (PDT) From: "Victoria Galante" Add to Address BookAdd to Address Book Add Mobile Alert To: Send an Instant Message "jarry obowo" Mr. obowo, I have recently read your email and at this time I will need for you to send me detailed information regarding what it is exactly you want with me. I dont want anything sugar coated please, just straight out and foward.
VictoriaI want him to think Im firm and stern, but gullable.
EMAIL #3.
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 16:17:42 -0700 (PDT) From: Send an Instant Message "jarry obowo" View Contact Details View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert Yahoo! DomainKeys has confirmed that this message was sent by yahoo.com. Learn more Subject: P.B.Galante estate / more info. To: awareofvacuity@yahoo.com Dear Victoria,
How are you doing? Thank you for your prompt response. The contents were understood and I consider it expedient to give you the details of this transaction. This transaction is legitimate and in essence it will undergo normal procedures as stipulated in the financial and allied matters act and all legal documents will be issued in your name. I contacted you because you share the same last name with Mr. Patrick B.Galante (blessed memory)and so you can lay claims to this huge amount he left behind as his next of kin.
Late Mr. Patrick B.Galante was born in 1946. He worked with Shell Petroleum Company as an engineer and later retired to private practice as a consultant and formed an oil servicing company. He operated an account with Post Finance Bank Lome-Togo until his death in an auto accident on 21st April, 2003 along with this wife and their only daughter ( May their souls rest in peace).
You must understand that in the banking industry chances or opportunities like this are common but not heard. People put their monies in banks and some of these accounts are either coded or confidentially operated,therefore, when such people die what do you think that happens to these monies when nobody comes for their claims? Well, this is one of the numerous avenues good "free" monies are made within and amongst bankers. I did not mastermind my client's death and I did not operate or manage his account but I was his personal attorney so was privy to his transaction with the bank.
Now be advised my friend that in line with my operational master plan for the success of this our mutual benefit business, what you are required to do now is to tender an application to the bank as next of kin to this deceased customer putting claim over his balance with the bank. This application will be written and then faxed to the bank for immediate action and processing to start.
As soon as they receive this application, documentation for the claim will automatically start. It will be tendered to the board of directors of the bank for approval. As soon as the approval is obtained, you will be issued an approval letter, approving your application as the next of kin/sole beneficiary to the deceased. Business starts from there. You will also notify the bank in your application that you wish your deceased cousin's fund inherited and transferred into your designated account as you will state in the application.
For being involve in this transaction, I have therefore resolved to offer you 35% of the total sum as gratification in helping me champion this business. 60% will be for myself while 5% will be used to take care of the settlement of all expenses that might come up in the course of this transaction as soon as the fund is into your bank account. Please, understand that I put so many things into consideration before offering you this 35% and I do hope that it will be appreciated.
I have in my possession certificate of deposit and death certificate which are the requirements for the claim.
As soon as you give me your hands of co-operation, I will send to you the specimen of the text of application you will send to the bank and the transaction will commence immediately and the deposit and death certificates of my late client for your reference. Please note that this transaction requires utmost trust,sincerity and confidentiality for its conclusion.
I await your prompt reply.
Best Regards,
Barrister Jarry obowo
Tel:+228-929 2522It gets better, trust me.
EMAIL #4.
This message is not flagged. [ Flag Message - Mark as Unread ] Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 14:17:57 -0700 (PDT) From: "Victoria Galante" Add to Address BookAdd to Address Book Add Mobile Alert Subject: Re: P.B.Galante estate / more info. To: Send an Instant Message "jarry obowo" Dear Mr. obowo:
What bank? Where am I supposed to file this at? You make it sound so very simple when in fact, it isnt. Please please let me know. Im anxious over here. Are you talking millions of dollars for me as well as you? OMG!
Hurry and email me.
VictoriaOk, now Mr. obowo thinks Im a greedy stupid chick. The plot thickens.
EMAIL #5.
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 03:39:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Send an Instant Message "jarry obowo" View Contact Details View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert Yahoo! DomainKeys has confirmed that this message was sent by yahoo.com. Learn more Subject: P.B.Galante estate / APPLICATION To: "Victoria Galante" Dear Victoria,
How are you doing? Thank you very much for your mail received. The contents were understood. And the name of the bank is Post Finance Bank and it is located in Lome, Togo. Togo is in west Africa and for your further information situated between Ghana and Benin Republic.
My late client was a citizen of USA but lived most of his life in Africa and where he eventually died along with his family on that fateful day. May their souls rest in peace.
Sincerely speaking, I physically do not know you but I am aware that a transaction of this nature and volume of fund to be a success, requires trust, confidence and sacrifices and that is why I am not bothered that the inheritance fund will be transferred into your designated bank account while I am not there with you and coupled with the fact that we have not met for the first time. Your contact was an act of God and why I had to choose you is divine and I cannot question my God.
We should work like a team and family to make this transaction a success because as mentioned above, if we fail to, the inheritance fund will definitely end up into the private pockets of the bank management.
The next stage to be taken in this transaction for success is to write an application and fax it to the bank's Foreign Remittance manager Mr. Lawani Kumarsi. Please, find underneath my name the draft of the application you have to write and send to the bank. Go through this application very well, re-write it, making sure it is very neat, sign it and then send it to the bank's Foreign Remittance Manager's direct fax line:+228-222-7047, attention it to MR. LAWANI KUMARSI. Please my friend, get me informed as soon as you send the application.
Note: Neither MR. LAWANI KUMARSI nor any other bank's official is involve in this transaction with us, so any time he gets in touch with you in his capacity as the bank's Foreign Remittance manager, never release any confidential information to him. Always get in touch with me first before answering him any questions.
To get through to the bank's fax line from USA just dial direct: 0112282227047. Please, note once more that 011 is the international prefix used to dial somewhere outside of U.S.A. 228 is the international code used to dial to Togo while 2227047 is the bank number.
And for any clarification, feel free to call me on my direct phone number:+228-929 2522.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
My regards to you and your family and God bless.
Your friend and brother, Barrister Jarry obowo
(THE DRAFT OF THE APPLICATION) Your Address................... Your Telephone number.......... Your fax number Your email address.............
TO : The Foreign Remittance Manager POST FINANCE BANK LOME TOGO FAX:+228-222-7047 ATTN: MR. HAROLD CHAKKA.
Dear sir,
APPLICATION AS NEXT OF KIN TO HOLDER OF ACCOUNT NUMBER:3920487511.
I, .............. . ...(your name),of....... (address) humbly apply to this esteemed Bank today the.....(date)as next of kin to your deceased customer Mr. Patrick B. Galante from the United States of America and who died on 21st of April, 2003.
I humbly apply putting claim on his balance with this bank valued at US$8,500,000.00(Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only). This balance in which I make claim over has the following account number: 3920487511.
I do hope that my application will be given an urgent attention as I want this balance be released and transferred into my account with the following information:(your bank particulars i.e bank name, address, account number, routing number and name of the account beneficiary).
I sincerely hope you will receive my apologies regarding the lateness of this application being that there were family issues that I had to resolve first.
Thank you very much. I anticipate your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely Yours,
(Your name and signature)EMAIL #6.
This message is not flagged. [ Flag Message - Mark as Unread ] Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 08:54:09 -0700 (PDT) From: "Victoria Galante" Add to Address BookAdd to Address Book Add Mobile Alert Subject: hello mr obowo To: Send an Instant Message "jarry obowo" Dear Mr. obowo:
Ok, this all sounds like a plan.
And I've got really excellent news. I just spoke with Mrs. Brawto Sawrus Burgur who is the director of my bank, and she went ahead and opened a seperate account for me and I didnt even have to come in. I have been dealing with this bank and providing them business for over 20 years now. She has been working there almost that long herself. She has personally overseen & handled large transactions in the past whether it was an inheiritence in 1999 or just other business transactions.
See, I own a flower shop and a hair salon and I work for a very large company world wide. You probably cant tell because when I'm writing these emails, I am not professional when writing "emails"... I do not care. At any rate, to tell u a little bit about myself I am currently finalizing a bitter divorce of 14 years and well, Mrs. Burgur is familar with this as well.
Mrs. Burgur and I do coffee from time to time. Anyways, what she has done is created a seperate account for me that has nothing to do with my original accounts. The reason I took it upon myself to do this is because I dont know anybody regarding this situation and/or transaction. Someone could do alot of damage to my life with numbers. When them numbers represent my "savings and checking" account. So anyways, it works out great now for me as well as you.
This is an account established specifially taylor made to accomodate this transaction and my mind is at ease since there is no funds in it. I did some research regarding transactions like this before I decided to open another account because I was worried about the account being to "new" and perhaps this would create a problem, but not only did I read that it doesnt play factor but Mrs. Burgur said that this new account is a slave(secondary) to my main accounts (primary) and shows a date of creation for this account for over 20 years ago, so it appears old and cared for. The only difference is the account numbers and other information regarding account. Only thing that is the same is my name. So if there is something "fishy" going on Mr. obowo, with the bank in Togo or any other undesirables who perhaps have viewed our emails (keyloggers or hackers) and they try to access the account, it wont matter because there is nothing in it.
This new account is like a empty home waiting for someone to move in it & care for it. Isnt this wonderfull? I agree, I think its a blessing that you and me have been introduced even if it is via email. I think we're gonna be wealthy Mr. obowo.
Also, this application looks very very brief and simple. For this much money and regarding a deceased person, this seems very odd to me. But its not a problem, I understand that in other countries things are handled very different.
At this time, I do not know my new account number, routing and other particulars other than my name of course and the only ones I have with me are my normal older accounts, the ones I am not comfortable sharing. At any rate, no need for alarm I will be calling the bank here shortly and speaking with Mrs. Burger when she comes back from lunch. Its 11:30 here my time.
You know I must admit Mr. obowo, I thought you were trying to pull the wool over my eyes there for a moment. I thought you were trying to get over on me, sort of like a scam. I apologize in advance for such doubt.
Also, here is some information about me:
Name: Victoria Galante ISP Telephone: 260-744-3478 Address: 5811 Ellison Road Ft. Wayne, Indiana fax: 260-427-1392 email: awareofvacuity@yahoo.com
The numbers you gave me were not nessessary Mr. obowo. I will not be needing them or calling. I would much rather you call me at home, or fax me and we can stick to emails. It think its best and would make me feel more at ease with this situation. This is illegal you know. But its weel worth it to me because that is alot of money and I to possess the human trait of greed.
I will look foward to hearing from you, and either today or Monday I will fax you what is needed in regards to this transaction. Oh, and when you call me I will have ready the account, routing # and other info ready for when we speak.
P.S. I will be anticipating Patricks death certifcate & a call from you. Use the fax number I enlosed along with my home number. Look foward to speaking with you. :)
Victoria
check out Mr. obowos response below. EMAIL #7 Dear Victoria,
How are you doing? Thank you very much for your mail received. The contents were understood. I called your number and it rang no response. However, I may try again later today.
The application as I drafted it to you as you rightly mentioned is simple, but that is how it should be as the most important thing is that it clearly points to the subject matter. My desire is for the success of this our mutual benefit transaction and where the inheritance fund when transferred will be safe, secure and attracts less tax. You therefore have my consent and approval in the opening of the new account and I must commend your great efforts towards that.
I quite appreciate the information about yourself and I will like if you tell me your age in your next mail. Meanwhile, I was born in 1953 and married with 2 children. I am a widower as I lost my wife 3 years ago. I will send the death certificate to you tomorrow for your reference.
Tendering of application signals the official commenecement of this business therefore do endeavour to fax the application to the bank and as soon as you have done that, keep me informed. To get through to the bank's fax line from USA just dial direct: 0112282227047. Please, note once more that 011 is the international prefix used to dial somewhere outside of U.S.A. 228 is the international code used to dial to Togo while 2227047 is the bank number.
I await your prompt reply.
Best Regards,
Barrister Jarry obowo Tel:+228-929-2522
Of course u cant get a hold of me dipshit, its not a real number idiot! But the fax and physical address are very real. They are the fax to the Detective Bureau and the address to the State police.
He has yet to email me back but I know with 100% certainty he will. I wont let him know right away of me putting him on "blast" here in a blog, I'll let him think that I still dont know for a wee bit longer then, I crash his world but emailing him a link to this page. You have been lullaby'd Mr. obowo. All he will do is create another fake name and email and waste more of his time with this crap. At least I gain pleasure out of this, but this dipshit I doubt makes any money doing this. All this time they sit doing this and they cant get a real job. One thing for sure is all these scammers are at Internet Cafe's. Pathetic piss poor people. Ok well, my next blog is about Barr. Justice gani. Oh, he is a piece of work to , just a bum. a loser..just like Mr. obowo.
Posted by: Victoria Galante | July 29, 2006 12:31 AM