# Post your favorite Nigerian Letter **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 29, 2002, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324 "2002-07-29T04:03:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324/1 "2002-07-29T04:03:26Z")
Well I just got this one. It’s a new twist on the ones I have recieved Dear Friend, ASSISTANCE REQUIRED FOR ACQUISITION OF ESTATE PROPERTIES. I write to inform you of my desire to acquire estates or landed properties in your country on behalf of my Husband, Former opposition Vice Presidential Candidate in Zimbabwe’s last general elections recently concluded Considering the strategic and influential position he held in the opposing political party in Zimbabwe, he would want the transaction to be strictly confidential as possible.He further wants his identity to remain undisclosed at least for now, until the completion of the transaction.Hence our desire to have an overseas Manager. I want to inquire on behalf of my family if you would agree to act as our overseas Manager in order to actualize this transaction. We have heard rumours that President Robert Mugabe intends to confiscate all properties and assets belonging to top members of the opposing political party and try them for treason andattempt to assasinate him.If found guilty, they will be jailed or executed,this is one of his moves in becoming a dictator. The project in brief, is that the funds with which we intend to carry out our proposed investments in your country, is presently in the custody of a security Company in Europe and we need your assistance to transfer the funds to your country in a convenient bank account that will be provided by you before we can put the funds into use in your country. For this, you shall be considered to be the beneficiary of the money. The total sum is US$18 Million, of which your share shall be 20% if you agree to be our overseas agent and the remaining 80% is for buying the properties in your Country with your assistance.This money is part of the donations we received from friends and from various governments that was in support of the removal of President Robert Mugabe during the recently concluded Presidential elections in Zimbabwe.The President is aware of this money that is why we have deposited the money with the Security Comapany in Europe. As soon as payment is effected, and the amount mentioned above is successfully transferred into your account, we intend to use our own share in acquiring some estates abroad. For this too you shall also be our overseas manager of all our properties and you will be paid based on a certain percentage agreed on by both parties. In the light of this, I would like you to forward to me the following information: 1. Your company name and address(if any) 2. Your personal telephone/fax number. 3.Complete Mailing Address 4.The name you want us to use as beneficiary. As soon as i receive the above information from you,i will present it to our family,s lawyer to raise a power of Attorney empowering you to have full authority over the total money. You are requested to communicate your acceptance of this proposal through my above stated email address after which my elder brother(williams kume) shall discuss the modalities of the transaction with you. Your quick response will be highly appreciated. Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation. Yours faithfully, Victoria Komo. ---
**Author:** ![Forbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324/2 "2002-07-29T05:21:06Z")
N ---
**Author:** ![Forbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324/3 "2002-07-29T05:22:24Z")
😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324/4 "2002-07-29T05:30:50Z")
Evolution in progress. ---
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324/5 "2002-07-29T05:55:04Z")
From: “Mr, Larry Wilson” \<[mrwlarry@yahoo.com](mailto:mrwlarry@yahoo.com)\> Date: Fri, 17 May 2002 07:30:43 To: reprise@xxxx.xxx.au Subject: INTENT LETTER From the Desk of: MR. LARRY WILSON ACCOUNT DEPARTMENT ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK LIMITED 84 Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island Lagos. TEL/FAX:234-1-759 3339 TO: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO DEAR SIR, RE:TRANSFER OF THE SUM OF US$30.5M DOLLARS INTO YOUR ACCOUNT FIRST,I MUST SOLICIT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THIS TRANSACTION.THIS IS BY VIRTUE OF IT’S NATURE AS BEING UTTERLY CONFIDENTIAL AND TOP SECRET.THOUGH I KNOW THAT A TRANSACTION OF THIS MAGNITUDE WILL MAKE ANYONE APPREHENSIVE AND WORRIED.BUT IAM ASSURING YOU THAT ALL WILL BE WELL AT THE END OF THE DAY.WE HAVE DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU THROUGH THIS MEDIUM DUE TO THE URGENCY OF THIS TRANSACTION AS WE HAVE BEEN RELIABLY INFORMED OF YOUR DISCRETENESS AND ABILITY. LET ME START BY INTRODUCING MYSELF TO YOU. IAM MR. LARRY WILSON, A CHIEF ACCOUNTANT WITH THE ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK OF NIGERIA . MARINA BRANCH OFFICE LAGOS. I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT YOU IN MY PRIVATE SEARCH FOR A RELIABLE AND REPUTABLE PERSON TO HANDLE THIS CONFIDENTIAL TRANSACTION AS WE ARE STILL IN ACTIVE SERVICE. THE PROPOSITION. AN AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL,LATE ENGINEER BUTCH R. MIGUEL,AN OIL MERCHANT/CONTRACTOR WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA,UNTIL HIS DEATH THREE YEARS AGO IN A GHASTLY AIR CRASH IN AN EGYPT AIR, FLIGHT 990 WHICH OCCURED ON 2ND NOVEMBER 1999,UNTIL HIS DEATH,BANKED WITH US HERE AT ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK LIMITED, VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS,AND HAD A CLOSSING BALANCE OF US$30.5M(THIRTY MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS)IN A FIXED DEPOSIT ACCOUNT,WHICH THE BANK UNQUESTIONABLY EXPECTS IT TO BE CLAIMED BY ANY AVAILABLE FOREIGN NEXT-OF-KIN TO THE LATE BENEFICIARY OR ALTERNATIVELY BE DONATED TO A DISCREDITED TRUST FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF ARMS AND AMMUNITIONS AT THE MILITARY WAR COLLEGE IN KADUNA STATE HERE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA. SEQUEL TO THIS,FERVENT VALUABLE EFFORTS WERE MADE BY ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK .TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ANY OF THE MIGUEL’S FAMILY OR RELATIVES BUT PROVED TO NO AVAIL.IT IS BECAUSE OF THE PERCEIVED POSIBILITY OF NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCATE ANY OF THE LATE ENGR.BUTCH R. MIGUEL’S NEXT-OF-KIN(HE HAD NO KNOWN WIFE AND CHILDREN) THAT THE MANAGEMENT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF OUR HONOURABLE CHAIRMAN / CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER- MR JIM OVIA, THAT AN ARRANGEMENT BE MADE FOR THE FUND TO BE DECLARED"UN-CLAIMABLE" AND SUBSIQUENTLY BE DONATED TO THE TRUST FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF ARMS AND AMMUNITON TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE COURSE OF WAR IN AFRICA AND THE WORLD IN GENERAL. IN ORDER TO AVERT THIS CRUDE AND NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT,SOME OF MY TRUSTED COLLEAGUES AND I NOW SEEK YOUR PERMISSION TO HAVE YOU STAND AS THE NEXT-OF-KIN TO LATE ENGR. BUTCH R.MIGUEL, SO THAT THE FUND US$30.5M WOULD BE RELEASED AND PAID INTO YOUR ACCOUNT AS THE BENEFICIARY’S NEXT-OF KIN.ALL DOCUMENTS AND PROVES TO ENABLE YOU RECIEVE THIS FUND WILL BE CAREFULLY WORKED OUT AND MORESO AS PROFESSIONAL BANKERS, WE ARE ASSURING YOU OF 100% RISK-FREE INVOLVEMENT. YOUR SHARE STAYS WHILE THE REST WILL BE FOR MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES IN YOUR COUNTRY. NOTE THAT THIS TRANSACTION WILL STRICTLY BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS I HAVE STATED BELOW, AS WE HAVE HEARD CONFIRMED CASES OF BUSINESS ASSOCIATES RUNNING AWAY WITH FUNDS KEPT IN THEIR CUSTODY WHEN IT IS FINALLY REMITTED INTO THIER BANK ACCOUNTS.A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE IS THE ONE OF MR. PETER HOPWOOD,THE PRESIDENT OF MILEAGE TRADING AND INVESTMENT COMPANY AT NUMBER 121, WEST 55TH STREET,21st FLOOR,NEW YORK 10022, AND THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF OMPADEC(MR PATRICK OPIA)WHOM WE WERE RELIABLY INFORMED THAT AFTER THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH PARTNERS IN WHICH HE WAS TO TAKE 15% OF THE MONEY WHILE THE REMAINING 85% FOR THE NIGERIAN OFFICIALS. WITH ALL THE REMAINING DOCUMENTS SIGNED,THE MONEY WAS DULY TRANSFERED INTO MR HOPWOOD’S ACCOUNT, ONLY TO BE DISAPPOINTED ON THEIR ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK AND WERE INFORMED THAT MR PETER HOPWOOD WAS NO LONGER ON THAT ADDRESS,WHILE HIS TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS HAD BEEN RE-ALLOCATED TO SOME BODY ELSE. tHIS WAS HOW THEY LOST US$18.5M TO MR HOPWOOD.THIS IS A VERY RECENT STORY HERE IN MY COUNTRY AND EVERYBODY IS AWARE OF THIS.SOME OF THE OFFICIALS DECIDED TO CRY OUT AND FACE THE LAW,BECAUSE THEY FELT THEY HAD LOST SO MUCH TO A STRANGER,WHILE THE CHAIRMAN OF OMPADEC(MR PATRICK OPIA)IS NOW HIDDING IN A FORIEGN COUNTRY.SO RIGHT NOW, IAM TAKING ALL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO GUARD AGAINST RE-OCCURENCE OF SUCH ACT IN OUR CASE.THIAS IS WHY WE HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS TRANSACTION WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:- (a) OUR CONVICTION OF YOUR TRANSPARENCY, HONESTY AND DILIGENCE. (b) THAT YOU WILL TREAT THIS TRANSACTION WITH UTMOST SECRECY AND CONFIDENTIALITY. ©YOU MUST BE READY TO PRODUCE US WITH ENOUGH INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF TO PUT OUR MINDS AT REST. (d) THAT UPON RECIEPT OF THE FUND,YOU WILL PROMPTLY RELEASE OUR SHARE ON DEMAND AFTER YOU HAVE DEDUCTED YOUR 20%. YOUR URGENCY WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED AS WE ARE ALREDY BEHIND SCHEDULE FOR THIS FINANCIAL QUATER. IF THIS PROPOSAL IS ALRIGHT BY YOU,THEN KINDLY GET TO ME IMMEDIATELY FOR CONFIDENTIALITY.PLEASE REPLY THROUGH THIS [ALTN:EMAILBOX---------mrwlarry@yahoo.com](mailto:ALTN:EMAILBOX---------mrwlarry@yahoo.com) THANK YOU IN ANTICIPATON OF YOUR COOPERATION. YOURS FAITHFULLY, MR. LARRY WILSON ( Chief Accountant) ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK LIMITED . VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS. Yes, it arrived with that formatting. Nice to know international banks use yahoo accounts… People might find [this](http://www.snopes.com/message/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000882) thread in which David Mikkelson from snopes toys with a scammer amusing. It also illustrates how if people aren’t paying close attention, they might confuse the Zenith-Bank quoted in the email to David (they have a fondness for Zenith, don’t they) with the legitimate Zenith Bank. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324/6 "2002-07-29T06:23:36Z")
I recently saw one that tried to use Frank Zappa’s name as a reason to do the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Mooney252](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@Mooney252](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooney252)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324/7 "2002-07-29T15:54:46Z")
This one came in twice in the past week – but from two different names. **Should I be suspicious?** – From the desk of: DR.FELIX DIKE Tel No: Your Intl. Access Code + 873762692484 Fax No: Your Intl. Access Code + 873762692485 email : [felidike@email.com](mailto:felidike@email.com) Lagos, Nigeria. Dear Sir, REQUEST FOR AN URGENT CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP After due deliberation with my colleagues, We have decided to forward to you this business proposal. We want a reliable person who could assist us in the transfer the sum of Twenty Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ( $20,500,000 ). Via International Bank Draft Cashable in any First World Countries. This fund resulted from an over-invoiced bill from contracts awarded by us under the budget allocation to our Ministry. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324/8 "2002-07-29T16:45:59Z")
I’ll go one better. This is my friend’s reply to a Zimbabwean letter he got this morning from an Oscar Zimba (BTW, Jade was a particularly intellectually challenged participant on UK Big Brother, that finished on Friday): > [@](#): > > Sent: 29 July 2002 11:44 > To: oscar zimba > Subject: Re: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE > > Yo Osc! > Big shout out to you and yours m’man. I so respect my > african brothers, and that Mugabe guy, Who the hell > does he think he is? He aint all that. Put him on the basketball court with me and I’d be all over his ass like a rash. > > As regards your investment, I can handle that, in fact > I got a business plan all worked out for when I get my > hands on your fortune. I’m going to invest it for you > in Jade. Jade is huge in the UK at the moment, earlier > this summer Jade was an unappreciated commodity, but > over the course of the season it has become a more > appreciated precious stone. Truly sir, Jade is not > minging. > > Look here Oscy baby, you send that cash over to me as > quick as you possibly can. You have my word that I > won’t sit on it, it’s more likely that me and my wife > will roll around in it and get jiggy in it. Is there a > Mrs Oscar in your life? Well you give her a bit ole > love roll from her Uncle Macker (That’s me). > > Oscar, I look forward to hearing from you again, you > get that cash all packed up, and I’ll help you spend > it. > > Boooyakasha, > Macker ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-favorite-nigerian-letter/121324/9 "2002-07-29T17:32:00Z")
Mine’s in a [different thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=127422&highlight=scam). Here’s an idea: every time you get one of these scam letters, copy the sender’s address and send them another scam letter from a different address.