Variation on the Nigerian Scam By Vernon K. Jacobs, CPA

For many years, I have received letters by mail (and more recently by email) offering me an opportunity to make a huge amount of money by helping some alleged official in Nigeria to commit an illegal act in order to cheat the Nigerian government or some large company out some huge amount of money. Typically, the offer would be for 10% of a $10 or $20 million fund.  The great majority of these letters originate from Nigeria, hence the name, the "Nigerian Scam".

According to the letter (below), a Mr. Press has died and has left over $10 million but without any surviving heirs. This letter suggests that some company would simply retain the assets if an heir is not found.

I suspect there will be MANY victims of this deal. What's the catch?  I really don't know the particulars because I didn't call the number that was given and I didn't reply to the email message.  Most likely, it will be necessary to provide some kind of financial deposit or bond as proof that I am Mr. Press and/or as assurance that the letter writer will get his share of the alleged estate. Or I might have to travel to Nigeria to visit with Mr. Smith, the alleged barrister. Once I arrive, I could be forced to divulge all of my financial information and to make withdrawals of any funds that I might have in any banks, etc.

How can I be sure this is really a scam?  Because the following letter was addressed to Mr. Press, whose first name happens to be "Offshore", as in Offshore Press -- which is the name of my company. I have modified the names given in the letter to avoid unnecessary arguments about defamation or plagiarism, etc. I've also cleaned up the letter to eliminate dozens of typos and spelling errors, which distract from the message, which I otherwise found to be quite clever.  

Vern Jacobs

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"Dear Press,

"I am Barrister XXXXX Smith ,a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. XXXX Press, a citizen  of USA, who used to work with YYY Development Company in Nigeria and as well a one time secret agent in the transferring of money overseas for the Late head of state of Nigeria {Late Gen.SANI ABACHA}.

"Before his death on the 21st of October 2000, my client, his wife and their two children, were involved in a car accident along Shagamu express road in which all occupants of the motor car died. My client deposited as family belongings in a CONSIGNMENT {ie jewelries} the sum of $10m in Diamond Trust Finance Company here in Nigeria for himself, with the hope of transferring it to his country as soon as he is on leave.

"Since his death I have made several enquiries at American embassy to locate any of my client's extended relatives but this has also proved unsuccessful.

"After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family -- hence I contacted you. I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance Company where this huge deposit was lodged. Particularly, the Diamond Trust Finance Company where the deceased had an account valued at about US$10million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.

"Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this account valued at 10 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money --  65% to me and 30% to you and 5% for any expenses which may be incurred in the course of this transaction. I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make regarding this.

"All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by  email or through my mobile telephone number:000-000-9999999 to enable us discuss further and also forward your private telephone and fax numbers for the transmission of the required documents.

Best regards,

XXXXX Smith,
Supreme Chambers"

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(For those who are interested in additional background on the Nigerian scam and some of its variations, see http://www.quatloos.com/scams/nigerian.htm)

Copyright, 2003
Vernon K. Jacobs, CPA

About the authors: Vernon Jacobs is a CPA who provides tax accounting and consulting services for clients with international interests. He edits and publishes theonline International Wealth Protection Reports ..  J. Richard Duke , JD, LLM is an attorney who specializes in international tax law and is an Adjunct J. Richard Duke is a Professor of international tax law. and a practicing attorney in the international speciality.  He is a Consulting Editor for  theonline International Wealth Protection Reports Sponsored by Offshore Press, Inc.., Copyright, 2004, all rights reserved. Offshore Press, Inc., Box 8194, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Phone (913) 362-9667. Email to Offshore Press  Vernon K. Jacobs, Webauthor .