The 419 mails, or Nigeria mails, is becoming Nigerias major export success, and are rapidly spreading geographically to other parts of Africa. This one, from the country of my childhood, Zimbabwe, reached me today. Mr Aaron Kosoko is the official sender, and he is not a friend of mine…
From: ”Mr. Aaron Kosoko” aa_kosoko@myself.com
Date: fre sep 27, 2002 04:39:52 Europe/Stockholm
To: N!kke
Subject: THIERRY COSBANBulawayo, REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE
26/09/02Dear friend,
This is a proposal in context but actually an appeal soliciting for your unreserved assistance in consummating an urgent transaction requiring maximum confidence. Though this approach appears desperate, I would advise that whatever questions you intend to verify as regards this proposal will be very welcome as a clearer understanding on both sides means a successful transaction which is our ultimate goal.
My name is Mr. AARON KOSOKO, Chief Credit Officer (CCO) Standard Chartered Bank Bulawayo, ZIMBABWE. On December 6, 1999, a Foreign consultant/contractor with the ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission, Mr Thierry COSBAN, made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$30,000,000.00, (Thirty Million, United States Dollars) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, I sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers, the ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission, that Mr. Cosban died from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL. I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Cosban did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in our Bank. I have carefully moved out these funds (US $30million) from our bank as sundry funds to an offshore bank in Europe where the funds is safe.
From past experiences, I know that no one will ever come forward to claim the deceased funds. According to ZIMBABWEAN Law, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the funds will be Unclaimable and revert to the ownership of the ZIMBABWE Government if nobody applies to claim the fund. In order to avert this negative development, I in conjunction with a colleague (the Chief Operating Officer in the bank) now seek your permission to allow my attorney do a backdated CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP/REASSIGNMENT OF CREDIT of stated funds from the ”deceased” to your name, so that the funds (US $30million) would be released to you as the new owner (on behalf of me and my colleague). We are writing you because, as public servants, we cannot operate a foreign account without the supervision of my bank or have an account that is more than Zw$1,000,000.00 locally and the fact that the original owner of the funds is a Foreigner. Consequently, I will present you as the owner of the funds in the offshore Bank so you can be able to claim it with the help of my attorney. This is simple. I will like you to provide immediately your: FULL NAMES/FULL CONTACT ADDRESS/PHONE/FAX NUMBERS, so that my Attorney will prepare the necessary documents which will put you in place as the new owner of the funds. The money will then be released to you by the offshore bank, for us to share in the ratio of 75% for us and 25% for you. There is no risk at all as the Attorney will do all the paperwork, which will facilitate and guarantee the successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately via my email address. Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details, my confidential phone number and further direction that will assist our understanding for a successful completion of this transaction.
No doubt this proposal could make you apprehensive, however we imploy you to observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because we shall require your assistance to invest our share in your country (PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR ADVISE IN THIS REGARD WILL BE VERY NECESSARY) This is why your urgent action and response is of priority to enable us conclude this transaction in a timely and professional manner. Awaiting your urgent reply via my email.
Thanks and regards.
Mr. AARON KOSOKO. Chief Credit Officer (CCO) Standard Chartered Bank Bulawayo ZIMBABWE