Yesterday, I received a funny-looking html-formated mail from a ”Barrister Goldstein”, acting for the ”Central Bank of Nigeria”. It was quite difficult to understand anyting of it, and it had a funny bang of officiality, with beaurocratic wordings, Nigerian flags, an official logo… and centered text with links to a website that looks as if it hasn’t been updated since year 2000.
Today I received the followup, which in part explains the first mail.
But first things first. Here is the first ”official” mail, sent from a hotmail address (SIC!). I’ve reformated it since I don’t want to post their original html mail:
from economic Development <eocd_7@hotmail.com>
reply-to barr.goldsteel@yahoo.com
to undisclosed-recipients <>
date Sep 23, 2007 8:42 AM
subject Attention
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR
GENERAL-ADMINISTRATION
CBN/D-G/G.A/ATMSC/21/09/07/id/D.o./ihw*atmsc:m-t/Cbnatmscxxox5x9x3x06.
Web-site: www.nigeriabusinessinfo.com/cbn.htm3RD QUARTER YEAR 2007- FINAL FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENT NOTIFICATION CIRCULAR CBN /21/ 09 – 07.
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/06
With reference to the new Financial Fiscal Policy of this new Goverment of
Alhaji Umaru Musa Yara’dua.We apologise for the delay of your contract part payment and all the inconvenience this delay might have caused you.
The vision to encourage foreign investors by creating suitable and enabling environment for investment within the Shores of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has resolved to pay foreign contractors owed.
And to inform you that, we have been been able to tap into the Information Technology super highway of e-banking and e-commerce, as a result we are ready to pay you in any of these mode of debt settlement / payment:
(1) By ATM SWIFT CARD to be delivered to you directly through diplomatic courrier means.
(2) By Swift Telegraphic WireTransfer to a nominated account of yours.
(You have to indicate in your response to this notification, which optional mode of payment you may wish this Bank to use to pay you.)
Please note that from the Presidential Instruction for your outstanding contract payment, Central Bank of Nigeria, have been directed and mandated to pay to you $12.7M only as part payment with the balance payable in the first financial fiscal quarter, year 2008.
Meanwhile provide the following information to confirm and update your records as contained in the file CBN/IRD/CBX/021/06 to facilitate your payment.
Board of Governors, Central Bank of Nigeria have been informed that you are still dealing with impostors and non- officials whom claim to be members of staff of Central Bank of Nigeria and top positioned Federal Government of Nigeria’s Public Servants.
Such acts must stop, if you wish to receive your payment.
Government for Federation, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Central Bank of Nigeria will no more entertain reports of loss of hard earned money by Esteemed Foreign Beneficiaries been owed respective legitimate fund by Government Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Central Bank of Nigeria and Government for Federation, Federal Republic of Nigeria , have concluded remittance / pay plans of your unclaimed fund.
Through, this Bank’s (CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ) Over-sea’s Fiduciary Pay Agent.
By Swift Telegraphic Wire Transfer (KTT.) or through Atm Swift Card.
In accordance to directive from Office of President for Federation, Federal Republic of Nigeria , His Excellency, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), President Federal Republic of Nigeria.
To receive your fund, do contact , Claims Officer, Central Bank of Nigeria: Dr. Michael Spiff: EMAIL: atmcenter@mail.ru
Send the following information to Office of Claims Officer, Central Bank of Nigeria.
1) Confirm Your Full Name.
2) Confirm Your Current Physical Domicile Address.
3) Confirm Your Phone, Fax and Mobile phone numbers.
4) Confirm Your Profession, Age and Marital Status.
5) Confirm Your Nationality.(These are for Administrative convience.)
You are warned, in your interest; stop any further communication with any institution or office claiming to have relevance to the payment of your unpaid fund out –side this Bank.
Note: To avoid impersonation, you are hereby issued a code of conduct reference number, which is Cbn/atmscxx0x5x9x3x06.
You must have to indicate this Central Bank of Nigeria Code of Conduct Reference Number on your letter when contacting, Claims Officer, Central Bank of Nigeria .
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Betty Ifeoma
SecretaryOffice of Deputy Governor
General Administration
Central Bank of NigeriaFor:
Mr. O.S. Oduyemi
Deputy Governor (General Administration)
Central Bank of Nigeria (C.B.N.)For:
Professor Chukwuma .C. Soludo.
Chairman Central Bank of Nigeria Board of Directors &
Governor Central Bank of Nigeria.
Strange, isn’t it? Here is the followup, signed by Profesor Charles C. Soludo (strange that he changed his name since yesterday):
john ogbeka <moor.7@hotmail.com>
reply-to soludooffice003@yahoo.co.uk
to undisclosed-recipients <>
date Sep 24, 2007 12:42 PM
subject Attention: beneficiaryFrom the desk of:
PROF. CHARLES C. SOLUDO
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK NIGERIA
DIRECT TELEPHONE:+2348077840279
charlesc020@yahoo.co.ukAttention: beneficiary
This is to officially inform you that we have verified your contract
/inheritance file and found out that why you have not received your
payment is because you have not fulfilled the obligations given to you in respect of your contract/inheritance payment. Right now we have arranged your payment through our swift card payment center Asia pacific, thatis the latest instruction from Mr. President, Musa Yar¡¯Adua (GCFR) federal republic of Nigeria.This card center will send you an ATM card which you will use to withdraw your money in any ATM machine in any part of the world, but the maximum
is Six thousand, five hundred united states dollars per day. so if you like to receive your fund in this way, please let us know by sending the following information as listed below.
1. Full name
2. Phone and fax number
3. Address were you want them to send the ATM card to
(p.o box not acceptable)
4. Your age and current occupation
5. Attach copy of your identification
the ATM card payment center has been mandated to issue out
$10,300,000.00 as part payment for this fiscal year 2007. Also for your information, you have to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s)to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment.
Note that because of impostors, we hereby issued you our code of
conduct,which is (ATM-811) so you have to indicate this code when replying by using it as your subject.
Wait for your expedite response.
YOURS SINCERELY,
PROFESSOR CHARLES C. SOLUDO
GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGIA