I’ve just received a letter from the Presidency urging me to contact them as soon as possible so I can take my share of the so-called national cake. I wonder if such cake is still there, considering the fact that EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) led by Nuhu Ribadu, is there to protect the giant cake – the doubt is yours.

            The main reason for writing me according to the letter, is because I’ve beeen “listed among other contractors whose payment was found delayed due to complications found in their payment files.  The total sum of US §15 M (Fifteen million United States Dollars have been approved and ready to remit into {my} designated bank account." 

 Dear villagers, yours truly is going to be rich. I am rich. I am going to contest 2007 presidential election. I don’t care whether one or two Babansanjo want to rule for life or not. With fifteen million dollars, I can defeat patriot or pseudo-patriot or evil-patriot or any patriot in the land. Now I can buy your votes with the money instead of executing the contract. 2007 is going to be my turn irrespective of People’s National Conference agenda. Na money dey talk for where I come from. At last, I am my father's true boy.

            What is wrong from reaping where I did not sow? The “patriots” are doing it here and there. Those before me have done it yet they are being regarded as saints. They are walking the street with pride of a locust. If the government is so dumb as to award contract to someone who did not apply, then I must share my own portion. It’s the work of Chineke, and it’s not only Mr. President He talks to.

            Dear villagers, I’m going to buy mansions in Queen Elizabeth’s land. From now on, I’d  go to Spain or Britain or Germany for medical cheek-up. With this money hidden somewhere in Switzerland, I can appoint UbaDibu as my body guards. Even though I cannot manage a classroom, you will all vote for me as your president in 2007. UbaDibu are there to ensure my victory. They know how to do it, and I’m counting on them. FFK will be my spokesperson. The guy is goddamn good. I’d snatch England Confidential from Alao-Akala to be my press secretary. 

            If anyone of you had applied for this contract on my behalf, it would be better to speak up now as I begin to share the booty. God is great. And I say congrats if you had received the same letter. We shall meet soon.

            As I contemplate what the future would be like without poverty, anger surged up within me. How can anyone fall for this kind of letter! It is only those who want to reap from where they did not sow that would eventually fall victim. Then I remember reading something similar in Uche Nworah's 'New breed Politician'.  And I pray: Allah, let not this letter be a parody of how things work at the presidency.

The Letter with what appears to be a fake Nigeria’s logo

 THE PRESIDENCY

FROM SENATE CHAIRMAN FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ABUJA -NIGERIA

OUR REF: OSP/FGN/046/05 

YOUR REF: Your Due Payment.

Date: First Quarter Payment 2006.

This is to bring to your notice that your name was listed among other contractors whose payment was found delayed due to complications found in their payment files. The total sum of US$15.M {FIFTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS} have been approved and ready to remit into your designated bank account.

Following series of petitions received from most creditors over non payment of contract funds .Several investigation was carried out with view of effecting payment to various beneficiaries. From the result of our investigation, most claims are fakes. There is no trace of contract executed / awarded anywhere by the federal Government of Nigeria, while in other hand, payment were made to wrong beneficiaries {funds diverted}

It was also discovered that your claim is among few genuine over due contract payment awarded and completed satisfactorily. But owing to irregularities, discrepancies and duplication of account data found in your payment file that demand an urgent clarification from you before transaction is made. Because a local attorney who claimed to be your attorney and representative here in Nigeria has come with other peoples who also claimed to be your next of kin, they have put an affidavit of change of account sworn in the Federal High Court Abuja Nigeria, saying that you authorized them to change your account. And they presented a new bank account requesting that your payment should be transfer into the new account in LONDON.

However, Because of the level of SCAM and FRAUD here in Africa we have program your payments to be paid to you through a Security Company in Amsterdam Holland in Europe, you are advice to contact them immediately for the release of your payment without any further delay, see their contact information below: 

FIRST DIAMOND SECURITY & FINANCE B.V

TEL: 31 644 805 839

FAX: 31 644 805 839

E-MAIL:  firstdiamondsecurity@modomail.com

CONTACT PERSON:  Greg van Martins

You should contact them immediately for the release of your payment without any further delay and let us have the record of your fund transfer immediately after the remittance effected into your bank account.

On behalf of {Federal Republic of Nigeria} accept our apology for the inconveniency, and we also appreciate  your understanding.

Thanks for your co-operation and anticipation.

Yours faithfully,

SENATOR MORRIS EKOH.

CHAIRMAN, SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENTS

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 26.04.2006 23:02

Tochukwu  Villager

# 2 This is a 419 letter. I wonder when these minions would learn that such BS work again. Posted by Tochukwu| 27.04.2006 09:17

emj  Villager

# 3 Hakeem na only dat, u never receive email from the Deputy Director of Central Bank dem been get one payment wey dem want transfer to u becos dem like u. What of phone calls about NNPC supply contract etc etc. Anyway, Hakeem, remember to donate 10% of ur proceeds to NVS when u receive payment, we go take soak gari 4 square:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Posted by emj| 27.04.2006 09:35

news

# 4 419: Nigeria's greatest image problem - Nweke From Onwuka Nzeshi in Abuja, 04.28.2006 Friday, April 28, 2006 Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Frank Nweke (Jnr.) yesterday said the Advance Fee Fraud, popularly called 419 remained the greatest stain on Nigeria's image in the international community. "This negative perception that all Nigerians are crook Nweke said, has so permeated the psyche of people across the world that Nigeria, an otherwise big brand on account of her contributions to world peace seems to have been relegated to the background. Nweke's comments came as the Federal Government launched the domestic component of the Heart of Africa Project with a resolve to re-orient the Nigerian people to take positive steps towards replacing the negative image associated with the country with a new and positive identity. He lamented that while an infinitesimal proportion (about 0.00125 per cent) of the population of Nigerians were involved in the business of Advance Fee Fraud, the spiral effect of the their unwholesome acts impact very negatively on the entire population. The external aspect of the scheme had earlier been launched, part of which is the Heart of Africa advertisement on Cable News Network (CNN) relaying sights and sounds of Nigeria with President Olusegun Obasanjo welcoming the world to Nigeria. The Minister who unveiled the second phase of the project at the National Press Centre, Radio House yesterday, said the project will tackle major national brand eroders especially Advance Fee Fraud by encouraging Nigerians to isolate 419 practitioners and persuading the practitioners to desist from their nefarious activities and turn a new leaf. The reorientation, Nweke disclosed, will begin soon with a 'Summit of Nigerian Mothers' featuring Nigerian women of repute and role models in their chosen professions. The summit involving mothers is in recognition of the central role the family unit and especially mothers play in character formation and the making responsible citizens. It has also identified major business, personality and institutional brands in Nigeria and seeks to project these and make them the face of the nation instead of allowing the negative image of fraudsters to overshadow the quality assets of the nation. "Today marks the formal commencement of the implementation of the Heart of Africa project on the home front. We have a chance to paint the picture that we want other nations to see and to inspire pride in the hearts of our people. No matter how long it takes; no matter how difficult it might seem; we are the ones that will have to do it. Nobody is going to do it for us and remember that a negative national image affects trade, tourism, commerce and business mobility. "In order to make it a truly national project, it is important that execution is a strategic partnership between the private and public sectors. This is especially important as the major thrust of the project is the economic prosperity of Nigerian businesses. They are the engine of growth and national development. The Heart of Africa Project is therefore a public/private sector bilateral effort. Public sector participation will be anchored by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation with the collaboration of several relevant ministries and agencies, as well as the direction of the presidency," the minister stated. THIS Day checks revealed that a Business Support Group has already been inaugurated to drive the private sector participation. It is expected that following the full implementation of the Heart Of Africa Project, Nigeria's image will be definitely transformed and remodeled as authentic and verifiable information on Nigeria will be made available to the world. In addition, there will be value re-orientation within the country and there will equally be increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country with its accruing economic and social benefits. Posted by news| 29.04.2006 10:56

'anike'

# 5 I remember back in Nigeria, we got such bogus phone call and the caller had the names of members of our nuclear family that were in the US then, making his story more believable. He claimed one of them got involved in an accident and the other was with her and he, a friend and co-worker, was asked to call and have us wire money over. We almost fell hook, line, and sinker until he said something to contradict himself. Then it clicked and I remembered being in a neighbor's house and having someone else call with a similar claim. You bet the guy hung up so fast when he figured he'd been busted. Back then, 419 wasn't so common, or so we thought. Folks, beware! Posted by 'anike'| 29.04.2006 22:31