"Nigeria-type" money scam uses CfC name

Achinz

Hermit of Huangshan
Joined
Oct 16, 2001
Messages
2,232
Location
World's most livable city
I've just received a by-now well documented Nigerian-African scam email quoting a connection with CfC. Although there is a disclaimer that the CfC-forum owners cannot accept any responsibility for the contents, it is a matter of concern that the perpetrators are using the forum both to inveigle themselves to the addressees and as a source for email addresses. The more serious because I've indicated in my preferences for my email address to be not made public.

Your prompt attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Here are the contents of the email:

Subject: kindly get back to us
From:
"benson_coleman" <benson_coleman@katamail.com>_

This is a message from benson_coleman at Civilization Fanatics' Forums
( http://forums.civfanatics.com/index.php ). The Civilization Fanatics' Forums owners cannot accept any responsibility for the contents of the email.
To email benson_coleman, you can use this online form:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/member.php?action=mailform&userid=42061
OR, by email:
mailto:benson_coleman@katamail.com

This is the message:
MR.BENSON COLEMAN
RUE 25 MACCORY
ABIDJAN-COTE D'IVOIRE.
WEST AFRICA

DEAR FRIEND
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WRITE TO YOU AFTER MY
MUCH CONSIDERATION,I AM MR BENSON COLEMAN THE SON OF
LATE MR JOHNSON COLEMAN FROM KWATANATAL ZULU IN
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, I AM 22 YEARS OF AGE ,MY FATHER OWNS A LIABILITY COMPANY OF COCOA AND GOLD IN JOHANESBURG SOUTH AFRICA MY COUNTRY .

AFTER HIS TRIP TO ABIDJIAN COTE D'IVOIRE TO
NEGOTIATE ON A COCOA AND GOLD BUSINESS HE WANTED TO
INVEST IN ABIDJAN ONE WEEK HE CAME BACK FROM HIS TRIP
TO ABIDJAN HE HAD A MOTOR ACCIDENT WITH MY MOTHER
WHICH MY MOTHER DIED INTSANTLY BUT MY FATHER DIED
AFTER FIVE DAYS IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL IN MY COUNTRY.

IT WAS LIKE MY FATHER KNEW HE WAS GOING TO DIE MAY
HIS GENTLE SOUL REST IN PREFECT PEACE, HE DISCLOSED
TO ME AND MY YOUNGER SISTER THAT HE DEPOSITED THE SUM
OF( $18, 500, 000 ) EIGHTEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS INTO A BANK HERE IN
COTE D'IVOIRE,THAT THE MONEY WAS MEANT FOR HIS COCOA AND GOLD BUSINESS HE WANTED TO ESTABLISH IN ABIDJAN.

MY FATHER HANDED ME DUCUMENTS COVERING THE
LODGEMENT AND INSTRUCTED ME AND MY SISTER TO SEEK FOR
A RELIABLE AND TRUST WORTHY BUSINESS PARTNER FOR OUR
LIFE TIME INVESTMENT THAT IS WHY I DECIDED TO CONTACT
YOU I HAVE SUCCEDED IN LOCATING THE BANK HERE IN
ABIDJIAN AND I HAVE CONCLUDED WITH MODALITIES OF
TRANSFERRING THE FUND TO AN ACCOUNT ABROAD.

NOW I AM SOLICITING YOUR ASSISTANCE TO HELP ME
PROVIDE AN ACCOUNT FACILITY WHERE I CAN TRANSFER THE
MONEY INTO SO THAT WE CAN INVEST IT IN ANY LUCRATIVE
BUSINESS IN YOUR COUNTRY BECAUSE THIS IS MY LAST
HOPE IN LIFE,I AND MY SISTER HAVE PROMISED TO GRATIFY
YOU WITH 30% OF THE TOTAL SUM FOR YOUR KIND
ASSISTANCE AND 10% FOR ANY EXPENSES BOTH OF US WILL
INCOUNTER.THE REST MONEY WILL BE FOR INVESTMENT AND SETTLLING IN YOUR COUNTRY.
I AM WAITING ANXIOUSLY TO HEAR FROM YOU SO THAT WE
CAN DISCUSS THE MODALITIES OF THIS TRANSACTION.

THANKS FOR YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE

YOURS SINCERELY
BENSON AND JULIET COLEMAN.

PLEASE REPLY ME WITH THIS PRIVATE MAIL.benson_coleman@katamail.com
 
Looks like time for an IP block on whoever it is.
 
Originally posted by Lefty Scaevola
Looks like time for an IP block on whoever it is.
Done.

It's indeed odd that he used the forum to send out that scam email.
The more serious because I've indicated in my preferences for my email address to be not made public.
It's normal. People just can't see your email, but they can still send you email using the forum's email form.

If you don't want people to email you, you can hide the email button in your User CP.
 
Someone actually created an account here just to use the e-mail system to other users? It looks as if TF took care of his account so he can't do this again.

BTW, even though people stipulate that they want their e-mail address to not be made public can receive e-mails through the system. The sender will not know what your e-mail address is however since the e-mail is actually routed through CFC.

Edit: cross posted with TF.
 
Originally posted by Duke of Marlbrough
Someone actually created an account here just to use the e-mail system to other users?

Aperrently. Althrough I wonder if anyone else got this message? If not then why was Achinz chosen? Time to check my hotmail account.

Edit: Nope. No e-mail.
 
None to me either... he must have chosen someone randomly, I guess...
 
I know we don't have the spelling police at Civfanatics...but, that scam message takes the biscuit!

"DUCUMENT"
"TRUST WORTHY"

This guy has a father worth millions and yet, his level of English would disgrace a GCSE C grade candidate!
 
Originally posted by kittenOFchaos
I know we don't have the spelling police at Civfanatics...but, that scam message takes the biscuit!

"DUCUMENT"
"TRUST WORTHY"

This guy has a father worth millions and yet, his level of English would disgrace a GCSE C grade candidate!
I wasn't aware that having lots of money automatically resulted in excellent english-as-a-second-langauge skill.:confused: :crazyeye:
 
Originally posted by kittenOFchaos


"TRUST WORTHY"


Does he actually belive that because he put trust worthy we'll belive that he's an honest person and not a fraud. Althrough if your stupid enough to fall for that...
 
Originally posted by ainwood
I wasn't aware that having lots of money automatically resulted in excellent english-as-a-second-langauge skill.:confused: :crazyeye:

Yeah, I was surprised too, but it is true :yeah:
 
Those interested might like to follow the scam trail in:

http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/hoaxes/index_scam.html

In my local newspaper today there is an AFP-based report mentioning the coming trial of six Nigerians for stealing US$242 million and bringing down a Brazilian bank. It concludes with:

"Businesses and households worldwide have recieved faxes or emails from Nigerians and other Africans offering shares in hidden fortunes in exchange for simple administration help."
 
Yea, I've taunted these guys through email before, I'm surprised I'm yet to have my house firebombed... :D
 
419-scammer-baiting is being proposed as an exhibition competition in the 2008 Olympics. Nigeria is currently the odds-on favorite for a gold medal, though there are rumors about steroid use and overclocking swirling around that team...
 
Back
Top Bottom