JEDDAH, 1 August — A flood of letters offering substantial returns on investment has hit the Kingdom yet again. Purportedly from well-placed individuals, usually minor government officials or businessmen, the recipient is asked to allow his bank account to be used for the transfer of vary large sums of money.
The sting is that he is also asked to deposit a relatively small sum to facilitate the transfer. This is the last he sees of the deposit and the promised cash.
In a recent and particularly odious example, a letter from ‘Ron Wheeler’ asks that Arafat receives the money . “Thank you in the name of Allah (peace be upon his name…I wish to help those that are occupied by the Zionist Killers.” (sic)
Cynically capitalizing on the horrendous events in Palestine, the sympathies of the Arab people and the profound beliefs of a Muslim nation, the fraudsters behind the letter are specifically targeting Saudi citizens.
The alleged intermediary is one “Barrister Segun Williams of the Presidency of Nigeria.”
Marool Lawal, spokesman for the Nigerian ambassador in Riyadh, was horrified at the sheer audacity of this latest scam when presented with documentary evidence.
He explained that the rising phenomenon of fraudsters has taken off with the spread of computer technology and Internet cafes in Nigeria. “The disgruntled elements carrying out these fraudulent activities usually rationalize their crimes as a means of fighting or meeting their unfulfilled expectations of employment….and socio-economic deprivation.”
He pointed out that Nigeria has been making great efforts to wipe out this form of cyber crime. “Strategies include comprehensive legislation, a war against indiscipline, (WAI) engaging Interpol and using diplomatic means.
Some of the fraudsters are still getting through.
The Nigerian government has a problem in fighting this particular kind of fraud. Though some emanate from Nigeria, the problem becomes global immediately it reaches the Internet. “The difficulty and high cost of controlling and monitoring internet mails and correspondence collectively makes the government’s struggles against the scam Herculean,” said Marool.
That indeed seems to be the case. One John Ognigi, alleging to be the son of a murdered brigadier in Zimbabwe, is another hopeful on the scam scene. His first letter doesn’t mention that the recipient has to part with money. His second does.
There are reports of yet another scam involving Congo’s ex-president, Lauren Kabila. This one appeals to the risk taker and asks for much the same sort of forward finance.
Marool was at pains to point out that, although Nigerian government and banks were cited in the fraudulent documents, they cannot be held responsible. “The embassy wishes to invite genuine and prospective investors to contact the Embassy of Nigeria or the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry for proper briefing and advice.”
With the spread of cyber commerce comes the rise of the cyber fraud. Any doubts about the veracity of any offer should be checked with the embassy of the country that is cited.
