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This is
a different fraud than the standard "over-invoiced suspense
account money transfer" scam, but is really just another
version of the advance fee fraud.
Here, a business providing goods or services is contacted by a
fraudster posing as a representative of a Nigerian entity, such as
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Central Bank of
Nigeria or perhaps one of the Nigerian Government ministries.
The fraudster mentions a large contract coming up for bid, which can
include anything from used printing equipment to pipelines,
furniture, vehicles, or even consulting services. The contract
is always for several million dollars, usually well in excess of the
targeted victim's annual sales.
The fraudster invites the prospective victim to submit a bid for
this contract and implies there is a very good chance the bid will
be selected. The fraudster explains that all bidders
must post a "refundable bond" and that he can handle the
arrangements for this. All the victim has to do is wire
transfer the funds, generally at least $10,000, and the bond will be
obtained in Nigeria.
Following this first advance fee, others requests follow.
These can take the form of spurious taxes, administrative or legal
fees, bribes or just about anything.
Several years ago, there was one case where such a
"bidder" eventually traveled to Nigeria, where he was
promptly kidnapped and held for ransom. (He was ultimately rescued
by agents working out of the U.S. Embassy.)
A single-dip variation of this theme takes the form of an
unsolicited invitation to bid on a major project in Nigeria--but
victims must advance a fee to obtain a copy of the bid
specifications and documents.
Before engaging in unsolicited negotiations with alleged business
persons from Nigeria, it makes good sense to check out the
authenticity of the proposed project with the Nigeria
Desk Officer/Office of Africa, Room 3317, US Dept. of Commerce,
Washington, DC 20230
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