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This
addition to the scam is usually applied when a victim refuses to
continue funding the project and demands expense money or front
money for continued participation.
In these cases the victim is generally required to travel to a
foreign country for a clandestine meeting. The Nigerian scam
artist or his intermediary--usually accompanied by some intimidating
goons who are present to guard the money--shows the victim a
briefcase or suitcase filled with hundred-dollar-bills (perhaps
counterfeit or "black money") and offers to advance a few
hundred thousand.
The victim is, of course, delighted and may feel ashamed that he was
losing faith in his benefactor. Just before passing over the
money, however, the Nigerian or his agent casually requests the
victim's certificate of [whatever]. The victim, of course, has
no idea of what this certificate is. The shocked Nigerian, or
his agent, then explains that this certificate is required before he
can pass on any money to the victim and he had just assumed that the
embarrassed victim would already possess one, being the
sophisticated worldly gent that he is. This is just a minor
formality, the victim is told, but one which cannot be bypassed
under any circumstances.
This minor problem can be easily solved, the victim is informed,
since this certificate can be quickly obtained by the Nigerian, his
agent or a third party. There is, however, a fee for this
certificate ranging from about $75,000 to $200,000 depending upon
the assets and gullibility of the victim.
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