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| Charles Soludo |
It is certainly the worst of time for Nigeria’s image. At this trying period when honest Nigerian professionals in all walks of life are struggling to shake-off the stigma of being erroneously seen as conmen, some visionless fraudsters in Nigeria are still dragging the image of the nation into further disrepute. Editors of pointblanknews.com have been receiving cascade of 419 emails lately.
Last week, The Publisher/Editor In chief of Pointblanknews.com, Mr. Jackson O. Ude was a target of a dubious letter sent by a conman masquerading as the Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria, Mr. Charles Soludo, promising to pay $14.7 Million for a non existent contract. Also, the Managing Editor, Mr. Oladimeji Abitogun received an unsolicited call from “General Al-Mustafa” promising $10 Million reward if help was rendered to move to the United States remnants of Obasanjo’s left over “Billions.”
The phantom “Charles Soludo” had sent his poorly written and sickening offer of payment on a supposed letter head paper of the Nigerian apex bank. The graphic details of the CBN in Abuja were given excluding the specific plot number of the bank. The writer profusely apologized for “delay” in paying Mr. Ude the total contract sum of $65.7 Million and now offered to pay an initial $14.7 Million when a confirmation of “your full name, phone, fax, mobile numbers, position and address, profession, age and marital status” is received.
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Zaria Street , Off Samuel Akint
[OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR]
Swift Code: BPH KPL PK,
A/C#: 329606=101244=169=678
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
Our Ref: CBN/IRD/CBX/021/07
Date: August 02, 2007
We apologies, for the delay of your contract part payment and all the inconveniences and inflict that we might have indulge you through.
However, we were having some minor problems with our payment system, which is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and indolent, not having the aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreign contract payments. We apologies once again.
From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria your name and address is on the list major contractors who have not received their payments for the Federal Plateau Project. I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be deliver to your door step as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from the record in my file your outstanding contract payment is USD$65.7 Millions Dollars but what we are going to pay you now is $14.7.million dollars the rest of your money will be pay to you in next four month.
Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings
1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.
As soon as this information is received and confirmed, your bank draft will be deliver to you through diplomatic means in your country from Central Bank of Nigeria, Get back to me immediately. As a result of the on-going drive of the Government to update its books and clear payment to contractors, I strongly recommend that you promptly start your clearance as soon as possible for more clarification and for immediate delivery of your bank draft to your door step.
Yours Sincerely,
Professor Charles Soludo,
EXCUTIVE GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).
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As a result of 419 bait letters similar to the one above, Nigerian well educated professionals are now experiencing tough times in job opportunities. In the United States, memos often pass around in corporate offices especially in banks and financial sectors that close scrutiny should be made before a Nigerian could be employed into any position. For instance the University Community National Bank of Pittsburg, Kansas circulated such a memo. A mid career Nigerian born bank worker was wrongly sacked by a well known bank in Dallas, Texas in 2005.
Between late 2002 and early 2003 a man identified as Taiwo Akindayomi, alleged to be a grandson of the founder of The Redeemed Church of God, Nigeria spurn a fraudulent deal using naïve and innocent Nigerian born university freshman for repackaging and onward shipping of computer bibles and sundry digital gadgets valued at over $1 Million. The U.S secret service disrupted the network. Akindayomi walks free. The education dream of the unsuspecting young Nigerian freshman was rudely interrupted when a Wichita federal district court sentenced him to five years in prison. He has since served his term and deported to Nigeria.
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If Nigerians expressed cynicism about the selective so-called effectiveness of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, this is one obvious issue of concern that provides adequate justification for such doubt.
Observers and pundits told pointblanknews.com that the issue 419ners is one that should have occupied optimum attention of the EFCC
The media in the west especially in the United States continue to bash the image of Nigerians and Nigeria. Whatever progress Nigeria claims to have made concerning war on economic crimes is completely obscured by the surge in 419 activities. For instance, the CNN continues to run a report titled “how to rob a bank,” NBC also trailed a handful number of conmen to their hide-out in London recently. The Queen of day time television, Oprah Winfrey last Friday did a one hour special which Nigerian scammers and their activities were chronicled. Everybody often add his or her spin on the various reports. For instance, the ABC 2020 reporter who was the guest at the Oprah Show exaggerated and cooked up fact about Nigeria. he said Nigerian children and student are usually often taught at school how to scam initiate dubious runs without getting caught. The teaching of religious knowledge and strong moral education in every Nigerian school from elementary to the university level put the lie to such claim. Oprah said Nigeria is a nation of 30 Million. Nigeria is a nation of almost 150 Million people. The show ended with Oprah warning that Nigerians should not waste their time writing to her.