While in-boxes are fast filling up with all manner of unsolicited mail, it seems there is still a place for junk mail of the good old-fashioned post-it-by-hand variety. And it has come to Bushel Box's attention, that some unscrupulous character is doing just that.
Purporting to be from a ministry in South Africa, but actually posted in London (from New Covent Garden sorting office to be precise), it seems that a highly suspicious letter is making the rounds.
Confidential by nature, the letter asks recipients to provide a bank account for $14.5m with a promise of a 30 per cent share.
“I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of the deal described hereunder for the benefit of all parties, and hope you will keep it as top secret because of the nature of this transaction,” writes the author Dr Kaku Daniel, who clearly has a loose command of the English language. “With the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources where I work as director of project implementation, and with the co-operation of four other top officials we have in our possession overdue payment bills totalling $14,500,000 which we want to transfer abroad with the assistance and co-operation of a foreign company or individual to receive the said fund on our behalf. Moreover we are handicapped in our circumstances, as the South Africa Civil Service Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate offshore accounts, hence your importance in the transaction.”
Despite reassuring sounding words such as Code of Conduct, it seems that the author is not simply handicapped by his circumstances, but also in his grasp of the truth.
“Endeavour to contact me immediately,” Daniel urges, (and who would not jump at the chance?) Unfortunately he has neglected to include a phone number which actually works, so a response might be less than forthcoming.
“I have the authority of my partners involved to propose that should you be willing to assist us in the transaction and your share of the sum will be 30 per cent of the $14.5 million, 60 per cent for us and 10 per cent for taxation and miscellaneous expenses,” says the generous hoaxer, adding that the business is 100 per cent safe and he hopes that recipients will not disappoint.
“If you are not interested it will enable me to scout for another foreign partner to carry out this deal. I want to assure you that my partners and myself are in a position to make the payment of this claim possible, provided you can give us a very strong assurance and guarantee that our share will be secured, and please, remember to treat this matter confidentially. We cannot have any form of exposure as we are still in active government service. Once again, remember that time is of the essence in this transaction. I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation.”
A likely story indeed. “It's got scam written all over it!” screamed one industry recipient. Bushel Box thinks you'll agree, but anyone who does get dosh, remember you read it here first.