Nigerian letter scam worksheet
OVERSEAS PARTNERSHIPS
Discuss with a partner
1) What are the essential characteristics of a good overseas business partnership?
2) Have you ever dealt with foreign companies in your job? Do you think some countries are easier to deal with than others?
3) What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of doing business with:
a) members of a royal family
b) entrepreneurs who have political connections
c) wealthy private individuals who prefer to keep a low profile?
4) Can you give any examples of overseas partnerships which were particularly successful or disastrous?
Read the business proposals and answer these questions:
1) Who is each letter from: a royal family member, a politician, a wealthy private individual, or none of these?
2) Which of the two proposals would generate the most profit?
3) What information does each proposal request?
4) Where did the funds come from?
5) What common features do the proposals have?
Lagos, Nigeria.
Attention: The President/CEO
Dear Sir,
Confidential Business Proposal
Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the Nigerian Chambers Of Commerce and Industry, I have the privilege to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $47,500,000.00 (forty seven million, five hundred thousand United States dollars) into your accounts. The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract, executed, commissioned and paid for about five years (5) ago by a foreign contractor. This action was however intentional and since then the fund has been in a suspense account at The Central Bank Of Nigeria Apex Bank.
We are now ready to transfer the fund overseas and that is where you come in. It is important to inform you that as civil servants, we are forbidden to operate a foreign account; that is why we require your assistance. The total sum will be shared as follows: 70% for us, 25% for you and 5% for local and international expenses
Discuss with a partner
1) What are the essential characteristics of a good overseas business partnership?
2) Have you ever dealt with foreign companies in your job? Do you think some countries are easier to deal with than others?
3) What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of doing business with:
a) members of a royal family
b) entrepreneurs who have political connections
c) wealthy private individuals who prefer to keep a low profile?
4) Can you give any examples of overseas partnerships which were particularly successful or disastrous?
Read the business proposals and answer these questions:
1) Who is each letter from: a royal family member, a politician, a wealthy private individual, or none of these?
2) Which of the two proposals would generate the most profit?
3) What information does each proposal request?
4) Where did the funds come from?
5) What common features do the proposals have?
Lagos, Nigeria.
Attention: The President/CEO
Dear Sir,
Confidential Business Proposal
Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the Nigerian Chambers Of Commerce and Industry, I have the privilege to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $47,500,000.00 (forty seven million, five hundred thousand United States dollars) into your accounts. The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract, executed, commissioned and paid for about five years (5) ago by a foreign contractor. This action was however intentional and since then the fund has been in a suspense account at The Central Bank Of Nigeria Apex Bank.
We are now ready to transfer the fund overseas and that is where you come in. It is important to inform you that as civil servants, we are forbidden to operate a foreign account; that is why we require your assistance. The total sum will be shared as follows: 70% for us, 25% for you and 5% for local and international expenses