Doing biz with a Nigerian client - what are the risks

[S-Marketing]

You're incredibly naive if you believe this to be the case. Supplying your account number and sort code to someone with this sort of background will be another link in the chain.

I dont think you can say 'with this sort of background' without being racist.
However, if ANY deal was struck in a bedsit, with suspicious contact details, I would walk away.

 

[Wallpaper]

I dont think you can say 'with this sort of background' without being racist.

don't be ridiculous

 

[Astaroth]

don't be ridiculous

How is it ridiculous? All you know is the country they are from and the fact a meeting happened to be held in a rented residential property but you are saying it is part of a large fraud ring

 

[S-Marketing]

I dont think you can say 'with this sort of background' without being racist.

don't be ridiculous

So what did you mean by 'that sort of background'?

I took it you meant someone from Nigeria.

 

[deniser]

I dont think you can say 'with this sort of background' without being racist.



So what did you mean by 'that sort of background'?

I took it you meant someone from Nigeria.

I took it to mean someone who conducts business meetings in bedsits.

 

[Wallpaper]

How is it ridiculous? All you know is the country they are from and the fact a meeting happened to be held in a rented residential property but you are saying it is part of a large fraud ring

I haven't once said it's a large fraud ring have I! I did however dispute a number of posters on here who said that no harm could be come by giving out your bank details.

Of course the fact that this chap is from Nigeria is an issue. If he were from France do you think this thread would have been started

 

[Wallpaper]

I took it to mean someone who conducts business meetings in bedsits.

It's the whole package

cheers

 

[Astaroth]

someone with this sort of background will be another link in the chain.

Here is where you suggest it is part of something bigger

 

[Wallpaper]

Here is where you suggest it is part of something bigger

So you're happy to conceed I didn't claim it was a "large fraud ring" as you stated in your previous post

 

[AlanGNW]

To the OP - insist they pay you a 50% deposit via Western Union... And, don't give than any details whatsoever. The original post had scam written all over it.

 

[Astaroth]

So you're happy to conceed I didn't claim it was a "large fraud ring" as you stated in your previous post

No, I showed you were you had said it was part of something bigger - a link in a chain - I didn't say I was quoting you verbatim


To the OP - I personally would look at a lot of other details, How did the first find you? Why was the meeting at the residential property? How long between first contact and the meeting in person? Have you looked into the company the CRM is for? Have you validated the person works for the company?

I maintain that simply because of the country and because of a meeting location I wouldnt automatically believe it is a scam.

 

[Wallpaper]

No, I showed you were you had said it was part of something bigger - a link in a chain - I didn't say I was quoting you verbatim

Ok,

Back to my original point. Giving bank details can result in fraud and identity theft regardless of what some of the earlier posters tend to believe. Whilst they cannot be used on their own they can be added to other information collected to build a bigger picture for a potential fraudster.

In this case the fact the customer is a Nigerian, meeting in a bedsit (or "rented residential property" as you like to call it) and their willingness to pay a deposit would concern me greatly.

 

[Sparklez35]

To the OP - insist they pay you a 50% deposit via Western Union... And, don't give than any details whatsoever. The original post had scam written all over it.

I was thinking along those lines, do I need a western union account?

I was going to give an 8-digit account number and a sort code for an empty accoung, then move the money as soon as it arrives - to thwart any attempt to direct debit it out again.

 

[AlanGNW]

No - you don't need an account for Western Union.... www.westernunion.co.uk

His reaction to that will tell you all you need to know.

 

[Sparklez35]

To the OP - I personally would look at a lot of other details, How did the first find you?

Our website.

Why was the meeting at the residential property?

Unknown, but i expect its because the employee says she was sent to the UK to 'research' a supplier. Originally it was for another project.

How long between first contact and the meeting in person?

a few weeks.

Have you looked into the company the CRM is for?

Yes, its here: www.nigeriawills.com/

Have you validated the person works for the company?

To be honest, no. Her emails are sent from a blackberry. She returned to Nigeria in April after the meeting and we heard nothing more. Then all of a sudden, we have to jump and they want work to start straight away. She talks alot about 'speaking to head office'.

I maintain that simply because of the country and because of a meeting location I wouldnt automatically believe it is a scam.

 

[dingbat]

I've dealt with quite a few clients from Nigeria in my time. Just because he met in a bedsit doesn't mean it's dubious. He could be acting on someone's behalf and just making a cut.
Don't be afraid of asking any questions. Many people are because of the allure of easy money.
One scam is to get funds into your account from another company, a large company that may not notice until much later or not at all. Then they will come back to you and cancel the project and ask for the money back by you writing them a cheque, usually leaving some money with you for your trouble. Only much later do you find out when your bank sends you a letter and you're liable for the full amount.

 

[captaincloser]

An intriguing thread, but the potential 'victim' is overcome with greed and not listening, that's the bottom line. All he/she needs is that final push of credibility from the new found friends from overseas...

How may of us in business would set up a new account just in case our new benefactor (client) was a fraudster ? Mr Micawber from Dickens maybe ?

The whole thread and all the answers beggar belief. Are you ALL crazy ?

Scam or no scam... bedsit or Park Lane hotel...this is no way to do business. The OP has no credibility let alone the potential 'client'.

Holy ****.

 

[Sparklez35]

How may of us in business would set up a new account just in case our new benefactor (client) was a fraudster ? Mr Micawber from Dickens maybe ?

Nobody said an account was set up just in case the client was a fraudster.

 

[Sparklez35]

Just because he met in a bedsit doesn't mean it's dubious. He could be acting on someone's behalf and just making a cut.

I think she has been sent to the UK to do some research rather than someone acting on someones behalf. If that was true she would head for Chennai, anyone in IT knows thats the place to outsource work quickly and cheaply.

One scam is to get funds into your account from another company, a large company that may not notice until much later or not at all. Then they will come back to you and cancel the project and ask for the money back by you writing them a cheque, usually leaving some money with you for your trouble. Only much later do you find out when your bank sends you a letter and you're liable for the full amount.

Thats why we dont want to use cheques, and travellers cheques are definitely off limits! BACS or maybe western union.

 

[Sparklez35]

Update,

We have spoken to the client by telephone this evening, and accepted £12,000 to complete the work. We said it will take 4 months. We all know its only a months work for a post grad .NET developer. She will confer with her superiors and call me again at the 'end of July'

 

[captaincloser]

OP, You need to go back over your own posts on this thread.

You have already said you have an 'empty account' ready.

I think you and the client are turning into a good match..the thread quickly changed from actually doing the work and worrying about payment to banking the big money and paying some little guy 400 while you bank 12K.

Both you and the client in Nigeria seem well suited. Your worry is not getting paid, it's getting scammed after you have taken a 'client' to the cleaners .Pretty close some would say ? It's quite convoluted but it has potential for serious below the belt trading all round.

Any normal businessperson would have got past the Blackberry girl by now to someone at the top for this type of order.

You just cant help yourself can you ?.... 12k for 400 quid !!!!


Keep us all informed.

 

[papverpoppies]

Update,

We have spoken to the client by telephone this evening, and accepted £12,000 to complete the work. We said it will take 4 months. We all know its only a months work for a post grad .NET developer. She will confer with her superiors and call me again at the 'end of July'

How to make business look shady and underhand, I am surprised this posting is allowed to stay as you are admitting to ripping someone off (if given the chance)!

Nice work hope you feel proud.

Poppy xx

 

[Sparklez35]

If two parties agree to a contract then I cant see how you can infer it is "ripping" somebody off.

In any event, the client can walk away at any time. Commitment is when the client signs the contract and any service agreement.

 

[Sparklez35]

Any normal businessperson would have got past the Blackberry girl by now to someone at the top for this type of order.

You just cant help yourself can you ?.... 12k for 400 quid !!!!

We quoted 12K because that is what a British based IT company would charge for this type of job. Its just that we are well placed and have the necessary connections to outsource to Chennai cheaply and quickly.

We otherwise dont particularly want the work unless we can make soemthing from it, its just that my husband is a qualified software engineer and can stand as project manager in the assignment the client is asking for, but developing online CRM systems is not our usual line of business.

I find it rather odd you applauded another poster for saying we are 'ripping' a client off. The client is more than caopable of walking away and going elsewhere if they think £12k is too high.

 

[captaincloser]

I have a feeling there is going to be a collision of shamelessness on this job between you, your husband and Blackberry girl.

What was your real question because you have listened to nobody on here..just made most of us groan in disbelief I reckon ?

All you seem to have done is expose yourself, that is why I agreed with the previous poster. You are not 'in business'..Lets all be clear on that.

Have you been looking for some kind of endorsement for this rip-off because frankly you are unlikely to get it on here ? Is this how you routinely operate your business ?

The irony is that I fully expect Blackberry Girl to be planning equally dastardly in the rip-off department.

Made for each other.

Do keep us posted...

 

[alexft]

Is your last name Bucket? I have not seen the series where she got into IT. You are onto big money here potentially. Already got a fans. Let me know when the DVD is ready

 

[mit74]

I havent read all the posts but isnt there a scam going round atm where a client pays you for the work through a bankers cheque (or some sort) that clears but 'accidently' pays too much and asks you for £x amount back. Then a few weeks later the cheque turns out to be fake and by then you've lost your money.

 

[captaincloser]

Mit74. You are on the ball.

That's one big possibility...but surely the OP needs to go the whole nine yards on this ? (read all her posts)...the bedsit is the best bit. I sort of feel there is something poetic going to happen.

Or should someone put her straight ? Not inclined to myself I must say.

 

[smallbusiness-uk]

i was going to my bed 10 minutes ago when i found this thread haha magic!!!!

keep it coming, it is very strange and entertaining at the same time.

 

[oldeagleeye]

Jesus Joseph and Mary. Is the OP bloody naive or what.

You think that you are going to take their money and run OP. Get real man.

Them guys border on the Congo and we are talking home to the Mau Mau terroists who hack people to death and are said to eat their hearts and brains. They terrorised Kenya in the 1950's. Again hacking innocent people to death. They may not do that these days but I guarantee you one thing.

Where crime is concerned these guys will carry carry hachets & bloody big guns and once they have roped you into their scams and money laundering you can bet your life they will make your life an absolute nightmare.

That is until they feel that your too hot and then they will move on and what do you think they will do then. Pat you on the back. Yea right. You would be a threat to them because you will know where some of the money is. In short you would be a liability that they couldn't live with but it will be you that gets a blade thru yiur ribs - not them.

You have been warned. STAY AWAY from these guys.

 

[filtuh.com]

where's the popcorn smiley?

 

[oldeagleeye]

The OP wants to watch the last scene in Wild Geese.

Don't forget the ketchup with your popcorn.

R

 

[sjr4x4]

The OP wants to watch the last scene in Wild Geese.

Don't forget the ketchup with your popcorn.

R

Or for the younger generation, it's where Dumbledore gets it.

Classic film, with Dicky Burton at his best

 

[oldeagleeye]

To lighten the thread a bit.

Agree with the Buron at his best and teaming him up with Richard Harris was a bonus 2 questions though.

2 code names were used in that scene at the airfield when Burton tried to call in the rescue plane. One was Mother Goose for the plane and it was obvious where that came from but what was Burton's code name. Everbody that has seen the films seems to remember it and it is one of the few impersonations we can all do. Try it.

"This is ----- --- calling Mother Goose". I bet it comes back accent and all.

Q2. Burton used the same code name in another even more famous war movie. What was it.

R

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Scammers Scam because there are people who are gullible and greedy, mostly people who believe they are too clever to be scammed.

I am not saying that this IS a scam, I am simply saying that the other day I saw what looked like a duck waddling down the road, it quacked like a duck, walked like a duck,.... What do you think it might have been?

 

[Wallpaper]

Scammers Scam because there are people who are gullible and greedy, mostly people who believe they are too clever to be scammed.

I am not saying that this IS a scam, I am simply saying that the other day I saw what looked like a duck waddling down the road, it quacked like a duck, walked like a duck,.... What do you think it might have been?

I think it may have been a duck

 

[oldeagleeye]

That wasn't no duck. That was a Fox advertising the mag for Linux.

In any event. Don't take no notice of OWG. He is far to sensible and down to earth he dosent even believe that Pigs Can Fly.

Of course they can. Just look up at the sky over Westminster where you find hundreds of them circling waiting to swoop down and pick up their expenses.

 

[Zeno]

The fact the the OP seems to think that they can scam the scammers out of their ill gotten gains suggests why the scammers targetted them in the first place.

Good luck to them all I say. Let us know how it turns out (If you still have a computer or fingers to type with).

 

[LicensedToTrade]

I was reading through this thread and was shocked that it took me to page 7 of posts before someone identifies that the only proven scammer in this situation was the OP! The nigerian may or may not be scamming you...on that there is no certainty.

The only certainty is that I am unlikely to ever hire your services for £12k if you are subbing the job out to india for £400. I'm shocked that you even admitted that on an open forum, not a great bit of PR.

 

[Sparklez35]

Wow! the trolls on this forum have been busy all night.

Not sure why the trolls think we are 'ripping' someone off. Its perfectly lawful to offshore a contract. Its called sub contracting - and in business it happens all the time.

Its no different to a call centre being offshored to India. My husband has stood as project manager for the design, development of the IT infrstructure and trained local staff for several call centres businesses in India for British companies since 1996.

Anyway, we have spoken to our bank and mit74 - you have given the most accurate advice.

I havent read all the posts but isnt there a scam going round atm where a client pays you for the work through a bankers cheque (or some sort) that clears but 'accidently' pays too much and asks you for £x amount back. Then a few weeks later the cheque turns out to be fake and by then you've lost your money.

Our bank were very clear that cheques especially travellers cheques are offlimits from any Nigerian client who is not known to us and cannot pass a credit check. It has to be a BACS transaction only and it will be 50% in advance and 50% on sign off.

We can otherwise go ahead with the order if the client chooses to go with us and signs contracts and the service aggreement.