Friday, March 12, 1999
Police: Beware of African hoax
Letters, faxes talk of gold and diamonds
BY SHEILA McLAUGHLIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP — Hold off on that flight to Nigeria.
A letter bearing a tale of a government coup and a promise of riches is a hoax, Hamilton Township police warned Thursday.
The warning comes a day after an employee at the Valley Vineyards winery received a fax that offered a cut of a $42 million fortune in U.S. dollars, as well as gold, diamonds and rare art if she flew to Nigeria.
Similar letters apparently have landed on other business fax machines in the Tristate, Police Corp. Andy Roosa said.
Recipients are told their name was found in the diary inside a safe belonging to a man who was assassinated in Sierra Leona in 1997, Mr. Roosa said.
The letter, which claims to come from a Nigerian government official, says the recipient can collect 15 percent of the money if they fly to Lagos, Nigeria.
There, the safety deposit box containing the items and money are in the hands of a financial securities firm. Respondents are not asked to send money.
“These claims are fraudulent. The responsible parties have no affiliation with the Government of Nigeria or any other government,” Mr. Roosa said.
Anyone who receives such a fax is urged to call their local police.
Building cable system from ground up
Suburbs find room for more
Hamilton Co. looks at big picture
Wrestling grabs more kids
Teen wrestling matches canceled in California
Cincinnati, Columbus race to house manatees
Omitting special ed kids may have aided Ky. scores
CPS hired teacher unaware of sex-abuse charges
Panel's mission: Funding rail line
Charges pile up against mom accused of killing 7-year-old
Mayor-turned-bank robber gets 7 years
Torched school on verge of return
Vietnam memorial wall replica returns to N.Ky.
Activity called key for Ohio riverfront
Family, faith help heal woman's wounded heart
Foster moms tell of girls' emotional scars
'Hood tour brings variety of sounds
Judges to look at felons' role at CCC
Ky. lawmakers fret over Turfway future
Workers fought fire in paper plant, delayed calling for help
Acting-out boosts police training
Barge barrels into bridge
Butler may not budge on jail
Driver dies in rollover
Falmouth rejects plan to fix budget
Jurist found dead at his home
Leftover dirt should save pile of money
Mother in wheelchair acquitted
Petition drive on for change
Police: Beware of African hoax
TRISTATE DIGEST
