What sort of scam is this?

[Woz]

Got an email through requesting me to send an invitation to someone I have never heard of in Nigeria to come and look at some of my engineering products (but will not give detailed information of the application). So- what sort of scam is this, then?

Thanks for the urgent respone, below is the engineer informations, for you to pare the letter of invitation, pls state the content of the letter that this engineer is coming to inspect the equipment and also to discused the maintance of this equipment, then confirm payment at sight before shipment.

below are the details to prepare the letter today on your company letter head paper , attached with the picture of the equipment and scan it to me now i will print it out immediately.

My reply:
I’m a little nervous inviting people over I don’t know.

His reply:
i quite understand your point, but i want to let you know today that they are a lot of honest business man around the world today who are ready to do good business, and business is all about trye r risk and confident, so you issue this letter today and see what good come your way.
pls advice

[SoggyFox]

If they had a letter of invitation from a business would they be able to get passed immmigration with less hassle ?

wonder if its some sort of passport scam to make it look more authentic.

[Woz]

Quite possibly.

[tiggerbiker]

firstly they will all seem to be up for coming to see you and make promises of buying £1000's worth of gear, then they will say that they need money to get the ball rolling in some way in the hope that you will get sucked into the promise of big money, then when they have your money they will move onto the next mug......

just keep playing them along and keep posting the dialogue here - it will be very entertaining to say the least!!

[Woz]

Update (oh and BTW the "manager" is me asking myself):

you just have to understand and consider that this are my good client and i can afford to lose thi spurchase and my client inetrest in me. so pls try to understand , i will await the scan copy of the letter now

My reply:
And you have to understand my manager’s point of view that there is no firm enquiry, no details of the application and the request is from a company with whom we have had no prior relationship. If it is important for them to come over then invite them yourself and make an appointment with us when they are in the country.

[SoggyFox]

or they steal you letter headed paper and use it to authenticate other scams.

have they sent you anything with their company logo/details on or just a blank email address from some spurious made up name.

[Mick F]

Originally Posted by tiggerbiker

just keep playing them along and keep posting the dialogue here - it will be very entertaining to say the least!!

Hmmm. I'd be careful about playing along. There are some really bad people involved in this type of scam & scambaiters need to make sure their tracks are well covered.

Have a look at this site for some good advice.

[Woz]

It's from an address in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Probably.

[Jen]

Or maybe he will just change the address on the letter when it arrives and use it as bait for other scams?

[wilbo]

I had a little fun with 'Pamela' a couple of years ago..

DR superwings, Pamela & 'Buyer Beware'...