Attorney General's News Release

April 24, 2001

Missouri Attorney General announces breakthrough in Nigerian scam, files felony charges

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon today charged two Canadian men with felony counts of unlawful merchandising practices as part of a scam that is estimated to cost Americans at least $100 million a year. These are believed to be the first felony charges in the country brought against operators of the get-rich-quick money scam that often originates from Nigeria.

"This is a scam that has plagued the entire country for decades," Nixon said. "Its expansion to the Internet has made it an even bigger threat."

The Attorney General's High Technology and Computer Crime Unit worked in conjunction with Polk County and Canadian authorities to set up an undercover sting operation resulting in the apprehension of two men allegedly awaiting a money drop in Toronto. Authorities also seized a large metal security box containing packets of paper cut to the size of American money wrapped in plastic with genuine bills on the top of the stack.

Peter Kalu (DOB 7/1/70) and Vincent Onyeka (DOB 6/4/64), a naturalized Canadian citizen, have been charged with attempted fraud in Canada, and will face extradition to Missouri on the felony charges, which were filed in Polk County Circuit Court.

The investigation began after a Polk County man received an e-mail from a man claiming to be a former government official from the Democratic Republic of Congo, now living in Nigeria. He offered the Missouri man 15 percent of $80 million he had taken out of the country in exchange for the man's help in transferring the money to Canada. In a later conversation, the alleged government official told the Polk County man that he would need to provide $8,400 to cover fees, charges, taxes and expenses so the money could be transferred.

After the man contacted Polk County authorities, the case was referred to the Missouri Attorney General's High Technology and Computer Crime Unit. The Missouri man contacted the government official and agreed to meet a contact of a diplomatic security company at a hotel in Toronto to "clear the cargo" and receive his share of the money. Instead of meeting the Missourian, however, Kalu and Onyeka were met by Toronto police officers who arrested them.

Nixon said in this long-standing scam, individuals or businesses are contacted via letter, fax or e-mail by someone claiming to be a Nigerian government official or a national oil company executive who needs to transfer a large sum of money into a U.S. bank account in exchange for a cut of the money.

"No matter how official the letter or e-mail looks that offers this get-rich-quick scheme, its appropriate destination should be your home's or computer's trash can," Nixon said. "Like any other offer that promises millions of dollars for very little work, the real goal is to gain your trust and then take your money."

Missourians who have complaints or inquiries about Nigerian money scams can e-mail or contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222.

Unlawful merchandising practices is a class D felony under Missouri law, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The charges against the defendants are merely accusations; as in all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818