African Gold dust scam

African Gold dust scam and African rough diamonds scam has duped hundreds of people
world-wide, not only do ignorant poor people get ripped off their savings of seeing a
profitable deal , but also many businessmen have turned bankrupt and lost their wealth, the
fact I am still unable to understand, why do people fall into such scams.

The Scammers are basically from the west african nations of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana,
Nigeria, Senegal, Cameron, Mali and Burkina Fasso to list a few. The scammers always use
telephone numbers/ mobile numbers which are not traceable. Victims usually come across
such scammers through unsolicited emails and text sms. The scammers declare that they are
in possession of Gold dust/ Gold dory bars / rough diamonds / or other precious metals /
stones that will be sold at almost 50% to 70% lesser than the market price and that way the
buyer has an opportunity to sell it with good profits. The Scammers do provide all the
certifications , licences, insurances papers, Kimberley Process Certificates, invoices to the
sellers which is all fake but nothing more than a Photoshop creation of these certifications.
The seller will always throughout the communications with their victims use various
telephone numbers. The scammers will also do phone calls to the sellers as they use illegal
telephone lines, his somehow convinces the buyer that the seller in Africa is a real person.
The seller will ask for maximum information from the buyer, like bank account numbers,
address, telephone numbers, passport copies etc. However, the seller will never provide the
buyer with such information and even if provided it will be a fake.

There is always an initial amount that the buyer will have to pay for some registration, tax,
paperwork etc., which could be from $200 to maximum any amount. This money will never
be returned to the buyer and eventually the buyer will never see the Gold or rough diamonds.

On many occasions the seller will invite the buyer to Guinea, Ghana, Mali or any other
African country to conclude the deal. I have known of many such incidents when the buyer
has travelled to Africa and found himself being kidnapped by these scammers. The next step
from these scammers will be to hold the victim hostage and ask for ransom from hostage’s
family members. Few victims do end up getting back to their home country, but few are left
dead.

Never travel to Africa to conclude such deals from unknown / invisible scammers/
exporters.

Never send money to these scammers, especially they will ask through Western Union or
any other money transfer office.

Never declare your personal details , bank account , passport copies to these scammers.

Always verify each document / telephone numbers if you are getting tempted to do any
such business deals with the scammers ( Or you may ask us ).

Victims never think from where these exporters got the Gold / Rough diamonds in the first
place and why aren’t they selling in the real market. Are not such industries controlled by the
respective governments with proper laws & regulations. Why did the scammer contact the
victim and how on earth the scammer thought that the victim will buy the merchandise.
The Gold & Diamond industries in west Africa remain handicapped due to unstable
Governments. The traditional mining does have two channels in west Africa, through legal
methods of trade and the illegal method of trade. Its better that the buyers study in depth about
this and don’t get involved in the illegal method of trade or get duped by the scammers.
Export & trading of gold especially in Guinea is free and does not have any restrictions. No
approval , no licence is required to sell, buy, export or hold gold and diamonds in Guinea. The
best way is to follow the Central Bank of Guinea’s procedures to do such trade. In west Africa
fraud cannot be controlled in mining and precious metals/stones trading. Therefore, the
victims must not pursue their lost money and even Interpol cannot do much in this situation.

Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone’s customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the
export of gems and precious minerals, such as diamonds and gold. All mineral resources,
including gold and diamonds, belong to the State and only the government of Sierra Leone
can issue mining and export licenses. The legal authority for the issuance of licenses is vested
in the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources. Failure to comply with relevant legislation
can lead to serious criminal penalties. For further information on mining activities in Sierra
Leone, contact the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources: The Director of Mines, Ministry
of Mines and Mineral Resources, Fifth Floor, Youyi Building, Brookfields, Freetown, Sierra
Leone; tel. (232-22) 240-420 or 240-176; fax (232-22) 240-574

Ghana –

Gold Operations in Ghana are in two Sectors

–The big mining companies; and the small-scale sector. PMMC is responsible for the small-
scale, which is comprised of individuals, small and medium size mining companies.
–Generally, any mining operation with concession up to 25 acres is considered a small-scale
mine. PMMC purchases glod from small-scale miners and in turn export abroad. PMMC
already has an existing contract to sell its gold to an overseas gold refinery, however
applicants with favourable terms may be considered.
–Overseas Buyers seeking to purchase gold from Ghana may contact other licensed gold
buyers. However, any offers received from suppliers are to be confirmed with PMMC for
advice on genuineness of transaction.
–Overseas Buyers of gold are strictly advised NOT to pay cash directly to any local suppliers
of gold
Bank of Ghana regulations require that payment for gold suppliers are made by Bank-to-
Bank transfer via Bank of Ghana (i.e. The Central Bank of Ghana).

EXPORT PROCEDURES

1. The gold to be exported shall be delivered by the licensed Gold Buyer to PMMC premises
by 9.00 a.m for assaying on the day of export, if already smelted. Otherwise the
unsmelting gold a day before the dayh of export.

2. PMMC shall issue Assay Invoice which will indicate the weight and the purity of gold to be
exported.

3. The gold to be exported shall be sealed and secured in metal/wooden specie boxes on the
day of export by PMMC in the presence of the following group of officers.
–Ghana Customs Officers
–PMMC Officials
–The Licensed Gold Buyer who has requested for the gold export.

4. PMMC will complete the Bank of Ghana and Ghana Custom export documents on behalf
of the Local Seller/Gold Buyer.

5. The Licensed Gold Buyer will be required to supply the full address and the telephone
number of the overseas destination for the export.

6. PMMC will be responsible to transport the gold to Kotoka International Airport, Accra for
delivery to the airline (currently KLM).

7. The Licensed Gold Buyer and the Overseas Buyer shall be responsible for the Insurance
and Airfreight charges of the gold to be exported.

8. The gold to be exported will be accompanied by the following documents:-

PMMC Assay invoice which will indicate:

• Purity (i.e. Gold content).

• Quantity in ounces and kgs.
• Value in both US Dollars and Local Currency.

The value of the gold will be based on the spot price of the London Metal Exchange (LME) on
the day of export.

• Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Customs export documents.

• Airway Bill.

9. Funds in US Dollars representing the export value of the gold should be transferred to
PMMC account at the Bank of Ghana (i.e. The Central Bank of Ghana), with The Licensed
Gold Buyer noted therein as the beneficiary, prior to the export of the gold. PMMC will
provide the Bank transfer instructions to the exporter for the information of the overseas
buyer to facilitate the transfer of fund.

10. PMMC fees for the export of gold are :-

–Shipment charges : – 0.50% of the export value of the gold

–Assay charges : – $50.00 per bar of 5kgs
–Smelting charges : – $20 per kg. Of gold
–These fees are payable on the day of export of the gold

I request readers who intend to do business with such entities should be careful and if any
further information is required on this trade please comment here with your email address and
we shall be happy to assist you.