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Worship with us @ Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries, Budapest, Hungary Address: 1081 Bp II János Pál Pápa tér 2 (formerly Köztársaság tér) Direction: From Blaha, take tram 28, 28A, 37, 37A, 62...1 stop. From the traffic light cross to the other side... Or take Metro 4 & get off @ János Pál Pápa tér
Time of worship: Wednesdays @ 18:30 hr Sundays @ 10:30 hr
Tel: +36 203819155 or +36 202016005

God bless


Monday 30 August 2010

FORWARDED MESSAGE

Dial F for Fraud
By Emmanuel Ogala 
On a Thursday night in early January this year, Pascal Adeniyi had just had dinner and was getting ready to go to bed when his phone beeped, indicating that he had received a text message. He picked up the phone and lay back on his pillow to read the message. Very quickly, he sat up on his bed with a broad smile on his face as he read the text message for the second time. The message said that he has been selected to participate in a contest where he could win N10 million and a car. To participate, he was asked to reply “yes” to the text.

The message was from a short code, 555, used by his service provider, Glo, for promotional purposes. Mr. Adeniyi replied to the message quickly and a simple question was sent back to him. He answered the first question and was immediately pulled into in a maze of unending question and answer texts which lasted five days and cost him a total of N35, 000 on his contract plan.

Mr. Adeniyi, like millions of mobile telephone subscribers in Nigeria, has been a victim of what appears to be a new kind of fraud currently flooding the largely unregulated but booming short code and mobile telephone value-added service industry in Nigeria. Mr. Adeniyi feels cheated but at least, his loss was to a legitimate game, the widely advertised “Glo Text a Million Season 2 Promo” in which many people have been shown on television to have won prizes. There are, however, many people losing money to scores of other ‘not advertised’ scam mobile telephone value-added services.

10 digit scam

Tochi Ude, for instance, was defrauded on his MTN phone by a different type of deceptive value-added service with a number longer than most short codes. While at work in November last year, he got a text on his phone from an unusual 10 digit number, 9609908918.

“Hi, I tried to call you, call me back on this number. +9609908918,” the message read. He quickly dialled the number and an automated voice answered, asking him to wait while his service was sorted. He waited.

“I thought it was one of my friends in India, because the numbers looked like an Indian code,” Mr. Ude said.

It turned out to be an unending Interactive Voice Response (IVR) leading him through a maze of options and encouraging him to stay longer online. Eventually, his air time ran out. He spent five minutes on the call but never got to speak to anyone and could not find out who it was that wanted to reach him. He hung up and checked his balance. He was billed N500 for the five minutes he spent with the IVR.

“Each minute cost N100, but the text never said that,” he said. “The number was strange and there was no detail about the service provider and the cost. Just the one sentence in the message.”

Later, he contacted his three friends in India and all said they didn’t try to reach him at that time. He got the same text three times that month but never called it after the first scam. A couple of his friends also got similar messages in December but in a different form and from a different number.

Ojoma Ocheja was scammed by a similar scheme. Last week, she got a text from a 10-digit number, 6703302973. The message said a secret admirer had sent her a love song. The text instructed her to call +6703302973 to hear the song and the identity of the person that sent her the song.

“There was no information of the cost of the service in the text neither did the service providers indicate their identity so I thought it was from MTN,” Ms. Ocheja said. She called the 10-digit number. It turned out to be an unending IVR. She dropped the call three minutes later, after she sensed that there was something wrong.

“I didn’t hear both the song and the identity of the sender,” she said. “Rather, the female voice at the IVR continuously gave me options luring me on.”

Moneyed scheme

According to statistics from the National Communication Commission, as at September 2010, there were 75.362 million active GSM lines in Nigeria; all of them vulnerable to these scams which come in different formats across networks of various service providers. If 0.1 percent of the active subscribers spend at least a minute calling any of these services each day, subscribers will lose N7.536 million daily, N52.753 million in a week and N1.582 billion in a month. If 1 percent of the active subscribers use the service at the same rate, they will be defrauded of N15.82 billion in one month. All victims interviewed by NEXT say they received the messages more than once and spent more than a minute on the call.

“Curiosity will keep you on the call,” Mr. Ude said.

The telephone numbers that were used to defraud Mr. Ude and others in November were different from those other complainants got in December and yet, different from the numbers being used in the scheme now. Each of them is deactivated for the next scam — with new formats — a NEXT investigation has revealed.

No regulation

Although this segment of the mobile communication industry spins billions of naira monthly, mostly for service not rendered, the sector is not regulated. On April 8, 2010, Ernest Ndukwe, then executive vice chairman of the NCC, which regulates telecoms and operations in Nigeria, met with his fellow board members in Abuja for a public inquiry into the proposed guidelines on short code operations in Nigeria. Eleven months later, the guidelines are still in a draft form but millions of Nigerians have been scammed and lost money and there is no way to trace the perpetuaters of the scam. Basher Gwandu, the executive commissioner, technical services at NCC, said the commission is still working on regulating the short code industry. promising to “investigate further including the Glo number”.

The only form of regulation for the short code in the telecoms industry, currently, is a non-legally binding code of conduct document offered by Wireless Application Service Providers’ of Nigeria (WASPN). WASPN is a voluntary organization based in Lagos and admits third-party content developers — most of whom own the short code services and use traditional network providers — who are willing to give them a platform.

“Not all content developers are members of WASPN ...neither are they obligated to join,” Eunice Benjamin Ade, the business application manager of WASPN told NEXT.

Mrs. Ade explained that it is only members of the association that are bound by its code of conduct. She disowned the various fraudulent service providers mentioned in this story saying: “I want to assure you that it is not emanating from any WASPN member, because they are bound by the code of conduct,” she said.

As things stand, it appears that the first line of security and protection from fraudulent content developers is the service provider. The service provider is the bridge between the subscriber and the content developer. The service providers deduct money from the subscribers’ accounts and share this revenue with the content developers.

However, since there are no laws or guidelines for the short code industry, subscribers are at the mercy of their providers’ ability to sniff out, con artistes. At the moment, service providers don’t appear to be doing a decent job at this. There are also, of course, promos that are conducted by the service providers themselves, like the one Mr. Adeniyi participated in. These come with the traditional “terms and condition” for its use. However, a lot of its users like Mr. Adeniyi say they feel cheated.

“I think it is a fraudulent game,” Iyabo Oyelese, another subscriber said. She argued that the game is “unreasonably too long” and does not provide sufficient information about the cost.

Bode Opeseitan, the spokesperson for Glo could not be reached for comments on these allegations. He did not answer calls neither did he reply to text messages from NEXT.

MTN promised to respond to questions concerning the fraud practised via its network, but the reaction never came.

While service providers drag their feet in providing protection to their subscribers from fraudsters, and the NCC finetunes the short code guidelines, experts advise subscribers to stay way from these schemes, and when they feel they want to give it a shot, they should only to put at stake telephone credit they feel they can afford to lose. source: NEXT


OLD SCHOOL ADVERT
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=7530737&id=591560796&oid=152978661409591
PLANTA AD (1975)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=7530737&id=591560796&oid=152978661409591
OXFORD CABIN BISCUITS
The perennial favourite!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31002066&id=1342726641&oid=152978661409591
Cabin Biscuit, has not changed since I was in baording school. This was one of the provisions (alongside, Milo, Nido, sugar cubes, Blue band, Garri etc) that I took at the beginning of each term.

I would then have to wait until visiting day for replenishment of provisions
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31002066&id=1342726641&oid=152978661409591
....And one more unchanged in appearance. Reminds me of Titus and Queen of the South Sardines
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31002066&id=1342726641&oid=152978661409591
Titus Sardines....a mainstay in Nigerian homes and boarding schools.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31207609&id=1005649883&oid=152978661409591
Allenbury's glucose d, always came in handy
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs967.snc4/76029_454330073819_616158819_5139955_2628658_n.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31002066&id=1342726641&oid=152978661409591
Other contemporaries were Canoe Soap, Blue soap, Reckitts Blue and that packet starch
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=7140345&id=748873133&oid=152978661409591
you are watching the Tv and enjoying the show, millions of your friends are watching do you know so make it a party cos your your friends are here, for a real good party all you need is star beer! star star star...enjoy the brighter life...star!http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=5137867&id=616158819&oid=152978661409591
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs562.ash2/148452_453863668206_646468206_5747854_1201138_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs195.snc1/6568_509847437353_286200201_463284_6396178_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs175.snc1/6568_509847432363_286200201_463283_6112640_n.jpg
She's beautiful, she's lovely, she takes your breath away.....with Nku the natural skin beauty. Nku making more women more beautiful everyday.http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31805769&id=1300126916&oid=152978661409591
"COSMETICS TO MAKE YOU BEAUTIFUL..." (1977)
Another one of Nigeria's favourite hydroquinone-loaded skin-toning beauty lines, Venus de Milo.
AMEBO had it that ,Venus still better pass Ambi - but now the women don radicalize! Na customized concoctions - strips you of melanine....a precusor to Fela's "Yellow Fever"
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31805769&id=1300126916&oid=152978661409591
Nigeria Magazine #71 - December 1961
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31805769&id=1300126916&oid=152978661409591
Nigeria Magazine #71 - December 1961
Bata Cortina were a school staple. Later, came Lucky sandals. I don't know of anyone whom went to primary school in the mid to late 1970's whom did not wear either of these two sandalshttp://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31805769&id=1300126916&oid=152978661409591
Nigeria Magazine #71 - December 1961
Oh the days of Kingsway and Leventis. When Nigeria was Nigeria.Kingsway = Meatpiehttp://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31805769&id=1300126916&oid=152978661409591
"NIGERIA'S SOCCER CRISIS" (1977)
Issue of Chris Okolie's Newbreed magazine chronicling "Nigeria's saddest soccer year," featuring Sam Ojebode (of the IICC Shooting Stars, Ibadan) and Christian Chukwu (of the Enugu Rangers) on the cover.

Sam Ojebode and Christian Chukwu, the captains of IICC Shooting Stars and Rangers International respectively. The two biggest teams in the country at the time and the fiercest rivals. This photo was before the Challenge Cup finals that year. This was the year Godwin Odiye, spared us from qualifying for the World Cup
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31805769&id=1300126916&oid=152978661409591
Nigeria Magazine #71 - December 1961

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs175.snc1/6568_509847417393_286200201_463280_1088304_n.jpg
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=31207609&id=1005649883&oid=152978661409591
MERZ-WHITE AD (1977)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=5406455&id=769144488&oid=152978661409591WISE FATHERS BANK WITH UBA (1974)
Advert for United Bank for Africa, Ltd.

It was only in the 80' they remembered to add - 'And Women Too' when they probably realized that the women economic power was on the rise
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=5406455&id=769144488&oid=152978661409591
"THE SECRET OF HER BEAUTY... A LIGHTER, LOVELIER SKIN" (1962)
An ad for Ultra Tone, one of the early popular bleaching creams.

YELLOW FEVER YOU DEY BLEACH O YOU DEY BLEACH. YEYE THING F* * *KING THING YOU DEY BLEACH O YOU DEY BLEACH. NA HIM DEY BRING E MATTER NOWADAYS!

Ola Jay: The ad text reads at end of the 1st paragraph, "No man can resist the lovelier lighter completion that Ultra Tone gives you..." Well, this one did!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=5406455&id=769144488&oid=152978661409591
MORGANS POMADE (1974)

....so the business of getting younger is an old one. Then,let them start production again. I need this pomade right now.......lolMorgan's pomade had a 'brother' called "Sulphur 8". I can smell them still. We could not pronounce "Sulphur" then and called it "Suffer 8".http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=152978661409591&pid=5406455&id=769144488&oid=152978661409591
Nigeria magazine no 64, March 1960
Ovaltine!
Which kind wahala be dis.!

While visiting a very rich friend, the maid approached me & see me see trouble ooo. 

Question: Sir, what would you like to have, fruit juice, soda, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, frapuccino or coffee?
Answer:    Tea please.
Question :   Ceylon tea, Indian tea, herbal tea, bush tea, honey bush tea, iced tea or green tea?
Answer:     Ceylon tea please.
Question :  How would you like it, black or white?
Answer:    White.
Question : Milk or fresh cream?
Answer:    With milk.
Question : Goat's milk or cow's milk?
Answer;    With cow's milk please.
Question : Freeze land cow or Afrikaner cow?
Answer:    Umm, think I'll just take it black.
Question : Would you like it with sweetener, sugar or honey?
Answer:    With sugar.
Question : Bee sugar or cane sugar?
Answer:    Cane sugar.
Question : White, brown or yellow sugar?
Answer:   Oya, forget about the tea, just give me a glass of water instead.
Question: Mineral water, tap water or distilled water?
Answer:    Mineral water.
Question : Flavoured or non-flavoured?
Answer:    Abeg, I think I'll just die of thirst.
Which kind wahala be dis.

1 comment:

  1. Very good memories indeed. I remember the game between IICC and Enugu Rangers in the year of 1977. Both clubs met over two legs in the semi finals (if I can remember rightly) which Rangers won eventual to progress onto the finals which they won. The game had to be decided on penalty kicks when the best attack (IICC) in Nigerian Football at the time came up against the best defense (Rangers). Both games were tensed and only Emmanuel Okala and a very resolute Rangers defence saw them through. Thanks for the entertainment and memories guys.

    ReplyDelete

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Editor's Mail

Love the article on Gaddafi
We must rise above tribalism & divide & rule of the colonialist who stole & looted our treasure & planted their puppets to lord it over us..they alone can decide on whosoever is performing & the one that is corrupt..but the most corrupt nations are the western countries that plunder the resources of other nations & make them poorer & aid the rulers to steal & keep such ill gotten wealth in their country..yemen,syria etc have killed more than gadhafi but its not A̷̷̴ good investment for the west(this is laughable)because oil is not in these countries..when obasanjo annihilated the odi people in rivers state, they looked away because its in their favour & interest..one day! Samosa Iyoha

Hello from
Johannesburg
I was amazed to find a website for Africans in Hungary.
Looks like you have quite a community there. Here in SA we have some three million Zimbabweans living in exile and not much sign of going home ... but in Hungary??? Hope to meet you on one of my trips to Europe; was in Steirmark Austria near the Hungarian border earlier this month. Every good wish for 2011. Geoff in Jo'burg

I'm impressed by
ANH work but...
Interesting interview...
I think from what have been said, the Nigerian embassy here seem to be more concern about its nationals than we are for ourselves. Our complete disregard for the laws of Hungary isn't going to help Nigeria's image or going to promote what the Embassy is trying to showcase. So if the journalists could zoom-in more focus on Nigerians living, working and studying here in Hungary than scrutinizing the embassy and its every move, i think it would be of tremendous help to the embassy serving its nationals better and create more awareness about where we live . Taking the issues of illicit drugs and forged documents as typical examples.. there are so many cases of Nigerians been involved. But i am yet to read of it in e.news. So i think if only you and your journalists could write more about it and follow up on the stories i think it will make our nationals more aware of what to expect. I wouldn't say i am not impressed with your work but you need to be more of a two way street rather than a one way street . Keep up the good work... Sylvia

My comment to the interview with his excellency Mr. Adedotun Adenrele Adepoju CDA a.i--

He is an intelligent man. He spoke well on the issues! Thanks to Mr Hakeem Babalola for the interview it contains some expedient information.. B.Ayo Adams click to read editor's mail
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