All That Glitters Is Not Gold - African Gold Scams
Read also Trying to Make A Gold Deal with Africans
Have you ever received an email, text, instant message, fax or other communication offering you "Alluvial Gold", "Gold Dust" or "Gold Bars" from Africa? Are the prices given "too good to be true"? Then read on to discover why "All That Glitters Is Not Gold".
The Proposal
"My aim of contacting you is to make a Gold transaction proposals to you. I am Ghanaian citizen and it happened that my family had a Gold concession, though we are into small scale mining, But we want to sell (440kg) of Gold that we have in stock in order to purchase mining equipment."
- Kwarteng Yeboah
The above is a typical opening missive to one of the types of Advance Fee Fraud known as the African Gold Scam. To certain types of individuals the offer of acquiring a quantity of Gold may seem like the dream ticket, especially when it appears to be relatively inexpensive, as with the next text.
"How would you find making money for yourself just by being a middleman between a seller and a buyer? ... Commodity: AU Alluvial Gold Dust; Carat: 22 Carat; Quantity: 250 kg; Price: $12,500; Purity: 92.9%; Origin: Ghana"
- Williams Kofi
Other types of proposals include more technical details, as well as having sourced Gold from many parts of West Africa. This one from Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
"...we are with the head of a Company of Transit and Consignment based in Ivory Coast West Africa. Our Company represents and helps a group of village Gold mining washers to sell their natural noble metals; mainly A/U Gold. We have at present for export 600Kilogrammes of Gold dust whose characteristics are as follows: *Origin: Ghana, Bokinafaso and cote d' ivoire in West Africa*Quality: 22 Karats+*Nature:Gold Dust*Rate of purity:93%* Impurity; composition:7% (primarily iron Oxide)"
- Anthony Uti
If that was not enough, how about dealing with someone who has allegedly stolen sacks of Gold Dust from a mine in Burkina Faso, with pictures too!
"I work in gold field in Burkina-faso. I got some 5sack of Gold Dust secretly from our company, wort 25kg per sack. Wort Millions of Euro... Note, I attache my picture at work in Miner, where i put on Africa native dress."
- EL-Haji Bin Hassan Oumar
The Sting, and Worse
Despite the theme of the communications revolving around precious metals, the underlying scheme is exactly the same as any other type of Advance Fee Fraud. You will be asked at some point to provide an amount of money prior to getting your hands on any Gold. You may have had to fill out various forms, provide your personal or even banking information, but always there will be some sort of fee to be paid. The requested fee of course is the main sting, because the Gold simply does not exist in the first place. That's the 'Fraud' part of the 'Advance Fee'.
Alarmingly, this type of scam also tends to go a stage further than most types of Advance Fee Fraud, and actually suggests/requests that you travel to West Africa to conduct business.
"We can send to you 65kg of 21-24 karat through Airway bill while i come over to meet you or if you wish to come to Ghana to see things for yourself and hereafter both of us will travel to your country with as many golds we can carry through Air way cargo for sales."
- Marth Ann Kuhns
"We have an agent who can go to anywhere in the world with 100KGS for any buyer who dont want to come down here in Ghana."
- Ernest Kojo
"If you are Interested you should come down to Accra/Ghana and have round table talk with the elders of Ashanti Kingdom."
- Clement Tokangaa
Should anyone actually travel as suggested, then what awaits them is not going to be pleasant. Robbery would be the first thing, especially if you happen to be carrying a large amount of cash. Next would likely to be kidnapping, and being held for ransom. If you pay a fee then figure out it is a con, you may be tempted to go out to West Africa to find your money; A bad idea that one!
(News: article)
In another twist to the obvious sting, here is an account taken from RipOffReport, which makes for very interesting reading. It shows another reason for the suggestion that you (the victim) should travel to West Africa. As you will read, even people who know what they are doing still get caught out.
Quote:
Name: Irfan - Submitted: 8/18/2008 3:59:54 PM
I live in the UK and was pursuing gold dust exports from several countried including Ghana.
No doubt, anyone reading this message has already researched gold (dust in particular) purchase and resale. On the face of it - Ghana offers real opportunity, you can pretty much buy significant quantities - at prices that can make a very healthy return.
That's exactly what i though and did as much homework as i could, which is how i found the Lou Dayo company: -
http://loudayousa.com/Lou-Dayo.html
I'm sure this is where many of you are right now!
Its headed by an African-American lady called Annette Smith - picture of her on her Website (with shades!). I phoned, discussed everything regarding my business and subsequently visited Ghana on a fact-finding mission. What made this feel so real was that Annette was American, spoke the language, was confident and knew the gold business well - however this is all part of the scam - to entice you in.
I met Annette whilst i was in Ghana and was introduced to a large Ghanaian called 'Mr. Ocean' (at a Chinese restaurant in Achimota). Apparently he was a mine owner, and a village chief. His 'company' held the appropriate export license to allow private buyers to export gold dust.
Now here's the thing....
I visited his mining operation - details of this i can supply, and whilst small - is full operational
I checked his mining permit and export license via the PMMC in Accra
I 'road-tested' all his paperwork by purchasing a small quantity of alluvial concentrate (gold dust) worth $2000, and took this to Dubai. Here i tested privately - confirming the authenticity of the product befor selling it.
On my route to Dubai, i went to see Customs at Accra airport and made them check the paperwork supplied by Mr. Ocean and Annette - it was generally speaking ok.
I returned to the UK and planned a more substantial visit back to Ghana to procure a much larger transaction...of 2Kgs of Gold dust - which was being sold to me for $20,000 a kilo.
I was still hesitant and cautious in my dealings, taking only some of my money with me. With Annette's and Mr.Ocean's help i established a personal account with Standard Chartered Bank in Accra Central (their largest branch). There assistance with this gave me assurance that i was dealing with genuine business people (alas my optimism was unfounded!). There is more detail around setting up the bank account - but i'll leave that for now - suffice to say i set-up the account and managed to get my money across. Note that i used S.C because this is who they bank with.
Once i had my money - i withdrew $40,000 dollars, went to Mr.Ocean's house in Achimota - an area within Accra. Behind the green steel doors and barbed wire fencing this nondescript house is where Mr.Ocean & co conduct their fraud. I was fully on my guard - but by this stage i had been to this house several times - and felt reasonably comfortable.
The Scam!
The gold they sell is genuine! - this is what makes the scam professional! i tested using acid - which is fairly common. You can also test via the Government owned Ministry, this is mandatory to get the export papers. The point here is that - the goods were absolutely genuine
All the paperwork produced was genuine - this includes the fully legit copies of the Export form (A2 form), Certificate of Origin and Seller invoice.
Once i had the gold and paperwork - i gave the money, exchanged niceties and left. At this stage i was being shuttled by Mr. Ocean's own driver (to and from the hotel). I genuinely believed this was the safest option. After all, i was now convinced that these people were genuine and were looking for a long term partnership
On the way back to the hotel, the driver is going slow - on the lookout for something.....and i'm sure he deviates from his usual route.
I hear a brief siren, and get stopped by a fully armed police car. Two cops step out (with guns). Some rubbish about a random drug check is given. I know instantly whats about to happen.....my heart sinks.
A childish act follows whereby the drivers paperwork is checked, and silly questions asked. They then eye my rucksack, and ask me to open it. I know where this is going....and in all fairness i feel that its not worth doing anything that could risk my life.
They grab the sealed contents and demand to see the paperwork. They take the paperwork (i.e. all the proof) and instantly the random drug search is over. They tell us to come to 'a fictitious' police station and scarper.
The driver, clearly in on the whole charade, comes out with some jibberish about not to worry and telling Mr. Ocean etc etc etc.
I get to the hotel and absolutely lay in to the driver - causing a big scene outside the hotel...
I decide not to tell the authorities as i have lost all confidence in everything around me.....i was held up by absolutely genuine police offers - but obviously paid off! who can i trust now!
Mr. Ocean rings 1 hour later.....denying all culpability! - i take none of it - but know theres little i can do. I also believe he was trying to sting me for more money to try and 'pay off' the already paid off cops!!
I leave Ghana the next day and vow never to return.
People......these guys are professionals. Thats how i was done in. Their scam is elaborate and well executed. They have a number of people paid off to allow them to do what they do.
I can supply further details to anyone interested - but please - you will know instantly who i am talking about if you've seen their website - or met them already. They will set you up with smaller deals and then hit you hard.
My parting words with Mr. Ocean & Co...was simply that i would tell the World about their fraud and cause them the only suffering they care about - loss of revenue!
As a parting note - the PMMC - whom i met did warn me not to deal with anyone privately and not to buy dust, however their own prices were so high, i felt i had to try.
In all i lost $40,000, a huge amount of confidence and trust in my fellow man!!
Any questions - please get back to me - or post your own details.
Irfan
Always Be careful.
Irfan
England
United Kingdom
(RipOffReport : article)
Some Truth Behind The Lies
The vast majority of the West African Gold Scams revolve around one particular country, namely Ghana, so let's concentrate on that country to reveal some truths.
In 2006 a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council Meeting was held in Accra Ghana. In one of these speeches a cause for concern was raised, in which Ghana based Advance Fee Fraud and Gold Scams were included.
"Fraud is also a major concern among the business community. Given current trends, we expect to see a five-fold increase in relationship fraud involving US citizens alone over the past year, and a 50% increase in advance fee fraud for business transactions. Credit card fraud, gold scams and other financial crimes are serious problems that Ghanaians must tackle for tourism and international commerce to flourish."
(U.S. Embassy Ghana : article)
There are strict rules in Ghana which govern both the import and export of Gold, diamonds and precious minerals. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs writes the following on thier Ghana information page...
"Only agents licensed by the Precious Metals and Mining Commission ... may handle import-export transactions of these natural resources. Any transaction without the commission’s endorsement is illegal and/or fraudulent. All transactions must be completed through the commission at the price set daily by the London exchange. Any transaction that discounts this price, or includes a previously negotiated price, is either illegal or fraudulent. Export of gold dust is rare as it encourages dangerous and environmentally destructive practices, and transactions involving the export of gold dust are probably fraudulent. Attempts to evade regulations are punishable by imprisonment. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, or one of the Ghanaian consulates in the United States, for specific information regarding customs requirements."
(U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs : article)
Let us pull out the points made in the paragraph above, just to make sure they get read:-
Agents must be licensed by the Precious Metals and Mining Commission.
Transactions without the endorsement of the Commission are illegal and/or fraudulent.
Transactions must be completed through the Commission at the price set daily by the London exchange.
Transaction that discounts the London exchange price are illegal and/or fraudulent.
Transactions involving the export of gold dust are probably fraudulent.
Attempts to evade regulations are punishable by imprisonment.
Principle Ministries (Ghana)
In Ghana, where most of the fraudulent Gold schemes appear to reference, there are a number of Ministries for the mining sub-sector.
The Minerals Commission (Mining Portal of Ghana : link)
The Commission is responsible for the regulation and management of the utilization of the mineral resources of Ghana and the co-ordination of the policies in relation to them.
The Geological Survey Department (Mining Portal of Ghana : link)
Responsible for the provision of reliable and up-to-date geological information for national development through geological mappin, research and investigations and also acts as repository of the country's geo-scientific data.
The Inspectorate Division of Minerals Commission (Mining Portal of Ghana : link)
The Inspectorate Division of Minerals Commission is responsible for instituting and enforcing health, safety and environmental standards in the mines. It also ensures that mining companies and all mining related activities comply with Ghana's Mining and Mineral laws and Regulations through effective monitoring.
The Precious Minerals Marketing Company Limited (Mining Portal of Ghana : link)
The PMMC provides official marketing services for small scale gold and diamond miners. It also promotes the development of precious minerals and the jewellery industry in Ghana.
If one were to begin making enquiries regarding an offer of Gold, then the Precious Minerals Marketing Company Limited would be your first port of call. The PMMC serves the small-scale Gold producers in Ghana and have a number of licensed agents who purchase Gold for the company. The PMMC then sells this Gold to an overseas Gold refinery. Overseas buyers may make contact with local Gold buyers, but all offers must be confirmed through the PMMC itself. Overseas buyers of Gold are strictly advised NOT to pay cash to any local suppliers of Gold.
(Mining Portal of Ghana - PMMC Gold Export Procedure link) (*link no longer valid)
Offers Too Good To Be True (added 8th October 2010)
In a report on The Ghana Journal website on October 8th, 2010 (link) we also see an exposure of yet another Gold scam in Ghana. This particular report however, contains some very pertinent information in regards to Gold trade inside Ghana, specifically about alleged suppliers. Here are the keypoints:-
The Ghana Chamber of Mines said: "in the sale of gold our members do not seek out individual buyers or users."
Gold is one of the major foreign exchange earners of the West African country, formerly known as Gold Coast.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines is the main minerals industry association in Ghana, representing the collective interests of companies involved in mineral exploration, production and processing in the country.
In Ghana, all gold agents must be licensed and transactions certified by the precious minerals marketing company before businesses are transacted.
Gold is normally sold in Ghana in the smelted form, that is bars, and very rarely in the dust form.
Summary
Like all types of Advance Fee Fraud the communications between yourself and the fraudster are designed to trick you into giving away your money. The simplistic version simply comes as an unsolicited email, but other types of solicitation can see the con being more effective.
As always, due diligence is required by the recipient to remove doubts that one is being or is about to be defrauded. It is hoped that this article gives pointers into what to look for, recognize and resolve.
Be careful out there!
Read also Trying to Make A Gold Deal with Africans
Have you ever received an email, text, instant message, fax or other communication offering you "Alluvial Gold", "Gold Dust" or "Gold Bars" from Africa? Are the prices given "too good to be true"? Then read on to discover why "All That Glitters Is Not Gold".
The Proposal
"My aim of contacting you is to make a Gold transaction proposals to you. I am Ghanaian citizen and it happened that my family had a Gold concession, though we are into small scale mining, But we want to sell (440kg) of Gold that we have in stock in order to purchase mining equipment."
- Kwarteng Yeboah
The above is a typical opening missive to one of the types of Advance Fee Fraud known as the African Gold Scam. To certain types of individuals the offer of acquiring a quantity of Gold may seem like the dream ticket, especially when it appears to be relatively inexpensive, as with the next text.
"How would you find making money for yourself just by being a middleman between a seller and a buyer? ... Commodity: AU Alluvial Gold Dust; Carat: 22 Carat; Quantity: 250 kg; Price: $12,500; Purity: 92.9%; Origin: Ghana"
- Williams Kofi
Other types of proposals include more technical details, as well as having sourced Gold from many parts of West Africa. This one from Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
"...we are with the head of a Company of Transit and Consignment based in Ivory Coast West Africa. Our Company represents and helps a group of village Gold mining washers to sell their natural noble metals; mainly A/U Gold. We have at present for export 600Kilogrammes of Gold dust whose characteristics are as follows: *Origin: Ghana, Bokinafaso and cote d' ivoire in West Africa*Quality: 22 Karats+*Nature:Gold Dust*Rate of purity:93%* Impurity; composition:7% (primarily iron Oxide)"
- Anthony Uti
If that was not enough, how about dealing with someone who has allegedly stolen sacks of Gold Dust from a mine in Burkina Faso, with pictures too!
"I work in gold field in Burkina-faso. I got some 5sack of Gold Dust secretly from our company, wort 25kg per sack. Wort Millions of Euro... Note, I attache my picture at work in Miner, where i put on Africa native dress."
- EL-Haji Bin Hassan Oumar
- user1_pic63_1231621397_a.png (55.26 KiB) Viewed 1900 times
- user1_pic63_1231621397_b.png (53.59 KiB) Viewed 1900 times
- user1_pic63_1231621397_c.png (57.06 KiB) Viewed 1900 times
The Sting, and Worse
Despite the theme of the communications revolving around precious metals, the underlying scheme is exactly the same as any other type of Advance Fee Fraud. You will be asked at some point to provide an amount of money prior to getting your hands on any Gold. You may have had to fill out various forms, provide your personal or even banking information, but always there will be some sort of fee to be paid. The requested fee of course is the main sting, because the Gold simply does not exist in the first place. That's the 'Fraud' part of the 'Advance Fee'.
Alarmingly, this type of scam also tends to go a stage further than most types of Advance Fee Fraud, and actually suggests/requests that you travel to West Africa to conduct business.
"We can send to you 65kg of 21-24 karat through Airway bill while i come over to meet you or if you wish to come to Ghana to see things for yourself and hereafter both of us will travel to your country with as many golds we can carry through Air way cargo for sales."
- Marth Ann Kuhns
"We have an agent who can go to anywhere in the world with 100KGS for any buyer who dont want to come down here in Ghana."
- Ernest Kojo
"If you are Interested you should come down to Accra/Ghana and have round table talk with the elders of Ashanti Kingdom."
- Clement Tokangaa
Should anyone actually travel as suggested, then what awaits them is not going to be pleasant. Robbery would be the first thing, especially if you happen to be carrying a large amount of cash. Next would likely to be kidnapping, and being held for ransom. If you pay a fee then figure out it is a con, you may be tempted to go out to West Africa to find your money; A bad idea that one!
(News: article)
In another twist to the obvious sting, here is an account taken from RipOffReport, which makes for very interesting reading. It shows another reason for the suggestion that you (the victim) should travel to West Africa. As you will read, even people who know what they are doing still get caught out.
Quote:
Name: Irfan - Submitted: 8/18/2008 3:59:54 PM
I live in the UK and was pursuing gold dust exports from several countried including Ghana.
No doubt, anyone reading this message has already researched gold (dust in particular) purchase and resale. On the face of it - Ghana offers real opportunity, you can pretty much buy significant quantities - at prices that can make a very healthy return.
That's exactly what i though and did as much homework as i could, which is how i found the Lou Dayo company: -
http://loudayousa.com/Lou-Dayo.html
I'm sure this is where many of you are right now!
Its headed by an African-American lady called Annette Smith - picture of her on her Website (with shades!). I phoned, discussed everything regarding my business and subsequently visited Ghana on a fact-finding mission. What made this feel so real was that Annette was American, spoke the language, was confident and knew the gold business well - however this is all part of the scam - to entice you in.
I met Annette whilst i was in Ghana and was introduced to a large Ghanaian called 'Mr. Ocean' (at a Chinese restaurant in Achimota). Apparently he was a mine owner, and a village chief. His 'company' held the appropriate export license to allow private buyers to export gold dust.
Now here's the thing....
I visited his mining operation - details of this i can supply, and whilst small - is full operational
I checked his mining permit and export license via the PMMC in Accra
I 'road-tested' all his paperwork by purchasing a small quantity of alluvial concentrate (gold dust) worth $2000, and took this to Dubai. Here i tested privately - confirming the authenticity of the product befor selling it.
On my route to Dubai, i went to see Customs at Accra airport and made them check the paperwork supplied by Mr. Ocean and Annette - it was generally speaking ok.
I returned to the UK and planned a more substantial visit back to Ghana to procure a much larger transaction...of 2Kgs of Gold dust - which was being sold to me for $20,000 a kilo.
I was still hesitant and cautious in my dealings, taking only some of my money with me. With Annette's and Mr.Ocean's help i established a personal account with Standard Chartered Bank in Accra Central (their largest branch). There assistance with this gave me assurance that i was dealing with genuine business people (alas my optimism was unfounded!). There is more detail around setting up the bank account - but i'll leave that for now - suffice to say i set-up the account and managed to get my money across. Note that i used S.C because this is who they bank with.
Once i had my money - i withdrew $40,000 dollars, went to Mr.Ocean's house in Achimota - an area within Accra. Behind the green steel doors and barbed wire fencing this nondescript house is where Mr.Ocean & co conduct their fraud. I was fully on my guard - but by this stage i had been to this house several times - and felt reasonably comfortable.
The Scam!
The gold they sell is genuine! - this is what makes the scam professional! i tested using acid - which is fairly common. You can also test via the Government owned Ministry, this is mandatory to get the export papers. The point here is that - the goods were absolutely genuine
All the paperwork produced was genuine - this includes the fully legit copies of the Export form (A2 form), Certificate of Origin and Seller invoice.
Once i had the gold and paperwork - i gave the money, exchanged niceties and left. At this stage i was being shuttled by Mr. Ocean's own driver (to and from the hotel). I genuinely believed this was the safest option. After all, i was now convinced that these people were genuine and were looking for a long term partnership
On the way back to the hotel, the driver is going slow - on the lookout for something.....and i'm sure he deviates from his usual route.
I hear a brief siren, and get stopped by a fully armed police car. Two cops step out (with guns). Some rubbish about a random drug check is given. I know instantly whats about to happen.....my heart sinks.
A childish act follows whereby the drivers paperwork is checked, and silly questions asked. They then eye my rucksack, and ask me to open it. I know where this is going....and in all fairness i feel that its not worth doing anything that could risk my life.
They grab the sealed contents and demand to see the paperwork. They take the paperwork (i.e. all the proof) and instantly the random drug search is over. They tell us to come to 'a fictitious' police station and scarper.
The driver, clearly in on the whole charade, comes out with some jibberish about not to worry and telling Mr. Ocean etc etc etc.
I get to the hotel and absolutely lay in to the driver - causing a big scene outside the hotel...
I decide not to tell the authorities as i have lost all confidence in everything around me.....i was held up by absolutely genuine police offers - but obviously paid off! who can i trust now!
Mr. Ocean rings 1 hour later.....denying all culpability! - i take none of it - but know theres little i can do. I also believe he was trying to sting me for more money to try and 'pay off' the already paid off cops!!
I leave Ghana the next day and vow never to return.
People......these guys are professionals. Thats how i was done in. Their scam is elaborate and well executed. They have a number of people paid off to allow them to do what they do.
I can supply further details to anyone interested - but please - you will know instantly who i am talking about if you've seen their website - or met them already. They will set you up with smaller deals and then hit you hard.
My parting words with Mr. Ocean & Co...was simply that i would tell the World about their fraud and cause them the only suffering they care about - loss of revenue!
As a parting note - the PMMC - whom i met did warn me not to deal with anyone privately and not to buy dust, however their own prices were so high, i felt i had to try.
In all i lost $40,000, a huge amount of confidence and trust in my fellow man!!
Any questions - please get back to me - or post your own details.
Irfan
Always Be careful.
Irfan
England
United Kingdom
(RipOffReport : article)
Some Truth Behind The Lies
The vast majority of the West African Gold Scams revolve around one particular country, namely Ghana, so let's concentrate on that country to reveal some truths.
In 2006 a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council Meeting was held in Accra Ghana. In one of these speeches a cause for concern was raised, in which Ghana based Advance Fee Fraud and Gold Scams were included.
"Fraud is also a major concern among the business community. Given current trends, we expect to see a five-fold increase in relationship fraud involving US citizens alone over the past year, and a 50% increase in advance fee fraud for business transactions. Credit card fraud, gold scams and other financial crimes are serious problems that Ghanaians must tackle for tourism and international commerce to flourish."
(U.S. Embassy Ghana : article)
There are strict rules in Ghana which govern both the import and export of Gold, diamonds and precious minerals. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs writes the following on thier Ghana information page...
"Only agents licensed by the Precious Metals and Mining Commission ... may handle import-export transactions of these natural resources. Any transaction without the commission’s endorsement is illegal and/or fraudulent. All transactions must be completed through the commission at the price set daily by the London exchange. Any transaction that discounts this price, or includes a previously negotiated price, is either illegal or fraudulent. Export of gold dust is rare as it encourages dangerous and environmentally destructive practices, and transactions involving the export of gold dust are probably fraudulent. Attempts to evade regulations are punishable by imprisonment. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, or one of the Ghanaian consulates in the United States, for specific information regarding customs requirements."
(U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs : article)
Let us pull out the points made in the paragraph above, just to make sure they get read:-
Agents must be licensed by the Precious Metals and Mining Commission.
Transactions without the endorsement of the Commission are illegal and/or fraudulent.
Transactions must be completed through the Commission at the price set daily by the London exchange.
Transaction that discounts the London exchange price are illegal and/or fraudulent.
Transactions involving the export of gold dust are probably fraudulent.
Attempts to evade regulations are punishable by imprisonment.
Principle Ministries (Ghana)
In Ghana, where most of the fraudulent Gold schemes appear to reference, there are a number of Ministries for the mining sub-sector.
The Minerals Commission (Mining Portal of Ghana : link)
The Commission is responsible for the regulation and management of the utilization of the mineral resources of Ghana and the co-ordination of the policies in relation to them.
The Geological Survey Department (Mining Portal of Ghana : link)
Responsible for the provision of reliable and up-to-date geological information for national development through geological mappin, research and investigations and also acts as repository of the country's geo-scientific data.
The Inspectorate Division of Minerals Commission (Mining Portal of Ghana : link)
The Inspectorate Division of Minerals Commission is responsible for instituting and enforcing health, safety and environmental standards in the mines. It also ensures that mining companies and all mining related activities comply with Ghana's Mining and Mineral laws and Regulations through effective monitoring.
The Precious Minerals Marketing Company Limited (Mining Portal of Ghana : link)
The PMMC provides official marketing services for small scale gold and diamond miners. It also promotes the development of precious minerals and the jewellery industry in Ghana.
If one were to begin making enquiries regarding an offer of Gold, then the Precious Minerals Marketing Company Limited would be your first port of call. The PMMC serves the small-scale Gold producers in Ghana and have a number of licensed agents who purchase Gold for the company. The PMMC then sells this Gold to an overseas Gold refinery. Overseas buyers may make contact with local Gold buyers, but all offers must be confirmed through the PMMC itself. Overseas buyers of Gold are strictly advised NOT to pay cash to any local suppliers of Gold.
(Mining Portal of Ghana - PMMC Gold Export Procedure link) (*link no longer valid)
Offers Too Good To Be True (added 8th October 2010)
In a report on The Ghana Journal website on October 8th, 2010 (link) we also see an exposure of yet another Gold scam in Ghana. This particular report however, contains some very pertinent information in regards to Gold trade inside Ghana, specifically about alleged suppliers. Here are the keypoints:-
The Ghana Chamber of Mines said: "in the sale of gold our members do not seek out individual buyers or users."
Gold is one of the major foreign exchange earners of the West African country, formerly known as Gold Coast.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines is the main minerals industry association in Ghana, representing the collective interests of companies involved in mineral exploration, production and processing in the country.
In Ghana, all gold agents must be licensed and transactions certified by the precious minerals marketing company before businesses are transacted.
Gold is normally sold in Ghana in the smelted form, that is bars, and very rarely in the dust form.
Summary
Like all types of Advance Fee Fraud the communications between yourself and the fraudster are designed to trick you into giving away your money. The simplistic version simply comes as an unsolicited email, but other types of solicitation can see the con being more effective.
As always, due diligence is required by the recipient to remove doubts that one is being or is about to be defrauded. It is hoped that this article gives pointers into what to look for, recognize and resolve.
Be careful out there!
Trying to make a gold deal with African gold suppliers?
This is a great article shows all the pitfalls of trying to buy gold from Africa! It is copied from http://www.goldivanti.com/consulting/all-about-Africa-gold-deals.html
Trying to make a gold deal with African gold suppliers? Welcome to the page where you get to read all essential facts about African gold deals, we call it the reality shock factors, as yes, you might be shocked to find out you have wasted months and maybe even years in attempting to close the deal with African suppliers on distance. Some intermediaries are living in fantasy in the nice and warm place behind their computers, trying to get commission on "gold with discounts", especially when arriving from Africa.
Trying to make a gold deal with African gold suppliers? Welcome to the page where you get to read all essential facts about African gold deals, we call it the reality shock factors, as yes, you might be shocked to find out you have wasted months and maybe even years in attempting to close the deal with African suppliers on distance. Some intermediaries are living in fantasy in the nice and warm place behind their computers, trying to get commission on "gold with discounts", especially when arriving from Africa.
The virtual market place on Internet,LinkedIn, Tradekey and other business to business online marketplaces is more than abundant of various gold trade deal offers. Gold dust, gold nuggets, gold dore bars, FCO, [LOI][], POP, POF, MT103, MTN, bank guarantees, SBLC, letters of credit, Aurum Utalium, Aurum Uranium, reliable, reputable, gold mining communities, and so on, all that is the terminology belonging to the virtual pretended market place as built by many of the fraudulent criminals from Africa and as supported by naive and lured so called "buyers" and many of intermediaries hoping for the better future.
What if I tell you, that is not how true gold dealing, purchasing and selling is done in Africa?
- Shocking Facts on African Gold Deals
- Fact Number One - Most of the deals and offers of gold from Africa are scams
- Fact Number Two - Chances are that you are not qualified for gold trade
- Fact Number Three - Local buyers are everywhere
- Fact Number Four - Spot prices are paid locally
- Fact Number Five - There are genuine gold deals in Africa
- Offering benefits in exchange for gold deals
- How else you can make profits on gold business
Shocking Facts on African Gold Deals
- FACT NUMBER ONE: Most of the deals and offers of gold from Africa are scams, fake and fraudulent gold deals. What you see on pictures is brass or yellow painted metal, and not gold. If you happen to see real gold and touch it, chances are big that you are never going to take it out of the country, as the scam is better than your qualification to buy it.
- FACT NUMBER TWO: There are big chances that you are not qualified to recognize if such deal is real or fake"Recognizing real and fraudulent gold trade deals") and thus you are luring other genuine people, buyers and intermediaries into believing that there is some gold cheap out there, however, what you do in reality, you are perpetrating fraud yourself and inciting and supporting criminal enterprise.
- FACT NUMBER THREE: A local gold miner has local gold buyers where he sells the gold and that was the main reason for the small scale miners to open up a gold mine in the first place. Do you really think that any small scale miner needs you outside, out there, in the foreign country to sell to you, when he can sell it locally?
- FACT NUMBER FOUR: Spot prices are available in each of the African countries. Yes, gold may be sold locally everywhere in Mali, Ghana, Sierra Leona, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Congo and many other African countries. This alone shall appeal to your common sense, and if there is any gold trade deal out there that might be genuine, it shall be very well justified to go around this fact. Some refineries like AA Minerals in Ghana are going to pay 2% discount for any gold that is brought to them. Some dealers are paying spot prices and very often above the spot price. Large quantities are rare, and if you really wish to get the gold, instead of discount, dealer is going to pay better price just to get it. The large players in the market are converting cash for gold and they are paying for the speed. It is easier to win the Bingo than to close the deal on distance without being qualified for it.
- FACT NUMBER FIVE: There are actually gold deals that are genuine. But they are not going to appear on Internet. You must go on the ground, explore, meet the people, make the connections, know your stuff, and you always need to give some benefits to miners and gold dealers in order to gain any profits on such.
Fact Number One - Most of the deals and offers of gold from Africa are scams
Let me elaborate a little closer:
- For the sake of your time and energy that you are putting into the hope to earn some money with African gold deals, for practical reasons, you should consider all African gold deal offers as fake and fraudulent offers.
- Most of the gold you see on the pictures arriving from Africa is brass or lead painted in gold color. Gold dust may be yellow, but it is not everything that shine the true gold. Even if you see some true gold on pictures, that is not the gold that you are going get in your hands.
- Are you "wannabe" intermediary sitting outside of the location where you are offering the commodity, the gold, or are you truly researching your deal and offering it only then when you know that gold is there? Most of times intermediaries in gold business, try to bring two persons, two businessmen together, the seller and the buyer. However, neither the intermediary, nor seller nor buyer have ever done the true background checks. The intermediary is usually found in a situation not even knowing that gold is dense, heavy, not knowing its specific density and capacities of those gold mines. The intermediary usually have never seen face to face, not even by Internet, that so called seller but is lured and naively tries to close the deal with the buyer who very often also turns out to be yet another intermediary in the chain of virtual traders. And gold is nowhere yet to be found.
- Only large companies could provide quantities of gold, like kilograms. Such a large company have assets of many million dollars worth, and those companies are usually public companies, well known such as Randgold,Barrick, Ashanti and not so many others. A big company would not be that big if they would not know where to sell the gold.
- Small scale miners are small scale miners. Just that. They are not big companies. They are small communities. You may have 100 people working on the same mining site and getting not more than 3-5 kilograms per month. All those people need to live, need to eat, need to provide for their families, they get their profit share and main owner of the license and the land earns as well. They are selling gold as fast as they get it out of the gold mine. In their whole life they usually never see a whole gold dore bar.
- If you would have 50 kilograms of gold, how much assets would you have in total? Maybe double that much. We speak here of millions of dollars. Do you really think that anyone who has assets of few millions dollars does not know where to sell the gold he has bought?
- Do you think that any real world trader is ever going to buy a quantity of gold worth millions without knowing where to sell the gold?
- Everywhere in Africa gold is being paid almost spot prices. Don't be lured that there is some cheap gold out there, waiting for you and me to make the deals of your life. Nothing to do on your side, just connect the seller and the buyer, and your commissions worth hundreds of thousands of dollars are paid in cash. It would be a dream.
- Don't you think that the abundance of the supposed "gold offers from Africa" are not really proportionate to reality of the mining activities in Africa?
- There are so many offers for gold dust, gold nuggets, gold dore bars, why there are so few quality websites showing the reality at ground?
- Do you know that small scale miners sell any gold they find as fast as they can and that they rarely if ever make a true and whole gold dore bar out of it?
- Do you know that export of gold dust is forbidden in many of the African mining countries? Gold dust must be melted, assayed and never sold in the original form. Further, there is no small scale mining company that will ever have kilograms and kilograms of gold dust, as whoever would have this much gold, they would be able to melt it. You are not going around with "bags of gold dust". Give me a break.
- There are actual methods of acquiring gold dust, but that is simply not what small scale miners are doing. They use other methods and the form of gold from a small scale miner could be something gold gold sponge due to the mercury being used and any small nuggets and such gold sponge are going to be melted down. In the real gold market nobody is buying "gold dust". There is no serious and licensed dealer in Africa anywhere that is going to buy "gold dust" ever because they are going to melt it down, assay themselves and pay in cash. Gold dust is not really a form how gold is sold.
Fact Number Two - Chances are that you are not qualified for gold trade
You may be a big businessman and very skilled in general by your previous experience, but there are big chances that you are not qualified for gold trade deals originating from Africa.
Answering following questions is going to show you if you are qualified for the business:
- Have you been at place?
- Are you trying to accomplish a million dollars worth business deal on distance without having seen neither gold nor the seller nor the mining activities in Africa?
- Do you know the seller personally?
- Did you meet his wife, his relatives, have you visited his house?
- Have you ever at all seen the guy on picture?
- Have you ever touched that gold? Witnessed melting?
- What do you know about gold itself?
- What is specific density of gold?
- What are other metals usually alloyed with gold when not pure?
- What is specific density of water?
- Did you witness melting of gold?
- Did you ever sold gold yourself to scrap gold or any dealer?
- What is the sound and clang of gold when thrown on floor?
- What is the taste of gold?
- What is the melting point of gold?
- What is brass, what is its taste, the specific density and melting point?
- What is the local gold price available to local gold sellers?
- What is the true reason why would anyone sell gold cheaper than locally available gold price which usually is the spot price?
Fact Number Three - Local buyers are everywhere
If you are still in fantasy being lured into thinking that there will be some nice gold deal to accomplish and all you need to do is to bring the buyer and seller together, or any other such combinations, you should first consider the fact that local buyers are everywhere.
Not only that gold is sold near the gold mines, it is sold and traded in any major city and town of any of the African countries that have developed mining activities.
As a matter of fact, most of times, one will get in average more money for the gold than when sold as scrap in Western countries.
Gold is sold for cash and occasionally for bank transfers. Anywhere in Africa is the same. Cash is the king. There is only one true procedure and that is: bring the gold, let me melt it, I am assaying it myself, and I am paying cash. Everything else like formalities and papers may be handled when necessary.There are no such things as FCO, LOI, POP, POF, bank guarantees, and all the nonsense that is being disseminated on Internet that is based on false information.
Gold is sold for cash. No questions asked.
If you believe that someone out there in Ghana or Mali or Tanzania have any problems selling gold for cash without questions asked, you are lured, naive and most probably you are inciting genuine and decent people to be involved in the criminal enterprise.
Gold is sold for cash. No questions asked.
You maybe think that a local gold owner need an ID to sell gold? Yes, maybe by the law. But practical sales is as such: they bring the gold, the gold is melted, the gold is assayed on the simple water-based scale that measures its density, and gold is paid for cash. No questions asked.
According to the law each dealer is going to keep records of whom they have bought the gold. But how a government official may know that gold come from a small scale miner Mr. Smith if gold dealer can simply write it that it came from the small scale miner Mr. John. Nobody is able to really follow where the gold came from.
Gold is sold for cash. No questions asked.
There is some cheaper gold but one has to be established locally and work with the local company and provide time, effort and energy into making business by purchasing from small scale miners and trading with the dealers located in cities. It is very questionable if profits can be easily made by exporting such gold, due to fact that exporting is costly, there are taxes and royalties to be paid, while quick business may be done with local guys purchasing it at spot for spot prices.
Fact Number Four - Spot prices are paid locally
Most of times dealers who purchase gold from miners are going to pay spot prices, sometimes few percentages under the price. Sometimes gold is paid above the spot price.
Gold is sold easily in Ghana for 2% discounted gold price with the AA Minerals and many other local refineries, smelting offices and dealer offices. Selected dealers are going to pay spot prices.
Gold is sold easily in Tanzania for spot prices and above spot prices. Please don't push my nose by mentioning Mali or Congo or something like that. I have done my homework, but have you done it?
Usually, gold brokers are located just nearby the jungle and bush in Tanzania, and they are paying like 5% discount. There are 15 people gathered in open, buying gold in this open hut. They are going to travel to 4 hours distant city and sell the gold for spot prices. Do you really think that anyone in that city would be willing to sell gold under the price, especially in quantities? Nobody is that crazy. People don't give money for free. Would you give few thousand dollars to someone when you can get the spot price just there in your own city? Don't be naive.
Despite all the previous explanations, there are genuine gold deals out there. While there exist no such thing as "large quantity of gold in stock under the price", by putting efforts, making proper local establishment with the company and having good people to work for you, acquiring connections and contracts, and especially by giving benefits to gold owners and miners you may make genuine gold trade deals in Africa.
Gold is rare, very demanded, and reality of gold trade and abundance of brokers and dealers is very little shown on Internet.
Even if you have arrangement to get better price for gold, like 10% discount - you would not think of exporting it, because you can sell it right there for spot price and make 10% earning.
If you are asking me to make sure if some gold deal is real, we are asking the consulting fee amounting not less than €3,500, and we can provide a full due diligence, first of all by checking out that gold is real, smelting, assaying at place and making sure about any administrative formalities.
If you are asking my company to provide you with "quantities of gold under price", that is not realistic as let us say, we have such gold somewhere available, than we can sell it ourselves, and nobody really needs a foreign buyer. We are anyway making local trade and earn money on gold deals. We cannot speak here of any considerable "quantities".
To get any good price with discount, you would need to offer some benefits to gold producers.
Some of the benefits you may offer to local gold producers are:
- You can come closer to them into far distant jungle or bush and by local establishment, the company, and cash, you may purchase gold under spot prices. You are putting your efforts, energy, time and expenses into such business. It is quite possible by providing the benefit of becoming closer to the source that you make your profits. The "virtual market" on Internet is quite different, most of times the buyers assume that someone shall bring the cheap gold for "CIF payments" and fake dealers in cities offer FOB cash payments when taxes and export royalties are paid. Such deals are fake. If you wish to offer benefit as buyer, you would need to come to gold mines in not so far but still distant jungle and bush, and provide them quick cash.
- You may give them alcohol, food, or some basic equipment and gain benefits, you may provide small scale miners with the clean water source, you may invest into their company, or otherwise bring heavy machines and provide them benefits in exchange for gold deals.
- You may enter Joint Ventures and close contracts to get gold cheaper like 10-20% or even more, it is possible to negotiate. You may close forward production agreements. Ask yourself if you are skilled enough to estimate the feasibility of such a project.
Deals on distance - like attempting to make any serious deal by closing on distance, is mission impossible. WHOEVER REALLY HAS GOLD in the mining country, that person can easily sell the gold for cash at the spot and does not really need a foreign buyer. That is like if you have a car of US $10,000 in US, and you know you can easily sell it for US $8,000, but you place advertising on Internet to sell the same car to Japanese for US $7,000 -- which would be complete nonsense, as everybody in your city would know that you may sell it for better price in your own country.
Some good gold purchasing business may be established locally, especially when you are willing to work in far distant areas of jungle or bush -- than you may get gold like every day even few kilograms, with 5-20% discount, depending of the area. You would work long term, as locally established company, and you would sell to the nearest city for spot prices. That requires commitment and persistence, and maybe a good business, but this is not for everyone.
There are some deals that may be done with 10% discount or more, if you take all the steps to provide some companies with long-term bank guarantee, and that all needs personal presence and arrangements of affairs taking time, like you may think of 30 days to arrange it like that. Without local visit and understanding of the whole picture, such deals are not available to you at distance.
There are also deals where you can purchase gold for 10% under price, for some quantities, but personal presence is required, and money must be transferred to local bank accounts. That is hard to accomplish as those sellers will never advertise on Internet, as there are other local buyers to whom they sell.
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References And Further Reading
[LIST]
[*]Wikipedia - All That Glitters Is Not Gold http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_that_g ... s_not_gold
[*]U.S. Embassy Ghana - TIFA Council Meeting (July 21, 2006) http://ghana.usembassy.gov/speech20060721.html
[*]RipOffReport - Lou Dayo http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/3 ... 364224.htm
[*]Ghana Journal - Gold Scam Exposed In Ghana http://www.theghanaianjournal.com/2010/ ... d-in-ghana
[*]U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs : Ghana Information http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _1124.html
[*]Ghana Web : Tourism, General Information http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/t ... eneral.php
[*]Mining Portal of Ghana - Main Page http://www.ghana-mining.org
[*]Mining Portal of Ghana - Minerals Commission
http://www.ghana-mining.org/ghanaims/In ... fault.aspx
[*]Mining Portal of Ghana - Geological Survey Department
http://www.ghana-mining.org/ghanaims/In ... fault.aspx"
[*]Mining Portal of Ghana - Inspectorate Division of Mining Commission [link]
[*]Mining Portal of Ghana - Precious Minerals Marketing Company Ltd [link]
[*]Mining Portal of Ghana - PMMC Gold Export Procedure [link]
[*]News: Dramatic rescue for hostage in internet cash con [link]
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