ABUJA, Nigeria -- Earlier this week, the West African nation of Nigeria charged former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney with siphoning over $180 million in bribes to government officials. If convicted, Cheney could face three years in a Nigerian prison. Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused Cheney of making the payments while he was in charge of KBR, Halliburton’s engineering subsidiary prior to its divestiture in 2007. KBR admitted to the bribes and agreed to pay fines in the neighborhood of $597 million. International sources report that Halliburton is now entertaining a plea deal with Nigeria in which the company will settle the charges against Cheney for $500 million. But when Halliburton’s directors expressed skepticism about their ability to raise the capital in time, Cheney began sending emails to American citizens, asking for financial assistance.


In the emailed messages, Cheney tells recipients that he has a large fortune being held in a Nigerian bank, but that he cannot access the funds. In order to reach his money, Cheney says he needs Americans to set up Nigerian bank accounts where his attorneys can transfer the funds. In return, Cheney agrees to share a percentage of the wealth with those who assist. The email follows as written.

Because of political conflicts and an ongoing criminal investigation, access to my funds has been restricted by the Nigerian government, but my attorneys have been delegated to seek an overseas partner into whose account we would transfer the sum of $600,000,000 (six hundred million dollars). Hence, I am writing you this letter. I agree to share the money with you thus: 1.20% for the account owner; 2.70% for the officials; 3.10% to be used in settling taxation and all local and foreign expenses. It is from the 70% that I wish to commence the importation business. 

Please note, this transaction is 100% safe and I hope to commence the transfer latest seven (7) banking days [sic] from the date of receipt of the following information by telephone/fax: 234-1-7740449. Your company’s signed and stamped letterhead paper the above information [sic] will enable my attorneys to write letters of claim and job description respectively. This way, we will use your company’s name to apply for payment and re-award the contract in your company’s name.

I am looking forward to doing business with you and solicit your confidentiality in this transaction. Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter using the above telephone/fax numbers. I will send you detailed information of this pending project when I have heard from you.

Yours faithfully,

Richard Cheney