A suspected fraudster from Nigeria has been targeting businesses in Bermuda.

Police have warned companies and individuals not to respond to a letter from a "Prince Ovie O. Odafe'' who is asking for bank details so he can allegedly transfer millions of dollars from the corruption-riddled African country. Last year Police received 297 complaints about suspect letters from Nigeria, which are all variations on a similar theme. In the scam, the recipients are offered millions of dollars for allowing their bank accounts to be used to supposedly transfer huge sums out of Nigeria.

In the latest letter sent to an international company in Bermuda, which has been seen by The Royal Gazette , "Prince Odafe'' said he was an accountant with the Nigerian Petroleum Trust Fund.

He claimed that because of political problems, "every wise businessman and Government Official is trying to push out any money he can lay his hands on incase (sic) anything happen (sic), they will have something they can fall back on and be rest assured overseas on retirement''.

"Prince Odafe'' states $4 billion has been removed from the NPTF account and he's trying to transfer $45 million. Anyone allowing their banks to be used will be paid almost $15 million, he claimed.