The UK’s GAMA Aviation has recently been the victim of an attempted scam, which all began on August 5.

Project manager Dave Edwards told EBAN: “We received a message via email from ‘Jimmy Loo’ of Aero Control Navigation, asking for payment of Nigerian and Ghana Navigation charges outstanding since 1988. We were pretty sceptical as we’ve not flown down there ever.”

Gama was asked to provide information on all its flights so that the authorities could calculate the outstanding nav charges. After the company refused to do this, it then received a message saying that an agreement of $500 peer year would be acceptable to cover the fees.

At the same time, Gama received an email from ‘Nigeria Navigation’ confirming that Aero Control Navigation is a genuine company appointed by the Ministry of Aviation to collect outstanding amounts.

Edwards continued: “They faxed us through an invoice for $4,700 for Nigeria and $3,500 for Ghana. I contacted the High Commissions in both countries and asked for their help. They were excellent and very prompt. They said it was a scam and not to pay it.”

Gama forwarded the replies back to Jimmy Loo and co , and informed the Fraud Squad.

Said Edwards: “My concern is that the police won’t be able to inform all the airlines and operators about this scam, and that a smaller company without ample staff resources, might just pay the bill for want of an easy life.

“Hopefully, by publicising the matter, other operators won’t fall for it either.”