Scam Baiting (caution, long read) **UPDATE**

[Ulfwald]

Received this a day or two ago.

Dear,
Compliments of the season. I wish to solicit your help in migrating to your country and investing my funds. Briefly, I am a Sudanese National and the wife of late Dr SIMON THOMAS. Until his death, my husband was the Chief Executive of the Diamond Mine in kanema, southern Sudan. On April 6 2004 Rebels (Arab Militias) invaded the diamond mine and assassinated my husband, mistaking him for his brother GERALD THOMAS who is a top Government official and special aide to the president.When the news reached me, I hurriedly gathered some valuables in our family villa and escaped for my dear life in the company of our only son, Andersen. Among the valuables was a file that contained details of a deposit my husband made in a security company in Lagos,Nigeria. The document stated
that my late Husband deposited 9.5 million US dollars contained in a trunk box in the name of our son Andersen.The deposit was registered as family valuables and art works.I believe my late husband made this fortune from the sale of Gold and diamonds during his time as the Executive Director of the diamond mining corporation.Now that we are in Lagos and verified the existence of this deposit, we need your assistance to move this deposit out of Nigeria for investment in your country as we cannot invest here due to our status as political refugees. I am proposing to give you 10% of the total sum (9.5 million US Dollars), and 15% share in any investment we will embark upon if you assist us. We will also set aside 3% of the funds for incidental expenses which you could make in course of this transaction ( fax messages,phone calls, air tickets etc).
I am making this proposal in good faith believing that you will not dissappoint us knowing the difficult situation we are facing here in West Africa.
I will ask you to treat the existence of this funds as top secret for security reasons.Your urgent response will be appreciated as I will personally arrange towards getting this fund into yourcountry diplomatically.Also,send me your telephone number so that we talk further.{via my son} I am optimistic that this fund will be safe in your hands,as a reputable person that you are.please contact me via my e-mail address.
Thanks and God bless
Best regards.
Mrs Sandra Thomas

So I reply:

Dear Mrs. Thomas.

My deepest condolences on the loss of your husband. Civil unrest is such an unsettling event.

I might be able to help you move your funds from your country to a safe haven here in the united states. But in order to do so, I would need assurances that my family would be safe from agents who are from your government who have now taken up residence in my country. As you know, the United States is not considered very Arab friendly. We are considered the great satan.

What assurances can you offer me that this will be kept in the greatest confidence? I have a small business that I am sure can used to help move the funds safely. With your permission, I can talk to my banker and see if we can make arrangements to move my accounts to an offshore account so it will escape government detection.

Regards

Michael Donovan III

So I get a response

Mr Donovan,

Indeed my happiness knew no bounds when I read your mail.Andersen too was happy.We appreciate your concern.May God bless you for that.In the past our fear has been how to move this money to a safe hand,without being ripped off.Andersen believed so much in your geniunety and I think he is right.My spirit tells me so.We cant wait to leave this hell,things are terribly bad here.bqbimv

Well in the issue of confidence,you need not worry.The money is our own,deposited in the name our only son, Andersen.Nobody knows about this,since its in another country not in Sudan.Its only Andersen and Myself who know about this and we wish you too would please treat as confidencial.I assure you that you stand no risk at all.I have talked with the Lawer who helped us seek asylum.Everything will be legal.He is a good man and well disposed.We have reasons to trust him.Please contact him via his e-mail,he will give you the details on the steps to take.Let us know as you contact him.His name is Brr.John Duru.

His address is barrjcduru@yahoo.com,

Thanks and may God reward you in everything you do.

Sandra.

So Chief Barrister Duru sends me an email

Michael Donovan III,

I am Chief Barrister Duru, representing Mrs. Thomas and the little son. I was contacted by the duo to help get their fund into any account of yours in any part of the world. I have investigated and been also to the security company to verify the existence of this fund which I confirmed to be true.We do not by ethics offer services without payment.But having considered the situation and condition of things with the poor woman and the son,I decided to bend a bit. It will be wise to inform you at this point that Mrs. Thomas did not pay my service charge, I intend to get my money under 24 hrs you confirm this money into your account.

With the name Presented to me by the Mrs. Thomas, I intend to Swear an affidavit on your belhalf in Lagos state High Court which will empower you to recieve this fund on the Familys behalf.

I have not gone to swear an affidavit because I have not known you and your position in this fund transfer, as soon as I confirm your commitment to help the family, I will move and swear the affidavit.

On your request to maintain the confidentaility of this business, I must let you know that this has been the watchword of the the poor woman and with my 25yrs in this profession, I must let you know that we protect the interest of our client and secrecy is part of the protection. In conclusion, Let me know your stand on this fund transfer and be informed that this fund can be delivered to your address by the security company at your request, this was made known to me on the course of my verification of the existence of the fund.

I will request you send your information, your office and house address, your full name, your banking particulars and your direct phone and fax numbers, this will be used to swear an affidavit on your behalf in Lagos State High Court Ikeja.

Have a wonderful day and God bless you. Always at your service.

Barr. John C. Duru

So I respond

Chief Barrister Duru,

I had informed Mrs. Thomas to keep this out of
government hands. I am now very disappointed that she
has contacted you regarding this very sensitive
matter. I also had informed her that my business
associate, Mr. Richard Cranium, was looking into
moving our modest company offshore so we could avoid
any government involvement.
As it stands right now, we are not is a favorable
position to help you move this money for the grieving
widow and her son.

Again, however, I must address the breach of
confidence that has happened here. How am I to be
sure that this is going to stay in the strictest of
confidence? We must first establish a parent company
in an offshore location, then we will sell our
existing small company to the one that is established
offshore. Once this is done, we can then be in a
position to move the funds, less your fee for the
handling of this matter.

I will address these issues with my business partner
and seek his advice on how best to persue this matter,
that is if we elect to continue after the breach of
confidence.

Regards,

Michael Donavon III


So we shall see where this goes from here. This could be fun.

UPDATE!!!

So he writes back:
This is to inform you that I have been waiting for the requested information to carry on with the swearing of the affidavit. The pressure the Thomas family is mounting on me is too much but I can understand their condition. Like I said before, the family has nothing on them and to feed is to big problem to them.

Because of that reason as a Christian, I will implore you to see what you can do let concluded this transaction at the earliest possible. To proceed, I will require the information I asked you to bring to legally empower you to receive this money on the. Thomas family behalf.

I wait for your urgent response with the required information.

Best regards.

Barr. John C. Duru

So I respond

Mr. Duru.

I am now very leary of dealing with you. I have sent you instructions on who to contact regarding this matter. I am afraid that because you have not followed MY instructions, that I can no longer trust you. I am beginning to doubt your very position of Chief Barrister, and the reason I say htis is that a true Chief Barrister would have read my original emails and followed through on the directions I had given. Unless you can follow my directions, I will assume that you are a fraud and cease all communications with you.

Please refer to my previous emails sent for the instructions.

Regards

M. Donovan III

Now he comes Back

Richard Cranium,

In response to your mail, I am glad to hear that you have started the processing of the new company in Virgin Island where there will be no hitch when the fund arrives there.

I want to use this opportunity to inform you that everything is ready pending the information which I requested from you (your full name, banking particulars and your direct phone and fax numbers) this will enable us make some changes to empower you to receive the fund on the families behalf.

To this end, I will like to let you know that I am pleased with your offer and will make myself available to it but the legal fees will be made when this fund hit your account. The attached is my international passport; I will send you my ID as soon as possible.

Best regards.

Barr. John Duru
234-1-7216529

So I send a short one back
I am sorry,

But my CFO, Mr. Richard Cranium, should be contacting
you in regards to information you need in order to
begin the process of moving the money, obtaining your
fees, and helping to settle this issue for the poor
woman and her child.

Now I begin using the gmail account

I am the Chief Financial Officer that Mr. Donovan spoke of. I have
arranged to set up an off shore corporation in the Virgin Islands.
Banking Laws there are not very strict, and the monies transferred in
and out of the banks there does not fall under much scrutiny.

In order to transfer the money, and allow you to collect your fee, it
appears that you would not only have to be a hired legal council for
us, but quite possibly a Corporate officer as well. I am currently
researching all options. If it does require you to become an officer
of the corporation, are you willing to provide your registration fees,
filing fees, and provide a picture ID and a sworn statement for our
files?

Regards

Richard Cranium

So he emails back

Mr. Richard Cranium,
I write to inform you that everything is perfectly in order here but I have not received the information needed for the affidavit which will empower you to recieve this fund on the families behalf. The name needed could be a company name or an individual name.
As a matter of urgency, do send the information including the banking particulars where you want the fund to be transferred. I want you to understand the presure I am going through here from the Thomas family and I can see reasons with them because they are passing through difficult times.
I expect your urgent and favourable response.
Best Regards.
Barr. John C. Duru

Me
Dear Chief Barrister Duru:

I am sorry to inform you that no attachment came through. I will need
this information in order to begin the paper work to have you insalled
as a Corporate officer in our company. At this time I am listing you
as Legal Council and Chief Legal Officer for our Corporate offices in
the country of Nigeria. This will allow you to sign any and all legal
documents needed.

Best Regards

Now I wish I could post it here but the bastard actually sent me a scanned passport (which is probably fake)

So now I send him something in return
thank you for sending me your information. I have spoken with the
bank officers in the Virgin Islands, and they have said that this is
sufficient information to start the process in establishing you as a
corporate officer with all the rights and privileges to access the
account, as well as approve other legal council and minor officers for
the purpose of enacting future financial transactions.

I am fully aware of the urgency of the situation regarding the lady
and her son, but moving such a large amount of money and avoiding
detection takes some serious business agility. We must be very
careful as to how this is done, otherwise government officials may
become very suspicious and begin an investigation into the procedings.

On another note, would it be possible to establish a business office
in your country? If so, this would allow the transfer of monies and
assets at a much faster pace. We would need to establish an address
in your country, and then have this address put on the banking
documents. If this is possible, would you be willing to do this, as
well as assist us with any filing fees if necessary?

Regards

CFO
Richard Cranium


Update 4/28/05

Well this guy is not going to let loose of it, is he?

Richard Cranium,
Thanks for your mail, which is very encouraging. I understand the precautious move you are taking to ensure that no question will arise from the authority when the fund credits your account.

In view of establishment of a company (company registration) you requested in your mail, it is very possible here but it will cost some money. If you desire me to register a company here in Nigeria that will not be a problem but I want you to understand that my firm is not aware of this transaction otherwise Mrs. Thomas would have paid her legal service fee before anything can be done on her case.

However, I want to know the name of the company to be registered, is it your firm over there that I do not know the name or a new name entirely. I want you to know that whatever expenses I will make in the process of this transaction will not be from the firm rather it will be from my personal pocket and because of that reason, I am not objecting your request of paying for the registration but because of the amount it will cost, I can not pay the money without your assistance.

I know my interest in this transaction and I am aware that you have entirely different proposal from Mrs. Thomas. I will bring part of the money on the condition that the money I will spend now will be given to me at the end of the day as I did not demand for any additional fee other than the normal fee which is very considerate compare to the official charges.

To this effect, I will like you to get back to me with the details and the name, which you want me to register the company with. Meanwhile, I will verify the current charges of registration now.

I expect your prompt response.

Best regards.

Barr. John C. Duru

Keep this one marked, cause I am hoping to drag this bastard into the briar patch kicking and screaming.

 

[Toastedlightly]

 

[BDawg]

Just once, I'd like to see one of the Africa scams pay off.

 

[shuan24]

its just gonna go in circles.....

 

[PanzerIV]

Way to toy with 'em.

 

[Vegito]

can you write some up for me ? i wanna get one of these going..

 

[Tiamat]

:laugh:

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

As you know, the United States is not considered very Arab friendly. We are considered the great satan.

ROFLMAO!!!!!

 

[Bryophyte]

My spouse had a good one of these going awhile back. Let me look and see if I can dig up the emails.

 

[Ulfwald]

Stay tuned for updates. I may set him up so that he has to pay a certain amount of money to become a partner or officer in order to transfer the money.

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: mAdMaLuDaWg

As you know, the United States is not considered very Arab friendly. We are considered the great satan.

ROFLMAO!!!!!

Sigworthy perhaps?

 

[Bryophyte]

The role of Martha Stewart was played by my bored husband. From the following, you can see that the scammers don't actually read the incoming emails very carefully, if at all...
======================================================

From Mrs. Lizy Benson.

Hello

My Dear,

Please forgive my indignation if this message comes to you
as a surprise, I got your contact from a database found in
internet while searching for a reliable and honest person
that will assist me receive a fund into an account.I was
divinely inspired to pick your name among other names found
in the Internet database. After series of prayers and
fasting for Gods direction. I am Mrs.Lizy Benson a citizen
of Columbia undergoing currently medical
treatment.

I am married to Dr. Castillo Beson who worked with the
Malaysia Embassy in South Africa for nine years before he
died in the year2000. We were married for eleven years
without a child.He died after a brief illness that lasted
for only four days.

Before his death we were both born again Christians. Since
his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside
my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my
late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $15 Million
(Fifteen million U.S.Dollars) with a finance/security
company in EUROPE.The money is inside one trunk box, but
nobody knew that the box contained money apart from me and
my late husband, the box was deposited as Photographic
Materials. Presently, this money is still with the Security
Company. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not live
for the next three months due to my cancer problem.

Though what disturbs me most is my disability to move
around which is a partial paralysis. Having known my
condition I decided to donate this fund to a church or a
mosque or better still a Christian or a Moslem individual
that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct
herein.

I want a church or Mosque or the individual beneficiary
that will inherit this to use it for churches or Mosque
orphanages and widows propagating the word of God and to
ensure that the house of God is beautified. They said
blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision
because I do not have any child that will inherit this
money and my husband's relatives are not Christians and I
don't want my husband's hard earned money to be mis-used by
unbelievers. I do not want a situation where this money
will be used in an ungodly manner,hence the reason for
taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death because
I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in
the bossom of my Saviour. If you feel you are worthy enough
to make yourself available in this project, let me know
immediately you read my mail. GOD will surely provide for
you the power and strenght to accomplish this. All things
work together for good for those who love GOD.

Waiting for your urgent response. I do not need any
telephone conversation in this regard because of my
health,and because of the presence of my husband?s
relatives who are always around me. I do not want them to
know about this development.

Thank you and God bless.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Lizy Benson.
+++++++++++++++++
I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your maitre d'. I know that
he must have suffered a long and painful bout with cervical cancer.
I've known several male doctors with this same condition. Must be
from all the Jello they ate.

You know, that reminds me of a friend of mine in church the other day.
She was drawing a pentagram on the wall in chicken blood and chanting
like there was no tomorrow. She must have carried on like that for
hours. Poor soul. When she was all done, I helped her make couscous.
I sure do like Jello.

Anyway, after Sunday dinner last Wednesday, we went to the bank and
met the nicest man. He offered to give us some money to reupholster
the seats in my Cessna airplane with genuine nalga hide. It's much
better than the vinyl seats I had before. That man saved my life!
God bless his testical paralysis!

Do you have any idea how hard it is to get rid of carpet testicles?
Some of the ladies at my church think I should rub whipped cream on
them, but I think a little soap and water might do the trick. I've
had 2 professionals try to get them out of my rug, but they keep
coming back, over and over and over... My rug is still wet from their
repeated attempts to get the whipped cream out. Beats me how I will
ever get rid of them. Maybe you are the answer to my prayers.

Please send me the details of your transfer, and I will gladly give
you my bank account number. I sure do like Jello.

Your most desperate friend,

Martha Stewart
+++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Martha,

Thanks for your urgent reply, how are you today? hope fine by the grace of God.

Martha, i took this decition after my doctor confirmed that i may not live till the next three months,due to the critical condition of my illness but i'm not afraid death because i'll rest with the lord for ever.

I want you to assist me in making my draem comes through, i want to donate this fund to the charity home or church funding.

My late husband saved this box with the security company in Holland the Netherlands, he saved the consignment as a photographic materials, nobody knows the content of the box except my husband and i.

Before we proceed to the security company in Holland, i want you send your personal informations to me.

1} Your names and address

2}The name of your church and address.

Thanks and God bless.

Mrs Lizy Benson.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hello Sister Martha,

I am still waiting for your respond, i want to know your resident and church address before we poceed futher.

Please hasting up if you realy want to make my dream come through.

Thanks

Mrs Lizy Benson.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lizy,

I am terribly sorry to keep you waiting. I have been busy giving
cancer treatment injections to the alter boys at my church.

Sabbath-keepers under grace, not law. Holy Spirit, evidenced by
speaking in tongues. Baptism in Jesus name for remission of sins. Holy
Communion. Foot washing (to have part with Jesus). 100% doctrines
according to scripture.

Church Address:
xxxxxxxxxx
Tampa Flori, 33611
Phone# (813) 837-xxxx

Since I live in the church basement, you can send my personal mail to
the same address.

A man with three feet is no better than a man with two, but a man with
three balls works at Chernobel.

I love you,

Martha
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Sister Martha,

How are you today?i'm glad to read from you again.

Please Martha ask the church to pray for me, i'm never at rest for one day, the pains are too much for me, i believe that the almighty father will make me strong again.

I have seen the informations you sent, i'll call on my lawyer to start prepering the change of ownership in your name, i really hope and trust in you to do this work for me.

I will inform you immediately the document is ready, i will also give you the contact of the security company to call them and make them known that you'r the owner of the consignment.

Thanks and God bless you.

Mrs Lizy Benson
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Sister Martha,

How are you and the family today? hope fine by the grace of God.

I want to inform you that the document is ready, my lawyer has forwarded the document to the security company in Holland.

The change of ownership is made in your name, please take note of this, the security company does not know the real content of the consignment, my late husband saved the box with the security company as a photographic materials.

Sister Martha, i'm counting on you and hope you'll deliver this charity work for me,always pray for me to gain back my health.

Do inform me in what ever you discused with the security company.

I want you to contact the security company in Holland, as the Director of Operation Mr Jeremy Dunn to assist you in releasing your consignment.

THIS IS THE CONTACT OF THE SECURITY COMPANY:

GLOBAL&BASIC FINANCIAL SECURITES
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OPERATION
DEPARTMENT OF CONSIGNMENT
P.O.BOX 659,EUROPE ZONE B,
AMSTERDAM-THE NETHERLANDS
TEL:+31-615-536-020
EMAIL:globalbasic@mail.co

DIRECTOR OF OPERATION : MR.JEREMY PAUL DUNN

Thanks and God bless you.

Mrs Lizy Benson.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Lizy,

Lizy, I am concerned about this transaction. There has been a lot of
new here in the states about scams. I am worried because you have
used 2 different email addresses to contact me. This isn't a scam is
it? I hope not, because my church has been trying to build an
orphanage for all of the stray animals in out neighborhood.

I just need assurance that this is not a scam, and that my church will
receive the money so they can build a theme park for the tsunami
victims. Those poor people desperately need a roller coaster and
whack-a-mole games.

Sincerely,
Martha
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sister Martha,

I recieved your mail this morning after treatment, please be strong in faith to enable this charity work be succesful.

Listen, you don't have to doubt me in this transaction as every document backing the consingment is with me, i have made the change of ownership in your name.

Please contact the security company and enquire from them, ask them to release your consingment, no body knows the content of the consingment accept my husband and i.

What ever the respond from the security company should be fowarded to my mail box immediately.

I wait for your reply.

Thanks

Mrs Lizy Benson.

 

[alien42]

excellent, looking forward to the updates

 

[Stark]

try to get one of these

 

[dquan97]

get a picture

 

[Ulfwald]

If I get a picture of this guy, as well as any correspondence via snail mail, I am going to contact the local field office of the FBI and get them involved.

 

[95SS]

Mr. Richard Cranium

:laugh::laugh:

 

[Ulfwald]

Originally posted by: 95SS

Mr. Richard Cranium

:laugh::laugh:

I was wondering when someone would pick up on that.

 

[shuan24]

A man with three feet is no better than a man with two, but a man with
three balls works at Chernobel.

LOL i don't know why but that is hilarious!

 

[Doggiedog]

Richard Cranium LOL

How about a woman named Harriet Vulva?

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Richard Cranium LOL

How about a woman named Harriet Vulva?

Or a guy named Capon Masticate.

(Thesaurus.com is your friend)

 

[Ulfwald]

UPDATED, THE BASTARD SENT ME HIS "PASSPORT"

 

[Al Neri]

lololol

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
Those poor people desperately need a roller coaster and
whack-a-mole games.

Sincerely,
Martha

LOL

 

[imported_Pablo]

I almost spit my coffee on my monitor with the Martha Stewart thing...