Correspondence with a 419 Con Man

Editor's Note: Those of you who use the Bankers' Threads message board are familiar with our international correspondent Hussam A. Al-Abed from Jordan. He has written articles for the site, in addition to his postings. After being deluged with Nigerian Letters (the old 419 scam), Hussam decided to play along. What follows is his record of the correspondence and his comments on it. What a hoot!

Dear BOL Users,
This article (if you would like to call it like that) is the result of less than a week correspondence with a 419 Con man whom I enjoyed giving a hard time and driving him Crazy with my meaningless questions and inquiries. Read the whole story and enjoy!
Kind regards
Hussam A.Al-Abed
White collar Crime consultant.

How to drive 419 Scammers Nuts!

It is easy, it is fun, they want you and want your money, they will put with whatever you want, Give them some hard time, play with them and let them bite their tongue at the end!

I have Like 10 Emails addresses (ironically one of these emails is fraud@go.com.jo). An average of 3-5 419 proposal emails arrive weekly at my inbox, which means I receive like 30 - 50 of those 419 Fraud emails on weekly basis. If those business opportunities were true, my name would be almost next to Mr.Bill Gates in the top rich list!

I used to delete those emails or save them for training purposes on prevention of business fraud, but guess what? I am not going to delete them any more! I enjoyed playing with the low life fraudsters and giving them a headache to think of which is better for me if I travel to Nigeria : the tap water or the minerals?

A basic rule in the life of those criminals is "Never con a con man"! Well, why not? It is fun, and all it needs is a sarcastic tone and some meaningless phrases and questions that will let them bite their tongue and think one thousand times before even approaching you again with their stupid (Business proposals) chance of a life time Offers!

Here is My story :

the first contact I received was with this email :

Subject: CONTACT ME!!
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 19:41:16 +0200
From: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2000@mail.co.za
To: daniel_ajayi2000@mail.co.za

Dr.Daniel Ajayi
Branch Manager
EcoBank International.
Idumota Branch
Lagos Nigeria.
Email:daniel_ajayi@accountant.com
Fax:234-9-272-1684.

I am Dr. Daniel Ajayi The Branch Manager of EcoBank International,Idumota Branch,Lagos Nigeria. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On December, 1999, a Taiwanese Oil consultant/contractor with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Boris Chen made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for Twenty-Four calendar months,valued at US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty- five Million Dollars) in my branch.Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After some months, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his contract employers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that Mr. Boris Chen died from an airplane crash (Singapore Airlines).

On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL,and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr.Boris Chen did not declare any kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$25,000,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one has ever come forward to claim it.

According to Nigerian Law, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Nigerian Government if nobody applies to claim the fund. Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you to stand in as the next of kin to Mr.Boris Chen so that the fruits of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names and address so that the Attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits which will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall employ the services of two Attorney for drafting and notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favour for the transfer. A bank account in any part of the world which you will provide will then facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 70% for me and 25% for you and 5% be used in settling taxation and all local and foreign expenses.There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the Attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.

If you are interested, please reply immediately via the private email address below. Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction.

Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country. I can be reached through this email address:daniel_ajayi@accountant.com

I do urgently await your response or reach me through my confidential and private fax 234-9-272-1684.

Best regards,

Dr. Daniel Ajayi.

My comments : an old fashioned traditional 419 - fraud Offer with an excellent english language Skills.kindly note the fields of from & to in the header of email which means that copies of this email has been sent to hundreds or thousands of email addresses of prospect victims all over the world.
==================================

My reply was :

subject: your email,
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 21:05:28 +0200
From: ninorta@go.com.jo
To: daniel_ajayi@accountant.com

Dear Sir,
I got your email today and very much interested, but How Can I make sure that is not just a waste of time and Money?
Can you provide to me the documents you mentioned to support this excellent transaction?
regards
Ninorta

===========================

subject : FROM DANIEL AJAYI
Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 11:05:19 -0500
From:"daniel ajayi" daniel_ajayi@accountant.com
To: ninorta@go.com.jo

Dear Ninorta,
I received your email and I wish to thank you immensely for your kind interest, willingness and support to co-operate and assist me in this transaction. Please, find hereunder the details of the transaction for better understanding.

Actually this transaction is real, and one hundred percent risk free and does not relate to any breach of law or proceeds from drugs. It was as a matter of necessity that I contacted you for this transaction without further investigation about your person, as I view you to be of a responsible personality. It is therefore necessary that you tell me a little about yourself. I hope you would not betray me.

As for Trust, it is a given thing that trust is earned, it is not given out lightly; however, because I need a foreigner in this transaction, I must give you my trust; it is worth 30% of this money. I believe that this will keep you from refusing to give my own share of the money if the transaction is completed. All you need to do is just provide an account in any part of the world where you want this money to be transferred.

Upon receipt of this Account details, I shall immediately begin the processes of documentation which will be done by the attorney we shall appoint. We shall make use of two separate attorneys.

Like I told you in my first letter, the first attorney will draft a Will which will name you as the beneficiary/sole executor of the Will. This WILL will be backdated to purport that it had been written and signed by Mr. Boris Chen himself. The second attorney will file in the Federal High court with an appropriate affidavit in order to secure a letter of probate empowering you as the next of kin/Sole Beneficiary and Trustee/Sole Executor of the Estate of Mr. Boris Chen which includes the sum of US$25M lying in his account. I shall give you his account number as we proceed, so that you can confirm via our bank"s website.

The essence of hiring two attorneys is to make sure that both attorneys will not know that this is a deal. The copy of the Certificate of fixed deposit will be sent to you via fax for your record and better understanding. Upon preparation of these documents and approvals from the Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Finance, then our correspondence bank in Europe/Canada will now transfer the money to your nominated account. The Attorney will handle all the processes of obtaining the approvals on your behalf. All these processes will be accomplished within 10-12-working days and money will be transferred to your account immediately. The very good thing about this transaction is that it will be done in a very proper and legal manner. I request your assistance as a foreigner to provide a personal account or company account with the information as follows: Your name and address; Your bank name and address; Your account name and Account Number; You! r ABA number and swift code if any.

On completion of this transaction, you will be required to hold this fund in your Account until I come over to your country for the sharing of the money.I would like you to make available to me your private telephone and fax number so that we can discuss.

Please confirm your willingness by providing all the requested information above. All modalities for the successful completion of this transaction has been mapped out provided that you maintain absolute confidentiality and keep to the instructions that I shall hand over to you from time to time for a successful completion. Once I clarify your willingness to proceed with the transaction, then I shall give you a copy of the certificate of deposit.

Please call me for further explanation on my telephone number 234-1-776-1965 or better still you may send me e-mail with further information about yourself before we proceed further. For the purpose of this transaction, it is necessary that when you call me, you must ask me for my transaction code. My code is IT IS WELL. When you call and ask to speak with me, you must ask me, what is your transaction code, and i must answer, IT IS WELL. If i do not give you trhis answer, then you will know that I am not the one you are speaking with you, and you should simply hang up the phone and try the call again. The reason for this code is to ensure complete confidentiality, and for you to be also sure that you arer speaking with the right person. I shall also put this code in all my mails, or faxes to you. For the purpose of confirming the authenticity of this transaction, you can visit our bank's website at www.ecobankprivat!ebanking.com you can also vist http://www.tamil.net/list/2000-11/msg00018.html here you will find information on the airplane accident that killed Mr Boris Chen.

"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

Yours sincerely,

Daniel Ajayi

my comments : notice he started using his accountant email address and the transaction code to insure security, Upon checking the bank web site, there was NOTHING, as for the plane accident news, it was there and the late mr.Boris was among the plane passengers List (excellent way to add authenticity to such frauds)
========================



subject: REPLY IMMEDIATELY
Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 13:39:07 -0500
From: "daniel ajayi" daniel_ajayi@accountant.com
To: ninorta@go.com.jo

DEAR NINORTA,
I HOPE YOU GOT THE EMAIL I SENT TO YOU. PLEASE SEND ME YOUR PERSONAL PHONE AND FAX NUMBER SO THAT I CAN FAX YOU ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS CONCERNING THIS TRANSACTION.
REGARDS,
DANIEL AJAYI

my comments : first, I hate using CAPS in emails! secondly : he thought he got a grabb on me and started getting urgent a Bout it.
========================

Subject: Re: REPLY IMMEDIATELY
Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 22:29:13 +0200
From: ninorta@go.com.jo
To: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi@accountant.com

Dear Mr.Ajayi
I am sorry that I do not Have a fax and My Phone Number is at work,you can send me the documents here to My email, all you need is Just scan them.

thanks and looking forward to your reply.

Ninorta

my comments : would you believe what I just told him in my email?
==============

sunbject : DANIEL AJAYI
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2003 12:09:05 -0800 (PST)
From: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2003@yahoo.com
To: ninorta@go.com.jo

Dear Ninorta
We wish you a happy new year,just as we would want you to extend same to your family and loved ones as well.
However we have remained in constant communication with the security company here,all to ensure a hitch free successful completion of this pending project.And our source in the company had comfirmed that the procedures that would lead to the accomplishment of our set goal is optional.

1.The first option would require you to travel to Spain to personally claim this boxes[funds] as the next of kin to the deceased and the bonafide beneficiary to this funds for our mutual benefits.

2.Or in the alternative,it{the security company} could effect the transfer of this funds into a local bank account you will be providing via K.T.T,transfer.Although this option would require you fronting a fee of about 2% of the total sum in question.But neverthless dont get discouraged with the issue of this fee as we can handle that ourselves here.We can involve a friend who is an investor and resides in the U.S. as well, that will be on hand to raise a loan for us to quickly conclude this pending project.And with a promise to pay back with interest when the funds finally gets into your nominated account.In view of this we would like you to imediately furnish us with a detailed information about 1.your full name 2.your company's name and address 3.private/confidential tel/fax nos.To enable our attorney commence all paper works;perfecting every necessary documents in your name to make you be percieved as the next of kin to the deceased and the bonafide beneficiary to this account.We also intend to send you copies of this vital documents upon receipt of the afformentioned details from you.

Let me again remind you that this deal is 100% risk/hitch free as we have perfected our side.

Awaiting your urgent response!.

Best regards,
Daniel Ajayi

my comments : I have no clue about the new year he is talking about unless it was the chineese year which means he has No clue where I am Living, even though the domain name of my email indicates so! Also he started using his Yahoo email.
===============

Subject: Re: DANIEL AJAYI
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2003 00:25:53 +0200
From: ninorta@go.com.jo
To: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2003@yahoo.com

Dear Mr. Jaja ibn Deek.
this is Great, I can see the millions coming in my way and becoming very rich WOW :)

But before I submit any information to you, I want to see all related documents and the Bank web site you told me a bout, where I can check and authenticate your words. I am sure you are a very respectful member of your society but I need to make sure every thing is Legal and No laws are broken what so ever.

Maybe I should consult My lawyer on this, what do you think?

My Kind regards

Ninorta

my comments : with this email the fun started, first I called him Mr. jaja ibn deek, which means in arabic (Mr. chicken son of a roaster) and I got so excited a bout the Millions coming to me! also : if you were in his place, would you really want me to consult my lawyer!
=========

subject: I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE.
Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2003 09:01:37 -0800 (PST)
From: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2003@yahoo.com
To: ninorta@go.com.jo

DEAR NINORTA,

I GOT YOUR MAIL AND I MUST TELL YOU THAT I REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU STAND IN THIS TRANSACTION, I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU ARE WILLING TO HELP US OR NOT. LIKE I SAID IN MY EARLIER MAIL, THIS TRANSACTION IS REAL AND IT IS RISK FREE, EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DONE HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SUCESSFUL.

THE FUNDS RIGHT NOW IS JUST FLOATING, IT BELONGS TO NO ONE BECAUSE THERE IS NO NEXT OF KIN TO MR BORIS CHEN, AND AFTER A PERIOD OF YEARS THIS MONEY WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT, THIS IS WHY WE NEED A FOREIGNER TO STAND AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO HIM. I HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN AN ATTORNEY TO PREPARE THE "WILL" IN YOUR NAME, WHICH WILL PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFICIARY/SOLE EXECUTOR OF THE "WILL" THE OTHER ATTORNEY HAS FILED IN ATTHE FEDERAL HIGH COURT WITH AN APPROPRIATE AFFIDAVIT TO SECURE A LETTER OF PROBATE EMPOWERING YOU AS THE NEXT OF KIN/SOLE BENEFICIARY AND TRUSTEE/SOLE EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF MR. BORIS CHEN WHICH INCLUDES THE SUM OF US$25M LYING IN THE ACCOUNT NUMBER WHICH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU. I REALLY NEED TO TRUST YOU IN THIS TRANSACTION AND I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WHEN THE MONEY HAS BEEN REMITTED IN YOUR ACCOUNT YOU WILL NOT ACT OTHERWISE.

THE REASON I REQUESTED FOR YOUR PHONE AND FAX NUMBER IS TO ENABLE ME FAX YOU ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR COMFIRMATION. YOU MIGHT BE HAVING PROBLEMS TRYING TO ACCESS THE WEBSITE, THIS MIGHT BE DUE TO SERVER PROBLEMS, I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM MYSELF, ITS JUST ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE HERE IN NIGERIA. SO MANY THINGS ARE NOT WORKING RIGHT.

SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE WILLING TO STILL CARRY ON WITH THESE TRANSACTION BY GIVING ME YOUR PHONE AND FAX NUMBER FOR PROPER COMMUNICATION AND THE OTHER INFORMATIONS I REQUESTED FOR BECAUSE I REALLY DO NOT HAVE THAT MUCH TIME TO GET ON THE INTERNET TO SEND MAIL.

YOU CAN CALL ME ON MY PRIVATE NUMBER FOR FURTHER EXPLANATION:234-1-7761965

I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE.

DANIEL AJAYI.

my comments : so the website of his bank is having a server problems! Yeah sure and My Middle name is Mr. Fell of the wagon! I guess he just started getting irritated with me!
==================

Subject: Re: I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE.
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 00:11:11 +0200
From: ninorta@go.com.jo
To: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2003@yahoo.com

Dear Mr. Jaja ibn Deek.

I can feel the tone of urgency in your Email and I can feel also that you are a very honest Man who is seeking The happiness and Joy of Others, That's why I decided to meet you face to face and fly to your pretty country " Nigeria ".

I believe this is the best thing so we can achieve every thing in person. Ill check tomorrow with the my travel agent a bout Nigeria flights and I really Hope that the country is very nice Just Like you.

Can you please help in arranging accommodations and tours there for me?

My Kind regards

Ninorta Bint Haj Zaa'Bola Al-Ola'.

my comments : wow, so I am flying to Nigeria!
=====================

Subject: REPLY ASAP
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 02:47:16 -0800 (PST)
From: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2003@yahoo.com
To: ninorta@go.com.jo

DEAR NINORTA,

I GOT YOUR MAIL AND I AM QUITE PLEASED TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO COME TO NIGERIA TO SEE THINGS DONE YOURSELF. THIS WILL BE BETTER, I HOPE IT WILL NOT CAUSE YOU ANY INCONVENIENCES, I WILL START MAKING RESERVATIONS AT THE LAGOS SHERATON HOTEL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR FLIGHT SCHEDULE.

I THINK IT IS BEST YOU CALL ME OR LET ME HAVE YOUR NUMBER SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS MORE ON THIS MATTER.

MY NUMBER IS 234-1-7761965.

REGARDS,

DANIEL AJAYI.

My comments : Lagos Sheraton...I like the Idea! I might go for real and Just relax and enjoy the blesses of The con men there!
======================

subject: Re: REPLY ASAP
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 16:07:08 +0200
From: ninorta@go.com.jo
To: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2003@yahoo.com

I will Email you my flight schedule very soon.

regards

Ninorta

-===============

Subject: Questions
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 16:34:02 +0200
From: ninorta@go.com.jo
To: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2003@yahoo.com

Dear Mr. Jaja,

since I am visiting Nigeria to do business, I intend also to make this trip a very nice vacation for me and My Family, so I will be bringing My wife, five Kids and My Mother in law also (who happens to be a nagging Old lady!) I hope the hotel you told me a bout Can cope up with her Nagging though!

I would like to know the following things :

1- What is the exchange rate between US dollar and your local currency?
2- is better to bring Cash or credit cards?
3- what would you prefer me to bring you as a gift? a chocolate or Sahlab haleeb -Grade A++, Directly from sagf seel foundation?
4- what is the AIDS rate there?
5- is it healthy to drink tap water there or should we go for mineral water?
6-what is the weather there? in February and march?
7-what kind of clothes should we bring for adults and kids?
8- would it be possible for me (Just me) to sneak at night and visit some nice strip tease clubs there? (do you have any by the way?)
9- is safe to carry money with us or do you suggest I transfer the money to your bank and later On collect them at the counter there?
10- Can you email me with your Home residence so I might surprise you with a family visit, where my family and I get to meet your Lovely Family too and we both can go out for dinner?
11- do you Have good whiskey there or should I bring them with me from the duty free shop at your international airport?
12-My wife Kept asking me if you have excellent shopping centers there with International brand names (you know How ladies act!), so do you have such places there?
13- is it possible to arrange a nice tour for the kids there where they Can have a safari in the famous african desert? do we need rifles and guns for protection or can we hire a security escort?
14- is there any sales tax there?
15- I am planing to get my self a mobile Phone there, do you have a roaming service?
those are some of the questions I have for the moment, but I will gladly email you more when I have some extra time.

thanks again and God bless you for being such a good friend from Nigeria.

My kind regards

Ninorta

My comments : No comments, Just read the questions!
==================

Date:Fri, 31 Jan 2003 11:28:27 -0800 (PST)
From:daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2003@yahoo.com
To: ninorta@go.com.jo
DEAR NINORTA,

LIKE I SAID, I HAVE AGREED FOR YOU TO COME TO NIGERIA SO THAT WE CAN CARRY OUT THIS TRANSACTION OURSELVES, ALL THIS QUESTIONS ARE IRELEVANT QUESTIONS, WHEN YOU COME TO NIGERIA ALL THIS CAN BE ARRANGED.

I TOLD YOU TO GIVE ME YOUR PHONE NUMBER SO THAT WE CAN MAKE FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS BUT YOU HAVE REFUSED, YOU KEEP AVOIDING THAT. I DO NOT THINK YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS. PLEASE THE NEXT MAIL YOU WILL SEND TO ME SHOULD INCLUDE YOUR PHONE AND FAX NUMBER OR LETS FORGET THIS WHOLE TRANSACTION AND CALL IT A DAY. I BELIEVE IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW ALL THIS YOU WILL TALK TO ME PERSONALY.

MY NAME IS NOT JAJA. IT IS DANIEL AJAYI

THANK YOU,

DANIEL AJAYI.

my comments : some one is really Pissed off here.....Guess who?
======================

subject: Re: Questions
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 02:36:36 +0200
From: ninorta@go.com.jo
To: daniel ajayi daniel_ajayi2003@yahoo.com

I do not understand what does my phone Number has to do with this, we are communicating through Email and it gives us a better chance to say what we want and it is Much cheaper too, beside My Mother always warned me not to give my Number to people I meet Online!

if you don't want to complete this transaction that is fine with me because I have already received an e-mail from a nice gentleman from nigeria who works with the national petrol agency and he has a very impressive offer to do business!

Ill cancel my planned trip to Nigeria and will go there On my own with the family, I am sure My travel agent can arrange a hotel reservation there without your interference!

Have a nice day!

Ninorta

my comments : if you were in this guy's place, would you really reply to this email, knowing some Other fraudster is taking your Place!

Copyright, 2003, BankersOnline. First published on BankersOnline 4/8/03. All rights reserved.