Conversation with a Nigerian Scammer
December 22, 2009
I’ve always wanted to have a conversation with a Nigerian scammer. I’ve wanted to know just how incredulous these email scams really are, and I’ve wanted to see just how far a scammer would go to get his money.
When one of my roommates received some suspicious emails about a month ago, he forwarded them to me and I decided to get to work. Here is one of the conversations.
From: James Campbell
Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 3:13 AM
Subject: Re: Notification Of Inheritance
To: Justin B. Marek
From The Office Of
James Campbell Esq.
William & Associates
Phone: +44-7031842217
Email: jamesatlaw@gmail.com
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the Estate of late Luciano Pavarotti,I hereby attempt to reach you again .I wish to notify you that Late Luciano Pavarotti made you a beneficiary to His will. He left the sum of Eighteen Million five Hundred Thousand Dollars.($18,500,000.00 )to you in The codicil land last testament to his will. This may sound strange and Unbelievable to you, but it is real and true.
Luciano Pavarotti was known for his humanitarian work. He was the founder and the host of the ‘Pavarotti & Friends’ annual charity concerts and related activities in Modena , Italy . There he sang with international stars of all styles to raise funds for several worthy UN causes and charity homes.
Late Luciano Pavarotti until his death was a very dedicated Christian who loved to give out. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time, late Luciano Pavarotti died at the Age of 72 years. According to him this money is to support your activities and to help the poor and the Needy. I will like you to read more about him on this website (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0667556/bio)
Please you should fill the information below for more clarities and identification of your Information’s we have here so that will direct you on how to contact the paying bank for the release of your (money) fund.
1. Full Name
2. Country
3. Age
4. Contact address
5.Phone number(Mobile And house Phone)
6.Occupation
Note that your reply should come to my private mail box which is Email:jamesatlaw@gmail.com
Yours in Service,
James Campbell Esq.
From: Justin B. Marek
Date: Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Subject: Re: Notification Of Inheritance
To: jamesatlaw@gmail.com
Hello, James:
I’m sorry for the late reply. Somehow this email got lost in my spam folder and I did not read it until today. I hope that it is not too late to receive my inheritance. I do not know how Luciano Pavarotti knew that I am indeed poor and needy but I am very thankful that he decided to give the money to me. I wish it was more because I am in a lot of debt, but $18,500,000 is still a lot to be thankful for.
You are right. It does sound unbelievable, and I would like to believe it is true, but I do not know if you are a trustworthy man. I was excited when I read this, but everyone is telling me that it might be a scam from Nigeria. I don’t want to believe them, but I am a smart man and need to make sure. Please tell me if you are lying to me. I need to know if you are trustworthy so if I could have a handwritten signature proving that you are who you say you are, I would very much appreciate it.
In the meantime I am going to read up on Mr. Pavarotti. Since he has been so gracious to me, I think the least I could do would be to find out who he actually was and what he did. Perhaps I will even listen to his music. Thank you for including a link to his IMDB page.
Anyway, thank you for contacting me and letting me know, and I eagerly await your response. Again, I am sorry for the delay and hope that it does not cause too much inconvenience.
Justin B. Marek
From: James Campbell
Date: Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 3:09 AM
Subject: Re: Notification Of Inheritance
To: Justin B. Marek
Dear Justin B. Marek,
I am in receipt of your mail, I will appreciate if you send me your phone number for me to call you and brief you properly on this.
Regards,
James Campbell Esq.
Tel: +447024052556
From: Justin B. Marek
Date: Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 1:43
Subject: Re: Notification Of Inheritance
To: jamesatlaw@gmail.com
Because of some problems paying bills (remember I am very much in debt), I cannot accept phone calls until sometime next week. Next week I will go to my neighbor’s house and use his phone since he will be away on Christmas vacation. I know where he keeps his spare key. Then I will give you that number so you can call me.
Is there any way we can talk until my neighbor leaves?
By the way, I still don’t know if you’re a trustworthy person. I would still like you to send me a copy of your signature to prove that you are really James Campbell.
Write back soon,
Justin B. Marek
From: James Campbell
Date: Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 4:13 AM
Subject: Re: Notification Of Inheritance
To: Justin B. Marek
Dear Justin B. Marek,
I am in receipt of your mail; you will find below my contact phone number you give me a call with that. So I urge you to go ahead and send me your information as listed below:
1. Full names:
2. Age:
3. Sex:
4. Current Residential Address:
5. Telephone:
6. Occupation:
So, kindly send the details and I insist you send your contact phone number because I will like to call and hear your voice, but will not discuss about the funds. I will direct you to the bank as soon as I have the information
Thanks for your understanding.
Regards,
James Campbell Esq.
Tel: +447024052556
From: Justin B. Marek
Date: Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: Notification Of Inheritance
To: jamesatlaw@gmail.com
James Campbell,
I’m glad you received my email. Even though we’ve only emailed each other a few times, I feel as if we are going to be great friends. You are a great lawyer and a great emailer. I’m glad Luciano Pavarotti put his trust in you.
Again, I cannot send you my contact number yet because my neighbor is still at home. However, I may be able to break into his house earlier than next week. He often goes out and gets drunk, especially on Friday nights. He recently found out that his wife was cheating on him with the pest control man and is trying to forget his pain. If he goes out tonight or tomorrow night I will try to sneak inside and get his phone number so we can talk. I will let you know if I succeed.
I still insist that you send me your handwritten signature to prove that you are James Campbell. Please believe me when I say I’m only doing this because my friends do not believe you; I myself trust that you are who you say you are. When you send me your signature, I will send you my information as listed in your previous email.
Thank you for your cooperation, my friend.
Justin B. Marek
P.S.
I have taken the time to read up on Luciano Pavarotti and I find him quite interesting. I didn’t know that he died from pancreatic cancer. Such a shame. Did you know he was the first opera tenor to hit all nine high C’s with his full voice? That’s why he’s called “King of the High C’s.” He was also a close friend of Princess Diana!
I don’t know if you’ve heard him sing, but his voice is so beautiful. I suggest that you listen to this song that I found on Wikipedia:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/Donizetti_Ah%21_mes_amis%2C_quel_jour_de_f%C3%AAte%21.ogg
From: James Campbell
Date: Fri, Dec 4, 2009 at 4:21 AM
Subject: My Passport
To: Justin B. Marek
Dear Justin B. Marek,
See Attachment.
From: Justin B. Marek
Date: Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Subject: Re: My Passport.
To: jamesatlaw@gmail.com
Dear James Campbell,
Hey, I’m sorry about taking so long. I had to spend a week in jail for breaking and entering. It turns out that my neighbor changed where he hid his spare key so I had to break a window to get in. I didn’t know that he installed a burglar alarm system. Anyway, I’m out of jail (but now I’m in more debt because of bail), and am ready to receive my money!
Oh, and thank you for your sending me your proof! I knew I could trust you! You have a very professional-looking face. I’m sure you get a lot of stares from classy businesswomen. Did you know that I am actually two years older than you are? Imagine that! I’m getting so old!
I also wanted to let you know that your passport has expired. You should probably renew it soon if you’re going to be leaving the country. I don’t know if you travel a lot, so maybe this isn’t an issue.
Anyway, now that I trust, you I can give you the information that you requested:
1. Full names: Justin B. Marek
2. Age: August 5, 1953
3. Sex: N
4. Current Residential Address: 1782 Everette Alley, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33311
5. Telephone: 206-309-0863 (this is only a temporary go-phone)
6. Occupation: nephrology nurse
Look forward to hearing from you soon!
Justin Marek
From: James Campbell
Date: Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 3:27 AM
Subject: Contact The Bank.
To: Justin B. Marek
Dear Justin B. Marek,
I have got your information and your Inheritance file opened with all reference copied to the paying bank. You should contact the paying bank immediately for further assistance in releasing the fund to you. I have equally proceeded to the Court and prepared the Letter of Administration that you will need while contacting the Bank where the Funds which has been Willed to you by Late Luciano Pavarotti is deposited.
Send Them
(1) A Copy Your Photo Identity (International Passport, driver license or valid identity card)
You will find attached with this mail the Letter of Administration. You are hereby advised to contact the bank with the Letter of Administration for the release of these funds to you with their contact information below;
United Trust Bank London
Email: utb@unitedtrust-uk.com
Phone: +44-704-570-6470
Fax: +44-870-913-4096
CONTACT PERSON: Mr. Basil John
Let me know as soon as you have contacted them, I am waiting for your response
Thanks.
Yours truly,
James Campbell.
Phone: +44-7024052556
From: Justin B. Marek
Date: Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 2:35 AM
Subject: Transfer of funds
To: utb@unitedtrust-uk.com
Mr. Basil John,
Hi, my name is Justin Marek and I was told to contact you. I don’t know if you are aware of this, but a man by the name of Luciano Pavarotti left me a large sum of money ($18.5 million dollars) after he died. (If you do not know who Luciano Pavarotti is, don’t fret. I didn’t either until I received this news.)
James Campbell, a lawyer and dear friend of mine, advised me to contact your bank so that you could release the funds to me. He said that I should show you some identification and my Letter of Administration so that you would know that I am being truthful.
Unfortunately, I am not able to provide photo identification at the moment. I would show you my driver’s license, but it’s in my wallet. I know you will probably find this story too ridiculous to be true, but I was mugged by an elderly woman who wanted my wallet so that she could buy a Snuggie for her husband who is suffering from post-traumatic disorder. I didn’t give her the wallet out of fear, but out of sympathy for her poor husband. And I don’t have a passport. The only time I left the country was to go to Mexico and see for myself if Coke down there tasted better, but they said I could use my birth certificate instead of my passport. (For the record, I didn’t get to drink any Coke.)
I am going to try to get a valid proof of identity in the near future, but in the meantime I have attached a copy of an artist’s drawing of my face. I doubt that this will be enough proof, as the artist’s rendition of me slightly exaggerates my facial features, but it’s worth a try. If the attached drawing does not satisfy the proof of identity requirement, please email me back and let me know and I will attach a more photo-realistic picture of me as soon as I get my hands on one.
About the Letter of Administration: I promise you that the attached document is legitimate. I know that it looks like I just opened up MS Paint and drew a few rectangles, pasted a few pictures from Google Images, and added text, but this is the very document that my lawyer James Campbell sent to me. If you have any issues about the document, I suggest that you contact him. His phone number is +44-702-405-2556.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Justin B. Marek
(P.S. I love how you have two first names.)
From: Justin B. Marek
Date: Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 2:37 AM
Subject: Re: Contact The Bank.
To: jamesatlaw@gmail.com
I’ve contacted the bank. Unfortunately, I was not able to provide photo identification because I don’t have a wallet anymore (long story). I sent them a drawing of me instead. Do you think that will be enough, or should I try to get an actual photograph? I could send them my mug shot from when I was in jail, but I think that would be a little embarrassing, and I don’t know if they would want to give money to someone who they think is a criminal.
Write back soon, good friend.
Justin Marek
From: James Campbell
Date: Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 2:47 AM
Subject: Re: Contact The Bank.
To: Justin B. Marek
What sought rubbish is this do you think we are playing here? send them 1) A Copy Your Photo Identity (International Passport, driver license or valid identity card)
James Campbell
From: Justin B. Marek
Date: Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 4:03 AM
Subject: Re: Contact The Bank.
To: jamesatlaw@gmail.com
James Campbell,
I’m terribly sorry. I can tell from the tone of your email that you don’t think the drawing was a good idea. I still have not had time to get a good photo of my identity, and I still don’t have my wallet (or driver’s license). What other forms of “valid identity cards” are there?
Chat with James Campbell (December 22, 2:40 a.m.)
Justin Marek: James! It’s nice to see that you are online. Have you read my emails?
James Campbell: Hello hw are you doing?
Justin Marek: I am doing well. I had a really good day today. How was your day?
James Campbell: are u there?
Justin Marek: Yes, I am. Can you answer some questions for me?
James Campbell: ask me pls
Justin Marek: You said that I needed to have a valid form of photo identification. Remember?
James Campbell: yes
Justin Marek: Will a library card work?
James Campbell: you are supposed to have a kind of identification that has a photo of you
Justin Marek: Oh. Did the bank like my drawing? Or do I have to use something else? They have not responded back.
James Campbell: i am so sorry that i do not have time for your pranks now. pls am very busy. bye for now until you are serious
Justin Marek: I am sorry you think that it was a prank. I didn’t know that you would think it was funny. I just thought that, since I didn’t have an actually picture, and I really needed the money, maybe you would think it was okay. I am very serious. Just poor.
James Campbell: bye
Justin Marek: WAIT
Justin Marek: What about a yearbook photo? I think my mom has one of those. It’s not a cartoon.
James Campbell went offline.
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