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I receive a classic Nigerian 419-type scam e-mail in one of my e-mail boxes from some mugu calling himself "Johnson David" who is apparently an accountant with the South African Mining Corporation. He has "decided to confiscate" $19.5M USD from his employer and is looking for some outside help. Abbott Costello is just the man he's looking for.
As it turns out, this ass-pimple is the same fellow that I'm baiting in The Donald Moore Letters.
Conventions within the thread:
E-mails from the fraudster are in black.
E-mails from me (Abbott) are in italicized green.
E-mails from me (Felix Kumo) are in italicized blue.
Red X's represent characters that have been changed to protect personal info.
Comments from me are in bold black.
The game commences with the mugu's initial e-mail.
From: johnson david
To: xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 02:33:53 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PRIVATE/CONFIDENTIAL
MR JOHNSON DAVID
TEL:27-xxx-xxx-xxx
PRIVATE/CONFIDENTIAL
ATT:CEO/DIRECTOR.
I am MR JOHNSON DAVID an accountant and principal overseer with the South African Mining Corporation. I got your contact through network on line in search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very confidential transaction, which involves transfer of fund to a foreign account. This said fund (US$19.5m) Ninteen million, five hundred thousand United State dollar, is a variation and accumulation of equity
investment made in the South African Mining corporation in the period of 1973-1977.
This redeemable investment interest, has now matured and has long been cleared for disbursment but with no apparent knowledge of who the investors are as most of the investors then, were corrupt government officials and their cronies under the obnoxious aparthied regime who used pseudo names and aliases in the transactions, and could not come up for claims under the present political setting in South Africa. After due cunsultative sessions with my colleagues in the account department of the mining corporation over the fund (US$19.5M), which is now considered as floating fund,
we decided to confiscate the fund and placed it in a private trust company for safe keeping, awaiting further transfer to a foreign account for further business ventures. What we need now is a foreign national who can assist us in the transfer of this fund, and also to help invest the fund in a risk free venture. if you are willing to assist us in this transfer, we have agreed to compensate you based
on a certain percentage of the total sum (US$19.5m) through mutual negotiations.
Thank you for your anticipated co-operation, and we hope to hear from you soon ,to enable us give you full details of the transactions.
Best regards
JOHNSON DAVID
N.B
PLS. BE IN MIND THAT AS SOON AS YOU REPLY TO ME, I WILL GIVE YOU MY PRIVATE FAX NUMBER FOR THIS TRANSACTION
From: Abbott Costello
To: xxxxxxxxx@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 21:06:54 -0500
Subject: Re: PRIVATE/CONFIDENTIAL
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Dear Mr. Johnson David,
I was surprised to receive your email as I have no idea how you could
have come into possession of my personal email address.
However, I am intrigued by your proposition as I am always looking for
further opportunities for investment. Unless, however, you are
prepared to meet with me here in the United States, then I will have
to ask you to provide me with proof of identity before I will proceed
any further. As a successful businessman, I make it a point of knowing
who I am dealing with at all times. I trust this will not be a
problem.
I shall anxiously await your reply.
Regards,
Abbott Costello
From: johnson david
To: abbottcostello@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 04:54:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Reply
Hello,
Thank you for your mail which I recieved.
I would have loved to come to U.S.A. to meet with you but the nature of my job will not permit me for now however once this transaction is finalized , my family and I will come over to your country to settle and for investment. Furthermore I need to be here until the money is transferred to youir nominated account as it is important that I am around to ensure smooth transfer of the fund. I enclose in the attachment a copy of my passport and I will like you to also send me a copy of your passport by attachment while replying.
I want you to know that this transaction will not put you or your company into any kind of danger as every arrangement for successful transfer has been made awaiting your full cooperation. While replying include your private phone and fax numbers for urgent and more effective communication.
On reciept of your response, the details of the transaction will be communicated to you.
Best reagrds,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 10:29:24 -0500
Subject: Re: Reply
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Dear Johnson David,
I have received your email and the scan of your passport. Thank you.
However, sometime when you get the chance, would you be so kind as to
send another photo of yourself. After all, it is easy to send a scan
of anyone's passport and I want to be sure that I am actually in
contact with the man depicted in the passport. Just a picture of you
waving to me or something simple like that. I don't want to seem rude
in asking you for this, just careful.
My private telephone number is 206-XXX-XXXX. This is not the family
telephone number. This will ring through to my den at home. No one
will accidently answer at that number except me personally. Although
there is no fax machine there I will arrange to have one connected
this morning.
I will await your reply.
Respectfully submitted,
Abbott Costello
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2004 06:07:57 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Reply
Hello
Thank you for your mail which I recieved.
I have sent to you a copy of my international passport and in the mail I sent to you, I also demanded that you send a copy of your passport to me but you have not done this instead you are demanding for my photo . This is not a problem to me but if we are to carry out this transaction, we need to understand and trust each other. It is a risk for me to have sent to you my passport though I am doing that in good faith and I expect you to reciprocate likewise if really you are interested in assisting me. For now I am not going to send to you my photo until I am sure that you are willing to assist me and this can be shown by sending to me a copy of your international passport and we follow the procedure that has been mapped out for smooth and successful transfer of this fund to your nominated account. It is true that I initaited this transaction but at the end of the transaction , you also stand to gain as some percentages has been mapped out for you as your commission. Both of us have to work together to ensure success in this transaction and we cannot do so if we cannot trust each other. I also find it insulting that you are insinuating that it could be anybodys picture that is the passport as I did not intiate this transaction just to take you for a ride.If it is anybodys passport , will it not be possible for me to send anybodys photo to you if I am that desperate.
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2004 12:33:09 -0500
Subject: Re: Reply
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Dear Johnson David,
I have reviewed your email of yesterday. Indeed you DID ask me for a
copy of my passport. I missed this. My apologies.
You are right when you say that we must trust each other to ensure a
successful transaction. However, you will not get my blind trust. I
will still require a seperate photo of you sometime in the near
future.
It was not my intent to insult you with this request. But you will
find me to be a careful and deliberate businessman who will act on
calculated risks, not blind ones.
Please find attached a scan of my passport.
Regards,
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 05:18:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Reply
Hello ,
Thank you for your mail which I recieved and the copy of your passport.
As we have the copies of our passport, we can proceed with the details of this transaction.
The details of this transaction entails making you the beneficiary of the consignment/fund. This can be done using your passport copy and your address and as I have recieved those , I will proceed with the formalities of making you the beneficiary of the fund. This will take two-three working days to achieve. Once this is done, the next step will be for you to open a non -resident investment dollar account in a commercial bank here in South Africa. This account will act as a channel through which this fund will be transferred. Once this account is opened, the consignment/money will be collected from the security company after the payment of the outstanding monthly deposit fee, demmurrages and V.A.T and the fund will be deposited in the account you opened here for onwards transfer to your nominated account in your country.
However I will like to be assured of the following.
(1) The account you are going to provide for this transaction will be directly under your control.
(2) You are going to give your full cooperation to ensure smooth and successful transfer of this fund.
(3) Tghis fund will not be subject to excessive taxation.
This transaction will not take more than ten working days depending on your level of cooperation. For your assistance , I have decided to give you 20% of the total money and any expense you make in the course of this transaction will be fully refunded to you.
Expecting your urgent reply.
Best regards,
Johnson david
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 00:46:31 -0500
Subject: Re: Reply
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Dear Johnson David,
I have some questions. First, how would I go about opening a bank
account in South Africa? Are there not residency requirements there? I
do not have any business or personal interests in South Africa.
Second, how will I ensure that the fund is not subject to excessive
taxation? Taxation by whom?
Twenty percent of the total is quite acceptable. So far, I am
definitely interested.
I await your reply.
Regards,
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: abbottcostello@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 10:55:47 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Reply
Hello,
Thank you for your mail which I recieved.
You can either come to South Africa to open this account or you can make use of the services of an attorney in South Africa to assist you in opening the account. This account is important as it will act as a channel through which this fund will be transferred out of this country to your nominated account.
By ensuring that the fund is not subjected to excessive taxation I mean that all deductions that will be made by your bank on reciept of the money in form of bank charges should not be duplicated i.e it will not be paid more than once so as to give the proper figure of the amount remaining before sharing. I have tried to contact you on phone but it is entering voicemail.
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 18:26:55 -0500
Subject: Reply
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Dear Sir,
Ahhh. I understand now. Well, it would certainly be easier to have an
attorney do it. Unfortunately, I don't know any good attorneys in
South Africa.
On the other hand, I am certainly willing to travel to South Africa
if need be although I would need some advance notice of this as
appointments would have to be cancelled/postponed, etc.
Please let me know when the formalities are taken care of. Then we can
map out the best course of action.
Thanks.
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 06:02:16 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Reply
Hello,
Thank you for your mail which I recieved.
I believe that by the middle of the week that I will be able to effect the necessary changes that will make you the beneficiary of the fund/consignment .After this , the account opening is the next step.
If you are coming to South Africa to open the account, it will be okay but if you want to make use of the services of an attorney , I can recommend an attorney for you and you can contact him for discussion. The attorney will give the requirements for the opening of the account.
I will give information on how far I have gone with the changes by Wednesday.
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 21:20:48 -0500
Subject: Re: Reply
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Greetings Sir,
You may be prepared by mid-week but I certainly won't be.
I appreciate the offer of your recommendation of an attorney but I
believe I will not need one after all. I am currently dealing with a
broker who specializes in offshore bank accounts. They have agreed to
set me up with a shell company in South Africa. The existence of this
shell company will satisfy the residency requirements of your country
with regards to the bank account. Unfortunately, this entire process
will take 2-3 weeks.
I will be going into the hospital tomorrow morning for some minor
surgery. The doctor assures me that I will be back at home by
Thursday, Friday at the absolute latest. Therefore, I will be
incommunicado for a few days. I just wanted to let you know.
Regards,
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2004 04:37:48 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Reply
Hello,
How are you ? I hope you are okay. I believe that the minor surgery was successful by the grace of God.
Since this transaction is a confidential one , it is important that we ensure that it remain so . I am not against your using a broker to open an account but you must remenber that this transaction is supposed to be confidential and as a result you are not supposed to discuss it with anybody. The attorney I wanted to recommend has been of assistance to me in this transaction so he is not a stranger to this transaction but this broker you are talking about is new person and I am very sckeptical about him keeping this transaction confidential. It will be better if you can make arrangements to come to South Africa to open this account yourself if you are not feeling comfortable with my idea of an attorney or make use of the services of an attorney as I recommended earlier so as not to put this transaction at risk.
All the necessary changes has been made at the security and trust company and this means that you are the beneficiary of the consignment. The next stage is the opening of this account which I will implore you to hasten to make a decision so that we can proceed. Once this account is opened, the consignment will be collected from the security company after the payment of the monthly depsoit fee, demmurrages and V.A .T . and the fund will be deposited in the account you opened for onwards transfer to your nominated account. Can you please give me a direct phone number so I can reach you at any time.
Expectimng your urgent reply,
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2004 15:07:37 -0500
Subject: Re: Reply
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Greetings, Mr. Johnson David,
Hope you're well. I got home from the hospital yesterday. I had
rotator cuff surgery. No big deal but my left arm will be in a sling
for the next little while. Makes it more difficult to type but I can
do it.
Please don't be concerned about my having a representative set things
up for me in South Africa. They will know absolutely nothing about
this transaction whatsoever. They have no need to know anything. All
they're doing is setting up a shell corporation complete with bank
account, credit cards, debit cards, etc. I've used this company before
to do the same thing for me in the Cayman Islands for tax purposes.
You don't have a problem with this do you?
I've contacted them this morning to see if they could hasten things a
little. I'll get back to you when I have some more news on this.
Respectfully submitted,
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 2004 05:44:17 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Reply
I am delighted to hear that this broker has nothing to do with the transaction. It is a relief
Once the broker has opened the account, the next stage will be to collect the consignment from the security company after the payment of the outstanding monthly deposit fee, demmuarrages and V.A.T. and the money will be deposited in the account for onwards transfer to your nominated account. The consignment was deposited at the security company on monthly deposit fee, demmurrages excluding V.A.T of US$4,150.00 . At the time of deposit , a total of US$20,000.00 was deposited but since this consignment has not been collected for sometime, it has accumulated further debts of US$29,800.00. Although I am making making every arrangement to settle this debt, I might need your assistance if I dont succeed fully.
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 2004 16:49:50 -0500
Subject: Re: Reply
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Greetings,
Your last message was understood.
I'd like to reiterate that it will still take at least a few days to
set up my shell company in South Africa. I'll try and have the broker
rush things along and I'll let you know what ultimately happens with
them.
Thanks for your patience.
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2004 02:49:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Reply
Hello,
Thank you for your mail which I recieved.
It will be okay if you can tell your broker to hasten in the opening of the account as time is important in every business transaction. Once the account is opened, endeavour to send the details to me. Like I informed you in my last mail , there is still an outstanding debt owed to the security and trust company. My arrangements of paying the outstanding debt has not been successful so I am still proceeding with alternative arrangement but I want you to know that I might ask you to assist me in making this payment if my arrangement does succeed fully. Please note that every money you spend in the course of this transactiuon will be fully refunded to you .
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2004 10:59:12 -0500
Subject: Re: Reply
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Greetings,
Well, I can tell the broker to hasten things all I want but that
doesn't mean that things will happen any faster. They have their own
guidelines that they must follow for their own protection. As well,
they are dealing with other parties, specifically in YOUR country.
Maybe you could tell THOSE people to hasten things too, since you're
closer.
I'll keep you up to date as things progress on this end.
Regards,
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 03:31:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re
Hello,
Thank you for your mail which I recieved. I will be waiting for you to supply me with the details of the account once it is opened , then we can proceed from there.
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2004 05:49:48 -0500
Subject: Re: Re
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Dear Sir,
Hopefully it won't be too long. Thanks for your patience.
Abbott.
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 03:37:03 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re
Hello,
How are you ? I hope you are okay.
How far have you gone with the opening of the account? Have you been successful as you said the broker was going to open the account for you and it wont take long . Let me know the situation of things so that we can finalize this transaction as you know time is important in every business transaction.
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2004 15:33:39 -0500
Subject: Re: Re
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Dear Johnson David,
I have news, finally. Everything is done. I am now incorporated in
South Africa complete with bank accounts (2) and company credit card
account (AMEX).
Apparently everything had been completed on Thursday but I hadn't been
informed about it until yesterday. All that's left is a quick visit to
my broker's office tomorrow to take possession of all of the
paperwork.
That took a ridiculously long time. Please accept my apologies. I know
that you wanted to complete this transaction as soon as possible.
I've had my travel visa for almost two weeks now in anticipation of
traveling to South Africa. I guess all I need now is information from
you so that I can decide on how to proceed next.
Again, sorry about the incredibly long delay.
Regards
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 08:08:54 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re
Hello,
Thank you for your mail which I recieved. I am very happy that the account has been opened . Can you please forward to me the account details. Furthermore like I informed you in my previous mails we have an outstanding monthly deposit fee, demmurrages and V.A.T. totalling US$29,800.00 to pay before the consignment/fund can be released from the security and trust company . From my arrangements, I have only been able to raise US$10,000.00 . I am therefore soliciting your assistance in this area to enable us finalize this transaction. Without this payment , the security and trust company will not release this fund. I have tried my best to raise more money but I have not been successful . It will be in the best interest of our transaction if you can raise this outstanding amount so we can pay to facilitate the release of this consignment . Like I informed you before , any money you spend in the course of this transaction will be fully refunded to you.
I dont understand what you are saying about traveling visa . Can you please clarify me on that and any other information you need will be furnished to you.
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 17:24:13 -0500
Subject: Re: Re
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Greetings,
It's unfortunate that you have not been able to raise the full amount
for the outstanding fees. However, I will ensure that this doesn't
become a problem.
I had applied for the travel visa in the event I was required to
travel to South Africa. I simply wanted to be prepared if the need
arose. Actually, it seems like I still may need to travel there since
you haven't been able to raise the entire amount for the outstanding
fees yourself.
Now, I understand that the fund is in USD. However, I want to know for
certain what currency the deposit will be in, USD or ZAR. When I have
the answer to this, I will forward the appropriate account information
to you as I have separate accounts for each currency.
Regards,
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 03:41:37 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re
Hello,
Thank you for your mail which I recieved.
I want to thank you for your willingness to assist in completeing the outstanding amount and I assure you that every money you spend will be fully refunded to you.
The fund is in US$ and will be transferred to your account as so and not in ZAR.
I dont have any problem with your coming to South Africa if you so wish as it will also afford us opportunity to meet with each other . It is also possible for you to transfer the money for completeing the payment of the outstanding debt . So Whatever you choose is okay to me. If you are coming , it is important that you furnish me with your flight schedule so that arrngements will be made to recieve at the airport as well as booking a hotel for you. If you choose to transfer the money, it is also important that you inform me so I can supply you with an account .
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 07:34:08 -0500
Subject: Re: Re
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Dear Johnson David,
Great. I just wanted to make certain that the fund would be in USD.
As to my traveling to S. A., I would enjoy a bit of a vacation.
However, it is certainly a busy time of year. I guess a lot would
depend on what part of the country you are in. Are you in or near a
major city?
I'll await your reply.
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 05:24:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re
Hello,
Thank you for your mail which I recieved.
You have not furnished me with the details of the account that was opened for you. Furthermore, I try several times to contact you by phone but to no avail. Can you give me an alternative phone number to contact you.
I am staying near a big city so it will not be any problem to you. We are in a festive season but I will like to finalize this transaction as quickly as possible as it will enable me start organising my family as quickly as possible. When you confirm your movement, try to send your flight schedule so that proper arrangements will be made to recieve you.
Best regards,
Johnson David
From: Abbott Costello
To: johnson david
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 16:30:27 -0500
Subject: Re: Re
From the desk of:
Abbott Costello
President/CEO
The Bilgewater and Swill Brewing Company
18580 St. Roflmao Way,
Everett, WA 98203
Dear Sir,
How could I give you a flight schedule if I don't know where I'm
going? Would I fly to Johannesburg? Bloemfontein? Durban? Cape Town?
My USD bank account information is as follows:
Bank Name: First National Bank
Branch Name: BANKCITY
Branch Address: 3 First Place, BANKCITY, Johannesburg
Branch Tel. No.: (011)688 9900
Branch Code: 250805
Account Number: 8009006233
Regards,
Abbott
From: johnson david
To: Abbott Costello
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 05:07:14 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Response
Hello,
Thank you for your mail which which I recieved.
I am in Durban .
I cannot still get you on phone and you have not given me an alternative number.
When you have finalized your travelling arrangements, let me know so that arrangements will be made to recieve you.
Best regards,
Johnson David
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