One goal of the scam baiter is to frustrate the scammer to the point where he literally loses it, fires off death threats, voodoo curses, etc. The normal way to do this is to fowl-up everything that he asks of you during the course of the scam, delaying sending info and money to the scammer for one silly reason or another, sending fake money transfers, etc. For this game, I'd like to try something somewhat different.

Here, my baiting character will comply with all of the terms of the scam. This will be easy because I will be the one dictating these terms. The scammer will have no knowledge of how is own scam is supposed to work and all he will be able to do is follow along, wondering what will happen next.

In this game, Mrs Rose Marry Bamba wants my assistance to move her late husband's fortune of $30,000,000,00 into my country. Dr. Denton Fender will have a go at this one.

This game is simply a demonstration of how to get a scammer off his predefined script. I seriously doubt he'll have the fortitude to put up with me for too long.

Conventions within the thread:

E-mails from the fraudsters are in black.
E-mails from me (Dr. Denton Fender) are in italicized green.
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 scammer's initial e-mail.

[ Jan. 15, 2006 ]

Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 10:33:29 -0800 (PST)
From: ROSE MARRY BAMBA <rosemarrybamba2@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: CRYING FOR HELP

Attn. Good Friend.

I am writting to seek for your noble and profeesional assistance in investing fund my late husband died and left behind. By introduction, I am Mrs ROSE MARRY BAMBA a citizen of Makani in Republic of Sierra Leone and wife of late Dr AHAMED BAMBA, my late husband was a well known Diamond dealer in the whole west Africa before he died.

After his return business trip from Abidjan-Cote d'Ivoire he was attacked by unknown assassine in his house where he was rushed to the hospital and later died after some days. (May his soul rest in peace) Before he died in the hospital he disclosed to me about the sum of THIRTY MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($30,000,000,00) he deposited in a private security storage company here in Abidjan Coted'Ivoire.

According to my late husband he deposited the money and he instructed me to claim the money and invest it overseas with a trustworthy Person/company for our future life. This is my reason for contacting you to know if you can render me a good assistance in which the money will be lifted to your country for a lucrative investments you will advice in your country or somewhere you will introduce.

Please I am appealing to you to assist me hence I have it in mind to establish a rewarding relationship with you by giving you 5% of the total sum. Because of this programe I and my first son (JOHNSON BAMBA) is right now in Abidjan. I have visited the security storage company with all the related documents issued to my late husband at the time he deposited the money and confirm it real.

Note that immediately the money is been lifted to your country you will then make arrangement for our coming over to meet you for the investment.

Please help a widow woman like me as you will never have any thing to regret.

Looking forward to receive your positive response.

Thanks and Remain blessed.

Mrs ROSE MARRY and Son JOHNSON.

I'll have to get this scammer off script right off the bat. Dr. Denton Fender couldn't give a rat's ass about Rose Marry and her son, Johnson.

From: Denton Fender <dentonfender@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: ROSE MARRY BAMBA
Date: Jan 15, 2006 11:52 PM
Subject: Re: CRYING FOR HELP

Dear Pastor Martins Koma,

I hope you are well today.

We have a problem. Rev. Pidass has instructed us to transfer the $18,500 to you for the construction of the orphanage. However, you have not yet given us your bank account number.

Please pass this information on to me so that I may act accordingly.

--
Dr. Denton Fender

The offer of easy money should get him off script immediately, and it does.

From: ROSE MARRY BAMBA
To: Denton Fender
Date: Jan 16, 2006 6:03 AM
Subject: THIS IS THE ACCOUNT NUMBER

DEAR Dr. DENTON FENDER,

THANKS FOR YOUR MAIL WHICH I RECIEVED THIS MORNING OK ?

THIS IS THE ACOUNT NUMBER AS YOU ASK FOR .

THIS IS THE NAME OF THE BANK. BIAO-CI

BANQUE INTERNATIONAL AFRIQUE OUEST IN COTE D IVOIRE,

ADRESSE OF BANK 8, 10 Av JOSEPH ANOMA 11 BP I224 ABIDJAN 01 MARCORY.

NAME OF THE BENEFICIARY / MR ONYEAHIRI ADINDU PETER CLINTO.

ACCOUNT NUMBER / 28343468547.

SWIFE CODE / BIAOCIAB.

BANK CODE / 10042.

I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU .

THANKS

PASTOR MARTINS KOMA

And just like that, "Rose Marry Bamba" has folded his own scam and has taken on the identity of Pastor Martins Koma (although he is stupidly still using the Bamba e-mail account).

Now, let's see how long it takes for our scammer to get frustrated.

Since our scammer is in Cote D'Ivoire, we want to send the money to a place other than Cote D'Ivoire.

From: Denton Fender
To: ROSE MARRY BAMBA
Date: Jan 16, 2006 6:08 AM
Subject: Re: THIS IS THE ACCOUNT NUMBER

Dear Pastor Martins Koma,

Why is the bank in Cote D'Ivoire. The money is supposed to be going straight to Lagos. This makes no sense. Please explain.

--
Dr. Denton Fender

From: ROSE MARRY BAMBA
To: Denton Fender
Date: Jan 16, 2006 6:26 AM
Subject: THIS IS THE ACCOUNT NUMBER

Dear Denton Fender

Our church have a branch here in cote D' ivoire and we are here for som missionary , you can send it here,

i am waiting to hear from you
Pastor Martins Koma

From: Denton Fender
To: ROSE MARRY BAMBA
Date: Jan 16, 2006 6:35 AM
Subject: Re: THIS IS THE ACCOUNT NUMBER

Dear Pastor,

Again, this makes no sense.

As your church is brand new, how can you have an account in another country?

I just contacted Rev. Pidass who assures me that he does not wish to divert this money through Cote D'Ivoire. Please give me your Lagos account number as promised.

Reverend Pidass has also reminded me that you haven't yet sent in your photo identification. Please do so at your earliest convenience so that we may process this donation.

--
Dr. Denton Fender

From: ROSE MARRY BAMBA
To: Denton Fender
Date: Jan 16, 2006 7:04 AM
Subject: OK

DEAR DENTON FENDER

OK NOW, I WILL GIVE YOU THE ACCOUNT NOW . I WILL CONTACT ONE OUR PASTOR IMMEDIATELY FOR THE ACCOUNT .

GIVE ME SOME MINISE

THANKS

From: Denton Fender
To: ROSE MARRY BAMBA
Date: Jan 16, 2006 7:12 AM
Subject: Re: OK

Dear Pastor,

Very well.

I have to slip out of town for the day. Please don't forget to send a scan of your photo identification.

Just out of curiosity, why are you using "Rose Marry Bamba's" email account?

Regards,

--
Dr. Denton Fender

From: ROSE MARRY BAMBA
To: Denton Fender
Date: Jan 16, 2006 10:22 AM
Subject: THIS IS THE ACCOUNT NUMBER

DEAR DENTON FEDER

HOW ARE YOU I HOPE ALL IS WELL , YOU CAN USE THIS BANK IN USA TO SEND THE MONEY TO OUR GODFATHER IN AMERICA OR YOU USE THE ONE I FIRST SEND TO YOU I AM WAITING

IT WILL REACHE TO US.

YOU CAN CONTACT OUR PASTOR HERE IN ABIDJAN.
AND THIS IS MY PRIVET EMAIL pastormartinskoma@xxxxxxxxxx.com

Bank Name : HSBC New York USA
Aba # : 021001088
Credit To Swift Code : HSBCHKHHH
A/C # : 474457454838
Account Name : ALLIED WELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.

I AM WAITING TO HERE FROM YOU
THANKS
MARTINS KOMA

Ahh...he's chosen a more appropriate e-mail address.

From: MARTINS KOMA <pastormartinskoma@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: dentonfender@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Date: Jan 16, 2006 10:28 AM
Subject: Apostolic greetings from pastor martins koma

Dear Denton Fender

Greetings to you in the name of our lord jesus christ.I am very glad to receive your mail this afternoon after our last mail conversations.

so you send an email to me in this my privet mail.

I am waiting

From: Denton Fender
To: MARTINS KOMA
Date: Jan 17, 2006 11:38 AM
Subject: Re: Apostolic greetings from pastor martins koma

Dear Pastor Martins Koma,

As I had explained to you yesterday, I was going out of town for the day.

Rev. Pidass has informed me that your bank account in New York will do fine. However, we are still awaiting your photo identification. As you know, we must have this along with the signed memorandum.

Rev. Pidass wants you to phone him at your earliest convenience.

Regards,

--
Dr. Denton Fender

In just a very few e-mails, I have not only knocked the scammer off script, I have forced him to abandon his original scam completely, taking on the role of a character of my making in a scam where I can choose the terms. The scammer is trying now to scam me even though he has no idea what to do next. I am now dictating the terms of his scam. I am in full control of this game and I can (and will) introduce fresh obstacles and other nonsense for him to overcome.

From: MARTINS KOMA
To: Denton Fender
Date: Jan 19, 2006 4:12 AM
Subject: Re: Apostolic greetings from pastor martins koma

Dear Denton Fender

please i am waiting for the money as Rev pidass promissed to help ,

And i have try to phone him but the line is not going please try to give me another number to comunicat with him.

i am waiting.
Pastor Martins Koma

He tried to phone Rev. Pidass??? I wonder where he got the telephone number.

From: Denton Fender
To: MARTINS KOMA
Date: Jan 19, 2006 5:23 AM
Subject: Re: Apostolic greetings from pastor martins koma

Dear Pastor,

With all due respect, we must have the signed memorandum as well as your photo identification and compliance of all of the other requirements of the agreement before Rev. Pidass can release the funding.

Once again, the church's phone number is +1-812-XXX-XXXX.

Please try to meet our requirements before next week as we would like the construction of the orphanage to continue as soon as possible.

--
Dr. Denton Fender

Might as well have him make an overseas telephone call. The number I gave him is the number for an automated Dial-a Prayer service.

From: MARTINS KOMA
To: Denton Fender
Date: Jan 19, 2006 9:15 AM
Subject: Apostolic greetings from pastor martins koma

DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST JESUS

THIS IS THE PICTURE AS YOU ASK.

NOW I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU .

THANKS
PASTOR MARTINS KOMA

Hmmmm....this will certainly not pass for the photo identification of Pastor Martins Koma.

From: Denton Fender
To: MARTINS KOMA
Date: Jan 19, 2006 9:00 PM
Subject: Re: Apostolic greetings from pastor martins koma

Dear Pastor Martins Koma,

I'm afraid I find your joke quite unamusing at this time.

Please send me your photo identification (passport, drivers license). I do not require any more photographs of Pastor Oriazowan

Holy Lord Sufferin' Jesus,

--
Dr. Denton Fender

From: MARTINS KOMA
To: Denton Fender
Date: Jan 20, 2006 4:27 AM
Subject: Apostolic greetings from pastor martins koma

Dear Denton Fender

Did you poeple really whant to help or not are you have asking for my passport ok no problem i will be sending it to you.

Thanks
Martins Koma

He's getting upset already? For $18,500, I expected him to last a bit longer than this.

From: Denton Fender
To: MARTINS KOMA
Date: Jan 20, 2006 8:34 PM
Subject: Re: Apostolic greetings from pastor martins koma

Dear Pastor,

Thank you.

Also, don't forget to scan and send a signed copy of the memorandum agreement.

Best regards,

--
Dr. Denton Fender

[ Jan. 25, 2006 ]

Nothing in five days from the scammer. I'd better try and find out if he's given up already.

From: Denton Fender
To: MARTINS KOMA
Date: Jan 25, 2006 10:47 PM
Subject: Greetings

Dear Pastor Martins Koma,

Sir, is there a problem with the construction of the orphanage? I haven't heard from you in several days and Rev. Pidass and the others are beginning to become concerned with what you have been doing with our money and the progress you have made so far.

Please get back to me as soon as possible.

Also, Rev Pidass is still awaiting your telephone call.

Regards,

--
Dr. Denton Fender

From: MARTINS KOMA
To: Denton Fender
Date: Jan 28, 2006 2:43 PM
Subject: Apostolic greetings from pastor martins koma

Dear Brother in Christ,

Greetings to you in the name of our lord jesus christ.I am very glad to receive your mail this afternoon after my last prayer.

Please , this is what i do not like in my life, please brother in christ jesus ;if you whant to send the money please send it with the account number which i give you , but if you are not ready you send it, please you can forget obout the money , i believed in my Lord that i serve that he will not disapoint me. bay.

Thanks

Pastor martins koma

I don't want him to exit this game that easily. I'll forward a fake e-mail to him from the "original" Pastor Martins Koma.

From: Denton Fender
To: MARTINS KOMA
Date: Jan 29, 2006 12:31 AM
Subject: Fwd: Find the Memorandum Agreement attached

Dear Pastor,

I do not understand. What do you mean that I can forget about the money. Don't you recall that we have already invested a considerable amount of money into this orphanage? You have agreed to the construction of the orphanage. Are you telling me that you can complete the construction of the orphanage without the additional $18,500?

You seem to forget that just three weeks ago, you were the one insisting that you needed the additional money. I have forwarded your own email of January 8th.

Please let me know what your intentions are.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: MARTINS KOMA <martinskoma@xxxxxxxxxx.co.uk>
Date: Jan 8, 2006 9:50 AM
Subject: Re: Find the Memorandum Agreement attached
To: dentonfender@xxxxxxxxxx.com

CHURCH OF GOD MISSION
ADD: N012 OLU ST, OJOTA
LAGOS .

MR,MARTINS KOMA: PASTOR
MR,JUDE OMENOGOR: SEC
MR, OBIEJESI PROMISE CHUKS:TREASURER

DEAR DR. FENDER

I AM VERY HAPPY TO RECIEVE THE DOCUMENT YOU SENT. I HAVE READ THE AGREEMENT AND I UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING ON THE AGREEMENT. I WILL DO EVERITHING IN MY POWER TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT COS WE REALLY NEED THIS FUNDS AS THE ORPHANS AND MOTHERLISS BABYS NEED SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

I WILL MAKE EVREY EFFORT TO KEEP YOU POST AS TO THE PROGRESSION OF THE CONSTROCTION OF THE ORPHANAGE WITH PICTURES.

I WILL SIGN THE AGREEMENT AS YOU SAID BUT DR. FENDER I BEG OF YOU IF YOU CAN TO ARRANGE TO SEND JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY AS WE HAVE SPENT THE $30,000 YOU ALREADY SEND US ON MATERIELS AND WE NEED MAYBE ANOTHER $18,500 PLS IF YOU CAN ARRANGE THIS BUT PLS MAKE A BANK TO BANK TRANSFER THIS TIME TO OUR ACCOUNT IN OJOTA, LAGOS IN THE NAME OF OUR CHARITY

PLEASE GET BACK TO ME.

REMAIN BLESSES
PASTOR MARTINS KOMA

--
Dr. Denton Fender

From: MARTINS KOMA
To: Denton Fender
Date: Jan 29, 2006 4:46 AM
Subject: URGENT

CHURCH OF GOD MISSION
ADD: N012 OLU ST, OJOTA
LAGOS .

MR,MARTINS KOMA: PASTOR
MR,JUDE OMENOGOR: SEC
MR, OBIEJESI PROMISE CHUKS:TREASURER

DEAR DR. DENTON FENDER.

THANKS FOR YOU MAIL WHIC I RECIEVED AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL , YES YOU ARE RIGTH , YOU KNOW VERY WELL THAT THIS IS WORK OF GOD AND YOU HAVE ASSIST US VERY WELL IN CONSTRUCTION THAT WE ARE ON IT NOW . AS I TELL YOU LAST TIME THAT WE NEED 18500 TO COMPLET THE ORPHANS AND MOTHERLISS BABYS HERE IN LEGOS NIGERIA AND YOU HAVE BING HELPING US .

PLEASE WE STILL NEED YOUR ASSISANCE TO COMPLET THE CONSTRUCTION, AS I HAVE GIVE YOU OUR ACCOUNT NUMBER IN U S A WERE YOU CAN SEND THE MONEY SO THAT WE CAN COMPLET THE CONSTRUCTION AS WELL . I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU .

PLEASE GET BACK TO ME.

REMAIN BLESSES
PASTOR MARTINS KOMA

Well, look at this. He's adopted the format of the fake Martins Koma's e-mail, going as far as to use ALL CAPS as well as copying the fake e-mail's letterhead and signature exactly.

From: Denton Fender
To: MARTINS KOMA
Date: Jan 29, 2006 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: URGENT

Dear Pastor,

Thank you for your e-mail.

As you are aware, we are still waiting for the signed memorandum agreement as well as a scanned copy of your passport.

Also, Reverend Pidass would like you to send some more recent photos of the progress of the construction of the orphanage. As always, the donation committee would like to see how its money is being spent.

As before, once the donation committee approves your documentation, we will transfer the money as previously agreed.

Remain with Our Lord,

--
Dr. Denton Fender

From: Denton Fender
To: MARTINS KOMA
Date: Jan 31, 2006 3:06 AM
Subject: Re: URGENT

Dear Pastor,

I hope you are well today.

I understand that you are a very busy man. However, we are all wondering what the delay is concerning the documents we have requested.

Hoping to hear from you soon.

--
Dr. Denton Fender

[ Feb. 2, 2006 ]

It appears our scammer has given up already. Guess he really doesn't need the $18,500 very badly.

I thought this game went quite well for a while but our scammer just seemed to get too confused by the whole thing to continue. I'll try this again soon, hopefully with a scammer that has a bit more intelligence.

Game failed.