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In the following exchange, the scammer's messages have red headers; mine, written under the alias "Tom Udo," are written in blue. To help you skim through faster, the important bits of the scammer's messages are highlighted in red.
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From: "ALH. IBRAHIM GAMBARI" [alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com] Date: Wed, Aug 28, 2002 14:11 +0100 Subject: DPR Received: from qfgf91025.com (66-178-61-35.reverse.newskies.net [66.178.61.35]) |
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DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES PLOT 225 KOFO ABAYOMI STREET VICTORIA ISLAND,LAGOS, NIGERIA. DIRECT FAX: 234 1 759 0904. TEL; 234 1- 7591519 ATTENTION: THE PRESIDENT/C.E.O RE: URGENT & CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL Dear Sir,
I am ALH. IBRAHIM GAMBARI member committee of the above department
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Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 09:15:45 -0400 (EST) Subject: Re: DPR To: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com |
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Dear Sir, Your kind offer fascinates me. Please tell me more.
Sincerely, |
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From: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com Date: Fri, Aug 30, 2002 06:02:42 -0500 Subject: Re: DPR (NEXT STEP) X-Originating-Server: ws1-11.us4.outblaze.com X-Originating-IP:66.178.46.224 Received: from [66.178.46.224] by ws1-11.us4.outblaze.com with http for alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com |
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DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES PLOT 255 KOFO ABAYOMI STREET VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS, NIGERIA. TEL: 234 1 7762182 / FAX: 234 1 7590904. Dear Tommy Udo, Thank you for your e-mail response to our business relationship. We want to work with you on our business proposal, I assure you with utmost sense of responsibility, that this transaction is designed to succeed because we have carefully mapped out the modalities and done the initial ground work for the realization of this business proposal. We have contacts at the Debt Reconciliation Committee (DRC) who will be assisting us with this payment to secure all the official approval for this transaction. No law will be violated or broken in the course of this transaction because the procedures are official and legal to the letter. You will find enclosed a copy of the specimen application that is titled text A carefully type the information on your company letterhead paper and After you have made out the letter you will return the application to DRC at application@drc-ng.com and copy me by e-mail attachment using .doc extension. When we receive this information from you, your company will be dully registered with the corporate affairs commission and the DPR under category A contractor and copies of the paper work will be faxed to you for careful assessment to show source of funds. However, be assured that as long as you adhere strictly to instructions from me, this transaction will not last for more that two weeks from the date of application and I expect that you maintain an attitude of confidentiality. Though the issue of confidentiality already mentioned in our previous letter to you cannot be over-emphasized. As soon as you confirm to us that the money has entered your account, my partners and I will meet you to enter into an agreement or a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and your good-self will advise us on business opportunities in your country as we would love to invest abroad. As soon as we start the application process, there is no doubt that you will be contacted by the DRC and whatever you receive or hear do not hesitate to let me know. You have to make it a point of duty to put a call to me at least once a day for daily briefing and instructions.. And the text A you must of a necessity return by email attachment using .doc.extension. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Yours truly,
TYPE (TEXT A) ON YOUR LETTER HEAD PAPER
TO: ATTENTION: MR.VICTOR UDOJI DEAR SIR, RE:OIL SPILLAGE CLEAN-UP IN YANEGOA AREA OF BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA AND THE MAINTAINANCE OF OIL PIPELINES IN THE SAME AREA,ON CONTRACT NO. NNPC/PED/2035-X/99. WITH REFERENCE TO YOUR LETTER DRC/FGN VOL.0620 DATED FEBRUARY 7TH,2000 WE TAKE THE LIBERTY TO SUBMIT TO YOU THE BANKING DETAILS FOR THE AMOUNT US$38,200,000.00 (THIRTY EIGHT MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ONLY) BEING PAYMENT DUE TO US ON COMPLETION OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED CONTRACT. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED THERETO, WE WOULD BE PLEASED IF THIS AMOUNT IS REMITTED IN FULL TO OUR UNDERMENTIONED BANK AND THE WIRE CONFIRMATION SENT TO US.
BANK NAME
YOUR PROMPT SETTLEMENT OF THIS BILL WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED. THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION. YOURS FAITHFULLY, NAME/SIGN.
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| I replied to my buddy Ibrahim with the following document. If you don't want to bother downloading the Microsoft Word document, the phony company I used was the ELRON Corporation based in "Sandy Eggo" CA, with the famous 90210 zip code. The bank information is the Bailey Building and Loan (think It's a Wonderful Life). Hard to believe anyone would believe that. Especially given that the phone and fax numbers listed in it are all for payphones located outside liquor stores in downtown LA. Thus the following replies a few days later: |
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Date: Mon, 02 Sep 2002 02:57:06 -0500 From: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com Subject: Applicatio made X-Originating-IP: 216.252.176.118 |
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Dear Tommy Udo, Thank you for the above information I will minute on your file that you should be communicated mostly through fax and email. I will immedaitely use the information you have provided to apply for the release of the funds to your nominated account.I will also register your company with the corporate affairs commission as a foreign contractor, as soon as the certificates are out, I will send you copies. Tommy , I want you to understand that having made the application, you are now solely in charge of this transaction for hence forth you are going to be contacted by the paying authorities and please when ever you are contacted, endeavour to keep me posted so I can advice you on what next to do. Tommy, please remember confidentiality still remains our watchword for as I told you earlier on, I am a civil servant still in active government service. Waiting to hear from you. Alhaji Ibrahim. |
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Date: Tue, 03 Sep 2002 02:13:08 -0700 From: joshuamotutu@yahoo.com Reply-To: application@drc-ng.com Subject: Workable fax number. Received:from [66.178.46.224] by web12203.mail.yahoo.com via HTTP; Tue, 03 Sep 2002 02:13:08 PDT |
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Sir, I have tried on several occasion to send you a fax via the number you sent but have been having difficulties. Please send down a workable fax number to enable me get the document to you.
Sincerely yours, |
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Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2002 12:10:12 -0000 Subject: Re: Workable fax number. To: application@drc-ng.com |
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Mr Motutu, That's odd. It works just fine. There were a stack of faxes sitting in the machine this morning. Could you please try it a few more times, and if it still doesn't work, then try: x xxx xxx xxxx [my efax.com number]. But please use that as a last resort only--it'll be forwarded to my email and I'll have to convert the document.Thanks, and sorry for the difficulty. Tommy Udo |
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Date: Wed, 04 Sep 2002 01:41:39 -0700 From: joshuamotutu@yahoo.com Reply-To: application@drc-ng.com Subject: Re: Workable fax number. Received::from [66.178.46.224] by web12203.mail.yahoo.com via HTTP; Wed, 04 Sep 2002 01:41:39 PDT |
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Dear Sir, Mail acknowledged. Sincerely, |
| Yeah baby! Yeah! We got documents! |
| Despite what you might think, I actually do have a life. I've been busy lately, but now I've got time to try to jerk this thing along. So I wrote thusly to my new buddies: |
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Date: Mon, 09 Sep 2002 12:46:04 -0000 Subject: Re: Applicatio made To: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" |
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Hi Alhaji, I just wanted to check in on how things are going. I've been very busy this past week and haven't had time to write to you. I received a fax from the DRC, and it looks like everything is in order, but I haven't seen any money yet in my account. Thanks again for including me in this wonderful business deal. My company, ELRON, is the world's leading manufacturer of flux capacitors. Lately, we've fallen on some hard times, as a Japanese company, Mofohatsu, has been cutting in on our market share. Our company's late founder, Elron Hubbard, would be very sad if he could see how we are doing today. Hopefully, this deal with you can provide us with a needed cash infusion.
Thank you again, |
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Date: Mon, 09 Sep 2002 12:39:47 -0000 Subject: Re: Workable fax number. To: application@drc-ng.com "Joshua Motutu" |
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Hi Josh, I've checked my bank account, but I don't show a transfer yet. Please let me know the status of this transaction. I have a yacht payment coming due very soon.
Thanks, |
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Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2002 04:09:24 -0500 From: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" Subject: Thanks for the update. X-Originating-IP: 216.252.176.108 |
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Dear Dr Tommy,
Thank you for the information. Please always update me as you have done in this
case whenever you contacted so that we do not in any way make mistakes and also
to tell you what next to do.
Thanks and may Allah bless you. Alhaji. |
| Time to mess with him some more... |
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Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2002 12:11:47 -0000 Subject: Re: Thanks for the update. To: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" |
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Dear Alhaji, Thank you for your quick reply. Alhaji, I notice you mention the blessings of Allah in your letter. My friend, since you are so kindly sharing this blessing of money with me, may I share a blessing with you? Alhaji, has anyone shared the word of Jeebus with you? In my faith, we all are sinners. The Lard hates sin, and so we are all doomed to burn forever in the afterlife. But the Lard loves us, and he sent his only son, Jeebus, to us to be sacrificed for our sins. Jeebus' blood washed away our sins, and now, if we open our hearts to Jeebus, we can be saved and go to heaven. My friend, will you too open your heart to Jeebus and accept salvation? Will you fall to your knees and repeat, "Jeebus H. Christ" at the top of your lungs until you're saved?
Yours in Jeebus, |
| For some reason, my buddy Ibrahim didn't reply back to this. I hadn't heard from anyone for a while. So I wrote asking what was happening (not shown here), and received this reply: |
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Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 02:02:37 -0500 From: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" Subject: Re: Thanks for the update. X-Originating-IP: 216.252.176.110 |
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Dear Tommy, I have not being in town, I went for an oil installation inspection. You mean you have not heard from the DRC, but my contact at the DRC reliably informed me that your funds has been approved. Please update me.
Thank you, |
| Wow! A real oil installation inspection. Schweet! I realized I was having trouble with my efax.com service. I've had a fax waiting for me. Here it is: |
| Cool! My money's awaiting payment. All I need now is a lawyer to help me out, and they've thoughtfully provided me with a good one. Guess I better write to him: |
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Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2002 22:43:03 -0000 Subject: To: deleojoco@justice.com |
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Mr. Deleo Jo: I understand that you are a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. You have come highly recommended to me by a mutual acquiantance. Sir, I represent the ELRON Corporation, based in California. We have recently transacted some business with Nigeria's Debt Reconciliation Committee, and are owed some money. It is my understanding that for them to release the funds, we have need of a personage such as yourself. Would you be willing to assist us in the endeavor? I am willing to pay you $15/hour--nearly twice what I pay my retarded nephew Cletus, who manages most of my legal affairs. Please advise if you are interested in pursuing this matter further.
Most sincerely yours, |
| Say what now? |
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Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 01:33:05 -0700 From: deleojoco@justice.com "dele ojoco" Subject:Representation Received: from [216.252.176.125] by mail.justice.com with HTTP |
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Dear Sir, I am in receipt of your e-mail requesting us to represent you at the DRC. I will immediately make verication with Debt Reconciliation Committee (DRC) to your claims and get back to you.
sincerely yours, |
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Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 07:59:09 -0700 From: deleojoco@justice.com "dele ojoco" Subject:Legal Representation Received: from [216.252.176.100] by mail.justice.com with HTTP |
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Dele Ojo & Associates ATTORNEY AT LAW, SOLICITORS AND ADVOCATES
Our Ref: DRC/FGN/wsc/001/00
Your Ref: RE: PAYMENT ON CONTRACT NO. NNPC/PED/2035-X/99 FOR US$38.2M Our law office wishes to inform you that we have concluded our verification exercise and our findings show that your company executed a contract for the Department of Petroleum Resouces in vide the above contract number and that your payment for the balance sum of US$38,200,000.00 has been approved by the DPR accounts department and the offfice of the auditor-General and that your payment file has been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Debt Reconciliation Committee (DRC) for processing of your foreign exchange Control Approval Order (forex). Consequent upon the above findings,our law office hereby accept your request for legal retainership and request you to furnish us with the below stated requirements to enable us process the forex approval order and the transfer of your funds. REQUIREMENTS: (1) Letter of introduction to the Debt Reconciliation committee (DRC) duly typed on your company letter-head paper, introducing our chambers (Dele Ojo & Associates) as your company legal representative.
(2)Our legal fees shall be Seven Thousand,Two Hundred
United states dollars(US$7,200.00)
(3).Your outstanding stamp duty and formMcharges due
to the Federal board of Inland revenue is Six
Thousand,Six Hundred Dollars only (US$6,600.00).to
enable us collect the three (3 hardcopy documents) for
expedited onward transmission to you for final
endorsement..All payment to this establishment should
be made through WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER to our
head of account as stated below: As soon as this payment is made send us the payment CONTROL NUMBER AND THE TEXT PASSWORD receipt for us by e-mail to act immediately.
Yours Sincerely, Directors: Dele Ojo (LLM Hons. Lond), Mrs. Judith Wayas (LL.B. Hons Ibadan), Barrister Ahmed Animashaun (LLB Hons, Manchester) |
| Hey! I told that weasel I was going to pay him $15/hour. That looks like a hell of a lot more. |
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Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 19:42:24 -0000 Subject: Re: Legal Representation To: deleojoco@justice.com "dele ojoco" |
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Mr. Del Eojoco, Now hold on just a minute, there, big boy. You want me to send you how much? First of all, in my previous email, I said I'd pay you $15/hour. You're asking for $7200? That's 480 hours (60 days) of work. I figure at most you did an hour on the phone chatting with the DRC folks, and maybe you'll do a few more hours of paperwork, and send me some documents. Tell you what, I'm a generous man; I'll give you a cool $100 for your trouble, unless you can provide me with an itemized bill that shows you've spent more time than that. That's more than fair. I mean, fercryinoutloud, you live in Nigeria. $100 is like a year's wages for most folks. Now, what's the $6600 fee? "Stamp duty and formm charges"? What is that? You know, for a fancy-schmancy lawyer that wants $7200 for an afternoon of farting around on the phone, you don't write very well. Surely you're a reasonable man. Why should I send a bunch of money to some guy I've met only over email? I mean, suppose you got email from dude saying, "Hi, I'm a lawyer. Send me money." I don't know how things work in Nigeria, but over here in the good old US of A, we like to know the folks we're sending money to. Here's the deal--send me a photo of yourself outside your law office, holding a sign with my name on it. I want to see DeleOjo & Associates in neon or whatever the fuck you people use over there, with your ugly mug and a sign with my name on it. Email the photo to me, and maybe fax me some references on your official stationary (12532953610) and then I'll consider doing business with you. I know if you're an upstanding businessman, you'll agree with me that it's foolish to send money to someone you know only via email. You wouldn't respect me if I just sent you money without checking up on things first, right? You can't be too careful these days.
Sincerely, |
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Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 19:56:16 -0000 Subject: Re: Thanks for the update. To: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" |
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Alhaji, You said I should update you on any new developments. I have heard back from the lawyer I contacted, and he wants me to send him a great deal of money. I'm a bit nervous about it--I don't know they guy, and just between you and me he doesn't sound like a lawyer. Actually, he writes like a fucking moron. So I asked him to provide me with some proof of his lawyerliness. Once I'm convinced that he's on the up and up, I'll send him what he's asking for.
Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity, |
| These guys aren't being very entertaining. I'll try to prod them into action.... |
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Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 18:58:43 -0000 Subject: Just about had it with you To: deleojoco@justice.com "dele ojoco" |
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Hey, Are you going to answer my email or not? This is a very unprofessional way to do business. Are you sure you're a real lawyer? I WANT this deal to happen, but if you're going to keep jerking me around, I'll find a new lawyer. Tom Udo |
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Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 19:56:16 -0000 Subject: Re: Thanks for the update. To: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" |
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Hey, Can you recommend another lawyer for me to use? I keep emailing this Del Eojoco joker, and he never writes back. I think he might have been trying to scam me. I REALLY want to conclude this deal! Help me. Tommy Udo |
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Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 04:44:23 -0500 From: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" Subject: Re: Thanks for the update. X-Originating-IP: 66.178.46.228 |
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Dear Tommy, Have you spoken with Dele Ojo? What did he asked you to do? Please act like a business man and let us conclude this transaction in time. Thank you, Alhaji. |
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Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 12:40:38 -0000 Subject: Re: Thanks for the update. To: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" |
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Alhaji, "Act like a businessman"? You're a fine one to talk! My company does over $100 million in business per year, what the HELL do you do??? I'm the one willing to help YOU out with this transaction, and you insult me by not answering my emails or giving me advice?? You are the most unprofessional "businessman" I have ever met! I demand satisfaction from you, sir! As for Del or Dele or Deleo or whatever he's calling himself, I offered him a fair price for his lawyering services, and he ignored me, demanding an exhorbitant fee for himself, as well as claiming I owed thousands in "formm" charges, which he didn't bother to explain. He actually expects that without references of any sort, I'd just blindly send him money. What sort of businessman would do that???? I can't even be sure he's a real person--he's refused to even send me a photo of himself. Now you get this mess cleared up right now, Alhaji, and don't make me come over there and kick your Muhammed-worshipping ass right into next week. Respect your elders, boy!!!! I'm not a man to be trifled with, and I want to conclude this deal NOW. Stop hindering me!
Unkind regards, |
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Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 10:20:32 -0500 From: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" Subject: Stop that move.. X-Originating-IP: 64.86.155.149 |
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Tommy, Why would you want to implicate me for a transaction I obviously wanted to involve you even when I do not know you in person. You might indirectly be implicating yourself. Thank you, Alhaji. |
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Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 19:33:06 -0000 Subject: Re: Stop that move.. To: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" |
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Alhaji, What are you talking about, boy???? "Implicate" you? Do you know what that word even means?? You write as bad as that half-assed lawyer you recommended. Unless you or lawyer-boy can alay my fears that I'm being scammed here, you're cordially invited to go fuck yourself. And I demand satisfaction from you. I challenge you to a duel. Name the time, place, and weapons. I prefer dueling pistols myself. But I shall have satisfaction!!!!
Fuck you, |
| Boy, this sure is tanking. I'll see if I can spur this dope to write me by profusely apologizing for challenging him to a duel. |
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Date: Wed, 02 Oct 2002 11:07:34 -0400 Subject: Re: Stop that move.. To: alhajiibrahimgambari@publicist.com "Alhaji Ibrahim" |
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Dearest Alhaji, Please excuse the brusque tone of my previous emails to you. Can you forgive me? It was wrong to speak to you that way. It's just that my Zoloft prescription ran out, and sometimes I get moody that way. Please, what can we do to make this deal work?
Yours, |
Josh also likes to use newskies, apparently. But he uses a different mail client, so he's probably a different person than Ibrahim.
Now this drc-ng.com address, that's interesting. Check out their homepage. According to the whois database, this domain is registered to:
DRC Nigeria Limited
78 Opebi road
Allen Avenue
Lagos, Lagos LA NG
Administrative Contact:
Adeoshun, Stephen stephen@yamagochigroup.net
106 George Downing Hse
Alkham road
Cazenove Road
London, London N16 6BH GB
+4402088061409
A reader of this page, Todd, pointed out that if you click on the on-line banking section of the website, and enter the correct username/password, you get to this page, which has a very interesting "Statement of Account" for the "company." Todd points out that you don't actually have to know the password to see this page: look carefully at the html for the page, and you'll see its address.
As for the lawyer, justice.com is a crappy website with resources for lawyers. I haven't successfully tracked down his IP address, but it does appear to be located in Nigeria.