Below is an e-mail sent to me by someone who is apparently a Nigerian lawyer ("Barrister"). It seems as though he needs my banking details so he could deposit $9,700,000.00 in my account. It is money from the estate of Mrs. Dorene Beck. I wonder if that is Beck's mom. Anyway, I wrote back to him pretending to be a gullible businessman who, as it turns out, needs a lawyer. The best part is the last bit of his last letter. His e-mails have the tan backgrounds, my replies have the blue backgrounds.
FROM THE DESK OF BARR.FEMI FALANA
FEMI FALANA AND ASSOCIATES
TEL:234-8035209880
EMAIL:femifalana2600@yahoo.com
GOOD DAY
I AM BARRISTER. FEMI FALANA OF FEMI FALANA AND ASSOCIATES , I AM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE KNOWN YOU.
ON JUNE 6, 1999,MY CLIENT AN AMERICAN OIL CONSULTANT CONTRACTOR WITH THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION, MRS. DORENE BECK, 60, SWEET HOME, OREGON MADE A NUMBERED TIME (FIXED) DEPOSIT FOR TWELVE CALENDAR MONTHS, VALUED AT US$9,700,000.00 (NINE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS) IN MY BRANCH. UPON MATURITY, I SENT A ROUTINE NOTIFICATION TO HER FORWARDING ADDRESS BUT GOT NO REPLY.
AFTER A MONTH, I SENT A REMINDER AND FINALLY WE DISCOVERED FROM HER CONTRACT EMPLOYERS, (THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION) THAT MRS. DORENE BECK, 60, SWEET HOME, OREGON DIED IN THE PLANE CRASH OF 31ST OCTOBER 1999 INVOLVING EGYPTIAN 990 WITH OTHER PASSENGERS ABOARD INCLUDING HER HUSBAND RAYMOND.
ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND OUT THAT SHE DIED WITHOUT MAKING A WILL, AND ATTEMPTS TO TRACE HER NEXT OF KIN WAS FRUITLESS. I, THEREFORE, MADE FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS AND DISCOVERED THAT MRS. DORENE BECK, 60, SWEET HOME, OREGON DID NOT DECLARE ANY NEXT OF KIN OR RELATIONS ON ALL OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING HER BANK DEPOSIT DOCUMENTS IN MY BANK. THIS SUM OF US$9,700,000.00 IS STILL IN MY BANK AND THE INTEREST IS BEING ROLLED OVER WITH THE PRINCIPAL SUM AT THE END OF EACH YEAR, NO ONE WILL EVER COME FORWARD TO CLAIM IT.
ACCORDING TO NIGERIAN LAW, AT THE EXPIRATION OF (EIGHT) 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 AS A FOREIGNER TO STAND AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO MRS. DORENE BECK, 60, SWEET HOME, OREGON SO THAT THE FRUIT OF THIS OLD WOMAN'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 NAME, PRIVATE TELEPHONE/MOBILE# 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 SERVICE OF TWO ATTORNEYS FOR THE DRAFTING AND NOTARIZATION OF THE WILL AND OBTAIN THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND LETTER OF PROBATE/ADMINISTRATION IN YOUR FAVOUR FOR THE TRANSFER.
ANY 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 RATIO OF 60% FOR ME AND 40% FOR YOU. THERE IS NO RISK AT ALL; THE DOCUMENTATIONS FOR THIS TRANSACTION WILL BE DONE BY THE ATTORNEY AND MY POSITION AS THE SENIOR 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 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. PLEASE UPON THE RECEIPT OF THIS MAIL MESSAGE, SEND TO ME THE FOLLOWING, TO ENABLE ME START THE PROCESS OF THE FUND INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT:
1. YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS.
2. THE NAME OF YOUR BANK WHERE YOU WANT THE FUND TO BE TRANSFERRED INTO, ACCOUNT AND BENEFICIARY'S NAME.
3. YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS.
AWAITING YOUR URGENT REPLY VIA MY EMAIL: femifalana2600@yahoo.com
THANK YOU,
SINCERELY,
BARRISTER FEMI FALANA
+234-803-5209880
NOTE:PLEASE REPLY ON THIS EMAIL:femifalana2600@yahoo.com
Hello!
I don't know why you chose me in particular to help out, but I sure could use the money. Please let me know what I need to do to help!
Kind Regards,
Fielding
FIELDING MELISH
REFERENCE TO YOUR EMAIL AND I AM HAPPY YOU ARE OUT TO HELP ME. PLEASE DO NOT DOUBT THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO BE RICH IS TO TAKE RISK.
HOWEVER, I AM BARRISTER FEMI FALANA THE ATTORNEY TO LATE MRS DORENE BECK OF OREGUN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BEFORE SHE DIED, AND BEFORE SHE DIED SHE DEPOSITED THE SUM OF $9.7M WITH THE UNION BANK OF NIGERIA AS A FIXED DEPOSIT FUND.
REGARDING TO YOUR SIDE I GOT YOUR MAIL FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY HERE IN LAGOS NIGERIA AND I TOOK IT TO MY PRIEST FOR HIM TO VERIFY AND HE TOLD ME THAT YOU WILL BE THE ONE TO HELP ME GET THIS FUND IN A SAFE PLACE.
MEANWHILE, THE PROCEDURE FOR YOU TO RECEIVE THE FUND IS THAT YOU WILL APPLY TO THE UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC WITH THE APPLICATION LETTER FROM MY OFFICE SO THAT THE BANK WILL KNOW YOU AS THE REAL NEXT OF KIN TO THE DECEASED. AFTER THAT THEY WILL DEMAND FOR MORE DOCUMENTS WHICH I WILL SECURE ION YOUR FAVOUR BUT BEFORE I FORWARD THE APPLICATION LETTER YOU NEED TO ASSURE ME THAT YOU WILL NOT MAKE AWAY WITH THIS FUND WHEN IT ARRIVES YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.
FINALLY, YOU CAN CALL ME ON:234-8035209880.AND I NEED YOUR DIRECT PHONE NUMBER TO CALL YOU.
GOD BLESS YOU.
BARRISTER FEMI FALANA
Dear Barrister,
This does sound like a great opportunity! But I don't understand how much of the money I get. Please tell me what my portion is. I will only help you if I get at least 20% of the money as a commission. I assure you that I will not make away with the money when I deposit it in your bank account.
You said you took this to your priest. Are you Anglican or Catholic? I don't do business with Catholics.
I am having a new phone installed this week, but I don't know what the number will be yet. I'll let you know.
Kind Regards,
Fielding
FIELDING MELISH,
THANKS FOR YOUR MAIL OF TODAY AND I WISH TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I AM 100% SURE THAT BOTH OF US WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND I AM A CHILD OF GOD SO M,Y GOD IS ALREADY IN CONTROL.
REGARDING TO THE ISSUE OF MY PRIEST, I AM A GOOD CHRISTAIN WITH THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION AND I AM A LEADER IN MY CHURCH AND ALSO THE ATTORNEY TO THE CHURCH.
HOWEVER, THE ISSUE OF YOUR SHARE, YOU STAND TO GET A TOTAL OF 40% WHILE I GET 50% AND 10% WILL BE USED TO REPAY ALL THE EXPENSES INCURRED DURING THIS TRANSACTION AND ALSO TO SETTLE SOME ORPHANAGES WHO ARE IN NEED.
MEANWHILE, IF YOU ARE READY TO DO THIS GREAT DEAL, THEN LET ME HEAR FROM YOU SO THAT I WILL FORWARD THE APPLICATION LETTER FROM MY OFFICE WITH THE CONTACT OF THE UNION BANK NIGERIA PLC SO THAT YOU CAN CONTACT THEM IMMEDIATELY. AND YOU NEED TO CALL ME SINCE YOU DON'T HAVE A LINE YET, CALL ME ASAP:234-8035209880.
GOD BLESS YOU.
BARRISTER FEMI FALANA.
Dear Barrister,
I sure am glad to hear you are not Catholic! Anglicans are wonderful. The only folks I like better are Mennonites. Do you like the outfits they wear?
I am not sure 40% is enough for me. I would like to propose the following: I would get 52%, you can have 40%, and the orphanage will get 8% Will you agree to those terms?
Also, I have another proposition for you. I run a taxidermy business here in Dover, NJ. We're growing by leaps and bounds, and I need a staff lawyer. I think you would be perfect for the job!
Here is the deal. If you agree to come work for me, I will send you $70,000 US immediately to cover your moving expenses so that you can come here from Nigeria. Once you get here, I will pay you $112,000 a year to be my lawyer. I will have to ask you some questions before we reach a final agreement, but does this interest you? I can have a check for you in the mail by the end of the week if you will take the job!
Regards,
Fielding
FIELDING MELISH
THIS IS THE APPLICATION LETTER FROM MY OFFICE AS THE ATTORNEY TO LATE MRS DORENE BECK.
YOU ARE ADVISED TO FORWARD IT TO THE UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC WHERE LATE MRS DORENE BECK DEPOSITED THE FUND SO THAT THEY WILL RECORGNISE YOU AS THE NEXT OF KIN TO THE DECEASED.
HOWEVER YOU ARE TO PRESENT YOURSELF AS THE COUSIN TO LATE MRS DORENE BECK AND IF YOU RECEIVE ANY THING FROM THE BANK PLEASE KINDLY KEEP ME POSTED.
MEANWHILE, THIS IS HOW YOU CAN CONTACT THE UNION BANK NIGERIA PLC.
THE OPERATIONS MANAGER
UNION BANK NIGERIA PLC.
TELE/FAX:234-1-7765509
EMAIL:foreignoperations@union-bank-nigplc.net
PLEASE INFORM ME AS SOON AS YOU HEAR FROM THEM.
FINALLY, PLEASE CALL ME ASAP:234-8035209880.
GOD BLESS YOU.
BARRISTER FEMI FALANA
Dear Barrister,
I have not had a chance to read the letter yet. i am very busy at work. We need a lawyer here very much. I have a check ready for you for $70,000. I will send this money to you right away if you will come work for me here in America.
First, I need to ask you some questions. If the answers are good, I will send you $70,000 so you can come work for me.
1) How long have you been a lawyer?
2) Do you like to drive automobiles?
3) Do you have a gag reflex?
4) Did you go to college?
5) Are you comfortable with ancient Chinese law?
6) What is your favorite vacation activity?
7) Do you have any family you will bring with you to America?
8) Are you willing to live underneath an Interstate Exit Ramp?
9) Do you have any pets you will bring with you to America?
10) Dick Clark: Friend or Foe?
Please answer these questions soon. If you are right for the job, I want to send you the money so you can come to America right away!
Regarding the money from Mrs. Dorene Beck, I will read the letter you sent to me after I eat my lunch. I am going to eat a pound of Tuna Fish. Then I will arrange with you to deposit the money in my account.
Please get back to me soon!
Kind Regards,
Fielding
FIELDING MELISH,
THANKS FOR YOUR MAIL I NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE BANK.
GOD BLESS YOU.
BARRISTER FEMI FALANA.
NOTE: I DON'T NEED TO GO THROUGH YOUR REQUEST BEFORE I BECOME YOUR ATTORNEY.
Dear Barrister,
How do I contact the bank? I do not know how to proceed.
Also, I am sad that you will not answer my questions. Please answer them, so that I may hire you. My wife will not let me hire you until you answer the questions.
Regards,
Fielding
FIELDING MELISH
Answers:
> 1) How long have you been a lawyer?
15years.
> 2) Do you like to drive automobiles?
yes,
> 3) Do you have a gag reflex?
no
> 4) Did you go to college?
yes{university of nigeria}
> 5) Are you comfortable with ancient Chinese law?
partially,
> 6) What is your favorite vacation activity?
playing soccer
> 7) Do you have any family you will bring with you to America?
my only son
> 8) Are you willing to live underneath an Interstate Exit Ramp?
no.
> 9) Do you have any pets you will bring with you to America?
no
> 10) Dick Clark: Friend or Foe?
foe.