URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL
This Nigerian scam, also known as the 419 scam, has been circulating for a number of years, and it has infiltrated cyber space. I usually receive one of these emails on a daily basis. Normally, I just ignore and delete them. But sometimes I just have to get involved.
Here are the correspondences between me and one of these cons. Frank Peters (real name NOT) is one of these Nigerian con-artists who inadvertently contacted Kilgore Trout. Kilgore is a mute ex-circus performer who is imprisoned in an elderly French widow's cellar. She is filthy rich, but domineering and has placed Tojo, an ex-Sumo wrestler, in charge of Kilgore; he is always under his watchful eye.
Unfortunately for Frank, Kilgore is also a lonely poet and has written a number of odes to Frank. He also feels quite close to Frank dubbing him as "Brother Frank". I don't think Frank expected any of this. Read on:
FROM : Frank Peters.
Petroleum And Project Division
Falomo, Lagos- Nigeria
Alternative Emil: xxx@unitedstates.com
ATTENTION : THE PRESIDENT
This letter is not intended to cause any embarrassment in whatever
form, rather is compelled to contact your esteemed self, following
the knowledge of your high repute and trustworthiness. Firstly, I
must solicit your confidentiality,
this is by the virtue of its’ nature as being utterly confidential
and top secret though I know that a transaction of this magnitude
will make anyone apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that
all will be well at the end of the day. A bold step taken shall not
be regretted I assure you.
I am Frank Peters, and I head a seven man tender board in charge of
contract awards and payment approvals, I came to know of you in
search of a reliable and reputable person to handle a very
confidential business transaction which involves the transfer of a
huge sum of money to foreign account requiring maximum confidence.
My colleagues and I are top officials of the NIGERIA NATIONAL
PETROLEUM CORPORATION {NNPC}.
OUR DUTIES INCLUDE VETTING,EVALUATION AND FORESEEING THE MAINTENANCE
OF THE REFINERIES IN ALL THE DESIGNATED OIL PIPELINES. We are
therefore soliciting for your assistance to enable us transfer into
your account the said funds.Our country losses a lot of money
everyday that is why the international community is very careful and
warning their citizens to be careful but I tell you “A TRIAL WILL
CONVINCE YOU”.
The source of the fund is as follows; during the last
military regime here in Nigeria this committee awarded a contract of
US$400million to a group of five construction companies on behalf of
the NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION for the construction of
the oil pipelines in Kaduna,Port-Harcourt, Warri refineries,
during this process my colleagues and I deliberately inflated the
total contract sum to the tune US$450 million with the intention of
sharing the inflated sum of US$50m. The government has since approved
the sum of US$450m for us as the contract sum, but since the contract
is only worth US$400million, the remaining US$50million is what we
intend to transfer to reliable and safe offshore account, we are
prohibited to operate foreign account in our names since we are still
in government. Thus, making it impossible for us to acquire themoney
in our name right now,
I have therefore been delegated as a matter of trust by my colleagues
to look for an oversea partner into whose account we can transfer the
sum of US$50million.
My colleagues and I have decided that if you/your company can be the
beneficiary of this funds on our behalf, you or your company will
retain 25% of the total sum US$50million while 70% will be for
us the officials and remaining 5% will be used for offsetting all
debts/expenses incurred during this transaction.
We have decided that this transaction can only proceed under the
following conditions:
1.That you treat this transaction with utmost secrecy and
confidentiality and conviction of your transparent honesty.
2. That upon the receipt of the funds you will release the funds as
instructed by us after you have removed your share of 20%. Please
acknowledge the receipt of this letter using the above email
address.I will bring you into the nomenclature of this transaction
when I have heard from you.
Your urgent responses through my Tel: xxx-1-7757346 will be highly
appreciated as we are catching on the next payment schedule for the
financial quarter. please be assured that this transaction is
100% legal/risk free, only trust can make the reality of this
transaction.
Best Regards,
Frank Peters.
July 15
Dear Mr. Peters,
I think I can help you. I have a solid background in these matters, and I have helped others with similar problems in the past.
Sincerely,
K. Trout Esq.
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 19:00:46 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Please use this email form now on!!!
To: kilgore@blitz21.com
Dear Kilgore,
Thanks for your reply and your concern too. please
for security
reasons, reach me throuth this email form now on
Email:xxxx@yahoo.com.
What you have to do now is to send me the neccesary
informations like
your full names and address, companies name your
private telephone and
fax numbers, your bank particulars.
These will enable me use your name to effect an
application for the approval of vital documents to
backup the release of the fund to you. Your telephone
and fax numbers to call you and probably fax all these
important documents to you.
The bank particulars will be tendered in the bank
and for effective transfer of the money into your
designated bank account.
After you must have done this, then I'll feed you
back step by step as business progresses. Let me
assure you here that this business is risk free and
safe without any fraudulent intentions attached.
Awaiting Your Kind response.
My Fullest Regards,
FRANK PETERS.
July 22
Dear Frank Peters,
I would love to give you my phone number but I have no phone. You see I am the victim of a tragic accident. When I was a young man (oh I was so stupid SO STUPID!!!) I used to wrestle baby gorillas for a living. I know, I know, it doesn't sound too manly, but it was a circus act (yes, I was a professional performer in "The Flaming Butt-Pirates Flying Circus" have you heard of them?). The pay was good and I was a bit of a celebrity. Anyway, one day after kicking a baby gorilla's ass, an irate Greenpeace animal rights lover (don't you hate these people) punched me in the throat with a bag of granola. My voice box was crushed and I haven't been able to speak since then. Not a word. I can sort of whisper, but only mouth words. I rarely go out in public since it can be quite annoying.What is so tragic is that my last words were "was that monkey a pussy, or what?" which made the Greenpeacer go completely berserk. How anti-climatic. I would have preferred my last spoken words to be something more profound like a poem:
Love
I long for love
a long love
a long long love
oh love
where are you?
Oh stupid love
I hate you
hate
you
Love
Did you like my poem. Please say you do PLEASE!!
I long for a deep friendship. Please be my friend.
Kilgore
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 2002 17:38:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Urgent Reminder!!
To: kilgore@blitz21.com
Dear Kilgore,
I recied this mail with hart full of happiness but
will want to ask you some questions because this deal
is not meant for someone who is not established in
anyway.
1 How old are you?
2 What are you doing for a living?
3 Can you be bold enough to claim such fund in your
account?
4 Do you have and account
5 Do you have a fax machine if yes send me your fax
number then we can communicate by fax?
Regards,
Frank Peters
21 July
Dear brother Frank,
May I call you brother? I feel that we can be close as bothers, perhaps even closer if you're unafraid. I am not too old, 31, and I have a very hard strong body that many people find pleasing. As I mentioned before, I was a circus performer in the "Flaming Butt Pirates Flying Circus" I was quite famous really. I was renowned in Eastern Europe and parts of South East Asia at the "Monkey Crusher". This was during my stint as a baby gorilla wrestler. Have you ever wrestled a baby gorilla? It's quite enjoyable really. We had one named Mr. Bobo who was tough as nails. He thought he could kick ass, but I showed him. One day I body-slammed him in front of a group of fourth graders and they thought it was hilarious. We used to wrestle secretly at night, sometimes oiled down. Never mind the smell and the fleas.
After my tragic accident, I went into semi-retirement. When wrestling, I used to bellow a great Tarzan yell. This would instill the fear of God into those pussy apes. But no more....I cannot speak therefore I dare to venture out.
I am a poet now. I live in a basement of a rich widow who gives me anything I need. We met while my circus was touring Romania. She was inspired and attracted to my oiled tan body as I twisted the screaming monkeys to the floor strewn with hay. Clad in only a Tarzan loin cloth, I locked the mad apes' in a death grip as she focused on my sinuous body. Can you imagine? She is 78 years old and French!!! She was there when I suffered my tragic accident. She was the one who brought me to with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. I owe my life to her. Therefore I write most of my poetry about her:
Frenchie
My darling Frenchie,
Your lips quivering
wrinkled
red
like a taught sliver of beef jerky
brings me to life
my grey haired angel
the poodle bites
c'mon Frenchie
the poodle chews it
snap it
Do you like my poems? Madam. Bloughme takes my poems as my sort of "payment". (she's French y'know, they love this sort of stuff) I write her poems daily, and she gives me EVERYTHING I need. And when I mean EVERYTHING, I mean EVERYTHING. Catch my drift?? She is very rich and we live on her manor in near the French Riviera. Sometimes we travel. But only secretly. What would people say if they saw us together? We have talked about marriage. But I am frightened. Please do not tell anyone about this. She should not know about us. She is known to be a very jealous woman and her temper scares me. But that is another story. Faxing would be out of the question, since the fax machine is upstairs in the servants' room. They would inform her immediately since I am in contact with virtually no one, and they watch me. They do not trust me I fear. Perhaps they feel I am after her money. I'm just her mute boy toy!!! Emails should suffice. A bank account? Surely, you jest. I am a very rich man with accounts with the Bank of France, the Bank of Romania, the Bank of Mothra (in Japan) Bank of Muthafookama (also in Japan).
What do think?
Love
Kilgore
Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2002 16:56:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Urgent Reminder!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
Dear Kilgore,
I will want you to involve your girl friend because I
will be faxing you and I will need you to call me back
each time I send you a fax to confirm the receipt of
the fax whenever you receive, for security reasons.
I will also need to file for a payment application
from my department NNPC to the Federal Ministry of
Finance for a payment approvals on your behalf, as if
you have concluded your contract with NNPC and have
not been paid.
Send your bank details as soon as possible by E-mail
or by fax to xxx-1-7590812 your urgent response to
this message will be highly appreciated.
I really do not mind if you call me brother send me
the fax number upstairs finally send me your wifes
Telephone number so that we can communicate.
Regards,
Frank
25 July
Oh dear brother Frank!!!
Your words fill me with such joy!!!! But to involve my "girlfriend" (really Frank, she is 78 years old!!!) would be out of the question. You see, I haven't been totally honest with you. You see, she is holding me prisoner in her manor, I am not here on my own will. I am trapped.
You see Frank, she is obsessed with me. After my accident she found out that I was also a poet and she tricked me into her lair with gifts and physical pleasure that you could only dream of. She forced me to continue wearing my "Tarzan" loincloth, and still parades me around her garden by a leather leash. Her man servants keep me in line. Tojo (he is the leader) is a great Sumo wrestler (he was a finalist in the 1998 Kyoto World Sumo Championship!). God he is a monster of a man!!!!! I am under his scrutiny whenever I am allowed out of my room. He is with me during my meals, in the bathroom, he watches me when I shower!!! I have no privacy. What is the most sickening thing is that Madame Bloughme (Frenchie I call her) allows him into the room when she has her way with me, which is at least twice a day!!
My room is in the basement, part of the ancient wine cellar that has been refurbished into livable conditions. The Manor was built in the early 17th century. Its walls are thick stone. My windows are barred. My door is locked. I have no phone (don't forget, I am mute!!!). Next to my bed I have a little wooden desk with a laptop and an Internet connection. This is my sole contact with the world. I am a prisoner. Oh God, I feel another poem coming on!!!
Hard stone walls
Cold air
tastes like wine
red wine
dark
like Frenchie's lips
cold
like Frenchie's heart
oh, I long for a savior
a brother
save me
Frank
Oh brother Frank!!! You are NOW in my poems!!! I am beginning to dream of you as well. You are the only one who knows I am here, so I have been fantasizing that you will RESCUE ME!!! Please is there a chance you can come and save me! Please, I beg you. I will do anything. Could you come to France? I will make sure you are WELL rewarded!!
Please!
Love,
Kilgore
26 July
Dear brother Frank,
Why haven't you written me????
Kilgore
27 July
Please brother Frank!
Don't keep me waiting! It's tortuous!!
Kilgore
27 July (later the same day)
ARE YOU IGNORING ME????
PLEASE HELP ME!!!
You are my only hope Frank!! PLease tell me that you'll help me escape!!!
I beg you!!!!
I will do ANYTHING!!
Kilgore
28 July
Please brother Frank,
Have you forgotten me????
I am still here in this cellar.
I await your answer with a poem.
Love
Kilgore
Date: Sun, 28 Jul 2002 08:25:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Urgent Reminder!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
I have been out of town but just got back and have no
time really to acces my mails.
Sorry I have not forgoten you will get back to you as
soon as possible.
your brother
Frank
6 August
Brother Frank,
You said you were out of town one week ago!!!!????
Where are you???!!!
PLease write to me brother!!!!
If you do not wish to help me just tell me to go away!!
Kilgore
9 August
You said you were my brother, but I believe you are lying. I was willing to send for you to France and remove me from my prison. I have access to Frenchie's accounts and will share her fortune with you. Alas, you have chosen not to write to me, you are breaking my heart. How could you be so thoughtless and hurtful. I am in utter despair. I don't trust myself anymore. I'm afraid of what I might do. You are my only hope. Help me Frank, please, I'm begging.
Kilgore
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 01:43:50 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: I was not able to access my mail for some time now!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
Dear Kilgore Trout,
You cannot handel this kind of transactio and I will
love you to inform whom you think is capable to do
this kind of business deal and if you cannot get
someone soonest this deal will be canciled and i will
not be able to help you.
If i get this fund transfed in to any account i will
immediatel get the authorities to get you out of there
because it not humanly to be in that kind of place.
talk to you soonest
regards,
Frank
14 August
But Frank,
You said you were my brother!!!!
You said you would help me escape!!!
I have been dreaming of you every night, coming to my room and sweeping me away!!!
Perhaps you are my prince?? What do you look like? I imagine you tall, dark, and lean.
Tell me please so my dreams are complete.
I will write you another poem if you do!!
Please help. I will send you more wealth than you have ever dreamed of.
Love,
Kilgore
15 August
don't you want my money????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 09:01:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Reply fast pls!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
Attn: Kilgore Trout
Do you have money? Even if you do can you offer me
more than I stand to gain in this us$50m deal.
regards,
Frank
15 August
YESSSSS!!!!
Dear Brother!!!!
I can send it tonight!! How much do you want??? I have access to all of Frenchies accounts online!!!! I can send you money tonight
BUT
YOU MUST PROMISE ME YOU WILL COME TO FRANCE AND HELP ME ESCAPE!!
I need wiring details...send them as soon as you can!!!!
kiss kiss I love you!!!!
Your loving brother Kilgore!!
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 15:15:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxxx@yahoo.com<
Subject: Re: Reply fast pls!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
Dear Kilgore Trout,
I give you my word that I WILL COME TO FRANCE AND HELP
YOU ESCAPE!! I want you to please send me $5000.00 by
western union money transfer tonight. this will enable
me finalize this documents and come over.
If you are really serious about helping me to help you
send the said fund with the name below:
NAME: CHIMEZIE CHIDI
ADDRESS: LAGOS NIGERIA
I will be waiting for you soonest reply
Regards,
Frank
August 16
My Lovely Frank,
I waited until 11 pm last night for your wiring instructions. Please DO NOT FORGET, I am under the watchful eye of Tojo, the ex-sumo wrestler. 11 pm is when Frenchie sends for me and I am forced upstairs and made to perform. You have no idea what she makes me do, I can't wait for your rescue...perhaps I can show you my performance! :)
Anyway, you would have to have a turd for a brain if you think I can just mosey on down to a Western Union office in FRANCE at 11 pm. If you have bank accounts (which I know you do) I need the Bank Name, Account Name, and routing number. I can't believe you are only asking for $5,000. I was planing on sending 100 times that amount. Didn't you read my last email? I said I have access to FRENCHIES ACCOUNTS AS WELL AS MINE!! SHE WILL NEVER MISS THIS MONEY!!!
Perhaps when you rescue me YOU PROMISED!! We can buy a house in Nigeria. Is it beautiful there?? We can buy or build a house and live in it together. I promise not to bother you too much and you will be free to come and go as you please. Do you like cars??? I would like to buy a lot of them.
Please Frank, the wiring info. I need it today.
Love,
Your Brother Kilgore
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 02:31:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxxx@yahoo.com<
Subject: Re: Reply fast pls!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
Dear Kilgore Trout,
please can you as a matter of urgency send the
us$5000.00 you promised to my partner in taiwan so he
can clear the charges and recieve this fund us$50m in
his account in taiwan so that we can seal this deal
and I will be in the next plane to france to rescue
you. find below the bank details hope you will act
fast.
BANK OF TAIWAN
CHENG CHUNG BRANCH
47 CHENG TAIO E. ROAD
TAIPEI TAIWAN
SWIFT. BKTWTWTP 045
A/C NO. 04500700023
A/C NAME. YOUNG FAST OPTO ELECTRONIC CO. LTD
BENEFICIARY: MR.UMEH NONSO
Oh what joy!!! I sent it yesterday!!! ANd my bank said it may take a couple of days for the wire to get through, BUT a big surprise for YOU!!!!
You only asked for $5000 and I thought you were crazy since I have MUCH MUCH MORE THAN THAT!!!!
I sent you a wire for $500,000 USD!!! My bank said that since it was so much, they would have to make sure I was me so I had to fax them a copy of my passport---it was very tricky sneaking by Tojo, but I had to wait till he was asleep.
Sorry for the delay BUT WE WILL BE SO HAPPY!!!!
Oh I feel a poem coming:
Love is money
money is love
love my money
love
oh
love
my
money
Do you like my poem Frank??? PLease say yes!!!!!! It's only for you!!
Love
Kilgore
Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 10:05:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Reply fast pls!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
Dear Kilgore,
I well recieved your mail and the content well
understood, as a matter of urgency, I need you to send
me the confrimation slip of the said fund you sent to
me so that I can quickly conclude the transaction and
come over there for your rescue.
However the us500,000.00 you sent me is too much and I
will be needing only us$5,000.00 to conclude the
transaction and for my travelling arrangement.
Could you send me an account so that I can send back
the balance of us$495,000.00 because this will raise
eye brow if I recieve the whole amount here. this is
because I am a civil servant and we are not allowed to
operate foreign account.
hope to here from you soon.
Frank
27 August 2002
OH MY DARLING FRANK!!!
PLease don't be mad at me. PLEASE!!!!! I didn't know you couldn't take my money!!!!!!
Are you in trouble?????
I AM SO SORRY!!!!!!!
I made a big mistake!!! I SENT MORE MONEY TO YOUR ACCOUNT!!!!
After I wrote to you, I was able to access Frenchie's Bank account in Hungary and I sent an additional $750,000!!
PLEASE DON'T BE MAD SINCE I DIDN'T KNOW!!!!!!!!
I wrote to the first bank to stop the first wire BUT IT MAY BE TOO LATE!!!!!
I'm am so sorry. I have been crying all day thinking that I have angered you. There is no one here to hold me. PLease don't be mad at me. I am so lonely and you are the only person who cares.
Love Kilgore
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 11:12:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Reply fast pls!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
Dear Brother Kilgore,
I want you to send me by attachment the payment slip
of the whole fund you sent to the account for
confirmation today, if you fail to do that, I will
from now on see you as a chicken and will not reply to
your mails any more.
regards
frank
29 August 2002
Dear Brother Frank,
I am shocked at the word you call me chicken?? You break my heart with such names unless to call me chicken means that you love me as a brother in your country. I frantically contacted the first bank I made the wire from and here is their response.
Love Kilgore
WHEN WILL YOU SAVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!
>X-Sender: cdoc@banque-france.fr
>X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.1
>Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 15:21:56 +0200
>To: kilgore@blitz21.com
>From: Jacque Custodian <cdoc@banque-france.fr>
>Subject: Your inquiry
>
>Dear Mr. Trout,
>
>How are you feeling today? Very well I hope. Please be assured that your wire went through as scheduled >to the following account:
>
>BANK OF TAIWAN
>CHENG CHUNG BRANCH
>47 CHENG TAIO E. ROAD
>TAIPEI TAIWAN
>SWIFT. BKTWTWTP 045
>A/C NO. 04500700023
>A/C NAME. YOUNG FAST OPTO ELECTRONIC CO. LTD
>BENEFICIARY: MR.UMEH NONSO
>
>Total amount $500,000 USD
>
>Your tracking number is: E1A2T3M4E5Y6O7U8M9O1R2O3N
>
>Due to the large amount it may take several more days than expected, but please be assured that this will >be deposited into this account without fail. We appreciate your patronage.
>
>Honorably Yours,
>
>Jacque Custodian
>Chief Accountant
>Bank of Toulouse
>France
Date: Tues, 3 Sept 2002 12:24:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Reply fast pls!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
Dear Brother.
Instruct the bank to send you the paymnent slip, No
banker over here will assept just an email
confirmation and if you are not joking you wouldnt
have told me you sent the sum of us5000,000.00 in the
first place and now you have come down to us5000.00.
If you are playing with me do not waste any more of
your time becase time is money bye.
regards
frank
3 September 2002
Brother?????
Do you realize that I have no phone contact with anyone???????
Do you realize I am a PRISONER UNABLE TO ESCAPE!!!!!!
I DO EVERYTHING VIA THE INTERNET!!!!!!!!
WHERE ARE YOU?? DON'T YOU WANT DIRECTIONS??? YOU HAVE MY MONEY NOW!!!
PLEASE RESPOND!!!!!
love,
kilgore
Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2002 08:10:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank Peters <xxx@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Reply fast pls!!
To: Kilgore Trout <kilgore@blitz21.com>
Dear Kilgore Trout,
I will love to help you but something in me is telling
me that you are playing with my time.
How much of your money do I have with me. send me the
slip of all the transaction you have claimed to have
made to me.
I would contact my attorney in case you want to set me
up.
Bye for now
Frank
13 September 2002
WHERE ARE YOU AND WHERE IS MY MONEY!!!!!!!
THE BANKS HAVE TOLD ME IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY WIRED A WEEK AGO!!!!!
$1.25 MILLION I HAVE SENT YOU!!!!!!
HOW DARE YOU SAY YOU WILL TELL YOUR ATTORNEY!!!!
IF YOU DON'T RESPOND IN 24HOURS, I WILL TELL TOJO!!!
I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE AND TOJO WILL KNOW TOO!!!
BEWARE OF THE WRATH OF TOJO; HE IS UNFORGIVING!!!
and now a poem for my misguided brother:
Oh brother, where art thou?
Oh love, where art thee?
Oh Frank, I question your vow
to come and rescue me
