Crimes of Persuasion

Schemes, scams, frauds.


A Lighter Look at the Horrible and Serious Crime of 419 Fraud


While I continue to stress the seriousness and potential danger of the Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud, occasionally the correspondence from someone who knowingly plays along can be both humorous and revealing at the same time. This is one such time.


Cesar Pedraza sent along this banter between a scammer and a sardonic and creative recipient on 01/23/02 in which he professes to expose the DUMBEST CRIMINAL ON THE PLANET “ESCOBER TONY SANKOH” FROM GHANA aka ANOTHONY OBODO “419” EMAIL SCAMMER
Email: (tvkamera\\yahoo.com) Ghana Mobitel 00233-27607048


From: "ESCOBER TONY" 30 Dec 2001

Subject: REPLY BUSINESS MESSAGE

DEAR SIR

KINDLY ALLOW ME THE MODESTY OF INTRODUCING MYSELF. I AM ESCOBER TONY SANKOH, SON OF MY BELOVED LATE FATHER JOSEPH SANKOH, MINISTER OF DIAMOND MINING CO-OPERATION IN SIERRE LEONE, AFRICA. I DO NOT WANT TO BURDEN YOU WITH THE TROUBLES OF MY COUNTRY, BUT THE SITUATION IS DESPERATE FOLLOWING THE RECENT WAR.

I AM WRITING YOU IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE TO ASK YOUR HELP WITH A FAMILY SECRET TREASURE LEFT TO ME BY MY KIND FATHER., MR. JOSEPH SANKOH, WHO WAS WAS KILLED DURING THE RECENT WAR IN MY COUNTRY. MY SISTER WAS SHOT IN THE LEG AND SHE ALSO DIED. I AM NOW IN A REFUGEE CAMP IN GHANA AND AM SUFFERING WITH NOTHING.

HOWEVER BEFORE MY FATHER DIED HE TOLD ME A SECRET ABOUT A $15 MILLION FAMILY TREASURE HE LEFT WITH A SECURITY AGENT IN SIERRA LEONE. HE DID NOT TELL THE SECURITY AGENT THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX, DECLARING ONLY PERSONAL EFFECTS WHICH HE EXPECTED TO STORE JUST A SHORT TIME BUT HE DIED. I CANNOT GET THE MONEY NOW AND ONLY HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT (CD). IF I OPEN THE BOX, THE SECURITY AGENT WILL SEE THE MONEY AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET IT.

I NEED YOU HELP AND IF YOU KINDLY AGREE I AM WILLING TO GIVE YOU $1.5 MILLION SHARE OF THE TREASURE FOR HELPING WITH THE SECURITY AGENT AND AS A BUSINESS EXPERT FOR INVESTMENT. MY FATHER BEFORE HE DIED TOLD ME NOT TO INVEST THE MONEY IN AFRICA BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE DUE TO UNSTABLE POLITICAL SITUATION. I WOULD LIKE TO BUY A HOUSE IN YOUR COUNTRY AND I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO MY PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE NUMBER AND I WILL CALL TO EXPLAIN THE DETAILS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN TO MY PROBLEM.

ESCOBER TONY SANKOH


From: "Mark S. Easy" 2 Jan 2002

Dear Escober Tony:

My colleague passed on your email and I am so pleased to be writing you now. I am sorry to here of your horrible plight, the loss of your father and sister, and I am pleased to say that I CAN HELP! It is important that you DO NOT INVEST the money in Africa, I am a business expert and can give you the PROPER ADVICE.

1. Before I provide this EXPERT ADVICE, I must ask for a small EXPERT BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES FEE of US $50,000, which can be wired to my bank account below. I hope you do not mind, but as you know, the "best things in life aren't free"! My GREAT ADVICE is very much worth the money, as you will see. I will GUARANTEE IT!

Bank: Metrobank Branch:
105 Ayala Avenue,
Makati City, Philippines
Account number: 0007856341
Account name: Mark S. Easy

Once the money arrives, I will help you locate your house here in the BEAUTIFUL TROPICS of Asia, arrange your travel plans, and assist to FIX your PROBLEM with the security agent. Your father will not have DIED IN VAIN!!

2. I have one other advice for you: You must buy a beautiful home in the Philippines, where I also live. This is the BEST PLACE in the world to invest your CASH! I will advise you on many investment SECRETS that I only share with my closest personal clients. There are MANY BEAUTIFUL HOUSES to choose from, and I can help you find the RIGHT HOUSE!.

3. For travel, let me arrange your air ticket to fly here. I am sure I can PURCHASE a good ticket for you. Would you prefer to fly economy or business class? Smoking or non-smoking? I will get this all sorted out for your STRAIGHT AWAY. Let's get you out of that refugee camp NOW, GOD WILLING!

Sincerely, Mark S. Easy Expert Business Advisor and Financial Guru


2 Jan 2002

DEAR MR. MARK EASY

COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON, HOW IS LIFE WITH YOU? HOW IS YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR BUSINESS HOPE FINE AS EXPECTED IF SO THANKS BE TO GOD. YOUR EMAIL MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED AND YOUR CONTENTS QUITE UNDERSTOOD.

I HAVE TO LET YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE MONEY IS STILL IN THE SECURITY COMPANY LIKE THE FIRST LETTER I SENT TO YOU I MADE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT MY FATHER DID DEPOSIT THE BOX AS FAMILY TREASURE NOT MAKING THE AGENT OF THE SECURITY COMPANY TO KNOW THE THROUGH CONTENT OF WHAT IS INSIDE THE BOX, I CANNOT OPEN THE BOX IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SECURITY AGENT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW THAT THE BOX CONTAINS MONEY.

WHAT WAS FILLED IN THE DOCUMENTS IS (CD) CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT WAS FAMILY TREASURE. IF I MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE BOX IT WILL RAISE AN EYE BOW, IF NOT SO I SHOULD HAVE SENT TO YOU THE $USD50,000 YOU DEMANDED FOR.

SO DON'T BOTHER ABOUT MONEY YET, RELAX ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS FOR YOU TO RECEIVE MONEY OVER THERE IN YOUR COUNTRY THROUGH YOUR BANK. YOU WILL BE CALLED UPON BY YOUR BANK ANYTIME THE MONEY ARRIVE IN YOUR COUNTRY. PLEASE I WILL LIKE YOU TO GIVE ME YOUR PRIVATE PHONE NUMBER TO ENABLE ME CALL ON YOU AS SOON AS THE MONEY ARRIVE.

AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE, PLEASE DO REPLY ME IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE MY FATHER DID PAID MONEY FOR THE SAFE KEEPING OF THE BOX FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME NOT KNOWING HE IS GOING TO DIE. AFTER HE DIED THE BOX STAYED FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN WE GET TO THE COMPANY THEY MADE US TO UNDERSTAND THESE FACTS.

FOR MORE EXPLANATION THIS IS THE PICTURE OF THE BOX CONTAINING THE MONEY OF WHICH MY FATHER SNAPPED BEFORE HIS DEATH WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY MOTHER. THANKS. HEARING FROM YOU SOONEST.

LOOKING FORWARD BELOW


2 Jan 2002

Mister Escober Tony:

Thank you so much for your PROMPT and INFORMATIVE REPLY, my good friend! I believe I can be of GREAT HELP to you, and I understand your current constraints. I do not need money now as I am awash with cash from my BUSINESS ACUMEN. But we must be very smart and put our good heads together to seek a solution to your COMPLICATED CASE.

I have a few good ideas I have thought through my head, which I will provide at NO COST to you given my feeling of generosity for the New Year

1. CD: Maybe you can send me the CD for the deposit and I can BORROW a large sum from my own bank here, and we can use this to buy you a VERY NICE HOUSE in Manila. We can also get airline TICKETS for your family with the funds, and fly you here.

Would you take economy class or business class? I will graciously make the AIRLINE BOOKINGS for you. This will allow the money to be kept SAFE in the security agent, but allow you access to the cash NOW!!

2. Investment: Any EXCESS CASH from this transaction we can place in BONDS!! This is the SECRET!!! Bonds are SAFER than equities, and you can have a GOOD RETURN, which will provide you with pockets of cash for a HAPPY LIFE. IN CHALLAH!!!

3. Let's bribe them: Please advise on location of security agent, is this in Freetown? Maybe we can work with groups like Sierra Leone rebel THUGS called WEST SIDE BOYS to "CONVINCE" security agent to release money. Like the sunny Philippines, maybe a little "BACKHANDER" will provide the proper INCENTIVE for CHANGING THEIR MINDS? I can wire this money to you, maybe not much, only $5,000, and this should be enough I hope.

But I will need your bank details. It is SO SAD that former rebel leader Fomay SANKOH is jailed, his HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES were not so bad, were they? Maybe this is your uncle?

4. Travel: How can you travel from refugee camp in Ghana? Does it have a circle of BARBED WIRE, and difficult to live like in the movie "SCHINDLER'S LIST?" Is there food, or do you go hungry? I am WORRYING about you! Once you come here, we will have plenty of FISH and RICE for you, and even MANGOES. These are DELICIOUS!!!

Okay, enough chit-chat between friends. I have a problem with my current phone now so I have only a pay phone here that DOES NOT ACCEPT incoming overseas calls. It is "BLOCKED" because of DRUG-DEALERS in the neighborhood, I hope you understand.

My fancy Nokia 9910 cell phone is in the shop, and until it is returned next week, I need to be the one to call you. Please GIVE ME YOUR NUMBER and I will call today, STRAIGHT AWAY!

Okay brother. We are in this together. Fighting the GOOD FIGHT!! Let's WIN!! Mark


3 Jan 2002

DEAR MARK EASY

IT IS QUITE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE A REALLY KIND, AND CARING MAN WHO I AM DEALING WITH. I MUST HAVE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS. I RECEIVED YOUR REPLY STATING THAT YOU CAN HELP US IN THIS SITUATION WE ARE NOW.

ACTUALLY WE ARE MAKING NECESSARY ARANGEMENT TO MAKE SURE THIS MONEY IS SHIFTED TO YOUR ACCOUNT. BUT PRESENTLY NOW WE DON’T HAVE AN ACCOUNT HERE IN GHANA, SO WE NEED SOME MONEY TO GIVE TO THE SECURITY AGENT SO THAT THE MONEY WILL BE COLLECTED FROM THEM.

MOREOVER, I WILL LIKE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT HERE SO THAT THE MONEY WILL BE TRANSFER TO YOU, SO WHAT YOU HAVE MENTION IN YOUR REPLY THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HELP US WITH 5 THOUSAND DOLLARS IS QUITE ENOUGH TO SETTLE THE SECURITY AGENT, AND TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT HERE IN GHANA AND SEND IT THROUGH YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER.

SIR, AS SOON AS THIS MONEY GET TO YOU, YOU WILL SEND US AN INVITATION LETTER TO ENABLE US GET A VISA. LIKE WHAT YOU ASK ABOUT THE TRAVELLING PROCESS, I WOULD PREFER YOU TO CHOOSE THE SAFEST BOOKING AIRLINE FOR US. BECAUSE I AM TAKING YOU LIKE MY FATHER NOW. BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A CHILD YOU MUST KNOW WHAT IS GOOD FOR HIM.

SIR I MUST HAVE TO THANK YOU ONCE MORE FOR YOUR GENEROUSITY AND ALMIGHTY GOD WILL BLESS YOU HUNDRED OF FOLDS. SIR WE SHOULD MAKE THINGS FAST AS SOON AS THIS MONEY IS SENT TO ME 5 THOUSAND DOLLARS. I DON’T THINK I HAVE ANYTHING IN AFRICA. ALL I HAVE TO DO NOW, I WILL SETTLE THE SECURITY COMPANY AGENT. THE REMAINING BALANCE I WILL USE IT TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT HERE AND SEND IN THE MONEY THROUGH YOUR ACCOUNT TO YOU.

SIR THIS MONEY SHOULD BE SENT TO ME THROUGH THIS NAME ANTHONY OBODO AND YOU SHOULD GIVE ME THE CODE NUMBER THROUGH MY EMAIL SO THAT TO ENABLE ME WITHDRAW IT. AS SOON AS THIS IS DONE, THEN I WILL SEND THE MONEY TO YOUR ACCOUNT.

PLEASE SIR I WANT YOU TO ACT VERY FAST TO ENABLE US TO COLLECT THE MONEY FROM THE SECURITY AGENT BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO WASTE TIME BECAUSE WHERE WE ARE NOW WE ARE SUFFERING AM LOOKING TO RECEIVE YOUR HELP. SIR I WANT TO INFORM YOU ONE MORE THING AS SOON AS THE CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT GET TO YOU, PLEASE YOU SHOULD KEEP IT VERY CAREFULLY.

N.B. SIR, YOU SHOULD SEND THE FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS SO THAT WE CAN PAY THE SECURITY AGENT AND MAKE THE REMAINING ARRANGEMENT SO THAT THIS FUND WILL LEAVE AFRICA GHANA . LOOKING FORWARD BELOW TO RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT THROUGH YOUR EMAIL AND CALL ME THROUGH THIS NUMBER 00233-27607048. LOOKING FORWARD TO RECEIVE YOUR REPLY IMMEDIATELY.

THANKS ESCOBER TONY SANKOH.


3 Jan 2002

My GREAT FRIEND Escober Tony:

1. THANKS to you for the good and INTELLIGENT response. I am so happy that we have a SOLUTION to your headache problem of the money in the security agent that you cannot get out. As I always say, "CASH IS KING!", and we can see that for a measly US$5,000, the security agent will release your US$15 MILLION! This is a GOOD DEAL for you and for me, and I am honored and pleased to be able to help SO EASILY! THANKS TO GOD for blessing me with you, ALHAMDULILAHIH!

2. Is your phone working? We tried MANY TIMES to call you, but the line or circuit is BUSY all the time! Maybe the phone line between our two countries is NOT SO GOOD?

4. I have worked very hard all last night to help you, along with my KIND AND SEXY WIFE who is also very SMART. We provide the useful information to you below regarding your FLIGHT, your HOUSE, and the MONEY to be sent to you!! My wife, she also feels SO SAD that you languish in an AWFUL REFUGEE CAMP, dominated by the blue helmeted UNHCR GOONS, and that you're whole family has been SHOT and KILLED!

Sometimes, I wonder, what a TERRIBLE WORLD! Maybe one day you can return to Sierra Leone and RE-OPEN the DIAMOND business, and get your life on TRACK. Maybe even rebel leader Famoy Sankoh will be RELEASED and can return to power, assuming he is not DEPORTED to the Hague for a WAR CRIMES TRIAL!! I saw "Cry Freetown" on CNN and it made me CRY! My wife kindly asks for a family PHOTO of you, maybe with your wife or girlfriend, that we can FRAME and put over our fireplace to ADMIRE!! This way, we can THINK OF YOU while we wait for your arrival!

5. Travel plans: We have worked out your travel plans with our TRAVEL AGENT. She is very good and found a very AFFORDABLE business class seat for you on the reliable British Airways. Only $2,650!!! I have reserved an UPPER DECK WINDOW SEAT in your name and I can pay the travel agent next Monday. It will be issued in the British Air ticket office in "Kotoka International Airport". I think this in Accra, GHANA. Can you get there OK by yourself?

6. British Air is good, and much SAFER than most, but I cannot vouch for the food or INFLIGHT SERVICE. Do you belong to their MILEAGE PROGRAM? If so, send me your FREQUENT FLYER NUMBER, and I can be sure you get all the MILES once you fly!! Will any other family members be travelling? If so, advise and I can also make bookings for THEM. Here is the itinerary:

Flight: British Airways flight 78 on a Boeing 767 Jet - non-stop Depart: Accra, Ghana (ACC) - Thu, Feb 21 at 11:50pm Arrive: London Heathrow, UK (LHR) - Fri, Feb 22 at 6:55am Meals: Meal Served

Flight: British Airways flight 31 on a Boeing 747 Jet - 1 stop Depart: London Heathrow, UK (LHR) - Fri, Feb 22 at 5:00pm Arrive: Manila, Philippines (MNL) - Sat, Feb 23 at 4:05pm Meals: Meal Served

7. Visa: We spoke with HIGH-LEVEL FRIENDS at the Office of Foreign Affairs, and they can issue a "note verbal" for you to use in Ghana for getting your Philippine VISA. They require your passport details, including passport number, date of birth, and a photo of your face.

Please send this RIGHT AWAY and they will issue the VISA LETTER to the Philippine consulate in Accra. IMAGINE, in just 6 short weeks, you will be here on the beach in BORACAY, maybe even WINDSURFING! This will be a nice change for you! Do you have any FRIENDS here in Asia? Maybe we can INVITE THEM TOO!!!

8.. House: This is a complicated issue, as you will need to look around and CHOOSE one that is RIGHT for you. I asked my realtor to provide once nice example, which I am showing to you below. We must ensure that the house you pick is LARGE ENOUGH and has the RIGHT FEATURES you need.

Residential House and Lot, Lot Area: 262 sq. meters, Floor Area: 138 sq. meters. A fully furnished bungalow, ready to move in! Newly constructed, built in 1999. Located in one of the fast growing suburbs of Metro Manila, within a totally enclosed private subdivision of ninety houses. A quiet area with no through-traffic.

  Is this the type of house you like, or do you need something more PALATIAL? With your money, you can pretty much buy ANY HOUSE HERE YOU WANT!!

9. Wire money: I went to my bank today to arrange to WIRE the $5,000 to you IMMEDIATELY, and they suggested a BETTER IDEA!!! I wish I had thought of it. They suggest we use WESTERN UNION, which is easy and better!!! It will work like this: I bring CASH to the Western Union agent here in Manila, at my bank, and we fill out a form and send it to YOU, straight away, via Western Union. All you have to do is go to Western Union with the SECRET PASSWORD CODE NUMBER and collect the MONEY. It is TOO EASY!

10. There are two locations, but I do not know which one is better. One is the Agricultural Development Bank, Nungua Branch, near Nungua New Market (not the old one!), in Accra, Ghana, tel: (233) (021)236884. The other branch is at ECOBANK, 19 Seventh Avenue, Ridge West, Accra, tel: (233) (21) 232094.

Please PICK ONE and advise so I can SEND THE MONEY QUICKLY, hopefully before the weekend when I do not have email anymore until Monday. Once you tell me the best location, I can send the CASH and email you the SECRET PASSWORD CODE NUMBER, which you must PROMISE NOT TO LOSE OR SHOW TO ANYONE!!!

11. Now to get to the BUSINESS END of this email, which I am ashamed to go into right now because you are SUFFERING and we are now GOOD FRIENDS FOR LIFE. But about my $50,000 BUSINESS ADVISORY FEE, is this in ADDITION to, or PART of my $1.5 million share of the $15 million? If so, then I am DUE $1,5050,000, NOT JUST $1.5 MILLION!!! It is a small point, but as you know, business and friendship often DOESN'T MIX, so we need to GET THIS RIGHT EARLY ON!!

12. Also, will you bring the rest of the CASH to Manila, or wire it in advance? I am concerned because Africa is a DANGEROUS PLACE, and if you walk around with $15 million, maybe someone will HIT YOU ON THE HEAD and take it. That would be such a VIOLENT TRAGEDY! We need to THINK, and BE CAREFUL, and PRAY TO GOD that all goes well! Maybe you can hire a SECURITY BODYGUARD to FOLLOW YOU AROUND, which rich people do here all the time?

13. We are SO CLOSE I can taste the $1.5 million! But let me be HUMBLE, it just that even though I work so hard very day in a bank, I DREAM of having WADS OF CASH to throw around mindlessly, buying things like a RANGE ROVER 4.6 and skiing in ZERMATT. Why not? We can go together!

Your SOUL MATE and MENTOR, Mark


4 Jan 2002

DEAR FATHER MARK EASY:

YOU DESERVE FATHER BECAUSE I AM OVERWHELMED WITH YOUR REPLY MESSAGE STATING THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HELP US, I MUST HAVE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERFECT KIND AND GENEROUS MINDFUL MAN. HOW IS YOUR FAMILY OVER THERE?

I HOPE THEY ARE ALL FINE AND YOUR NICE UNDERSTANDING WIFE WHO KNOWS WHAT IS NICE AND SO CARING MOTHER WHO HAVE SYMPATHY FOR HUMAN BEING, YOU MUST MUST HAVE TO GREET HER FOR ME. ACTUALLY REGARDING TO YOUR REPLY MESSAGE STATING THAT YOU HAVE ARRANGED FOR OUR FLIGHT. WE HAVE TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

PRESENTLY WE DON'T HAVE A SIRREA-LEONE PASSPORT WHY BECAUSE WHEN THE WAR WAS GOING ON MY FATHER'S HOUSES WERE BURN DOWN AND OUR LIFE PROPERTY WERE ALSO BURNED SO NOW WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING CONCERNING DOCUMENTS. BUT WE CAN AS WELL ARRANGE FOR GHANA PASSPORT WHICH WILL BE EASY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY TO GET. PRESENTLY NOW WE ARE 5 IN NUMBERS IN THE REFUGEE CAMP EXCLUDING THE ONE WHO WAS KILLED MAY HER SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE.

IN RESPECT OF THE HOUSE YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR REPLY, LIKE WHAT I TOLD YOU EARLIER ON THAT YOU ARE FATHER ANYTHING YOU TELL ME TO DO I WILL FOLLOW I DON'T HAVE TO HESITATE. YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND. SIR, IN RESPECT OF THE MONEY I WILL PREFER YOU TO SEND THE MONEY THROUGH ECOBANK OF WHICH I THINK IT WILL BE EASY FOR ME TO COLLECT. AS SOON AS THIS IS DONE YOU SEND ME THE SECRET CODE NUMBER THROUGH MY EMAIL.

SIR AS SOON YOU RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE DO REPLY IMMEDIATELY SO THAT TO ENABLE ME CASH THE MONEY. AS SOON AS THIS IS DONE I WILL SEND YOU THE PASSPORT DETAILS , INCLUDING PASSPORT NUMBER, DATE OF BIRTH, AND A SCAN JPEG PHOTO OF MY FACE AND THE OTHERS.

N.B. PLEASE DADDY I WANT YOU TO TAKE US AS YOUR SON AND DAUGHTER AND MY MUMMY ALSO BECAUSE MY MIND HAS TOLD ME THAT YOU ARE A REALLY MAN OF GOD. MAY ALHAMDULILAHIH BE PRAISE AS YOU SAID, I WANT YOU TO BE CALLING ME YOUR SON FROM NOW ON BECAUSE YOU ARE MY FATHER NOW HEARING FORWARD TO RECEIVE YOUR REPLY.

SINCERELY, ESCOBER TONY SANKOH [FOR THE FAMILY]


6 Jan 2002

My Dear Lost Son Tony Escober:

Thank you for the respect and honorifics for my HUMBLE EFFORTS to help you. Praise GOD, today I have GREAT NEWS to bestow!!!

1. My travel agent informs me that you must buy your tickets in ACCRA, I CANNOT do that here in Manila for you. Therefore, I am ADDING the cost of 4 ADDITIONAL BUSINESS CLASS AIR TICKETS from Accra-Manila for your TORTURED FAMILY.

The travel amount plus pocket money for DUTY FREE SHOPPING at London Heathrow airport is $14,250. I have added this to the amount of $5,000 BRIBE MONEY for the security company for a TOTAL OF $19,250. This I HOPE will give you and your loved ones SAFE PASSAGE! Maybe later we can also arrange to bring to Manila the remains of your SHOT-DEAD SISTER to honor her with a PROPER SIX-FOOT HOLE BURIAL in the ground!!!

2. The money has been sent TODAY to you by WESTERN UNION. Please read the following CAREFULLY. My bank manager, Mr. W.C. Fields, says there are some "NEFARIOUS CHARACTERS" in Ghana and had a PREVIOUS BAD EXPERIENCE. He strongly advised me to consider a SAFE PLACE for you to retrieve the money and we studied a MAP.

We have selected BURKINA FASO which is very close next door to you, only maybe 550 km, and you must cross the border at Navrongo maybe by LONG-DISTANCE TAXI. The Western Union office is at ECOBANK, 2025 Rue Alwata Diawara 01, BP 2094, BOBO DIOULASSO, BURKINA FASO. You must go to this place and QUICKLY get the money WITHOUT DELAY!!!

3. Bobo Dioulasso is the largest town inhabited by the BOBO PEOPLE of Burkina Faso, with attractive streets, a lively cafe street scene, and a bustling market, the "GRANDE MARCHE".

4. The SECRET PASSWORD CODE NUMBER is 8159857933. The money is in the name of Mr. Anthony OBODO as requested. By the way, who is this person?!

5. There is also a TEST QUESTION, to protect the money from being collected by the WRONG PERSON. You must use this right answer to collect the money.

Question: "WHO SENT THE MONEY?" Answer: "WISE GUY"

6. Let us also talk about INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES for your remaining $13.5 million. We MUST get this money "to WORK FOR YOU"! I would like to present to you FOUR MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR IDEAS $$$ for your kind consideration. I will provide a full BUSINESS PLAN for any you choose after your careful review. Each GREAT IDEA only requires maybe $3 million START-UP FUNDS!

- HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER MOVIE FILM: This is BIG MONEY because everyone loves a good MOVIE! I have a treatment that can be developed into a FULL SCREENPLAY for immediate field production. It is about the SANKOH FAMILY STORY of your plight, the WAR, the torture, the death of your sister, your escape, and saving the FAMILY TREASURE!!!

We need to have a "SUPERFLY" hero like you, who escapes and maybe gets to Harlem, America for 15 minutes of FAME as a big-time PIMP with your "RIDE" and your "HO BITCHES". Maybe this is a comedy for laughs? Think "THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY" meets "DEBBIE DOES DALLAS"!!!

- THIRD-WORLD SLUM CASINO: Maybe you know LAS VEGAS, entertainment capital of the world? Big casinos like CEASAR'S PALACE make BILLIONS of dollars $$$ from SUCKER gamblers. We must get a PIECE OF THE ACTION! Many casinos have a THEME, like "Ceasar's Rome" or "Venice Italy" or "New York" or "Circus Circus".

My huge idea is a SLUM THEME to let rich high-stakes GAMBLERS get a THIRD-WORLD ADVENTURE while gambling. They can play Baccarat in a "FAVELA" or 7-card Stud Poker in a "SQUATTER BARRIO", with STREET URCHINS ACTORS serving food and drinks!!! It will be an AMAZING experience for the gamblers, and help develop SOCIAL CONSCIENCE!! What do you think?!!

- XXX ADULT BOOKSTORE AND VIDEO SHOPPE: Do not be ashamed of this, it is a $300 billion year industry and everyone "SPANKS THE MONKEY! For a small start-up, we can build a PROPER SHOPPE here with books, magazines, PRIVATE video viewing booths, and sell paraphernalia like huge electric DILDOS and special BEN-WAH BALLS. We can even showcase videos of SEXY MOMMA BABE-A-RAMAS getting BUTT-SLAMMED by FARM ANIMALS!!! This is a BIG BIG MONEY-MAKER!!!

- 7-11 FRANCHISE: When you and your poor family arrive, we need to provide JOB OPPORTUNITIES!!! A 7-11 franchise offers for sale convenience foods, like microwave BURRITOS and SLURPEES, real big sellers! This can TURN YOUR MONEY INTO GOLD!

Tony Escober, I am so happy this is coming together! I see LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL for you. Soon, after going to Western Union in BF, please email me RIGHT AWAY to confirm your good fortune! DO NOT TAKE CHANCES WITH STRANGERS!!!

Let us also take time to THANKS BE TO GOD for our chance meeting, and that we can HELP EACH OTHER FOR A BETTER LIFE! I hug you my son like you are my OWN BLOOD!!!

Mark


7 Jan 2002

DEAR DADDY MARK S. EASY.

THIS IS YOUR SON ESCOBER TONY SANKOH, HOW IS THE WEEKEND AND YOUR FAMILY, I HOPE THERE ARE ALL FINE IF SO THANK BE TO GOD. WELL I QUITE RECEIVED YOUR REPLY. I AM VERY GREATFUL FOR YOU TO ASSIST US FOR THIS BUSINESS TRANSACTION. I TOLD MY MOTHER ABOUT YOUR NEW PLAN ABOUT OUR TRAVELLING TO MANILA SHE SAID I SHOULD GREET YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS.

DADDY, IT IS QUITE UNDERSTOOD THAT YOU HAVE THE MIND TO ASSIST US, WHEN I TOLD MY MOTHER CONCERNING THE COLLECTING OF THE MONEY IN BURKINA-FASO MY MOTHER SAID I SHOULD GREET YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS, BUT THE PROBLEM NOW IS THAT SHE IS NOT IN A VERY GOOD CONDITION OF WHICH I CANNOT LIVE HER DUE TO WHAT HAPPEN IN MY COUNTRY SHE IS STILL HAVING THAT SHOCK ON HER.

SO SHE SAID I SHOULD USE THE NAME OF GOD TO BEG YOU TO SEND THE MONEY TO ACCRA-GHANA TO ENABLE US COLLECT THE MONEY PEACEFULLY, BECAUSE TRAVELLING FROM GHANA TO BURKINA FASO IS A VERY LONG JOURNEY AND THE ROAD IS VERY ROUGH. ROUGH IN THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN MEET AN HIGH WAY ROBBERS SO WE DON'T WANT TO BE HURT.

BESIDE THAT I AM JUST LOOKING THE HEALTH OF MY MOTHER, PLEASE DADDY DON'T BE EMBARRASED FOR WHAT I HAVE WROTE TO YOU. YOU SEE I HAVE TO FOLLOW MY MOTHER WORDS SO THAT SHE CAN'T BE THINKING TOO MUCH.

DADDY I WANT TO INFORM YOU THAT THERE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ANY PROBLEM TO COLLECT THE MONEY, I KNOW THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE THINKING DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO NOW IS TO SEND THE MONEY INTO TWO BANKS ONE IS TO SEND IT THROUGH ECOBANK HERE IN ACCRA-GHANA, AND GIVE ME THE CODE NUMBER SO THAT TO ENABLE ME RECEIVE IT.

AND THE OTHER BANK IS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK HERE IN ACCRA-GHANA AND GIVE ME THE CODE NUMBER ON HOW TO RECEIVE IT. AS SOON AS THE MONEY GET TO ME I WILL REPLY YOU TO ENABLE YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE RECEIVE THE MONEY.

PLEASE DADDY DON'T HESITATE TO DO WHAT I HAVE JUST SAID BECAUSE I AM DOING THIS FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY GOOD AND YOUR GOOD I DON'T WANT YOU DO LOOSE ANY MONEY IN THIS BUSINESS. BECAUSE WE HERE IN AFRICA WE ARE NOT SAFE , IF FOR INSTANCE I TRAVEL TO BURKINA-FASO, ON MY WAY COMING BACK OR MY WAY GOING I HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT MEANS THE BUSINESS IS OVER OR I WAS ATTACKED BY ON GUN-MEN AND TOOK THE MONEY FROM ME THEN WHAT WILL I TELL YOU. THAT IS WHY I USE THAT WORD, THE BENEFIT OF YOU AND THE BENEFIT OF ME.

SIR AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE DO AS MY MOTHER WISH YOU TO DO. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO NOW IS TO SPLIT THE MONEY INTO THE TWO MENTION BANKS ABOVE. DADDY WE ARE WAITING TO RECEIVED THE MONEY HERE IN ACCRA-GHANA.

MOREOVER YOU SHOULD TRY AND BUY A PHONE TO ENABLE THE BANK CALL ON YOU AS SOON AS THE MONEY ARRIVE YOUR ACCOUNT. AND GIVE US THE PHONE NUMBER IN YOUR REPLY URGENTLY. DADDY WE ARE WAITING TO RECEIVE AND TO SEND TO YOU, THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY DELAY BECAUSE THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT.

NOW, EXPECTING YOUR REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DADDY PLEASE YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND OUR PLIGHT AND UNDERSTAND THE CONDITION OF MY MOTHER.

YOUR SON, ESCOBER TONY SANKOH[FOR THE FAMILY]


7 Jan 2002

My Dear West African SON and BUSINESS PARTNER: THANKS BE TO GOD for enabling me to understand your pleadings for the SAKE OF YOUR POOR MOTHER! Like a Freemason, "Who will help the widow's son?" I WILL!!!

1. I went back to WESTERN UNION and had a long ARGUMENT with the Manager, Mr. W. C. Fields, and his Deputy Manager, Mr. Harry FORWUNINE. After discussion of MANY ISSUES, we RETRIEVED the $19,250 CASH MONEY from Burkina Faso since it was NOT YET collected in ECOBANK in BOBO DIUOLASSO.

I explained the gun-men and how they might SHOOT YOU on the rough roads, which are TOO BUMPY for your MAMA! We have AGREED to split the money into TWO TRANSFERS, $9,625 CASH, to be sent by WESTERN UNION to ECOBANK and AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK in ACCRA-GHANA.

2. We have one PROBLEM I am ashamed to raise but WE MUST ADDRESS!!! The Deputy Manager is my wife's 2nd cousin and we MUST FOLLOW his instructions or I am in the DOGHOUSE for LIFE. He exploded when we said we would transfer the money right away. He said, "YOU TELL THAT PYGMY-BRAINED SON OF YOURS HE HAS TO PROVE HIMSELF TO US FIRST! HE MUST WIRE US MONEY FIRST, EVEN IF IT IS JUST $3, TO PROVE HIS INTEGRITY AND SINCERITY! IF NOT, HE CAN KISS MY FAT ASS!"

I tried to REASON with him, I said you have NO MONEY, NOTHING, that is was all lost and BURNED! He said, "Even a beggar can get $3.00! Surely he has $3.00!!! Let him PROVE HIS INTEGRITY and then WE WILL TRANSFER THE MONEY TO ACCRA-GHANA STRAIGHT AWAY".

3. I explained the business deal MIGHT FALL APART, that you were GOING TO MOVE HERE to the Philippines, I also showed him the AIR TICKET RESERVATIONS!!! I explained your sister and your MOMMA, your turmoil, that YOU ARE MY SON!!! I said you were a MAN OF GOD and please SHOW MERCY!!! Despite my PROTEST, my wife AGREES with her cousin, so we need to DO THIS FIRST if I am to SEND YOU THE MONEY:

4. You need to prove your INTEGRITY and SINCERITY to him (I BELIEVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!!! DO NOT WORRY MY SON!!!) by sending even a SYMBOLIC amount by Western Union, JUST $3.00, (which is ONLY CEDI 22,050!!!). This is even cheaper than one-half-hour of INTERNET time in GHANA. If you do not have it, you MUST BORROW this very small NOMINAL SUM from your friends, Momma, neighbors, local "5-6" guy, ANYONE! JUST $3.00!!!

5. PLEASE send the $3.00 by Western Union to: Deputy Manager, Mr. Harry FORWUNINE Western Union Office Asiatrust Bank, Ortigas Center Branch Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES

6. Please provide SECRET PASSWORD CODE WORD by email!!! 7. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SMALL TOKEN SYMBOLIC AMOUNT of $3.00 ARRIVES, Mr. Forwunine SWEARS on his heart that HE WILL TRANSFER my money of $19,250 to ACCRA-GHANA the SAME DAY!!! He controls my money now so you must FOLLOW THIS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTION NOW!!!

8. PLEASE HELP ME HELP YOU! Please do not say you do not have even $3.00, this is a SIMPLE REQUEST!! Please, make my wife and cousin HAPPY and CONTENT and we will send you the $19,250 RIGHT AWAY, and then OUR BUSINESS DEAL CAN CONTINUE!!

9. Keep the faith, SON. "I HAVE BEEN TO THE MOUNTAINTOP AND HAVE SEEN THE COMING OF THE CASH!!" Let us remember ZERMATT and SKIING, drinking SWISS MISS HOT CHOCOLATE together after a day on BITCHIN' MOGUL FIELDS with GOOD SNOW PACK!!! It is ALL PLANNED!!

Awaiting for YOU, Mark


8 Jan 2002

DADDY I HAVE TRIED TO SEND THE MONEY BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO SEND MONEY FROM WESTERN UNION TO PHILIPPINE To: marke2002\\yahoo.com

DEAR DADDY. IT IS ME YOUR SON I QUITE UNDERSTOOD YOUR PLIGHT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE REPLY IN YOUR EMAIL THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORT. I SAW YOUR WIFE COUSIN COMMENT ABOUT WHAT HE SAID, WELL IS NOT A BAD IDEAL. YOU SEE THE PARABLE USE TO SAY YOU SCRATCH MY BACK I SCRATCH YOUR BACK, THAT MEANS YOU DO FOR ME I DO FOR YOU.

DADDY, I AM HERE WITH THE MONEY, I HAVE WENT TO ALL THE WESTERN UNION BANK IN ACCRA-GHANA TO MAKE SURE I SENT THIS MONEY THREE DOLLARS TO YOU, BUT ON MY GREATEST SURPRISE I WAS TOLD IN THE BANK THAT THERE CAN ONLY RECEIVED NOT TO SEND.

I STILL WENT TO ANOTHER BANK TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS THREE DOLLARS IS SENT TO YOU BUT I WAS STILL TOLD THE SAME THING THAT THERE CAN ONLY RECEIVE FROM EUROPE NOT TO SEND TO EUROPE, I STILL TAKE THE PAINS TO WENT TO BARCLAYS BANK IN ACCRA-CIRCLE IN GHANA BUT I WAS TOLD THAT I MUST HAVE ACCOUNT WITH THEM BEFORE MY MONEY SHOULD BE SEND TO THE FOLLOWING MENTION PERSON AND IS NOT GOING TO BE WESTERN UNION TRANSFER.

DADDY I AM CONFUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW I HAVE TRIED ALL MY BEST TO SEND THIS MONEY THROUGH WESTERN UNION AS REQUESTED BUT I WAS STILL TOLD THE SAME THING. .DADDY, I AM CONFUSE I DON'T WANT TO LOOSE YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE SHOWED FATHERLY CONCERN TO ME AND MY FAMILY WE DON'T WANT TO LOOSE YOU IN THIS BUSINESS AND WE REALLY WANT YOU TO BE OUR FATHER.

THIS MONEY YOU REQUEST FOR WILL NOT LET US LOOSE CONTACT BECAUSE WE HAVE DEVOTED ALL OUR LIFE WITH YOU THAT YOU ARE OUR MESSIAH. WE WENT TO CHURCH TO PRAISE GOD THAT, THAT GOD HAS BROUGHT A GOD SENT PERSON LIKE YOU.

DADDY PLEASE HELP US WE BELIEVE IN YOU. BUT IF YOU THINK SOMETHING ELSE ON HOW THE MONEY COULD BE SEND TO YOU ADVICE US WHAT TO DO, BUT I HAVE TRIED MY BEST HERE THERE WAS NO WAY. PLEASE DON'T DISAPPOINT US THIS WAY I AM USING THE NAME OF GOD.

BECAUSE YOU ARE OUR ONLY HOPE NOW I EVEN WENT TO THE SECURITY COMPANY TO INFORM THEM THAT I WILL BE COMING TO CARRY OUR FATHER FAMILY TREASURE THERE SAID THERE WILL BE WAITING FOR ME. DADDY MAKE IT FAST FOR US TO LIVE THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE WERE WE ARE IN THE CAMP, WE ARE SUFFERING. IF I INFORM MY MOTHER ABOUT ALL THIS SHE WILL BE SAD BECAUSE WE HAVE PUTTING ALL OUR HOPE ON YOUR CARE. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR YOUR REPLY URGENTLY.

N.B. PLEASE DADDY HELP US BECAUSE WE HOPE AND WE BELIEVE IN YOU, PLEASE ADVICE US MORE ON HOW THIS MONEY SHOULD GET TO YOU. NOT TO STOP THIS BUSINESS FOR NOT GOING ON DADDY WE HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOONEST. PLEASE DADDY HASTING UP TO KNOW OUR STAND.

THANKS FROM YOUR SON, ESCOBER TONY S.


8 Jan 2002

My SUPREMELY BROKE and BONEHEADED Son:

1. I know you TRIED so hard! We checked all the ways to transfer CASH from Ghana, including Western Union and Africash and Ganacash and TRACS. You are AMAZINGLY RIGHT!! NO MONEY goes out of that country, ONLY IN! It is ONE WAY. I have learned SO MUCH from you!!!

2. Now we devise a BETTER WAY that is FOOL-PROOF! First, you take the $3 DOLLARS that you have, and carefully HIDE it inside a cheerful CHRISTMAS CARD for Mr. Harry. Put the card inside an ENVELOPE. Make sure it looks like an ORDINARY CARD, without CASH. Take the envelope to:

DHL (Gh) Ltd North Ridge, Accra-Ghana Tel: 233-21-221552 3. DHL is a SPECIAL COURIER SERVICE!! You DO NOT TELL THEM it is money hidden inside, ONLY HAPPY CHRISTMAS CARD to your GOOD FRIEND! Send the card by overnight DHL mail courier to:

Mr. Harry FORWUNINE c/o Front Desk (Please Hold) Manila Hotel Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES Tel: (632) 527-0011 Once my cousin gets the card, he has PROMISED to transfer IMMEDIATELY all the money to you via WESTERN UNION!!!

4. I FALL to my KNEES in THANKS that we have a SOLUTION! PLEASE HURRY as I want to get my $1.5 MILLION AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. I have MANY things to buy, not the least of which is a NEW ROLEX!!!!

Awed by the sheer gravity of my own SELF-IMPORTANCE, Father Mark, MESSIAH


10 Jan 2002

DADDY, IT IS ME YOUR BONEHEADED SON AS YOU SAID IN YOUR REPLY, I QUITE UNDERSTAND YOUR MESSAGE. WELL WE ARE TRYING TO 'KICK THE CAT IN FRONT OF THE HORSE'. I HAVE DONE AS YOU SAID I HAVE SEND THE MONEY TODAY THROUGH D.H.L.

DADDY DELAY IS DANGEROUS I JUST WANT YOU TO FILL I AM VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS BUSINESS, IF I AM NOT SERIOUS I DON'T THINK I WILL BE WASTING MY TIME TO BE WRITING YOU . YOU KNOW YOU NEVER ASK BEFORE I GAVE TO YOU BECAUSE I AM A MAN OF GOD I DON'T LIKE DISAPPOINTING SOMEBODY THAT IS HOW MY FATHER BROUGHT ME BEFORE HE DIED.

PLEASE DADDY AS SOON AS THIS CARD GET TO YOU.PLEASE ACT FASTLY AS YOU PROMISE BECAUSE MY MOTHER IS BENT TO SEE THAT THIS MONEY LIVE AFRICA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

PLEASE WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO RECEIVE YOUR REPLY MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS. DADDY THIS THE CODE NUMBER TO RECEIVE THE THREE DOLLARS FROM THE D.H.L AGENT THE NUMBER IS 4335093777.

DADDY TRY TO ARRANGE FOR OUR FAMILY HOUSE OVER THERE AS SOON AS THE MONEY ARRIVE YOUR ACCOUNT WILL TAKE OUT OFTHE MONEY AND PAY FOR THE HOUSE SO THAT AS WE ARRIVE WE ARE GOING STRAIGHT TO OUR HOUSE.

DADDY THIS MAN MR ANTHONY OBODO YOU ASK ABOUT IN YOUR FORMER REPLY LETTER IS A PASTOR IN THE REFUGEE CAMP HE IS SOMEBODY I CAN IN THE CAMP. YOU SHOULD MAKE YOUR NAME AS SENDER TO BE MARK OBODO AS SENDER FOR IT TO BE EASY FOR HIM, BECAUSE HE TOLD ME IF IS MORE THAN $5000, THEY WILL INVITE THE DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

SO MAKE THE PAYMENT IN TWO BIT, $5000, ON THE SAME NAME IN TWO DIFFERENT CODE NUMBER.AND THE OTHER SHOULD BE SPLITED TWO BIT IN THE OTHER BANK AND GIVE ME THE TWO CODE NUMBER AS SOON AS I RECEIVED THE MONEY

I WILL REPLY YOU THAT I RECEIVED, LOOKING FORWARD TO RECEIVE YOUR REQUEST AS PROMISE


10 Jan 2002

Dear GREAT SON Escober Tony: You are good OBEDIENT son. Please note my "boneheaded comment" is a JOKE, as I feel comfortable to JOKE with you as my SON!!! I LOVE YOU LIKE MY OWN BLOOD!!!

Like the Bible says: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands" (Isaiah 49:15-16).

You are ENGRAVED IN MY HEART, and I hope the TREASURES of the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN will open for you and your Momma's HONEST, HARDWORKING, SINCERE SOULS!!!

I check with DHL and share the following INFORMATION with my cousin Harry FORWUNINE: 4335093777 -

Detailed Report Date Time Location Service Area Checkpoint Details January 10, 2002 15:08

Accra - Ghana Shipment picked up January 10, 2002 18:18
Accra - Ghana Departing origin January 10, 2002 18:22
Accra - Ghana Departed from DHL facility in Accra - Ghana

He said this is ABOUT TO PROVE your INTEGRITY, and he will THEN SEND THE MONEY. I have asked the REALTOR to finish BUYING YOUR HOUSE, and to buy FURNITURE to make it comfortable, like 36" WIDE SCREEN TV and LAZY BOY RECLINER!!

As soon as card arrives for my COUSIN with the $3.00, I will WRITE AGAIN!!! THANK YOU for your kind UNDERSTANDING!! START PACKING YOUR BAGS!!!

Skipping and DANCING WITH GLEE, Big Daddy Kane Mark


11 Jan 2002

DADDY, IT IS ME YOUR SON, DADDY YOU MAKE ME TO COMPROMISE MY PRINCIPLE. YOU ARE A BENEVOLENT DADDY. I AM HAPPY THAT I AM COMMUNICATING WITH YOU EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NOT SEEN YOU IN PERSON BUT I AM FULL OF JOY, EVEN AS I AM WRITING TO YOU MY MOTHER IS JUBILATING IN THE CAMP FOR THE WORDS YOU USED. START PACKING YOUR BAGS.

MY MOTHER IS VERY HAPPY SHE SAID I SHOULD THANK YOU ONCE MORE FOR YOUR EFFORT TO SEE THAT THIS MONEY LIVE AFRICA. WE ALL HERE ARE THANKING YOU, MAY GOD BLESS YOU HUNDRED OF FOLDS.

DADDY, PLEASE AS SOON AS THE CARD ARRIVE TO YOUR COUSIN, PLEASE DADDY HASTING UP SO THAT WE MAKE SURE THIS MONEY LIVE AFRICA TO YOU IN YOUR COUNTRY. DADDY AS THE MONEY ARRIVE IN YOUR ACCOUNT YOU WILL ALSO BUY US A FAMILY CAR SO THAT WE CAN BE USING TO BE GOING TO CHURCH.

MOREOVER YOU WILL FINE A GOOD BUSINESS FOR MY MOTHER SO THAT SHE WILL NOT BE SITTING AT HOME. DADDY I THINK I WILL HAVE TO STOP HERE, AND KEEP MY FINGERS CROSS. TO WAIT FOR YOUR REPLY HEARING FROM YOU SOONEST.

THANKS, FROM YOUR AFRICA SON, ESCOBER TONY SANKOH.(FOR THE FAMILY)


14 Jan 2002

LOYAL, FAITHFUL SON: WE MUST CONTINUE JUBILATING!! Your $3.00 money was received, and cousin Harry FORWUNINE is VERY PLEASED!! He said, "That ESCOBER TONY is a GOOD LAD, an HONEST BLOKE WHO KEEPS HIS WORD!!". He says he agrees now to wire the money. He will GIVE YOU BACK the $3.00 when you arrive here, since YOU DESERVE IT!!!

He asks me to ask ONE MORE QUESTION before the money is sent by wire in 4 separate Western Union transfers, each under $5,000, sent by "MARK OBODO" to your faithful man of God pastor, ANTHONY OBODO. He says, "What Refugee Camp is Tony in with his family?" I said I do not know, maybe Buduburam, maybe Krisan, maybe Sanzule Camp near Tokoradi. Please advise which camp, and I will tell Harry and then he will WIRE THE MONEY!!! PLEASE HURRY WITH YOUR ANSWER!!!

We also FINISHED BUYING YOUR HOUSE here, and we will be shopping for furniture this week. TV, TOASTER OVEN, WAFFLE IRON, like that. And we will look at good used cars, 4x4 SUV like NISSAN PATROL, for your car!!

"The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all its fullness, You have founded them.... blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!... for You are the glory of their strength.." Psalm 89:11

LOVE TO YOUR MOMMY AND FAMILY, Mark


15 Jan 2002

DADDY, IT IS ME YOUR FAITHFULL SON, I AM OVERWHELMED TO HEAR THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE CARD WE SENT TO YOUR COUSIN. I AM PLEASED WITH THE QUESTION YOU ARE ASKING ME ABOUT THE CAMP WE ARE LIVING. THE CAMP WE ARE LIVING IS "BUJUMBURA CAMP" IS LOCATED ON ACCRA GOMUA-FETEY ROAD AFTER KASUA.IS ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE WHEN GOING JUST BEFORE YOU ENTER THE MAIN CAMP, WE HAVE FOOT-BALL FIELD, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, E.T.C. THEN YOU CROSS A POLICE BARRIER GUIDING US BEFORE YOU ENTER THE CAMP.

DADDY THIS IS JUST WERE WE ARE LIVING IN ACCRA-GHANA. DADDY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS THINGS FAST BECAUSE WE ARE VERY MUCH IN A HURRY TO SEE THAT WE LIVE AFRICA. DADDY YOU SHOULD MAKE THINS FAST, BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS MONEY LIVE THE SECURITY COMPANY AS SOON AS YOU REPLY US. AND SEND THE MONEY SO THAT ME AND MY MOTHER WILL GO AND COLLECT IT FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY AND MAKE A PROPER ARRANGEMENT AND SEND THE MONEY TO YOU.

DADDY ALL WE JUST WANT, WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY GET TO YOU SO THAT WE WILL KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN AFRICA ALL WE KNOW JUST TO PACK OUR BAGS AND FLEW TO YOU IN YOUR COUNTRY.

DADDY THIS WERE I HAVE TO STOP TO RECEIVE YOUR REPLY SO THAT WE CAN GO AND COLLECT THE MONEY FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY. DADDY I AM EXPECTING YOUR REPLY URGENTLY SO THAT WE LIVE AFRICA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BEST REGARDS, YOUR FAITHFULL SON, ESCOBER TONY SANKOH.


15 Jan 2002

My FANTASTIC WONDERFUL LOVING SON! THANK YOU for the details, this has made my cousin at Western Union VERY COMFORTABLE, now that he has details about your place! I explained how WE MUST HURRY, to GET YOU OUT OF AFRICA right away!! My cousin understands and we have SENT you the money as follows.

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY, AND DO NOT SHARE WITH ANYONE!! BE VERY CAREFUL COLLECTING THE MONEY!! 1. MY cousin still WORRIES about Accra, the big city capital, and says MANY CRIMINALS are there. Also, BIG AMOUNTS of MONEY will ATTRACT ATTENTION, like Police and Drug Enforcement Agency, maybe even ANTI-TERRORIST MONEY LAUNDERING. So we get thinking, and DEVISE A SPECIAL SOLUTION. This is the BEST WAY to get the money to you -- I know it is inconvenient, but "BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY", I always say!!!

2.. We have sent the money THIS MORNING in 4 smaller amounts, SO AS NOT TO ATTRACT ATTENTION. The amounts are as follows: (1) $4,840; (2) $4,840; (3) $4,785; (4) $4,785. TOTAL AMOUNT sent is $19,250. The money must already be in GHANA!!!

3. There are FOUR SECRET PASSWORD CODE NUMBERS which you must use, two at each place where the money was sent!!!

4. The first place is AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK, in a smaller town called TAMALE. I bet it is HOT!!! You may know this, it is north of ACCRA, but a small town, says my cousin, and it is SAFER!!! Not many people. Less criminals. Few authorities. The money is in the name of your pastor, "ANTHONY OBODO", from his brother, "MARK OBODO". You just got to this place hot TAMALE by taxi IMMEDIATELY, or tro-tro or maybe MAMMY WAGON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, and get TWO PAYMENTS from Western Union there. The SECRET PASSWORD CODE NUMBERS are as follows:

#1 - 917862950 #2 - 463747382

5. The second place is AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK, in Bawku, BOLGATANGA. The SECRET PASSWORD CODE NUMBERS for these payments by Western Union are as follows: #3 - 2347834574 #4 - 7549921303

6. Please rush, MY SON, HURRY QUICK TO GET THE MONEY!!! PLEASE CONFIRM IMMEDIATELY THAT IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED!!! After this, you must do the following: - Pay the Security Agent, and get your father's $15 MILLION!!! - WIRE OUR ACCOUNT the $1,550,000 as promised, and advise when it was sent!!! - Send passport pictures and family member names for VISAS to the Philippines!!! - Go to British Airways and collect your 5 BUSINESS CLASS AIR TICKETS!!!

7. This is so GREAT.!!! We must PRAY and THANKS BE TO GOD for this GREAT DAY!!! YOUR THANKFUL FATHER, MARK


16 Jan 2002

HI, DADDY I WAS VERY SUPRISE WHAT YOU GAVE TO US, BECAUSE THE NUMBER YOU GAVE TO US WAS NOT CORRECT WE WENT TO THE BANK WITH OUR PASTOR ON OUR GREATEST SUPRISE, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE NUMBER YOU GAVE TO US WAS NOT CORRECT. THERE SAID IS SUPPOSE TO BE TEN FIGURE SOME WERE NINE AND SOME WERE TEN, EVEN THE ONE THAT WAS TEN THERE SAID IS NOT CORRECT THAT WE SHOULD RETURN TO SENDER.

DADDY WHAT IS HAPPENING I NEVER EXPECT THIS FROM YOU, I TAKE YOU LIKE MY OWN FATHER WHY SHOULD YOU TREAT US THIS WAY. IF NOT FOR THE SAKE OF GOD, WE WILL BE ARRESTED BY THE POLICEMAN. DADDY IF YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO HELP US DO LET US KNOW, BECAUSE WHAT HAPPEN TODAY MAKES MY MOTHER TO FILL VERY VERY BAD AND SAD.

EVEN OUR PASTOR WAS VERY SUPRISE FOR WHAT HAPPEN WE TRIED TO APOLOGISE TO HIM THAT MAYBE THE FAULT IS FROM THE SENDER, THAT IS WHY WE DECIDE TO WRITE TO YOU, FOR YOU TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING.

DADDY TRY TO SHOW CONCERN SO THAT WE WILL KNOW OUR STAND. BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING FED-UP WITH EVERYTHING HERE IN AFRICA. PLEASE LET ME HAVE YOUR REPLY IMMEDIATELY YOU RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE. BECAUSE MY MOTHER NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAPPEN TODAY IN THE BANK

DADDY WE ARE WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY SO THAT WE CAN PROCEED. PLEASE TRY TO CHECK FOR THE PASSWORD CAREFULLY AGAIN AND SEND IT TO US. DADDY WE ARE EXPECTING YOUR REPLY SO THAT WE CAN PROCEED. PLEASE IT SHOULD BE CONFIDENTIAL, MY MOTHER IS WAITING TO SEE YOUR REPLY.

IT IS YOUR SON, ESCOBER TONY SANKOH.[FOR THE FAMILY]


16 Jan 2002

My Son: 1. There has been a MISTAKE by my secretary copying down the numbers from my cousin, because of a BAD PHONE CONNECTION. My cousin offers PROFUE APOLOGIES!!! He also says maybe you are at an ACCRA branch of Western Union in Agricultural Development Bank, and NOT the HOT TAMALE or BOLGATANGA, so you are having PROBLEMS. Like I always say. “Telephones, you can’t live WITH THEM, you can’t live WITHOUT THEM”. What ever happened to much-ballyhooed G3 technology anyway??

2. PLEASE go back RIGHT AWAY to Western Union, and try these proper 10-digit SECRET CONTROL NUMBERS. They are 100% CORRECT, I GUARANTEE IT OR YOUR MONEY BACK!!!

#1 - 9178692506 #2 - 4637473832 #3 - 2347483454 #4 - 7549921333 3. There is also a TEST QUESTION, maybe this is also the problem: Q: "Who is the King of China?" A: "Fu Man CHOO CHOO"

4. If you are in Accra, you MAY need to call my cousin's CONTACT inside the Agricultural Development Bank, who can help transfer the money in Ghana from the hot TAMALE BRANCH and BOLGATANGA BRANCH. DO NOT CALL -- ONLY CALL IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS. Please have the Western Union manager call Ms. Jane ROKALA in Agricultural Development Bank at 228-453. Her other number he says is 522-299. She is handling SECURITY AND RISK MANAGEMENT. My cousin says she can help fix any problem between branches FOR YOU!!!

HURRY GET THE MONEY and LET'S JUBILATE TOGETHER!! Daddy Cash Mark


17 Jan 2002

DADDY, IT SEEMS YOU DON'T WANT TO HELP US DUE TO THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING, WE WENT TO THE BANK TO COLLECT THE MONEY DUE TO THE FOUR NUMBERS YOU GAVE TO US. BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE BANK SAID YOU DID NOT SEND ANY MONEY TO ANY WESTERN UNION TRANSFER, WE EVEN WENT UP TO THE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK TO CONFIRM BUT THEY SAID NO MONEY WAS SENT. THEY EVEN CALLED THE HEADQUARTERS IN U.S.A. THEY TOLD US THAT THE NUMBER IS NOT IN THEIR COMPUTER.

IN FACT DADDY I AM GETTING AFRAID OF YOU, IF YOU KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO HELP US, YOU CAN QUIETLY SEND US BACK OUR MONEY [$3.00] AND THE CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT, AND THE PICTURE OF THE MONEY SO THAT WE CAN LOOK FOR SOME BODY ELSE WHO CAN HELP US. BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT DOING THIS FREE, WE ARE PAYING FOR ANY HELP YOU ARE HELPING US. YOU MAKE OUR PASTOR TO BE AFRAID OF ME AND MY MOTHER.

DADDY I DON'T WANT TO TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I AM NOT BEGGING ANYBODY TO COME AND HELP ME I AM JUST DOING THIS BECAUSE I KNOW ANY BUSINESS YOU ARE DOING WITH SOME BODY YOU HAVE TO COMPENSATE HIM FOR THE WORK WELL DONE. BUT TO THIS, THIS IS NOT COMPENSATION I AM PAYING YOU ON PERCENTAGE BASIS.

SO IF YOU FILL YOU ARE LISTENING TO YOUR WIFE COUSIN, THAT MEANS YOU ARE NOT A REAL BISINESS MAN. BECAUSE A REAL BUSINESS MAN NEVER LISTEN TO ANOTHER BUSINESS MAN BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN HIS MIND, MAYBE HE DON'T WANT YOU TO PROSPER. HE JUST WANT TO BE PROSPERING ALONE.

PLEASE I WANT TO KNOW MY QUICK REPLY FOR ME TO KNOW WHERE AND WHERE I WILL START FROM BECAUSE I AM GETTING FEED-UP WITH ALL THIS KIND OF THINGS. REMEMBER WHEN YOU ASK US TO GIVE YOU CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT WE GAVE IT YOU, YOU ASK OF [$3.00] WE STILL GAVE IT TO YOU. EVEN THE MONEY YOU WILL RECEIVE WE SEND THE PICTURE TO YOU, BUT WHY ARE YOU NOT STRAIGHT FORWARD TO US.

WHEN WE ARE FAITHFULL TO YOU I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN YOUR MIND. PLEASE IF YOU KNOW YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP US PLEASE DO SEND THE MONEY THROUGH WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER BECAUSE I AM NOT READY TO GO AND MEET ANYBODY AGAIN, BECAUSE WESTERN UNION IS, WESTERN UNION BECAUSE IF YOU SEND THE MONEY THROUGH WESTERN UNION THE NUMBER YOU SEND ALONG WITH IT, IT WILL CORRESPOND TO CLAIM IT. BUT NOTHING OF THIS NATURE.

PLEASE IF YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO HELP US LET ME NOW, I AM WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY.

N.B. I TRIED TO CALL THE NUMBERS YOU ASK ME TO CALL IF IN CASE I HAVE ANY PROBLEM, I CALLED THE WOMAN BUT THE PHONE WAS ENGAGE I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THERE WAS NO RESPOND. SO I PREFER YOU SENT IT THROUGH WESTERN UNION BECUSE I AM NOT READY TO GO AND MEET ANYBODY BECAUSE WESTERN UNION, IS WESTERN UNION THERE IS NO NEED FOR ME TO GO AND MEET ONE PERSON TO CONFIRM WHETHER THE NUMBER IS REAL. BECAUSE THE NUMBER YOU WILL GIVE TO ME WILL CORRESPOND WITH THE ONE IN THE COMPUTER. WAITING TO RECEIVE YOUR REPLY.

THANKS, ESCOBER TONY.S.


17 Jan 2002

Dear Mr. Anthony Obodo:

1. I write to you with great sadness and a heavy heart. It is difficult for me to explain this to you, but the time has come. Hold on to your seat.

2. Anthony, there really is no Lay-Z-Boy recliner. There’s no ski trip booked to Zermatt. There’s no waffle iron or big screen TV. I haven’t bought you a house, nor do you have business class bookings on British Air. There is no pending Western Union transfers, no visas, no cousin Harry. I am not Mark. But then, you’re not Escober Tony Sankoh. There’s no $15 million, and I’m not getting my cut of $1.5 million. You are not in a refugee camp, and it is highly unlikely that your criminal enterprise includes a pastor, your momma, or a shot-dead sister.

3. There are only two established facts: (i) you actually sent me $3.00 (HA!); and (ii) you are without doubt the dumbest criminal on the planet. Consider your chain jerked.

4. This second point is worth dwelling on given its incomprehensible magnitude. I cannot believe how incredibly stupid you are. I mean rock-hard stupid. Dehydrated-rock-hard stupid. World-class, A-1, top of the heap, triple whopper with cheese, supersized stupid. So stupid that it goes way beyond the stupid we know into a whole different dimension of stupid. One-of-a-kind, global, universal, intergalactic stupid. You are trans-stupid stupid. Meta-stupid. Stupid collapsed on itself so far that even the neutrons have collapsed. Stupid so dense that no intellect can escape. Singularly, extraordinarily, incredibly, bewilderingly stupid. Blazing hot mid-day sun on Mercury stupid. You emit more stupid in one second than our entire galaxy emits in a year. Quasar stupid. Your life is a monument to stupidity.

I am breathless that anyone or anything in our universe can really be this stupid. You are a primordial fragment from the original big bang of stupid. Some pure essence of a stupid so uncontaminated by anything else as to be beyond the laws of stupidity that we know. A behemoth, a leviathan, a colossus of stupidity.

5. Given the sheer immensity of your idiocy, I cannot in good conscience send you back the $3.00 as requested. Instead, my friends and I are going out tonight to jubilate and drink some frosty cold beers with your money. We will celebrate the fact that you will go down in history as the dumbest "419" scammer in the history of scams.

6. As an aside, you may be interested to know that we are also sending all your emails and information to the Ghana Police Service, the Accra police, Ministry of National Security, Drug Enforcement Agency, all the "Nigerian 419" scam web sites, the US Secret Service, the Accra newspapers and Interpol, along with your Mobitel cell number 00233-2760-7048. It is our fervent hope that they will hunt you down like the scabby parasite-laced dog that you are, and shut down your criminal enterprise.

Later, you knucklehead. Oh yeah, one more thing: I ain’t your Daddy!


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