From: chris_ikem@virgilio.it
Sent: October 15, 2004
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL

From: Mr Ben Chris A.T
40 WOODALE ST.
EAST LONDON,

Dear Sir/Madam

l am a financial consultant based in east london .l have a client (a widow) she has $12,000,000USD with a private equity investment trust company for safe keeping.

And she is willing to offer you 20% of the total fund if you can assist her transfer this fund to your country or any bank of your wish.She wishes to invest in a stable economy.

Her interest is in companies with potentials for rapid growth in long terms.My client is interested in placing part of her fund in your company,if your country`s bi-laws allows foreign investment.

You can contact me for more details via my e-mail address or fax with your reference.
Yours faithfully,
Mr B.chris

N:B The fund is free from drug and laundering related offences and this transaction need utmost confidentiality.
URGENT BUSINSSE INVESTMANT REPLY

His address has been used by other scammers, but as an address in South Africa! London addresses in U.K. include a zip-code.

I answer that I am interested, and give him my address.He answers from a new email address:

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 18, 2004
Subject: URGENT

Dear Miss Young,

I am in receipt of your mail and the content is well noted to the best of my understanding, meanwhile I want you to understand that we have to proceed for the release of the fund to your nominated Bank Account.

Before we commence on transferring of the fund to your nominated Bank Account, as I informed you in the begining that this fund is risck free and you don't have to worry at all as all modalities to carry this transaction out and have the fund remited to your Bank Account is mapped out for us to have smooth transaction.

Be informed that you have to nominate a Bank Account, so you are advice to forward to me your Bank details immediately so that the Bank will also commence on remitting the fund to your nominated Bank Account.

You are advice all so to send to me your private phone number and thanks for the informations may the good God see us through.

I must tell you that my cleint is so happy to hear that you are ready to handle this transaction on her behalf.

My cleint will like you advice on a profitabel venture over there for this money is made for investment.So what and what do you have in maind to invest this money on?for my and cleint and i will be coming over there to see things for ourself as soon as this money is been sent to you.

You don't have to pay him this money i can asure you that as soon as you send this informations the money will sent to you.stop contacting bello don't replay his mail alright.

Thanks for your understanding and remain blessed of the Lord.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Ben

Note the text in red, it was not meant for me, but someone else that he sent the same letter!

2 days later I send him my address (again) and my picture:

... I look forward to the transfer of the fund to my account. I have some promising business cases that would florish by the boost that your clients fund would give.

I have also attached my picture. Will you send me your picture? I find it so much easier to do business with people when I know how they look.

Best regards, ...

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 20, 2004
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: URGENT

Dear Miss Young,

You look real good, i will find time good enough to forward my picks for your appraisals.

May not not understand how delighted i am engaging on a business like this with you. However , I am working tirelessly to ensure that the payment comes from a suitable bank such as(BARCLAYS BANK HERE IN LONDON).

Please, remember our watchword which is confidentiality. My number is (+44-7040104789).

I once again appreciate your kind attention to this transaction.

Best Regards
Ben

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 20, 2004
Subject: Re: URGENT

Hi Sister,

I will give you a call today for more verbal discussion.

Thanks

Ben

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 21, 2004
Subject: MR.BEN CHRIST PIC

HRER IS MY PIC AS REQUESTED BY YOU.
REMAIN BLESS OF THE LORD.

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 21, 2004
Subject: URGENT

DEAR SISTER,

HOW ARE YOU TODAY? ARE YOU IN RECIEPT OF MY PIC?PLEASE ARE YOU STILL IN AMSTERDAMA OR YOU HAVE GONE BACK TO THE STATE?I TRY CALLING YOU BUT ALL PROFF ABORTIVE CAN YOU GIVE ME A DIRECT NUMBER WHICH I CAN REACH YOU ON NOW OR YOU CALL ME, ON THE NUMBER I GAVE YOU.

HOLPING TO HEAR FROM YOU .

REMAIN BLESS OF THE LORD

BEST REGARDS

BEN

Dear Ben,

just a short note before I go to bed after a long tiring day.

Thank you very much for your picture. You look really handsome. Do you collect dictaphones :-)

I am still in Amsterdam, but will be leaving next week. Is the weather in England just as bad as here?

Please inform me on how we proceed in our business.

Good night, ...

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 22, 2004
Subject: Re: URGENT

DEAR SISTER,

THE WEATHER HERE IS SAME AS IN NETHERLANDS, FORGET NOT THAT WE ALL COVERS EUROPE.PLEASE, PROVIDE ANY PHONE AS I AM IN DEAR NEED TO TALK WITH SUCH A GOD SENT BEUTIFULL LADY,BESIDES, I WISH IT COULD BE EASIER IF I MAKE THIS PAYMENT THROUGH NETHERLANDS NOW THAT YOU ARE STILL THERE . EITHER CASH OR BANK TRANSFER KNOWING THAT THE FUND IS STILL LYING UNCLAIMED IN A SECURITY COMPANY HERE IN LONDON.

PLEASE, UPDATE ME IMMEDIATELY FOR ONWARD COMMENCEMENT OF THIS TRANSACTION.

REGARDS

BEN.

It's time to ask about the false address:

Dear Ben,

Got your mail. You should not be worried whether you should transfer the money via England or Holland. I have a friend in London, and I am willing to go there if this transaction requires that. BTW, I asked him where in London your office is situated. He told me that there is no such address, as the one you sent me. Have you given me a wrong address?

I am leaving for Spain next week, but I can still be reached via email.

Please tell me how we proceed from here.

Kind regards, ...

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 25, 2004
Subject: Re: URGENT

DEAR MISS YOUNG,

I WONDER IF YOUR SO CALLED FRIEND KNOWS EVERY NOOK AND CRANIES IN LONDON, HOWEVER, THE ADDRESS GIVEN IS MY BRANCH OFFICE AND NEED TO MEET WITH YOU FACE TO FACE.
PLEASE START MAKING ARRANGEMENT TO COME OVER TO LONDON BUT, I REALLY NEED YOUR PHONE NUMBER IN EUROPE SO WE CAN TALK ON BUSINESS TERMS.
THIS MUST BE TREATED WITH A HIGH RATE OF URGENCY AND IMPORTANCE AS WE HAVE TO COMPLETE EVERY THING HERE WHILE YOU OPEN UP AN ACCOUNT HERE IN LONDON UPON YOUR ARRIVAL, AND THE FUND WILL BE PAID INTO THE ACCOUNT, BETTER IDEA OR WHAT DO YOU THINK.
I PREFFER YOU COME DOWN SISTER FOR MORE TRUST ON SEING EACH OTHER.I SINCERELY WAIT FOR THE PHONE NUMBER.

FINALLY, WHY CANT YOU CALL ME , PLEASE BE SERIOUS AND TOY NOT WITH THIS LUCRATIVE PROJECT.

REGARDS

BEN

Since he keeps insisting on a telephone number, I give him a fax number of another scammer in Amsterdam.

Dear Ben,

Why do you make fun of my friend? If "40 Woodale st" is your address please tell me the zip-code, or else I migth think that your office is in Woodale st South Africa.

I have no mobile phone, but you can reach me through my friends in Amsterdam on +31 645 166 198.

I leave for Madrid tuesday morning.

Why do you want me to make a new bank account in London? Why cant we use my account in Amsterdam?

Please give me some further information on how we must proceed.

As soon as I am finished with my business in Madrid, I will plan when I can go to London, if you find that necessary.

Kind regards, ...

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 27, 2004
Subject: Re: URGENT

DEAR MISS YOUNG,

HOW ARE YOU TODAY? WELL, YOU HAVE BEEN A NICE PERSON WILLING TO PROCEED AND MAKE PROGRESS OUT OF THIS PROJECT BUT, YOUR SO CALLED FRIEND IS TRYING TO BRING JEOPARDY INTO OUR MIND ACCEPTED LIFE GOAL. SOMETIMES, I WONDER WHY YOU ASK SUCH QUESTIONS WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MORE OF MY CONCERN THAN YOURS.
IT IS SHORT AND UNDERSTANDABLE THAT WHEN YOU COME OVER TO LONDON ON APPOINTMENT, AND I SHALL PERSONALLY TAKE YOU TO MY OFFICE AND ESLEWHER OF YOUR MIND.
LET THIS NOT BE A POINT OF DISTRACTION AS I AM WELL PREPARED BEFORE CONTACTING YOU.
FINALLY, THE ACCOUNT OPENING IS OF HIGH IMPORTANCE SINCE THE MONEY IN QUESTION IS ALREADY DEPOSITED IN A SECURITY COMPANY AND NEEDS CONVERSSION TO DOLLARS IMMEDIATEL AND DEPOSITED INTO A N ACCOUNT THAT WILL ACCOMODATE SUCH AMOUNT.
BE STEADFAST AND AVOID DOUBTS FOR PROGRESS. DO YOU WANT THE SECURITY COMPANY TO CONTACT YOU ON INFORMATION TOWRADS MEETING WITH THEM.?
PLEASE, UPDATE ME NOW.

REGARDS

BEN

Dear Ben,

Thank you for your email. I dont understand why you are so secretive on your office address, but I guess I will have to trust you.

My travel to Madrid was cancelled in the last minute so I am still in Amsterdam.

Please put me in contact with the security company, so that we can proceed in our business.

Regards, ...

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 28, 2004
Subject: Re: URGENT

DEAR SISTER,

DO YOU REALIZE THAT NO TRUST, NO BUSINESS, YOU MUST HAVE TO BE IN FULL CONFIDENCE AND OPTIMISTIC ABOUT OUR SUCCESS.
NOTE THAT, SUCH TRANSACTION DEMANDS ABSOLUTE CONFIDENTIALITY KNOWING THAT YOU MUST SURELY KNOW MY OFFICE IN FEW DAYS TIME. BE FIRM AND FRET NOT FOR I AM MADE TO LIKE YOUR PERSON AND STILL GUARANTEES YOUR SAFETY.

MEANWHILE, THE SECURITY COMPANY WILL REACH YOU AND PROVIDE THEIR COMPLETE INFORMATION TO YOU.
I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR KIND UNDERSTANDING AND PROMPTNESS.
REGARDS
BEN

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 29, 2004
Subject: Re: URGENT

DEAR SISTER,

SORRY FOR THE LITTLE DELAY, I WAS TRYING TO MAKE PROPER ARRANGEMENT RESPECTING TO YOUR ARRIVAL. HAVE THE SECURITY COMPANY CONTACTED YOU? HOWEVER, YOU CAN REACH THEM THROUGH THEIR NUMBERS.

ASSOCIATE FINANCE AND SECURITY CO.
CONTACT PERSON: ALLEN DAVIS
TEL:44-7786243194
FAX:44-7786249004

GET ACCROS TO THEM AND UPDATE ME IMMEDIATELY.

REGARDS

BEN

I looks like they insist on me calling them. I don't like that, but maybe I can get them to call another scammer in Amsterdam:

Dear brother Ben,

Thank you for the contact information for the security company. You forgot to tell me the email address and the office address, or are you using the same email and office?

Mr. Davis has not contacted me yet. On monday I will be together with Mr. Rudy Walters from FFO in Amsterdam. The telephone number is +31-645-816-396. Please have Mr. Davis call me.

Regards, ...

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 31, 2004
Subject: Re: URGENT

DEAR SISTER,

I REALLY DONT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PROCRASTINATIONS, YOU ASKED FOR THEIR CONTACT AND WAS SECURED AND GIVEN TO YOU,NOW ITS THEIR EMAIL OR THEY SHOULD CONTACT YOU.
PLEASE, TELL ME WHAT THIS CONTINOUS COMPLAINTS ARE, SO WE CAN SORT IT ONCE AND FOR ALL.
CALL THEM AND ASK FOR ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU NEEDS TO GET EVERYTHING DONE WITHOUT MORE DELAY.

REGARDS
BEN

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: October 31, 2004
Subject: Re: URGENT

DEAR SISTER,

PLEASE TELL ME WHO THIS RUDY WALTERS FROM FFO IS, I NEED FULL EXPLANATION ABOUT THIS PERSON . AND DONT FORGET OUR WATCHWORD, WHICH IS CONFIDENTIALITY.

REGARDS
BEN

From: bem kotuma <ben_kotuma@yahoo.co.uk>
Sent: November 3, 2004
Subject: I AM DISSAPOINTED

DEAR SISTER,

I KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS AND HAVE DECIDED TO KEEP ME AND MY CLIENT IN SUSPENCE.

YOU MAY NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THIS PROPOSAL BUT, I ASSURE YOU THAT ALL IS LOST BY YOU , AND YOU CAN HARDLY COME BY SUCH OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE OF YOUR FRETING KIND OF MIND.

THANKS AND BYE

BEN