Hello, I am Mrs Brown. This is my personal experience with this type of fraud. It stopped when I found Miss Youngs homepage, and I realised what was going on.

I asked Miss Young to publish my story.

This is what happened:

From: <melikath2000@netscape.net>
Sent: November 7, 2004
Subject: God Bless You

I am Mrs. Melissa kathleen, and I humbly imploy you to take time of your precious schedule, to review this letter. My late husband was a wealthy merchant and we both resided in Belgium. He died two years ago of HIV/AIDS, and I happen to be dying of the same disease.

His Family believes that I infected him with the deadly virus, and has since continued to make my last days miserable. I am basically lying here in my Hospital room in Pretoria waiting for my time to come. It was my husband's wish that we gave most of our wealth to charity since we have no children, and that is exactly what I have tried to do, but his greedy brothers whom he since settled, would rather keep the money for themselves.

. Since I became confined to bed, all my efforts to make charitable donations have been truncated by them and as such I cannot trust them anymore. All these ugly incidents have continued because my late husband did not believe in writing a Will as his brothers had promised to carry out his wish, but have now reverted to the contrary.

In view of the above fact, I decided to contact a neutral person to help me claim the funds, which my husband deposited with a finance company in Holland,and open a foundation that will care for the less priviledged and manage the Fund according to the wish of my late husband; that our names be immortalized by our charitable acts as we are not fortunate enough to have had children.

My attorney shall be on hand to have the necessary documents prepared and the deposit certificates transferred to your name and see you through the whole process of claiming the fund. Should you be interested, please contact me via my email so that I can have my attorney start the process of transferring the funds to you.

Thank you.

Mrs. Melissa Kathleen.

From: <melikath2000@netscape.net>
Sent: November 7, 2004
Subject: God Bless You

Beloved Mrs Brown,

Greetings in the name of the almighty.I received your mail and must commend your sense of urgency and the need and desire to help make this dream a reality.I will rather start like this,if the God i worship says you are the one that will make this dream a reality,then who am i to question him.

Unfortunately I would say that your mail was a bit scanty in the sense that you said little about yoursellf.I will ensure that I send you my picture in subsequent mails which you will keep for remembrance.

Nevertheless, I would like you to understand that this particular funds has to be transfered to you as quickly as possible , because I would not want my late husband's relatives to be aware that I am donating this funds because they may decide to abandon me to my faith now especially that my health is deteriorating.

I want you also to understand that volunteering to assist in this course is not just the issue. I sincerely want you to pray before undertaking to take this responsibility. PLEASE do not see this as a money making venture but rather as a task which you are carrying out for kingdom expansion.That is why my late husband insisted that it must be donated in places like churches,orphanages and old peoples homes.

I will want you to send your details to enable the Lawyer in charge contact you. Please only trust him and be very bold and courageous to talk to him and I believe for sure that he will lead you to your Success. He will send you all the necessary documents as soon as possible for you to have claims to this funds as the Sole beneficiary.

I await for your response.

Love,

Melissa Kathleen.

I send her my picture with the following reply:

Hello Melissa.

I hope you are having a good day.

I am sorry for being scanty in the first email, unfortunately If you are not aware of them, I have received MANY emails from people in the position of wanting funds either donated or accepted from Nigeria and others but never to hear from those wanting to have some accept and help again, so I am left not knowing who is sincere and who is scamming.

I believe from your newest email that you are a very sincere person and I admire your desire to follow through with your husbands wishes. I have been in a similar position as of late with my grandmother. She passed on the 14th of October due to breast cancer she had battled for just over 5 years, she was 83 and lived a beautiful life. Her son and wife have tried to take advantage of her condition and her grieving husband - my step grandfather of 21.5 years, the only man I have called grand dad since we lost my mothers father when I was 9. Enough of my deliema, but this is how I understand your position.

I have attached a photo of myself for you, it isn't recent but its still me. I will look forward to your photo, you & your husband if possible.

I will keep you in my prayers and will light a candle at my parish for you and your husband, I am saddened that you are suffering and having to go through family feud too.

You mention the places he would want it donated is churches, orphanages, and old peoples homes. Any particular religion, I am catholic and could place some at my parish, I don't know any orphanages but we do have a Children's hospital that takes care of children with all medical problems and illness and from all walks of life - insurance or not - and for older people homes there are a few here but there is also a place if you have not heard of it "Hospice" they provide "comfort care" to those terminally ill with 6 months or less of life expectancy left. No matter the illness - terminal is the key word. The local Hospice of Tulare County is the one I worked with and helped to take care of my Gran. They thought she had 1-3 months and she passed on the 14th, 3 days short of a month of them taking care of her. They have continued to help support the family as a support system at no cost - all of what insurance doesn't pay for is taken care of my fundraisers and donations from the public.

What information do you need from me, and please provide me with the Lawyers name. I would also like to have your address, the holidays are coming and I would so much like to send you a greeting card thank you.

Thank you Melissa for trusting in me. By the way, how did you find me and know that I am the one who can help you. ...

Two days later, I write again:

I am 39 will be 40 in July. Married to a wonderful man who works to keep me home as a Stay at home Mom with our 4 beautiful children. 8 6 5 and 2.5 Two boys and two girls. Our last was born December 14, 2001 and we won't be having anymore.

What else can I tell you......umm whatever you want to know you just ask.
blessings ...

From: <melikath2000@netscape.net>
Sent: November 10, 2004
Subject: God Bless You

Beloved Mrs Brown,

Calvary greetings to you.

Thanks for your mail and i must confess i am really happy about your family.
Kindly contact the lawyer in charge who will assist you with the claiming of the funds. I will however tell him to contact you.

Extend my warmest regards to your family.

Regards,

Melissa Kathleen.

What information do you need for him to contact me. phone, email ????? how will I know its him??? what is his name?? will it be on behalf of my friend Melissa or your husband, I don't know his name either. Oh.... you bad girl you forgot to send me a picture. And you forgot a mailing address of your home or the hospital so I can send you a greetings over the holiday.

I have to confess too, I am curious, you said in your first email you are in a hospital being taken care of, how are you using computer, are they allowing you a laptop??? I am confused, but the in between time from your emails I know it must not be easy.

If me helping you with your husbands wishes makes your last days easier I am grateful, but you still haven't said how you came to choose me.....how did you find me.

blessings ...

And next morning:

Hi Melissa.

I am sorry if I have asked to many questions in my prior e-mails. Just so curious and honored that you have asked me to help you with your situation.
Blessings to you, and I pray for your comfort and peace. ...

From: <melikath2000@netscape.net>
Sent: November 11, 2004
Subject: God Bless You

Beloved Mrs Brown,

Calvary greetings to you and your family.

I understand how you feel about all this but it is really painfull how bad the world has become that love is not in the hert of people anymore.
If only you can meet with me,you will have a different opinion about all this. I normally have access to the computer through the help of my nursing assistant.
I will instruct her to send you my picture as soon as possible. You can contact the lawyer,his name is Van Bell- Tel- +31 617 186 560 email- vanbell_advocat@yahoo.com.
I selected some emails randomly ,prayed over them and something struck me about you but in life a vessel might not be willing to be used. Please if you think you are not the right person to carry out this task,kindly let me know to enable me look for another person.

Extend my love to your family.

Love,

Melissa.

Melissa sounded very credible, so I answered:

Oh My Melissa,

Please, no, do not think I am not willing to help you. I am just caught off guard, its not every day, that I receive an email such as yours and it truly be from someone in Sincerity and Love. As you stated the world has not the love in it that it once did. I truly miss that. I am sure you are a wonderful person. I knew there was a way for you to have access in the hospital and I am truly glad you do, I do know a hospital can be boring, and depressing. I mentioned to you my Grandmother passing, sunday will be one month. Her blessing was that she was able to at home with family and not in the hospital for her last days. That is my wish that you could have also. I am so very saddened by your family and their treatment of you. I wish only the best for you.

I will happily look for your photo. I have attached my childrens photos for you. Maybe your nurse can print them and keep them by your side for you to feel as though you have little ones watching over you.

I don't know the time difference, what is the best time to reach your attorney. I am in California, USA and am on Pacific Standard time as of now it is 1:39pm.

I will give my family your blessings and love. Since you haven't sent me an address, I will send greetings through email and possibly the attorney after I speak with him.

Thank you so much for having faith in me. I know faith is hard, especially at this time in your life and I do understand. Faith and Gods love is what is getting me through my loss of Gran. I know you must be a very kind and special woman to have been able to choose me from faith and prayer, has never happened to me.

God Bless you, rest easy.
Warm Hugs & Love ...

I e-mail the lawyer, with a copy to Melissa:

Hello Mr. Bell,

Your client Melissa Kathleen has e-maild me and ask that I contact you in regards to her husbands wishes. Please let me know what is good time and I can call you. I am in California, USA on Pacific Standard Time. If not a good time for you, please e-mail me with all the information you need in order to complete the wishes of Melissa.

Thank you ...

From: VAN_BELL <vanbell_advocat@yahoo.com>
Sent: November 12, 2004
Subject: Introduction

Dear Mrs Brown,

Good day to you.
I hereby acknowledge receipt of the mail forwarded to me by my esteemed client,Mrs Melissa Kathleen. My name is Barrister Van Bell. I am in Amsterdam,The Netherlands for the purpose of this transaction and I will be the one to provide you with logistics on the receivership of the funds. I have read the message and contents contained therein and it is understood by me. In pursuant of her message, I have every conviction that you are determined to live for humanity and posterity. My client cannot claim these funds herself as a result of,
1. She is under-going medical treatment. It has defiled all forms of medicine,and right now has only about a few months to live, according to medical experts.
2. She wants God to be merciful to her and accept her soul that explains why she has decided to give alms to charity organizations and she want this to be one of the last good deeds she has done on earth.
I wish to plead with you to join my client for not only serving humanity,but to also benefit in the process. This process could be strange but reality will definitely dawn on you, if you pay full attention to it and you adhere to my instructions. I have to say here that my client does not intend to cause you any personal pains or discomfort. If this agreed by us we can eventually proceed to discuss the process of the transfer of receivership to you to enable you adequatly carry out the job that you are called to do.Firstly,we must sign an agreement that the funds will be used solely for the purpose of humanitarian and charity purposes and only a fraction (30%)will come to you. I advise that you do not help an organization you do not know or get involved in projects you do not see. Trust and respect is very important for me and I want you to promise me that you will not fail my client's expectations.I will appreciate it if you act fast so that my stay in Holland will not be unecessarily long.
Kindly send me your full details to enable me make contact with you.
I will want you to note that whatsoever expenses we make in the actualisation of this mutual and beneficial transaction such as telephone bills and other related expenses shall be reinbursed from 5% set aside for the settlement of expenses incurred by us,this include my legal fees and other related expenses.

You can call me anytime.

Hope to here from you soon.

Regards,

Van Bell.

My reply to Van Bell:

Good Morning Mr. Van Bell,

I respectfully accept and promise to carry out your clients wishes. I am amazed by her will and faith, it is so lacking anymore in the world.
Can you send me more details as to your instructions, or shall we discuss this over the phone. I will be unavailable for a few hours this morning to get my children ready and off to school, but can call you when I return approximately 9am PST, I am not sure what time it is in Amsterdam. Amazingly I visited Amsterdam in the early 90's and loved it.

My mailing address is xxxxxx. I can receive any type of delivery such as Fedex, UPS, Postal Service or any other available source you choose to use.

Must express to you that do wish to carry out Melissa's wishes and have chose to do so without knowing or asking of her what the monetary amount is we are talking about. She through e-mails seems to be a wonderful woman, and I am saddened by her condition. I recently lost my Grandmother to cancer and watched it take over life, so I know it is not easy for Melissa, but I have wished her all the prayers and comfort that I can and will continue to do so.

Thank You. ...

From: VAN_BELL <vanbell_advocat@yahoo.com>
Sent: November 12, 2004
Subject: Hello

Dear Mrs Brown,

Good day to you and your family.

Please feel free to call me anytime and i will be on hand to be of service to you,my client told me so many lovely things about you and i cannot help but extend such respect to you.

I will prefare us to discuss over the phone so you can understand the process completely.

Kindly send me your telephone number so that i can put a call across to you.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Van Bell.

I call the lawyer, and have a short conversation with him, where he mentioned that the fund is 8.6 USD million. He sounded very convincing. Afterwards, I send him an e-mail:

I enjoyed speaking with you, and thank you for taking care of Melissa and her affairs.

My phone is 00+1- 999-888-7777 because of my schedule here the best time to reach me by phone is between 7am - 1pm PST time. Monday through Friday. The weekends are crazy as all of my children are home and it is quite loud here. The international connections seem to break up at times as if it was a cellular phone. If I am not reachable at home you can leave voice message on my cellular at 00+1-999-777-6666

Thank you and I will look forward to your future emails....

The same afternoon, I write to Melissa:

Good Day,
Hope you are doing well today. I did speak with Mr. Van Bell this morning. He has reviewed your wishes with me and I do understand them. I am hoping that he is properly taking care of your affairs and not misleading anyone. I have a hard time on occassion trusting and I think this time it is because we are only by email. He has stated that he would send photo of himself as you did and I await those, maybe it will ease my mind that we are all real people wanting to help others for the good of our hearts and gods love. Not for evil and unminded intentions as I have had enough of that in my life since my Grans passing.

Well, I do look to hear from you soon, and please pardon me for being so mellow today. ...

From: VAN_BELL <vanbell_advocat@yahoo.com>
Sent: November 13, 2004
Subject: Hello

Dear Mrs Brown,

Find attached copy of your power of Attorney. Carefully read through it and get back to me.

Regards,

Van Bell.

Note the nice picture of George Washington. What is he doing on a letterhead from a southafrican lawyer?

This is where I thought that a 8.6 USD million transfer would be nice but really sounds too good to be true, has to be a hoax.

From: VAN_BELL <vanbell_advocat@yahoo.com>
Sent: November 13, 2004
Subject: Hello

Dear Mrs Brown,

Find attached copies of your letter of agreement. Carefully read through ,endorse it and fax a copy to me for record purpose.

Regards,

Van Bell.

From: VAN_BELL <vanbell_advocat@yahoo.com>
Sent: November 13, 2004
Subject: Hello

Dear Mrs Brown,

Good day to you.

I have sent you all the required documents you shall need to make contact with the Finance firm. Find below the details of the officer in charge of your transaction-

MR HARRY BAKER
TENEL FINANCE & SECURITIES
TEL- +31 645 918 912
FAX- +31 614 612 333

Endeavour to contact him on Monday morning so he can put you through the process of recievership of the funds.

I shall be going to Switzerland tommorow and will be coming back hopefully on or before Thursday.

Have a lovely weekend and extend my regards to your family.

Van Bell.

From: VAN_BELL <vanbell_advocat@yahoo.com>
Sent: November 14, 2004
Subject: Hello

Dear Mrs Brown,

Good day to you and your family.

Kindly acknowledge the reciept of all the documents and endeavour to contact Mr Harry Baker tommorow morning.

I shall give you a call from Switzerland.

Regards,

Van Bell.

Van Bell calls me twice and tells me that he is going somewhere else after Switzerland, and I therefore should contact Mr. Baker.

I search on the internet and cannot find the companies and addresses. I end up on Miss Youngs homepage http://419.bittenus.com. I contact her, and she advises me to drop the conversation with Melissa and Van Bell.

Later I found the shown e-mail on the internet. It is similar to the one that I received, only this time Melissa has been diagnosed with Cancer, and has only a few month to live.

Subject: God Bless You

Dear Friend,

This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not yet met. I have to say that I have no intentions of causing you any pains so i decided to contact you through this medium . As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday.

My name is Melissa Kathleen,I have been diagnosed with Cancer that was discovered very late due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled all form of medicine and right now, I have only about a few months to live according to medical experts.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business,i did not even bother having children. Though I am very rich, But money cannot buy life, I only focus on my business as that was the only thing I cared for.

But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that I know my time is near,I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few close friends and Schools in South Africa. I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations.
Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and donate the money, which I have there to charity, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contented with what I have left for them. The last of my money is deposited with a Security Firm in Holland. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations and let them know that it is I MELISSA KATHLEEN that is making this generous donation.

I am writing this from my sick bed where I await my time to come. I pray that God uses you to support and assist me with a good heart.

NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished as I dont want anything that will Jeopadize my last wish and i don't want my family members to know about this.

Thanks.

Yours Sincerely
Melissa Kathleen.