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Scamming The Scammers
Joe M posted in Musing, homelife on May 24th, 2009

Seems like every other day, I get an email that goes something like this:

Dear Sir / Madam,

With due respect,trust and humanity,I write this letterto you seeking your
help and assistance,though its difficult since we have not met before.I got
your address from the SOUTH AFRICA INFORMATION EXCHANGE (S.A.I.E)regarding
your business profile and sincerity.I believe that you are capable and
reliable in handling this urgent international transaction of this sort.

I am MR. XXXXXXX YYYYYYYY,the first and only son of COMRADE.AAAAAAAA
BBBBBBBBB,the Zimbabwean former Minister for Youth & Gender Equality who is
also a businessman and politician,in the Zimbabwean political arena.My
father was the famous politician who stood firm against President MMMMMMM
idea of continuous fight in Democratic Republic of Congo and my father also
stood against the seizure of white owned farms and the distribution of it to
the blacks without Compesiation to the white owners.Before my father’s
death, in his “WILL”he specifically drew my attention to this sum of
US$21,320Million,(TWENTY ONE MILLION,THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND
UNITED STATE DOLLAR)which he deposited in a safe box of a private security
company in south Africa,INFACT MY FATHER SAID IN HIS WILL AND QUOTE:-

“MY beloved son,I wish to draw your attention to the sum of
US$21,320,000.00(TWENTY ONE MILLION,THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND UNITED
STATE DOLLAR),which I deposited in a box with a security company in
Johannesburg,South Africa. Incase of my absence on earth caused by
death,only you should solicit for reliable foreign partner to assist you to
transfer this money out of south Africa for investment purpose.I deposited
the money in your name and it can be claimed by you alone with the deposit
code.Your mother has all the document.Take good care of your mother and
sister

From the above,you will understand that the lives and future of my family
depends on this money,I will be very grateful if you can assist us,we are
now living in South Africa as political asylum seekers and the financial
laws of south Africa does not allow asylum seeker certain financial rights
to such huge amount of money.In view of this,I cannot invest this money
here in south africa,hence I am asking you to assist me transfer this money
out of south africa for investment purpose.

For your efforts,am prepared to offer you 25%of the total fund, while 5% will
be set aside for local and international expenses and 70% will be kept by my
family and me.All I want you to do is to furnish me with your entire
personal phone and fax numbers for easy communication.

Note that this transaction is 100% Risk free and absolutely confidential.

Looking forward hearing from you.

Yours Faithfully
MR. XXXXXXX YYYYYYYY

Entertainment comes in many forms.

The guys over at 419eater.com seem to do a great job of entertaining themselves (and everyone else) while ‘running interference’ for the rest of us.

They call themselves scambaiters.

Their goal is to keep the scammers busy, enough to occupy their time and ultimately frustrate the scammers, subsequently leaving them with fruitless efforts.

I have been visiting the site for several months, and still have not read all of the exchanged letters.

Recently, I had the enjoyment of reading The tale of the painted breast.

It’s really long, and takes a little time to read.

The gyst…

It’s scam the scammer, as with the other letters in the letter archive at 419eater.com.

The string begins with a reply to the scammer, telling him that the writer is a minister wanting to help.

The catch is, the minister is not able to assist anyone that is not a member of ‘his faith.’

As it turns out, the scammers are willing to jump through all kinds of hoops to ’set their hook,’ even converting to bogus religious faiths.

So, after the scammer changes faiths, the exchange continues between the minister and the scammer.

The amazing part is the creativity and the utility of the writer (Shiver Metimbers, AKA Father Hector Barnett).

After a string of prolonged emails, the minister breaks off communication with the scammer.

Bringing other characters into the mix, Shiver Metimbers poses as other ministers and law enforcement in pursuit of Father Barnett.

As it turns out, Father Barnett is on the run.

He left the church to join the circus as a clown (who happens to have a drinking problem, as well as a gambling habit).

Not to give too much spoilage, but the adventure includes photoshopped pictures of castmembers of ‘Frasier,’ as well as a swarm of fake documents passed back and forth, from both parties.

It’s a great weekend read.

(Caution:  The letters and pictures may include matter that may be offensive to some people, possibly inappropriate for adolescents.)

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