Nigerian Free Money!

This is my favorite email scam...I mean this guy really hung on even though my responses were clearly insane. Very persistent. Finally he told me his "real" name and changed over to just a direct solicitation of cash. Kinda long. Enjoy!

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr Vin Herbert [mailto:drvinuerbert@ureach.com]
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 3:56 AM
To: drvinuerbert@ureach.com
Subject: OFFER

Dr. Vin Herbert Okon
Marble Palace,
B.P. 7190 Kinshasa,
Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tel: 83.38.41.64.


URGENT BUSINESS TRANSACTION
You may be surprised to receive my letter, however, I
got your contact from the Democratic Republic of Congo
chamber of commerce and trade. I have decided to
contact you for confidential, urgent and rewarding
joint business.

Continued...

My name is Dr. Vin Herbert Okon, I was a personal assistant
to the late Democratic Republic of Congo. president,
LAWRINCE KABILA, who was assassinated in February 1998
and my aim of writing to you is because of the need
for a trusted and honest person, who I can entrust the
sum of US$28.3M(Twenty Eight Million Three hundred
housand US Dollars)are the death of president LAWRINCE
KABILA,
I and late president secured the sum of US$28.3M in a
security firm in London in my name for investment. Now that he
is late, I want to transfer the money from London to your
cuntry for investment, because as a civil servant we are
prohibited to operate foreign account in our names
since we are still in government. Hence I am asking
for your assistance to have the money in your custody
pending when I will secure travel documents
to come over to your country.
If you be willing to assist me, we share the money
as follow: for you 20% of total sum, 70% for me, 10%
will be use to offsetting debts/expenses in cured
during this transaction. I have all the title
documents to the funds which I can transfer to you to
enable you have access to the fund.
Please be informed this business transaction is 100%
risk free and legitimate.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated
co-operation.
God bless you.
Thanks
Dr. Vin Herbert Okon

******************************************************************

Dear Dr. Okon,
What a pleasure to hear from a fellow human from the Congo! What a terrific history your nation has, although I must admit I am aware of it mostly only after Europeans came and started messing everything up. What with all the determined European explorers and the colonial period under the rule of King Leopold of Belgium, what a difficult time of exploitation for the Congolese people. How happy I was to hear that the Congo had become independent in the early sixties, a time for great rejoicing!
I am very much interested in proceeding with this transaction. The opportunity for me to be of assistance to another noble being is what drives all my lifeforce, all my being. For you see, after my parents were blown up in a volcano last year, and were eaten by the gophers that streamed forth from its steam spouting vents, I was kidnapped by aliens. They look exactly like Vin Diesel, all of them. Contrary to popular belief, there were no probes, no examination nor anything of that nature. Instead, they looked me deep in the eyes, into my soul they reached, and imbued me with great power. I can lift great weights with my mind! Yesterday, I lifted a shopping cart out of my way to get to the register quicker. The old lady was hanging on to the cart and it just lifted her right off the ground! Pretty soon I should be able to lift big rocks and stuff. Then I'm going to be a big man around town. Also, I can hear things from a great distance, but that's not much good cause everything is so damn noisy. I got all these great big crystals, and I'm going to have a big meditation fest, and this time there will be a real harmonic convergence, even if I have to pick up and toss everybody not thinking good thoughts into the sea, dammit.
So, when I got your email, I immediately booked a trip to London on my last few dollars on my credit card. I'll be there tomorrow. Can you tell me which bank to go to? I have a big duffell bag to put the money in. When will you be in the USA? I will prepare some curried lamb for you.
All my love to you and yours fellow human. May you be imbued with white light and lifted, raised up high by the good spirits that surround you and protect you from all the bad bad things that can happen, like being eaten by ants, or prawns.
Congenially,
Tom

******************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 12:22 PM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: DEPOSIT CERTIFICATE
Dear Brother,

Thanks for your mail,

I want to let you know that this fund was deposited with a security company in London,so if we can proceed you just let me know,so that I can tell you, your role in this transaction,am also sending to you the deposit certificate which we used to deposit the consignment with the security company in London.

I know is not easy to believe someone you have not meet before,please do you really want to assist my family? if not don't joke with us.

Waiting for your urgent reply.

Dr. Okon

******************************************************************

Dearest Dr. Okon,

I can tell that you are a man of similar persuasions to mine. Tell me, do you like movies about gladiators?

I want to let you know that this morning, I tried again to lift the sidewalk outside my workplace, and it moved! I am developing great power and I have decided that I will not be a benificent omnipotent being. I will be quite malevolent. I have not yet decided who to smite and who to elevate as a peer, but you have already earned my good graces by not calling me a "liar, a petty petty liar with delusions of grandeur" as my poor mother did just as the gophers were chewing her nose off. You shall be my right hand man, and I will embue you with power just less than mine. Your power will only be any good as long as I live, however, so don't get any ideas over there. Don't get smart. Don't try anything funny.

I have begun planning my palace, very fortunate that I will be able to use funds from this transaction to build my palace, it will have a great harem. I learned about harems from reading the 1000 and one nights, have you read it? Lots of harems. You may enjoy my harems as long as you are my right hand man. Also, we will have a concert hall and a jacuzzi. A basketball court, and one of those giant chessboards where the pieces are real people, and an orchard with trees full of fruit and great gardens and fountains, and an observatory. We will have a tall tower in which to imprison important enemies and a dungeon for the lowly ones. You and I, my friend, my brother, we will rule the world! Behind the scenes of course.

I also want a zoo, and the gophers will be treated as gods and allowed to eat anyone they want. Least I can do. Cute little buggers. Big nasty teeth. Do you think a ferris wheel is too much? I do want a movie theatre. And a miniature gold course. Joe Namath will serve us drinks and all the world will kneel before us and call us gods, and we will call down lightning to smite our enemies! Only for someone who thinks so alike to me will I offer this. Have you ever been in a Turkish prison?

I like the document you sent, but is it safe to keep that? It seems very dangerous for that to be lying around. Just in case, I'll burn my computer to be sure our transaction is safe. Don't worry, I can still check my email using my new mental powers. Last thing I tried was to order something from Amazon.com using only my mind, and it worked! When we meet I will give you this power too. You still need a valid credit card, however. I am working on that.

Do you know a good place to find a throne? Or maybe you have one lying around? Also, if you know any women good for our harem, send me the details. My army of followers will bring them to the harem.

Ok, so, I am ready to proceed. What is my role, and how do I expedite? Shall I still board the plane to London, or wait to hear from you here? And, of course, I would never joke with you. I take all matters financial very seriously, and am a reliable, not insane, business partner. Anyone who says I am insane is wrong, and will join the others in eternal torment.

Most sincerely,

Tom

******************************************************************

Tom,

Listen to me very well,I don't I do deal with you in this transaction.

Bye for now

******************************************************************

Dear Dr Okon,

I am very sorry to hear that! I am ready on my end to do whatever is necessary to complete this transaction. I am a trustworthy partner, and I told you, I am not insane.

Will you reconsider? I have always dealt honorably with all my business partners, but every time someone wants to give me millions of dollars for doing almost nothing, it seems as though I scare them away somehow. I just need a second chance. With my share of your riches I could do so much in this world, you and I will be elevated as gods above men!

I have been looking through catalogs for a throne for you, and wonder what is your size? I want to get the right size throne for you. If you want you can have an entire castle all your own. What do you want from me? Ok, ok I'm sorry, it's just that being rejected yet again has left me feeling lonely. Even if this deal doesn't work out, will you come and visit me and my family? We could go for a walk around Pac Bell Park, and throw rocks at the seagulls.

P.S. Today I am buying a goat - if you can come to the US in time, we can have some BBQ goat together!

Tom (is not insane)

******************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Vin H. Okon [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 2:17 PM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: RE: I CAN'T DEAL WITH YOU SORRY
Tom,

If you serious to handle this transaction,then send the information i asked you to send to enable us proceed immediately.

Bye

******************************************************************

Hi Dr. Okon,

I knew that if you could see the real me you would know that I am trustworthy to handle this for you. My whole life people didn't trust me to do things right, and as I told you, when I am a malevolent despot, they will all suffer, but you will be raised up and worshipped by my side.

I checked back through the previous messages you sent, and I am not sure what information it is you need to proceed, I can't find where you asked for that before. Would you let me know what you require of me? I am anxious to get this underway, what with Christmas coming up and all.

Many gophers will suffer as I continue to avenge my poor parents this holiday season. I have found two young nubile wenches and already have them in my harem, I want to ask again, are there any women, young and lithe, that you might recommend for my harem? I assure you that you may share fully in the enjoyment of their womanly luxuries.

Awaiting your response, most sincerely,

Tom

******************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Vin H. Okon [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 5:22 PM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: WAITING

Mr. Tom,

Please if you are serious to handle this transaction send the following infomation to my family to enable us know whom we are dealing with:

1) Your full name

2) Your full address

3) First Page of your international passport

4) Private phone numer.

After this i will tell you,your role in this transaction.

Bye for now

******************************************************************

Hi Dr. Okon,

I am very pleased to hear from you. I knew you would see the real me, and I have been using my newly acquired mind control powers to influence you. So, really, to tell the truth, I knew you would write me back. I can see us now, together, standing on a bluff overlooking the sea, watching our minions drown the babies of all who oppose us.

My name:

Tom Sizemore Selleck
69 Elm St.
Beverly Hills CA 90210

I don't have a passport. Will that be a problem?

I don't have a private phone, and it is imperative that my wife not find out about this, she will answer my phone. Can we handle by email?

And before we continue, I must know your feelings about gophers. Tell me, what do you think of gophers?

I am expecting delivery of half a goat in the next few days, frozen after slaughter, and wonder, will you join me for a BBQ? I plan to make little pieces on skewers, rolled in peanuts, chili peppers and oil, and grill them like that. Delicious!! If you can be in the USA soon, let me know, I will plan for the BBQ so you can be present.

Do you know anything about sump pumps? My sump pump doesn't work right, and with all this rain, I am worried that my harem will get wet.

-Tom

******************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Vin H. Okon [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 3:34 PM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: SEND THE PHONE NUMBER
MR. TOM,

SEND THE PHONE NUMBER I WANT TO TALK YOU,BEFORE I LET YOU KNOW THE NEXT THING TO DO.

DR. VIN

******************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Ocampo [mailto:tocampo@XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 3:48 PM
To: 'Dr. Vin H. Okon'
Subject: RE: SEND THE PHONE NUMBER
Dear Dr. Okon,

I must know your feelings about gophers before I send the phone number.

Tom

From: Dr. Vin H. Okon [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 7:16 AM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: Thanks a lot
Tom,

Thanks a lot

Bye for now

Hi Dr. Okon,

I have enjoyed our conversations very much, please write again anytime! And do let me know if you will be in the US, I will make dinner for you!

Tom

******************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Vin H. Okon [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 1:36 AM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: Thanks a lot
DEAR TOM,

HAPPY WEEKEND TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

YES, IS REALY NICE CHATING WITH YOU,AM JUST A YOUNG MAN AT 27YEARS,IF REALLY YOU WANT TO BE MY FRIEND I WILL TELL MORE ABOUT MY SELF.

YOU SHOULD THINGS ARE HAD HERE IN MY COUNTRY,SO I DON'T ANY THING TO DO THAN TO DO THIS KIND OF BUSINESS BUT I PRAY GOD WILL FORGIVE ME.

THE PICTURE I GAVE+YOU IS NOT MY PICTURE.

THANKS A LOT HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN.

MR. NELSON

******************************************************************

Dear Mr. Nelson,

It's so nice to hear from you again. I am happy to continue our correspondence.

Yes, if it is truly the Congo where you live then I do understand that things are bad, and that it is very difficult to make a living. It is hope for the future that keeps us all going. I understand that sometimes a person must make difficult decisions, compromises to try to find a way to live and prosper. May god forgive, and may you forgive yourself - for if you succeed, it will bring difficulty to another's life, and will not remove difficulty from yours.

And sometimes I do wonder why it is that some people have been born into difficult lives and others find themselves in comfort. I have been lucky, to find a good wife and have a fine son. I am thankful every day that I can work and make a living. But life is always a struggle, and I struggle as well, every day. But I think that my struggles may be trivial, when I read of the challenges facing peoples around the earth in places such as where you live.

All I can really do is to wish you luck and that you will find a way to prosper honestly.

I am 38 yrs, I work for a magazine that fights for the rights of the less fortunate people, and I make a very low wage compared to many around me in business. But my work is rewarding, I know that I am making a difference in somebody's life, somehow. My son is 2 yrs, he will go to school in a year. I spend my spare time working on my house and playing with my son, or cooking. I like to make all different kinds of food, and last night I made a stew of fish with onion, tomato, palm oil and chili peppers with mint rice that my wife loves.

I will be happy if you can ever visit, I will make a nice dinner for you. And I wish you the best of luck, and no gophers!

Tom

******************************************************************

From: Dr. Vin H. Okon [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 9:38 AM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: THANKS
DEAR TOM,

HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?HOPE ALL IS WELL,IF SO THANKS BE TO GOD.

YES,IS REALLY REALLY HAD TO MAKE A LIVING IN MY COUNTRY BECUASE THE GOVERNMENT DON'T CARE FOR THE POOR BUT GOD'S IS ALWAYS THERE TO CARE FOR US.

PLEASE FOR YOUR INFORMATION AM NOT FROM CONGO,I ONLY USE THAT CONGO STORY,AM FROM NIGERIA,IF YOU CARE I WILL SEND TO YOU MY REAL PICTURE,I CAN TRUST YOU AS MY GOOD FRIEND.

HOW COME TELL ME THOSE STORIES?ABOUT SO MANY THINGS ABOUT YOUR LIFE,WHY?

THIS IS MY PRIVATE PHONE NUMBER 234-8033185786.

EXTEND MY GREETINGS TO YOUR LITTLE SON.

MR NELSON

******************************************************************

Dear Mr. Nelson,

I and my family are well, thank you, although my son does not sleep well, and it makes my wife grumpy.

How are you and your family? I also hope all is well for you and yours.

I am not surprised to hear that your government does not care for the poor. The same is true here, and I believe is true of most governments. But here at least we have peace and the poor are relatively well off. Because of government reforms we had seventy years ago, many of the poor here have some safety net to rely on, but our current government is trying to do away with that.

Why did I tell you so many stories about my life? Here is the reason. I run a small store on the internet, and I rely on email for my living. Everyday my store is beset by fraud. Many, many people try to steal from me everyday. Also, everyday I receive several notes from people in Nigeria, or Congo, or other nations asking for my bank account information because they want to give me a share of a large windfall - such as the email you originally sent me. So, this takes allot of my time. I try to make my day more fun by replying, with more and more outrageous stories about my life, all made up, like your Congo story, just to see how many times they will be replied to. I hope someday to write a book with all this correspondence.

But you are the first peron who has actually written me honestly after such an exchange. What do you hope to do with your life?

Forgive me I have some meetings this afternoon and may not be able to write again until Wednesday.

Tom

******************************************************************

From: Dr. Vin H. Okon [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 2:01 PM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: GOD WILL MAKE A WAY
Dear Mr. Tom,

Thanks for your kind mail to me.

Like the stories you told me about your life, something i will call my friend to show them the email you sent to me and one of friend told you are insane,but I told him that this man knows about this Deal,that he is only joking with me,he is not intrested,but to God be the Glory we are now good friends.

Why I told you the truth is because of the way handle this matter,because if is some other poeple they will tell fuck your mother of black mockey,that is what i was expecting from you,but you didn't say anything like that but you keep on telling me all kinds of stories,that is why I said I must tell you nothing but the truth,to enable me feel free in mind.

Really if am to say,I will like to go back to my old business,which is trading,my shop was burned when the whole market was fire,so since them am not doing anything,before I meet my classmeet who told me about this Deal,so am still intrested in my old business or better travel out this hopeless country of mine.

Am not married,we are 5 in my family,5 boys and 1 girl and am the 5th son followed by our last born which is the girl,so you can see is not too easy for us in our family,but I know God will do it in our life one day.

Even this Xmas I can't even buy anything for myself and my mother is also there,but my father is late,he died two years ago.

Mr. Tom, is really nice having you as my friend,I believe one day, God will be make away,where there is no way for me by providing something good for me to do as a job.

Please tell you son,someone who loves him, is pleading with him to sleep,to that mummy can also sleep.

Thanks and God bless you all.

Mr. Nelson

******************************************************************

Tom

Hi Mr. Nelson,

Thanks again for writing back to me. Sorry it took so long for me to write again, the last couple days were very busy for me.

Yeah, I'm not surprised that your friend thought I was insane, that was the impression that I was trying to give. It's ok, you know, to tell the truth or to lie, either, as long as it's not to hurt another person. So, don't worry, I don't hold it against you. You can still lie to me if you want. I can't, nobody can, promise to be forever and completely truthful.

So sorry to hear about the fire, and your trading shop burned. I guess there was no insurance to help rebuild? I really don't know enough about Nigeria, about it's laws and customs to understand how no one would be there to help you to rebuild. Here everyone would have insurance, and even after a big disaster, everyone would be able to rebuild, at least some part of the business they had before. Insurance can be very costly though, so some people go without, and then if disaster strikes, there is nothing to be done.

In my family, I have one sister older, and two half sisters younger than me. The half sisters live in Italy. The older sister lives in Washington D.C. and teaches at the University, she has a daughter 9 years old. My family is very religious, maybe I am not as religious as others in my family, my sister is also not very religious. I live my life by the ideal that you should treat everyone nicely, and expect the same from them, but don't go to church - I think that mostly the organizations that are religious care about survival and profit more than about their followers - same as governments. So I keep my religion at home.

Tell me, are you a Christian or a Muslim? What languages do you speak besides English? Where did you learn English? What did you used to trade at your shop? How would you get started again if you could? Do you have any plans to try?

Hope all is well for you, wishing you and your family a safe and happy time.

Tom

******************************************************************

From: Dr. Vin H. Okon [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 10:19 AM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: IS EVERYTHING OK?
DEAR MR. TOM,

HAPPY WEEKEND TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,HOPE ALL IS WELL.

IS EVERYTHING OK?BECAUSE SINCE MY LAST MAIL TO YOU,I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU,I ONLY WANT TO KNOW IF EVERYTHING IS OK.

THANKS A LOT.

NELSON

******************************************************************

Hi Nelson,

Sorry for the long silence. I was terribly sick with the flu and a high fever and I missed a week of work. Now my son is sick and my wife too, but both are recovering and I think every one will be ok. The flu this year is a very tough one.

It is almost Christmas now, and I am looking forward to having a few more days off work to rest. We will have a nice dinner Thursday and we have some gifts for our son, who will probably want to play with the wrapping paper more than the toys anyway.

I have a friend who raises goats and lives a few hours north, and I bought half a goat and it's now in the freezer. I'm really excited about barbequeing some of it, and I have a leg to roast, so I am inviting some friends over in January for a party to eat the goat. I wish you could be there, I would love to meet you.

I am sorry to say that even if I could help you, it would be so little, it could not do much for you. Everything here is very expensive, and every month is another challenge to pay our bills, and pay doctors and insurance, pay for heat and water, garbage pick up etc etc. Sometimes I think it would be better for me to move to a city that is less expensive, but I don't know what I could do for work. Also, my wife loves it here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and she would not leave easily.

Here sis the only thing I can offer. I run a small internet store, and work part time. It is the Market at XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.com. We are a politically active magazine and foundation. We fight for the civil rights of all people, so that all people can enjoy the fruits of our collective labor, not just the rich people. If you know anyone who makes hand made goods that might sell on our store on the internet, I could try to figure out how to import the goods to the US and resell them. But I would have to be very selective about what I could offer on the store. It would have to fit our audience and market, and would have to be inexpensive enough to import that a profit could be made reselling. If you have any ideas, let me know. I would want to see a picture and a description, know the cost, etc. Let me know. Maybe, someday. Like for example, a craft made by people who have been displaced by oil exploration might sell on our store.

Hope all is well for you, and wish you a very happy Christmas. Remember that Christmas is in the heart - all you need is family to be blessed.

******************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Vin H. Okon [mailto:drvinherbert@totalise.co.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 7:21 AM
To: Tom Ocampo
Subject: MARRY XMAS TO YOUR FAMILY
DEAR MR. TOM,

HOW ARE YOU TODAY AND YOUR FAMILY HOPE THEY ARE GETTING BETTER,I PRAY GOD WILL GUIDE US.

MR. TOM, I HAVE HEARD ALL YOU SAID ON HOW YOU COULD ASSIST ME,BUT YOU KNOW THE YEAR HAVE ENDED SO ANY ENQUIRE I WILL MAKING ABOUT THE BUSINESS YOU TOLD ME WILL BE BY NEXT YEAR, I BELIEVE THEY ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE DISPLACE BY OIL EXPOLRATION, THERE IS NO PROBELM ABOUT THAT,I HOPE WE CAN GO INTO A GOOD BUSINESS NEXT YEAR B THE GRACE OF GOD.

PLEASE MR. TOM, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR THIS XMAS,EVEN TO BUY FOOD FOR MYSELF,THIS YEAR HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD YEAR FOR ME BUT I BELIEVE BY NEXT YEAR SOMETHING NEW WILL HAPPEN IN MY LIFE, I WILL LIKE YOU TO ASSIST ME WITH ANYTHING YOU HAVE LIKE $100UDS EVEN IF IS LESS THAN THAT, I DON'T MIND,NOTHING IS TOO SMALL FOR ME PLEASE.

I WILL FORGET TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CONDITION OF HEALTH,HOPE YOU ARE GETTING BETTER AND THE WHOLE FAMILY.

I WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A MARRY XMAS AND A HAPPY YEAR.

IF YOU DON'T MIND I WILL LIKE TO HEAR YOU VOICE ON PHONE.

URGENT REPLY NEEDED.

REMAIN BLESSED

NELSON

******************************************************************

Hi Nelson,

Thanks again for writing me back.

I am sorry to hear about your difficulties. I know a little bit about the situation in Nigeria, and how difficult it is for many people. I wish I could help you with money, but it is not possible. $100 is a lot of money to me, allot of money. Even $50 is allot to me. This is the difference between feeding my son and not having food. I am lucky to have a job and a family, but it is all very close to falling apart - always. Even if I did have money to give you, I could not. I would have to give it to my sister, who raises her daughter by herself on the salary of a teacher.

I am interested about possible future business however. But that is a long shot. It will really have to be just the right thing to fit our audience. Please take a close look at www.XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.com, and look at our market. if you have any ideas let me know, send me a picture if you can. I will let you know honestly if I think it might work or not.

I wish you a very happy new year, and truly hope that things will improve for you. Best to you and your family,

Tom

Posted by tom at March 22, 2004 12:41 PM