Scamming the Scammers

By Don Mullan

How many emails have you deleted recently offering you inherited millions from a mystery relative, or the uncollected winnings from an unheard of lottery? Rather than press delete, Don Mullan decided to take the Scammers on at their own game...

As a result, welcome to the fantasy world of the saintly Nod and Catherine Nallum and their associates, Bart Ahern, Biggles and Fr Jonathan Ross; of Pastor Patricio, Supreme Head of the Church of Serendipity and his Parisian friends, and of the 3rd Marquess of Miserly-Scholes of Stoke-on-Trent and his PA/lover, Lady Sarah Macbeth...

As well as highlighting a very serious issue a recent study showed one million residents in the UK have been defrauded by internet scams Don Mullan begins his quest to scam the scammers, with very memorable results.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Legend Press
• Release date: Apr 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781909395756

Don Mullan

Mullan was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1956 and attended St. Eugene Primary School, St Joseph's Boys' School, St. Patrick's College, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow; St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny; Ulster Polytechnic; Holy Ghost College, Dublin; and Iona College, New Rochelle, New York.Mullan was Director of AFrI (Action from Ireland) 1979-93 during which he and colleagues developed the Great Famine Project. He was one of the first in the Irish world to recognize the approaching 150th anniversary of The Great Famine[3] (The Great Hunger) as "a unique historical moment". AFrI’s project helped to generate awareness of the anniversary all over Ireland and throughout the world. Mullan established a "famine walk" in Co. Mayo, commemorating an actual walk of starving Irish peasants in 1848. The walk attracted the attention of ABC, NBC and CBS News during its first three years, 1988-90. The walk continues as an annual event. As part of the project Mullan established several connections with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma[4] and was made an Honorary Chief. The Great Famine Project was multi-disciplined and involved publications, documentaries, dramas and commemorative events including the marking of forgotten mass Famine graves containing the sacred remains of thousands of Irish victims. Mullan worked for the humanitarian agency Concern Worldwide[8] from 1994 until 1996, during which he visited Rwanda and the refugee camps in Zaire. He also worked in Brazil, from 1983 to 1984, during which he organized famine relief to the north-east of the country.

Book preview

Appendix

Introduction

At the heart of this book are four sets of email correspondence. Each began with an unsolicited email that I received and recognised as an Internet scam. Each scam was modelled on what is known as the Nigerian 419 advance-fee fraud, named after the article of the Nigerian Criminal Code that deals with obtaining property by false pretences, or cheating.

Such emails have been turning up in my inbox for at least a decade and my response is almost always to hit the delete button. I say ‘almost always’ because the arrival of a particular email on 25 April 2007 caught my attention. It was identical to one sent to me the previous day, but a change of code in the subject line, from ‘lqumz’ to ‘lusutpblz’, caused me to pause. What did it mean? Was it some sort of reference system to enable the scammer to track different lists of emails?

I began to think about the methods scammers might use to hook and then reel in their victims. Many questions invaded my mind. Why do scammers do what they do? Is it a lucurative industry with a chain of command, or is there more to it? Am I correct in assuming that a scammer would not be able to manipulate me? What money/information would this particular scammer try to obtain? Could I create a plausible scenario to waste this scammer’s time for as long as possible? How would he or she react to being messed about? Wanting the scammer to know what it feels like to be on the wrong end of a frustrating scam, I decided to reply.

The exchanges reproduced here demonstrate how amoral the scammers are and their indifference to the consequences of their actions and the lives they can and do ruin. They reveal various tactics and strategies used to convince their victims that they are trustworthy. I began to recognise these patterns and summarise my findings later in the book. The scammers deal in lies. I countered with fiction. As well as engaging with various scammers, I also examined reports of notorious cases and read interviews. These are discussed and offer fascinating insights into this shameful and depraved industry. We should all be part of the fight to prevent Internet scams and protect vulnerable people and I end the book by looking at some of the steps we can take.

First, however, I invite you to join me in the fantasy worlds of the saintly Nod and Catherine Nallum and their associates, Bart Ahern, Biggles and Fr Jonathan Ross; of Pastor Patricio, Supreme Head of the Church of Serendipity, and his Parisian friends, Michael and Minnie Moose; of downtrodden Karol Joseph Wojtyla Breen and his playful partner, Annie Denver; and of the 3rd Marquess of Miserly-Scholes of Stoke-on-Trent and his PA/lover, Lady Sarah Macbeth. Please remember that these are fictional characters whose attitudes and opinions sometimes differ quite significantly from my own!

In the first scam I have included initial commemtary to help the reader understand my thinking as each email was received. However, after a short time the commentary ceases so that the reader can encounter the exchange without interruption.

Lazar Scam

24 April 2007

From: [e-mail]

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2007 1:16 AM

Subject: From Lazar       lusutpblz

VERY IMPORTANT AND URGENT REQUEST

Please I will be honored if you can respond to this great request, I know it’s not easy, but by the will of God you can do something, my name Lazar, I am 61years old, born in Belgrade, I have been successful in business this past years, married but divorced, now I am living with my adopted daughter Angela, couple of months back I was diagnosed with Leukemia, and the doctors said, the virus have eating deep into my system, the sad news is that I was told that I have only two months to live, dying is not what I am scared of, because at 60 I have lived my life, I am only concern about my 16years old girl, what will become of her after I am gone, I am writing this letter of trust to you, based on my ignorant of who you are, but I believe if you are in my shoes, someone will show compassion on you, but I pray God will not put you in this situation, I am not soliciting for financial aid, what seeking, is a new life for my daughter in the hands of a responsible and honest individual or family, if you are have receive this message, please respond as soon as possible, to save a young girls future, do not worry about what it will cost to take care of this girl, I have over five million dollars in a private account, this money will be kept in your trust for investment, and the income generated will be used for her feeding, education and other material things, you will be rewarded greatly for this kindness. Please if you can help in this regards, please write to me as soon as you can, or just a word of prayer and comfort will help me, until I hear from you.

Sincerely

Lazar

Does anybody fall for such emails? Would a concerned father really offer his daughter to a complete stranger via the Internet? Maybe greed trumps common sense when someone sees ‘over five million dollars’ in an email. But what happens when the scammer gets a bite? To find out, I created a new email account, reversed my name and started typing.

25 April 2007

From: [e-mail]

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:00 AM

Subject: Re: From Lazar lusutpblz

Dear Lazar

You are in my prayers. What must I do to help you?

Nod Nallum

26 April 2007

From: [e-mail]

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:10 AM

Subject: Thank you for the prayers

Dear Nod Nallum,

Your prayers is what i need most, if God can turn my situation around, i will be very glad to take care of my daughter, i have not lived a better life, my life is full of sad stories, i was alcoholic, and a gambling addict, i was a very wealthy man, i lost everything because of heavy drinking and gambling, my wife filed for a divorce, she took everything that i have left, i was about to take my life, but was stopped by a female childhood friend, she encouraged me, that i can start all over again, i took her advice, quit drinking and gambling for good, i went into mining of precious stones, i came back on my feet again, unfortunately, lost my friend, she never witnessed my new beginning, i refused to marry again, i decided to adopt Angela, she is my Angela, and everything i live for, my heart was broken after i realized am ill and about to die, i have lived my life, i need her to start a better life, and i need you good help to make this dream come true, i need someone to take care of her dreams, make sure she is sheltered and fulfill her dreams, she is god fearing and a nice girl to relate with.

If you can assist me in this way, i owe you a lot in this life, and God will pay you in the life hereafter, please write a little more about yourself ok.

Take care

Lazar

What’s a little emotional blackmail between friends? All the same, you would need to be a particularly trusting person to be sucked in by this fraudster. Interestingly, the sender’s email address has changed to an Australian Yahoo account. I’m intrigued to find out where our correspondence will lead.

From: [e-mail]

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 4:55 PM

Subject: Re: Thank you for the prayers

Dear Lazar

I am a middle-aged professional man with a family of five children ranging in ages from 8 to 23. I commute between the UK and Ireland and travel extensively with my work globally. We have a wonderful home and a very happy environment. I wish you well with all your hopes. If we can be of assistance, we look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards

Nod

27 April 2007

From: L. Vukadinovic

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 8:44 AM

Subject: Re: Thank you for the prayers

Dear Sir,

If you wish to help, i certainly need that help from you very soon, whatever you will do to keep Angela safe for me while i am gone, please do that and i will kindly reward you.

Lazar

From: [e-mail]

To: L. Vukadinovic

Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 9:56 AM

Subject: Re: Thank you for the prayers

Dear Lazar

I need you to give me specific instructions about what you want me to do. Once I am clear on that, I hope to offer you the kind of help you need to ensure the ongoing safety of Angela.

Kind regards

Nod

From: L. Vukadinovic

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 12:05 PM

Subject: needed more information

Dear Sir,

please note the following information, the doctors said my situation is critical, its my dream that she grow up to be somebody in life, and since i will not be around to see that dream come to pass, i am requesting that she find a place of comfort in a good family, what i want you to understand is that she is young, and she cannot start a better life on her own without the supervision of adult, i want you to be my trustee or beneficiary to what i am leaving behind, i mean you can be the executor to all my estates, i have some funds in the bank, the money will be put into investment, and the income will be used to care for her education and material needs, this does not include buying of illegal substances, like hard Drugs, weed of any kind, she can get any money she will need for academic materials, clothing and food, but the real capital will not be handed over to her at anytime, i dont know if you do understand what i am trying to say, please do let me know if you need further clarification ok.

I wait to hear from you soon.

Sincerely

Michael

Michael? Is this a slip-up?

From: [e-mail]

To: L. Vukadinovic

Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 2:39 PM

Subject: Re: needed more information

Michael?

I understood I was communicating with Lazar. All that you outline is reasonable. Nothing that any caring parent would not wish for their own children. We (my wife and I and our family) can meet all your requirements. Now all we need, given your urgent situation, is clear instructions regarding how we can advance the situation to ensure your wishes regarding Angela are fulfilled.

Kind regards

Nod

28 April 2007

From: Michael Smith

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2007 9:33 AM

Subject: From Lazar’s Attorney

Dear Sir,

My name is Michael Smith, this is to inform you that, my client Dr. Lazar Vukadinovic, passed away this morning, below is the last message you sent to his ID, please you can contact me for further information regarding his request, Angela his daughter is with me temporally.

Looking forward to hearing from you

Michael Smith Esq.,

Faase Chambers & Associates

[72 Edison Crescent Sunning Hills] (Address given is a private house in a residential suberb of north Johannesburg)

Tel: [phone]

RIP Lazar. Now to deal with the lawyer and, no doubt, his legal fees.

29 April 2007

From: [e-mail]

To: Michael Smith

Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 12:56 PM

Subject: Re: From Lazar’s Attorney

Dear Mr Smith

We are so dreadfully saddened to learn of Lazar’s sudden passing. I had hoped we might become friends before he finally succumbed to his illness. Now what is important is to ensure that poor young Angela is taken care of. Tell me what we must do to advance the wishes of the late Dr Lazar Vukadinovic. I presume there are legal papers and the exchanging of bank details, etc.

Would it be possible for us to begin communicating with Angela? My daughters would especially like to get to know their future sister.

With kindest best wishes and gratitude for all that you did and continue to do to help our dear friend Lazar.

Sincerely

Nod

From: Michael Smith

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 2:18 PM

Subject: Re: From Lazar’s Attorney

Dear Sir,

It was a shocking news, although his death was anticipated, but I did not believe it will this soon, but there is nothing to worry about, I will make sure all that he wished will come to pass, he left a promissory note, in that note he indicated that he wanted you to take care of Angela, he promised you and your family the sum of five hundred thousand dollars, if you accept to take care of her, and you will be trustee over his estate and all pecuniary legacies, the sum of five million dollars will be kept in your trust, this money will be put into investment, and the profit withal will be used for Angela’s education, material expenses, any illicit materials, like hard drugs and so on are not allowed at her disposal, she will get any money she needed for important things, but the real money will not be handed over to her at any time, if you are too old to keep her legacy, the next family member, likely your spouse will take control of the legacy.

I will draw up the legal process to be completed, so Angela can be handed over to you as her new Guardian, follow up will be setting up a trustee in your name, before all money involved will be transferred to your account, it must be one step at a time, please be informed that his funeral rights is coming up tomorrow, Angela will be with me temporally until all legal papers for her to join your family will be completed, I will personally come with her to meet with you, in order to complete her father’s wishes, if there is any further information you will need, please contact me quickly.

Sincerely

Michael Smith Esq.,

I’m rich! $500,000 as a golden handshake plus $5 million in a trust fund and the only stipulation is that we don’t feed Angela weed or hard drugs.

From: [e-mail]

To: Michael Smith

Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 11:41 PM

Subject: Re: From Lazar’s Attorney

Dear Sir

Thank you for informing me of this. I have access to a private jet. I have discussed this with my wife and we feel it would be appropriate for us to travel to the funeral to be with Angela during this distressing time. Please give us the details of where and when. We are ready to travel this evening, if necessary.

Yours sincerely

Dr Nod Nallum

30 April 2007

From: Michael Smith

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:45 AM

Subject: Re: From Lazar’s Attorney

Attention: Dr. Nod Nallum,

Dear Sir,

Thank you, for your recent message, I hope you are doing great today? I must confess that I am really surprise to read you last message, I thought over the contents throughout the night, I cannot find the single word to qualify your humanity, people like you are very hard to come by, and wherever Lazar is at this moment, he will forever be happy to have meet someone like you, and I must also forward my respect to your wife, she is a woman with integrity, to understand what it is for someone to lose love ones, but in all this, I regret to let you know that the funeral took place on Sunday, and I did not see your mail until this morning when I got to my office, sorry about that, but your kindness will not go unrewarded, its ok you save the high cost of flying your Jet thousands of miles from Britain to Africa, I guess it can be used for other important things, what do you think?

I have prepared to start the necessary paper work to have all this estate and pecuniary legacy put in your trust, and it good to let you know, that there are some legal cost the paper work will cost, below you will find the necessary legal work to be done.

Administrative Work:

Once it have been agreed that you are to take care charge of Lazars legacy, a court written confirmation must be obtained, it is in form of a Certificate called Grant Probate this is a proof to the authorities and the rest of the world that the deceased man’s estate and all pecuniary legacy is vested on you, below this, is the information on how to apply for the Grant

Application for a Grant:

Total Cost: USD$1,477.85 not Incl. Vat & Disbursements

As soon as all this paper works are put in place, we are ready to make the final move, to bring the young girl over to you, and the entire pecuniary legacy keep in your trust, then we know the next step forward.

I wait to get your confirmation on these procedures.

Sincerely

Michael Smith Esq.,

I’ll set aside the fact that he thought all night about an email that he then claimed he didn’t see until the next morning, because it looks like we are finally getting down to business. Lazar has been conveniently laid to rest and, of course, various legal fees must now be paid to advance the process.

From: [e-mail]

To: Michael Smith

Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 2:45 PM

Subject: Re: From Lazar’s Attorney

Dear Mr Smith

We are saddened that we were unable to be with Angela for the interment of her closest guardian. Please let Angela know that we were very near to her during this past weekend.

I have your accounts to hand. Please advise me how I should transfer this money to you so that all necessary paperwork can be completed.

Also, we are close friends with a South African Government Minister who is also a lawyer. He will be happy to recommend a legal firm to work with you to ensure that all is handled in a proper and entirely legal manner. Is it okay if I have our lawyer in South Africa contact you directly on our behalf?

Yours sincerely

Dr Nallum

From: Michael Smith

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 4:36 PM

Subject: Your Contact information

Dear Dr. Nod Nallum,

Thank you for your email, its good to understand that you are family with Government official here, but i will advice that its not appropriate to complicate matters, especially where two lawyers from different firm, handling one matter, i can take care of the process, moreover Lazar trusted me with his paper work, so i will advice we work this out without any complication, there are two different ways you can have the money transfered down here to cover the work, bank to bank transfer, and the other is much easier and faster, and that is the Moneygram International Money Transfer, if you are using the Moneygram Money Transfer, please use the information given below,

Name: Michael Joseph Smith

Address: [Edison Crescent Sunning Hills]

City: Johannesburg

Country: South Africa

Tel: [phone]

Please kindly include your contact information in your next email.

Sincerely

Michael

He’s probably trying to establish who I am. I need to create an illusion that has him searching in the wrong place.

From: [e-mail]

To: Michael Smith

Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 5:49 PM

Subject: Re: Your Contact information

Dear Michael

I will have the money transferred tomorrow morning as soon as the banks open. Please send me your account details and I will have it processed immediately. This is far less complicated than an international MoneyGram transfer.

I will trust you on this dear Michael. Lazar, I sense, was a wonderful man and if he trusted you, then I do also, implicitly.

I have investments in Bloemfontein and Uitenhage, South Africa and in nearby Swaziland and Lesotho, which are considerable. Once this matter has been concluded satisfactorily and Angela is entrusted to our care, it might be that we will engage your company again. I need a good solicitor whom I can trust from afar.

With kindest regards.

Yours sincerely

Nod Nallum

President

A Book Company Depot

West Sussex

UK

1 May 2007

From: Michael Smith

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 1:24 PM

Subject: Re: Your Contact information

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your email, i will be greatful if you engage us as your legal representative here, but we will talk more about that after this legal matters are taken care off, somtimes i will like to speak to you over the phone for urgent matters, so i will be honored if you forward your telephone number to me. Today is a public holiday here in South Africa, do the banks open today in UK? anyways, find below the account information that you will use to make the transfer as soon as possible.

Bank Account Details:

Name of Bank: HSBC London

Account No: 57026622

Swift Code: MIDLGB22

Beneficiary: Mr. I Nahanna

Swift Code: RNNSZAJJ

Please send information relating to the transfer once it is done, if you are interested in Communicating with Angela, you can write to her with this email account, its for her father [e-mail].

Looking forward to hearing from you

Sincerely

Michael Smith Esq.,

I wonder if HSBC is aware that one of its accounts is used in Internet scams. I’ll follow it up with the bank, but for now, here’s me as a ‘new’ dad!

From: [e-mail]

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 2:20 PM

Subject: Hello Angela from your ‘new’ Dad

Dear Angela

Greetings from the UK where, I hope, you will come to be with us shortly. My wife and children are looking forward to welcoming you.

We are so very sorry about the loss of your father, Lazar. We had hoped to be with you for the funeral but, unfortunately, Mr Smith, your father’s trusted solicitor, did not receive our email until after the burial.

Please tell me something about you, Angela, and your hopes for when you come to be with us. What music do you like? What hobbies do you enjoy? Is there anything we can get to really make you happy?

We live in Sussex, England, in a beautiful home. You will have your own bedroom and we will help you to decorate it whatever way you want.

Our five children are looking forward to your arrival amongst us. Toby (8), Samantha (13), Julian (15), Kate (18) and Trevor (23) have asked me to send you their best wishes.

Take care dear Angela. Mrs Nallum, your new mum, and I send you our kindest best wishes.

Sincerely

‘Dad’

PS. I know I can never be a substitute for Lazar, but I promised him that I would be good to you and I promise you that I will be.

From: [e-mail]

To: Michael Smith

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 4:50 PM

Subject: Re: Your Contact information

Dear Michael

Yes, while it is May 1st, banks in the UK are open today. My bank has contacted me about the money transfer and raised two matters:

1. The expenses you outline are not inclusive of VAT and disbursements. Please advise me what these are and add them to the bill so that I can transfer the total amount.

2. They have asked me to check that the account you gave me is correct. It is an HSBC London account and not in the name of you or your solicitor’s firm.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely

Nod

PS. I have written to Angela and told her we are really looking forward to her coming to live with us. We hope to hear from her soon.

2 May 2007

From: Michael Smith

To: [e-mail]

Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 7:48 AM

Subject: Re: Your Contact information

Dear Friend,

the bank information is correct, you can make the transfer with this information, the beneficiary is a solicitor in this firm, please note that matters like this we normally use this account, we only receive our legal fees with the firm’s account, if the bank transfer will be a problem for you, you can use the other transfer alternative that i gave to you, there are some taxes charge for this documents, i did not include it, because i do not have the exact figure, but we can say approximately it will be an additional USD$275.17, so we are looking at an amount of USD$1,753.02

I was visiting your website, i saw few important information about your business, but we will talk more about that later, can i reach through the contact numbers on in your website? well i hope to hear from you soon, please send reference information to me as soon as you confirm the transfer is complete.

I will be sending you a copy of the agreement of Guardianship, this is a first step to take Angela under your protection.

Sincerely

Michael J Smith Esq.,

I wonder what website he was looking at? I think my best approach is to distract him with a kick in the nuts.

From: [e-mail]

To: Michael Smith

Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 3:44 PM

Subject: Re: Your Contact information

Dear Michael

My bank manager has sown seeds of doubt that are disturbing me. He says it is very unusual that I would be asked to make a payment into a London account for services