# Woo! I got me my own African money scam e-mail! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 30, 2006, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114 "2006-12-30T14:35:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2006, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/1 "2006-12-30T14:35:21Z")
Yeeehaw! šŸ†’ I finally got me my own, personal African money scam! This morning I got a note on Hotmail that through a gun brokering forum I havenā€™t visited in years (I prefer cash-to-face arms deals), someone sent me the following message: [sub]Keeping the spam/gurgle low[/sub] > [@](#): > > From Kingsley Gongolar > Avenue 5 Lot 172 Cocody Quarters > Abidjan Cote dā€™Ivoire > email me (kingsleygongolar12@blahblahblahblah) > > Good day Dear One, > > Greetings and How are you today,I am Kingsley Gongolar I would like you to permit me to apply through this medium for your co-operation and to secure an opportunity to invest and do joint relationship and business with you in your country. > > I have a substantial capital I honourably Inherited from my late father late Chief Gonglar Edward, who deal in Cocao-coffee platation and share from family Gold, diamond Minining site.The Epmgigo rebels killed Him recently in poltical crisis in our country that have resulted to war since this past two years. _snip_ Why, I donā€™t know where Epmgigo is, and Wikipedia doesnā€™t seem to have any entry on the faction at all. But that doesnā€™t mean itā€™s not legitimate! He must know me pretty well already, considering he called me his ā€˜Dear Oneā€™. > [@](#): > > The sum of Seven Million,Five Hundred Thousand USD $7.500.000USD I shall be glad to reserve this respect and opportunity for you. . . Wow! $7.5M? _And_ he reserves his _respect_ for me? [sub]Poor bastard doesnā€™t know me very well, do he?[/sub] > [@](#): > > This money is legitimately acquired by my late father from sales of cocoa-coffee and diamond dealings. Looking forward to your prompt response > email me (kingsleygongolar12@blahblahblah) > Thanks and God bless > > Kingsley Gongolar King-ey, yā€™allready mentioned it was legitimate money, so I believe you! Plus, you asked God to bless me. What could go wrong? Anyway, Iā€™m thinking I might drop King-ey a line at his e-mail address as a ā€˜hookā€™. I picture either an evil Ben Kingsley or a Kevin Spacey based Lex Luthor behind the other keyboard. I remember someone else on the boards ā€œtook the hookā€ for play, but it didnā€™t end up as funny as we all thought it would. Any thoughts? Any ideas? Maybe I can finance my cemetery cleanup with this $7.5M. :dubious: Tripler Oh, the dirty money indeed. . . ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2006, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/2 "2006-12-30T15:01:15Z")
Well, on the face of it you have a superb financial opportunity there. However a little research reveals that, operating out of the same address, a [Mr. John Dikko](http://www.oxfordaviation.net/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2923) is offering Ā£8.5 million and [Mr. James Adama](http://www.qi.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=4327&start=0&sid=e59f1d818d96c17f7e64bd5481c3387e) will stump up no less than $9.5 million. Youā€™re being ripped off. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/3 "2006-12-30T15:02:58Z")
Go visit [http://www.419eater.com/](http://www.419eater.com/) or [http://www.ebolamonkeyman.com/](http://www.ebolamonkeyman.com/) for some great stories on how people have jerked the chains of these clowns. ---
**Author:** ![beowulf573](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@beowulf573](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulf573)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/4 "2006-12-30T15:13:10Z")
Is it a moral failing not to be too sympathetic to the victims? Iā€™m sorry they lost money but given how obvious the scams are my first reaction is to slap them upside the head and ask what they were thinking. This week there was a story on the local news regarding a woman who feel for one of these, the deposit a large money order and send the balance back scam. She answered a work at home email where she was to be paid $500 a month to send prayer emails. $500 to send prayers over the Internet. _sigh_ Then again Iā€™ve always hard no to be too cocky, no matter how smart you are thereā€™s a scam that can suck you in. Maybe Iā€™ve just been lucky. Or cheap. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/5 "2006-12-30T15:25:53Z")
As Iā€™ve said before I ā€œanti-scamā€ these buggers by pretending to be The Rev. Charles Mingephlapps vicar of the Church of the Holy Vulva. Oh what fun Iā€™ve had and if you go to the 419 site mentioned above youā€™ll see some of the pics Iā€™ve managed to get these dopes into sending me. Yes, I can be a right evil sod šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/6 "2006-12-30T17:24:06Z")
Well, I went into my folksā€™ basement this morning and pulled out my old tackle box. I found some old line, a bobber, and a hook. Mom made me some dough for the bottom-feeders, and I threw a line in the water with: > [@](#): > > From: Tripler > To: kingsleygongolar12@blahblahblah > > Good day Mr Gongolar, > > Please tell me more. I am a sergeant in the US Coast Guard, and can only afford to be involved in legitimate business deals. I have just recently returned from assignments in Afghanistan, Burma, and Bangladesh, and am looking for a legitimate investment opportunity. > > Thank you. > Sgt Tripler I doubt heā€™ll respond, but hey, I can have fun too. I did see those sites you guys linked beforehand. Iā€™ll let you know if I get anything. Tripler Sergeant, USCG-ish ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2007, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/7 "2007-01-01T17:28:05Z")
Wow! I got a response from the guy! > [@](#): > > Hello SGT TRIPLER, > Good day and how are you today Dear Friend,I am glad to receive your kind response concerning the proposal for your kind assistance for Investment establishment in your base.Thanks for your positive response in regards to this co-operation the proposal Just for your assistance in fund transfer and investment establishment in your base for long time mutual relationship in lucratives areas. . ._snip_ . . . and he goes on to tell me how lucrative it is, how bona fide it is, how to ā€œupload it to my baseā€, yadda yadda yadda. Right now, my head hurts too much to read the thing (part hangover, part his font, colors, and typing are all f\*xxored up). Hereā€™s the question: in which format should I post this? I know cuttinā€™ ā€˜nā€™ pastinā€™ to the SDMB is frowned upon. Can I e-mail those other 419-scam guys and see if theyā€™ll post it? Tripler Woo! I got a fish on the line!! šŸ†’ ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2007, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/8 "2007-01-01T17:49:08Z")
OK here goes: Before long heā€™ll ask for proof of ID and a scan of your passport, this you cannot send under any circumstancesā€¦for obvious reasons. Ask him for proof of who he is in photo form, youā€™ll more than likely get a dummied up picture of some guys head on a body that just donā€™t look right, examine it closely. You also have to dangle a BIG carrot, tell him that youā€™ve recently come into an inheritance from great aunt Mildred, donā€™t say how much just mention that you are looking for ways to increase this windfall. You can send me the e-mail if you want, Iā€™ll have a bit of fun, it is more than likely that Iā€™ve met the guy before masquerading as some other character. It may be a good idea to open an alternative e-mail account otherwise youā€™ll get swamped by scammers. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/9 "2007-01-01T18:07:19Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] OK here goes: You can send me the e-mail if you want, Iā€™ll have a bit of fun, it is more than likely that Iā€™ve met the guy before masquerading as some other character. [/QUOTE] **Chowder** , I forwarded the e-mail to you. I am thinking of bringing in ā€œanother partnerā€ to ā€˜assure the validityā€™ and such. However, you can also ā€˜raise more moneyā€™ to help grease the wheels easier. Either way, I forwarded it to you. Let me know what you think. I havenā€™t responded to him yet today . . . Tripler Yes. Help me ā€œassure the validityā€ please. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2007, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/10 "2007-01-01T18:38:15Z")
I never got any of these, until after I listed my resumeā€™ online. They must cruise the job listings. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2007, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/11 "2007-01-03T04:22:10Z")
[QUOTE=Clothahump] Go visit [http://www.419eater.com/](http://www.419eater.com/) or [http://www.ebolamonkeyman.com/](http://www.ebolamonkeyman.com/) for some great stories on how people have jerked the chains of these clowns. [/QUOTE] to which i also offer up for your consideration ā€˜the lads from lagosā€™ or [http://www.scamorama.com/](http://www.scamorama.com/) this website is devoted to screwing mightily with those wacky 419 scammers. a daily pilgrimage here is guaranteed to make you smile on the worst of days. šŸ˜ƒ ā€˜if it sounds too good to be true - it probably is!ā€™ ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2007, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/12 "2007-01-03T16:38:33Z")
**Tripler** Got the e-mail and have replied, heard nothing yet. For the record I have replied as The Rt. Hon Desmond Oā€™Malley-Smythe CBE.DFC.VD. Will keep you informed if I hear from the ā€œMuguā€ ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/13 "2007-01-03T16:54:17Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] **Tripler** Got the e-mail and have replied, heard nothing yet. For the record I have replied as The Rt. Hon Desmond Oā€™Malley-Smythe CBE.DFC.VD. Will keep you informed if I hear from the ā€œMuguā€ [/QUOTE] It occurs to me that the Coast Guard thing could work as a good set-up for the old mark-is-tragically-killed-just-before-he-can-wire-the-funds gag. He could either be killed in Iraq (I doubt the mugu knows the difference between the Coast Guard and the National Guard) or his ship could sink at sea, or he killed be killed during a heroic rescue attempt. Maybe he can be bombed by terrorists just as heā€™s standing in line at a shoreside Western Union. The Reverend can be the one to sadly inform him. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2007, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/14 "2007-01-03T16:57:52Z")
Iā€™ve just replied to let him know Iā€™d been traveling over the past few days, and to write me back. Hey **chowder** , shoot me a note with what you told him so I can play along. I donā€™t want to make him too suspicious just yet. Tripler Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2007, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/15 "2007-01-03T17:02:01Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] It occurs to me that the Coast Guard thing could work as a good set-up for the old mark-is-tragically-killed-just-before-he-can-wire-the-funds gag. He could either be killed in Iraq (I doubt the mugu knows the difference between the Coast Guard and the National Guard) or his ship could sink at sea, or he killed be killed during a heroic rescue attempt. Maybe he can be bombed by terrorists just as heā€™s standing in line at a shoreside Western Union. The Reverend can be the one to sadly inform him. [/QUOTE] My girlfriend says that I could be ā€œkilled in a gunfight with Colombian drug cartels whilst heaving their speedboat to, and searching for the heroinā€. All the more reason to work with **chowder**. Tripler I donā€™t mind stretching it out for a bit, though. . . ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2007, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/16 "2007-01-04T09:05:36Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] Iā€™ve just replied to let him know Iā€™d been traveling over the past few days, and to write me back. Hey **chowder** , shoot me a note with what you told him so I can play along. I donā€™t want to make him too suspicious just yet. Tripler Thanks! [/QUOTE] Leave it a while matey. You have to play these guys like a fish, nice and easy. Let them _think_ you have fallen for the scam. lead 'em on, ask for photos etc to prove they are who they say they are. To waste their time and money you tell them that their last e-mail and/or attachment did not come through, get them to send it again. Remember these merchants are working out of an internet cafe and each time they visit it costs them. After stringing them along you ask why a SENIOR civil servant is using a free Yahoo e-mail address. Theyā€™ll give you some bullshit storyā€¦so then what you do is open another e-mail account cuz you wanna keep all this from prying eyes , I mean all that dosh and all!! Then get him to reply to the new accountā€¦all in the interests of security :dubious: Itā€™s all a matter of ā€œCatchee monkey sleeping, piss in its earā€ šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2007, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/17 "2007-01-04T09:09:58Z")
šŸ˜ƒ [QUOTE=Tripler] My girlfriend says that I could be ā€œkilled in a gunfight with Colombian drug cartels whilst heaving their speedboat to, and searching for the heroinā€. All the more reason to work with **chowder**. Tripler I donā€™t mind stretching it out for a bit, though. . . [/QUOTE] The Colombian gunfight has already been done šŸ˜ƒ One of the best is a mugging whilst on the way to Western Union getting ready to send him his money. This way you throw suspicion on him, ask him who he has told of this safe and 100% legit transaction. Believe me heā€™ll come back grovelling and swearing on a stack of bibles heā€™s told not a soul. At this point you \*believe \* him ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2007, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/18 "2007-01-04T13:31:39Z")
Moderator comment: The mods are discussing whether this is OK and if so, which forum. In the meantime, Iā€™m giving a tentative OK for things to continue. (If the mods as a group wind up with a different opinion, the blame is on me, not on **Tripler** et al.) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2007, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/19 "2007-01-04T13:43:11Z")
JFTR, itā€™s been considered OK in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2007, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114/20 "2007-01-04T13:44:50Z")
Ooops, I suppose I should have said ā€˜considered OK _or simply overlooked_ā€™ - in any case, there have been past threads not unlike this one that have not attracted moderation [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-i-got-me-my-own-african-money-scam-e-mail/386114.md?page=2)