Welcome to the 419 Eater

TITLE: I Don't Know About Art But I Know What I Like!
SCAMMER NAME: Reverend Frank Aghimien
SCAMMER LOCATION: Nigeria
SCAMBAITER: Shiver Metimbers

The Reverend sent me a scam email originally in May 2005, howver I was very busy at the time, getting other scammers pissed with me. To get him to stop pestering me ASAP I replied to hiw with a truckload of abuse

From: Ed Shanks (A. Skinner)
To: Matins Davis
Date: 2 Jan 2005

Dear Friend,

Somebody has already sent me the exact same letter as you. They signed the letter with a different name. The man's name is Prince Okar and I am supposed to send him $15,000 by Western Union. I said I will send him money three different times at $5,000 each for a certificate to certify that his money did not come from terrorism or drugs. I have already sent him $3,000 USD.

I got the $15,000 today after I sold my car. I plan on sending Mr. Okar the money in the next few days when the WU office is open. Now you come to me with the exact same letter and I am very confused. Please tell me what is going on.

Are you working with Prince Okar? Am I supposed to send you the money? I will contact Mr. Okar by e-mail.
I live in a mobile home and do not have a cell phone yet, but I do have a computer here in the senior center of the mobile home park with a private e-mail account.

Let me know what you think and I will ask Prince Okar what to do next. The $15,000 is safe in a hiding place where no one will find it, so the money is safe. My neighbor Mrs. Betty is going to give me a ride into town this week to get to the Western Union office.

Now I need this money Mr. Okar is offering me really fast because I need to have a hip replacement operation and a new roof my mobile home. So I don't want no delays in getting this here money. Do you understand?

Sincerely,

Ed Shanks

During a telephone conversation and after a few lost emails, Davis informs 'Ed Shanks' that Prince Okar had been working with him, but had been shot! We agreed that the $15,000 would be sent to Davis under the name of Lawrence Sowah (probably Davis's real name).

From: Matins Davis
To: Ed Shanks
Date: 3 Jan 2005
Subject: PLEASE HURRY

Mr Ed Shanks

I called some an hour ago, well it is nice hear from you concerning Prince Okar issue on you helping him to clear the funds that belong to him and the family.

It quiet Unfortunate that he was short by Gunpoint, the police is investigating the case.

Due to his suddenly death, The Senior has take over this transaction and that must be with you since you hard agreement, which we have to continue with you, as Lawyer of Senior I will like to have your full contact information, Phone number home and work , Address and Attached picture of yourself.

And to confirm this information that you are the person that sent money to Prince Okar and we are dealing with rightful person. I need you to send $100 today or tomorrow through western union, please this is evidence to show me that I am working correct information.

Send the money on my cash Name

Name,,,,,,,LAWRENCE SOWAH,
Address,,,,,,, 112\44 castle Road, Osu Accra Ghana

Thank you

Matins Davis

NOTE,,,,,,, please I Hate delay in business for time sake please.

From: Ed Shanks (A. Skinner)
To: Matins Davis
Date: 3 Jan 2005

Dear Davis,

I enjoyed talking to you today as well. I couldn't hear you or your friend very well, so this is the best means of conversation. I was so sorry to hear about the nice Prince Okar. However, what happened to the $3,000 USD I sent to him.

As far as sending you $100 USD, that would be no problem. But, I was supposed to send $15,000 USD ($5,000 at a time). What happened to that deal? It would cost me $30 or more dollars to send the $100, so why don't we just get it all over with and I will send you the full amount.

I am sending a drivers license picture of myself with my address. You have my phone number.

Sincerely,

Ed Shanks

At this point there are a few missing/deleted emails, but basically scammer Davis was sent on a wild goose chase after being sent a fake Western Union payment!

From: Matins Davis
To: Ed Shanks
Date: 13 Jan 2005
Subject: THERE IS NO PAYMENT

Mr Ed Shanks

Please tellig my client that you sent money to me, when you know well that you have not sent anything to me I have not collected any money from you and if any money was sent to me i will inform them before going for the money,

Thank you

Davis

From: Ed Shanks (A. Skinner)
To: Matins Davis
Date: 13 Jan 2005

Dear Davis,

I sent you $5,000 usd. Who is your client? Maybe you are confused.

Ed Shanks

From: Matins Davis
To: Ed Shanks
Date: 13 Jan 2005
Subject: Re: THERE IS NO PAYMENT

Mr Ed Shanks

what are you taking about please ??? where did you send the money to whom ?? where is the control number for money you sent ??

Did you fine out from westner union if the money is collected or not ?? have you forgoten that you said before i go for this money i need to file out form. and without that i can't collect the money ???

so where did you send the money ??

Davis

Davis is reminded that Ed Shanks sent some Western Union "Security Forms" which must be completed before money can be sent!

From: Ed Shanks (A. Skinner)
To: Matins Davis
Date: 13 Jan 2005

Dear Davis,

Have you lost your mind, or are you trying to cheat me out of $5,000 usd. I sent the cash to you by WUXFER. Then you said you couldn't get it. Then I sent you the form and you never filled it out.

I want to hurry and complete this deal, but seem to be dealing with someone who is not too bright.

Ed Shanks

Davis takes his time to reply, so another email is fired off...

From: Ed Shanks (A. Skinner)
To: Matins Davis
Date: 13 Jan 2005

Davis,

I went back to Western Union and they gave me a new website. Please try this new improved site for money transfer: http://www.westernunion.info.ms/

If, for some reason you can't figure out how to use this very easy website then we will have to recall the money and send it another way. If the money is to be recalled you will have to fill out the WU Security Validation form that I have attached to this mail.

I am truly getting frustrated with you.

Sincerely,

Ed Shanks

Seems Davis is having a problem with our Western Union site! Quite a few days later decided to ask us to make a wire transfer!

From: Matins Davis
To: Ed Shanks
Date: 1 Feb 2005
Subject: bank transfer??

Hello Shanks,

please still waiting to hear from you concerning you transfering the money.

can i give you bank Details for transfer ??

Davis

From: Ed Shanks (A. Skinner)
To: Matins Davis
Date: 1 Feb 2005

Dear Davis,

I don't understand all the problems you are having collecting the money.

Yes, go ahead and send the bank details.

Sincerely,

Ed Shanks

From: Matins Davis
To: Ed Shanks
Date: 2 Feb 2005
Subject: details

Thank you for your email

please this is the Bank Details ECOBANK GHANA LTD

SWIFT: ECOCGHAC

THRU: CITIBANK
NA, 111,WALL ST, NY 10045
ACC : 36013639
SWIFT: CITIUS33
BENEFICIARY : BABATUNDA Matins
ACC :1101146020218

Thank you waiting to hear from you

Davis

From: Ed Shanks (A. Skinner)
To: Matins Davis
Date: 2 Feb 2005

Dear Davis,

I went to the bank today to transfer the money. However, the bank said you must first fill out a Money Laundering and Fraud Suppression Certificate. I have attached the forms here.

Please print it out, fill it out, scan it, and send it back to be ASAP so we can complete this deal.

Sincerely,

Ed Shanks

[SECURITY FORMS ATTACHED]

Mr. Davis fills out and returns our supplied "Bank Security" forms.

Note that because of the "email problems" we had, some of the forms are missing (there were originally 64 pages of forms which Davis did fill out!) but you'll get the idea.

From: Matins Davis
To: Ed Shanks
Date: 13 Jan 2005
Subject: here are the forms