LAD'S FIRST SCAM ATTEMPT

 Dear Sir, 
 
  I hope this letter will not come to you as an embarrassment, your 
  name was forwarded to me by an old acquaintance, and I was assured 
  that you would be of immense assistance in impending transaction. I 
  am faxing this letter to you in view of the urgency required. 

[blah blah typical Lad stuff]

  Mustapha was also arrested. He is presently detained and facing 
  charges of murder, and embezzlement of public funds. 
  
  During my service in major Mustapha’s home, I was dehumanized and 
  treated like a slave. So were other assistants helps. A chance into 
  one of his secret rooms revealed a stockpile of millions of American 
  dollars. This was part of his own loot, which he stored in his home. 
  Soldiers acting on government instructions searched his home and 
  seized a lot of the money. My colleagues and I escaped with boxes 
  containing the sum of US$28.5 Million in cash. This money was defaced 
  to escape detection. The total sum was entrusted in my care, with the 
  mandate of sourcing a reliable foreigner, who can assist us take, 
  this money to his country for safekeeping. 
  
  I moved to a neighboring country, Republic of Benin, where I placed 
  the fund in the safe of a deposit company for security. I have the 
  key to the safe in my possession. I need your assistance in removing 
  this money from the republic of Benin, to your country, or any other 
  country of your choice. Since you are a foreigner, you will not be 
  questioned here, and I assure you, that you will not be   
  
   Your name and address have been placed on the box as the 
  beneficiary. Nobody can now claim this cash except you, as you are 
  now recognized as the beneficiary. You are expected to act 
  expeditiously in this matter. 
  
  For your assistance, we are prepared to give you 30% of the total 
  sum. We shall retain 65%, and 5%is set aside for expenses. 
  
  I am presently in the border region between Nigeria and republic of 
  Benin. So I require you to respond to me at once, so that I can 
  notify the Deposit Company about your intention to collect the boxes. 
  
  How sympathetic is it for you to know that no body else can help me 
  beside you 
  
  Lastly, please note that there are no risks involved in this for you, 
 and do keep this confidential. Please indicate your private telephone 
  number in your response, so that I can call you up and provide you 
with more information. 

I am awaiting your urgent response, using my above e-mail address. 

Yours Sincerely, 
 
  BALA MUSA 

"ANTTI" PRETENDS TO BE INTERESTED

Oh my!
Has Ben Bello contacted you? I haven't replied to you earlier because I have been busy getting new passport and bank accounts. You know, I met Ben Bello trough internet. He has problems getting his money out of the country. Naturally I offered my help as he offered me $3million if I assist him. I guess Ben has been satisfied to me and that's where you have got my name from.

Just that now there has come some problem:
I was told that covernment official at minister of finacy may cause problems getting the money transfer permit and a gift would be a good idea. He didn't tell me what voltage is used in Nigeria and which one is better Toshiba or IBM (laptop). Can you help me about that?

"BALA" WANTS A PHONE NUMBER

 Dear Antti Alkuasukas, 

 Thank you very much for interest in my proposal,. But 
 be that as it may, I would want you to send your 
 telephone number to me so that I can call you for more 
 details regards the transaction. 

 And about the labtop computer specification and 
 voltage, I will get the details and tell you when we 
 can talk on phone. 

 Pls do not contact BELLO for now, So that I would 
 advice you on how to get the transaction sucessfully 
 concluded. 

 Thank you and do not forget to send your phone number 
 in your next reply today. 

 Regards 
 BALA MUSA. 

"BALA" REALLY WANTS A PHONE NUMBER!

 
  --- ephesians ephi (ephesianse@yahoo.com) wrote: 
   Dear Antti Alkuasukas, 
   
   
   Thank you very much for interest in my proposal,. But 
   be that as it may, I would want you to send your 
   telephone number to me so that I can call you for more 
   details regards the transaction. 
  

Sorry for the unfortunate delay, I would have replied earlier if it wasn't for some unfortunate events. My business collegue got ill. He was meant to go on an convention in Stockholm. So I was sent instead on very short notice. Conventions can be very hard work and long days so I didn't have the energy to try out to find a way to access my mail. And to tell the truth, I don't like using someone elses computer to talk about things of this sensitive. What if they find out? There are so many jealous people there who can't stand someone else being lucky.. So that's why I rather let nobody else know about this.

Anyway, my phone number is + 358 XXXXXXXXXX
(358 is contry code for Finland)

He wanted telephone number, I gave him one unused company telephone number, which I had diverted to my cell phone, so I could see when it was him calling.

"BALA" STARTS CALLING

And sure enough, after giving my phonenumber he called me the next day. I said I was in meeting and will call him back soon. This bala musa has heavy accent, hardly understood anything he said. Call lasted about 1.5 minutes. Well I didn't call him back, and got the following email.

 --- ephesians ephi (ephesianse@yahoo.com) wrote: 
  Antti, 
            I am not happy the way you are treating this 
  transaction, you seem not to consider the urgency it 
  requires.    I called you in the morning to have a 
  detailed discussion In respect of the transaction and 
  you promised to call me back after 30minutes but you 
  did not return the call as promised. 
               I have tried your telephone line several 
  times, it rang continuously without response.   Please 
  I would want you to give this transaction and adequate 
  and urgent attention.     
     I await your response to enable me proceed with the 
  next step.  My phone numbers are 2348033233519,. 
  23412902565 
        Best regards 
   Bala Musa. 

"ANTTI" HAS PHONE PROBLEMS

Hi!
I tried to call you but then found out that I can't call. I have company paing my telephone (no own telephone) and they have restricted where people can call. Nigeria is not a country that my company has business with so it is not open to me.
Please call me (what timezone are you on?), but don't call 16:00-18:00 GMT+3.

Regards, Antti

I figured nice excuse for not to call as I was bit afraid the number given could be some premium rate number. I suppose the number is quite legit. Oh, and naturally he called just between those times I told not to call.

"BALA": YOU ARE NOW MY BROTHER

 Dear Antti, 
 Goodday. The contents of your last mail was well
 understood. It's unfortunate you do not have a
 telephone of your own. You will agree with that the
 business of this nature requires constant
 communication as it is not everything that we
 sometimes have to write via the net.
 
 I encorage you to use any opportunity to call me on
 the earlier phone number 234-80-33233519. any time of
 the day. AND always ask me to reconfirm my number
 before we talk so that you do not get into wrong
 number.
 
 However, I will see how best we can further the
 transaction through the net. I am highly motivated by
 the confidentiality you have so far maintained,
 Continue in this direction.
 
 On the issue of Mr. Bello and the government officials
 at the ministry of finance. I would advice you once
 more to wait partiently for my opinion and do let me
 know how far you have gone with the computer gift for
 Minister of finance.
 
 Furthermore, pls realise that you are no more a
 business patner but a Brother and I must not fail to
 tell you about my feelings, I am not particularly
 happy with you because you have not commented on the
 proposal I sent to you before the issue of Mr Bello
 came up. 
 
 Already, you name and address have been forwarded
 officially as the original depositor of the 'safe'
 containing the fund at the security company at the
 republic of Benin, two hours drive from Lagos. What I
 expect you to do is to instruct me to find out how the
 safe will be released to you through their off shore
 branch in Europe, Which makes it easier for you as you
 might not be able to come down to Africa, Putting into
 consideration that you are working for somebody, I
 will be travelling to Benin Republic this evening to
 get more information that will hopefully will glading
 your heart towards this transaction, I will back on
 monday 20th may 2002.
 
 Atti, let me know about our security when visit you in
 your country (are we safe in your hands) and let me
 ask if you would be able to travel out of your
 destination when you are require to do so? without
 your company's interferance.
 
 Pls do reply me immediately.(KEEP IT CONFIDENTIAL AS
 ALWAYS)
 
 Thank you very much my friend and God bless you.
 
 Your Sincerely,
 BALA MUSA.

I like the part " make sure it's me", someone else could scam your money. He called me before this message. The call lasted 3 minutes and I didn't understand anything he was talking (darn that accent). Just a word here and there. but I figured that my address is needed. Gave them a fake one, that would most likely be delivered to me (postal service sometimes does wonders as does our company mail).

MUSINGS FROM "ANTTI"

I went around the net searching for nigerian area codes. Didn't find area code 080, but it came apparent that the phonelines in nigeria aren't that good. Another good excuse for me!

Tried to pose as fed-up with my work, just looking for this opportunity. Also tried to insert a bait when asking about the family. He ignored the question.

Since this I've got 2 phone calls, both about 2.5 minutes each. first was inquiry one when I could travel to meet them. I said I can't that easlily. The last one asked if I can make it to Holland. I said, in about a week. He is waiting for more specific answer and currently I'm trying to figure some excuses. Or perhaps I just disconnect the phone number he uses (or have the calls diverted to police :-) )

  Dear Antti, 
 
  Goodday. The contents of your last mail was well 
 understood. It's unfortunate you do not have a 
 telephone of your own. You will agree with that the 
 business of this nature requires constant 
 communication as it is not everything that we 
 sometimes have to write via the net.

Hello! I have good news and not so good news. Good news is that I buyed a prepaid GSM simcard, which I can use in the company telehnone if I need to call you. The bad news is that I tried to call you today many times, but the line was always busy. So that's why I write this email, hope it is ok. Well, as you said, I better not contact bello any more. Well I haven't because... I'm not sure if I should say this... It makes me look bit greedy... I say it anyway. You are offering more money than he is. Somebody would have wanted to do both transfers. (with you and with bello). Not me! When I get enough money, I will quit my job, change my name and go somewhere nice and warm place (thailand) and buy an island or something. With two transfers, I would already have lots of money, but I cannot talk about where I got and still wait for the second

 > > Furthermore, pls realise that you are no more a 
 > > business patner but a Brother and I must not fail to 
 > > tell you about my feelings, I am not particularly 
 > > happy with you because you have not commented on the 
 > > proposal I sent to you before the issue of Mr Bello 

I'm sorry, are you meaning on what we talked on the phone? I hope you don't take this personally, but you talked quite fast and the line was bit bad and I didn't understand everything you said. Can you write me and tell me what proposal you mean? I would not like to make my brother not happy. (I'm really honoured!)

 > > branch in Europe, Which makes it easier for you as you 
 > > might not be able to come down to Africa, Putting into 
 > > consideration that you are working for somebody, I 

I can quite easily get a day off, but going to africa needs more than a day off. My summer vacation starts at the end of july, but I'm sure everything is done by then. At least I hope so. But if it's absolutely possible, I may be able to arrange something, but that is only as the last effort, because it will raise questions in my office and I don't know what to tell.

 > > Antti, let me know about our security when visit you in 
 > > your country (are we safe in your hands) and let me 
 > > ask if you would be able to travel out of your 
 > > destination when you are require to do so? without 
 > > your company's interferance. 

Finland is very safe country! there are couple of places in our capital where I would not go totally drunk, alone, in the night but that's it. Not being drunk, one is safe even alone at the worst places (they are not that bad). As I said, very safe, perhaps the safest ones in the world.

   
 > > Thank you very much my friend and God bless you. 

Same to you and your family. Do you have family btw?
Your Sincerely,
Antti

and here is something!

"BALA" IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT "ANTTI'S" ATTITUDE

    --- ephesians ephi (ephesianse@yahoo.com) wrote:



     Antti,
     Thank you for your mail, though I was not happy about
     your attitude when I called you yesterday. I felt very
     embarrased the way you dropped theline and immediately
     programmed your phone on voicemail.
              I have sent three silver boxes containing the
     money to Holland Via Diplomatic Courier Service in
     your name. Please I would want you to contact the
     officer incharge of the security company in Holland to
     findout if the consignment (3 Silver Boxes) have
     arrived Holland. The name of the Officer is Mr Johnson
     Igba, his number is 31623595990. Please you must
     contact him because he is in position to direct you on
     how to collect the consignment. Please note that he
     does not know the content of the boxes.
             As soon as you collect the consignment inform
     me immediately so that I can come over, you should
     open one of the boxes and send US$50,000 from it to
     enable me commence my travel arrangement to Holland or
     Finland for my own share.
             I would have faxed you copy of the Airway Bill
     for the consignment and the Deposit certificate but i
     do not have your fax number.
            Please act swiftly in this matter to enable us
     conclude the transaction successfully.
     
     Yours Brother,
     Bala Musa

His latest reply. The phone comment is because I tried to make a conference call (to recording system) which requires him to be put on hold for a sec. unfortunately he didn't understand "you are on hold" in finnish, but thought it was voice mail and then cut off.

Now look at that great logic of this whole scam! He has sent 3 silver(?!) boxes (containing money?) to me so that I can open one of them and then send bit of the _SAME_ money back to him!! Incredible.

Well - more to come, when there is something to tell! Meanwhile, law enforcement officers in Holland might find someone interesting at the other end of telephone number 31623595990. Is Mr Johnson Igba there?

"ANTTI" TRIES TO MAKE NICE

Hello my dear brother and sorry for the delay. The party I told you about was rougher than I thought, I was basically dead whole saturday. You ever partied that hard?

    > > Antti,
    > > Thank you for your mail, though I was not happy about
    > > your attitude when I called you yesterday. I felt very
    > > embarrased the way you dropped theline and immediately
    > > programmed your phone on voicemail.
 

Sorry, it was not done on purpose. The second time I tried to transfer the call to another phone where I could have talked to you in privacy.

    > > findout if the consignment (3 Silver Boxes) have

    > > arrived Holland. The name of the Officer is Mr Johnson
    > > Igba, his number is 31623595990. Please you must
 

I will call him on Monday. What if he is not available? Is there a back-up person for him or perhaps the switchboard number?

What have you said as the content? I'd like to know so I can say the same if the matter comes up.

 
    > >         I would have faxed you copy of the Airway Bill
    > > for the consignment and the Deposit certificate but i
    > > do not have your fax number.

Can you scan it and email it to me? Will they give it to me just by my name or do I need some reference number or password to get the boxes / information about them? What does the certificate say? I mean you could most likely fax it to my company fax and address it to me. I doubt nobody would care. Or better yet, call me and let me know that you are about to fax it so I can go to faxmachine to wait for the fax and nobody else will see it.

    > >        Please act swiftly in this matter to enable us
    > > conclude the transaction successfully.
 

I can't wait to see you! We will have an union party for meeting at last! I must admit I really don't know much about the customs of people in your part of the world so excuse me for asking: Do you have any limitations on eg. eating meat, drinking alcohol etc. I don't want to arrange a party and then find out there's nothing for you. (not party as party with friends ,but nice restaurants, girls etc.)

"ANTTI" ADDS TO THE JOURNAL

I sent a reply to Balamusa, trying to make some irritating questions for him. Something to think about and figure.. "Boxes of silver" Wouldn't aluminium or something be better for sending stuff :-). Then at the end I wanted to appear as enthusiastic victim, having a huge party etc. Came monday and no reply came, so I decided to call the "Security firm". I had made a plan to have nasty questions for Johnson Igba. Something like: Can't I send the cases via DHL? Do I have to go to amsterdam to sign it, why not fax? What's the company I'm calling? How big are the cases? (calculated that if everything is in $100 bills, my cut would take space 100 liters or more).

But those guys are professionals who do this for living! He managed to drive the conversation so that I didn't have any good place for tricky questions. I asked about the boxes, his reply was just "3 boxes", nothing about size. And finally we got in to the business: The transportation had been "diplomatic mail" and customs (or something, I had hard time with his accent) cost is $13,500! CASH ONLY! No problem for me :-).

I will send recording of this call later.

Later same day (evening) I got a call from bala musa. I tried to have converstaion with him, but it's difficult when I can't figure out what he is talking about. Have I mentioned I have hard time with his accent? :-). He was happy on how things were going and talked how bad it is in Nigeria and how he is waiting to come to Finland. At some part money was mentioned and I said the $13,500 is no problem, cause I happend to have lots of money saved. Then suddenly at the middle of conversation his tune changed totally! It was like he was reading a manual and came to a point saying: "<WITH HIGH EMOTIONS!>tell him how happy you are and how he is saving your life and he is good person etc</WITH HIGH EMOTIONS>". Man, he shouldn't quit his day job for acting career :-). Amusing call, about 5-7 minutes.

THe next day bala musa tried to call me 4 times (I was in meeting) and finally on 5th time I was able to answer. He was bit worried if everything is going ok. I said not to worry, except for the missing fax. This call lasted about 2 minutes.

The next day I called the "security company" as I thought I will get a fax from them and none had arrived. Made the call and someone answered. He was outside as wind caught the cellphone mic. Claimed to be same person as yesterday, but I could understand his talk, so he couldn't be the same. It came out that they were waiting a fax from ME! My Itinerary so that they know my flight details and can send "protocoll officer" to pick me up from the airport. During the call the cost was mentioned again. Though this time it was just $10,500!!! hey, $3000 discount :-).

This call was also recorded, will be online later. After this call I made arrangements to get itinerary. Got it done & faxed the next day.

Before the next day though, bala musa called me AGAIN, talking all kinds of stuff, which I just replied "yes,yes". basically he wanted to make sure I was going to pick the boxes (yea yeah), I'm a nice guy (yeah yeah,), don't tell anyone ("no, just me"), I'm waiting to see you (yea yea) yaddayadda. 5+ minutes call.

Next morning he bala called again. (to be continued)

"BALA" IS EXPECTING "ANTTI"

Now where was I....
Yeah, I had faxed the itinerary and got calls from my "brother" on daily basis. Basically on every call the content was that he was bit worried about if I'm going to go to holland. Yeah yeah, I'm going. No problems. Yeah, I'm good person, Yeah, I don't tell anyone. Whole the time I was busy thinking how the story would continue as Friday was approaching.

I was supposed to fly to Amsterdam on Friday morning, departure at 8:10, arrive at 9:50. Then I got it! Broken leg or such is so usual, that nobody will buy that kind of excuse. So I decided I get bad allergic reaction!

Before Friday, I get email from my "brother". the email contains important information that is needed for me to claim the consigment. Funny though, the security firm would have given the (non-existant) stuff to me even without those details. Just ID was needed. Here's the email:

Antti,
The informations are as follows:
SENDER: BALA MUSA VIA DIPLOMATIC EXPRESS COURIER
SERVICES
ACCOUNT NO: 062-443-22
RECEIVER: GLOBAL DIPLOMATIC COURIER SERVICES
                                 AMSTERDAM HOLLAND
CONTACT PERSON: JOHNSON IGBAH
PICKED UP BY: ANTTI ALKUASUKAS (FINLAND)
SHIPMENT NO: 544179630
ROUTE NO: 9643-1
DATE OF SHIPMENT: 22ND MAY 2002
NO OF PIECES: THREE SILVER BOXES
Please note the above information.
I wish you good luck in your travel arrrangement.
Hoping to meet you soonest
Your brother
BALA

"ANTTI" COMES DOWN SICK

So comes friday and I set my cell phone so that I can divert incoming call to "the number cannot be reached at the moment" message with a touch of a button after I see who is calling. Actually I made a bet with my friend how many times my "brother" would call me before 16:00, which is good time to get out of hospital :-). My bet was 14, my friend's was 12.

To my surprise, the calls start at about 9 o'clock. WHAT?! Is he stupid or what, I can't answer to the phone if I'm on a plane! Couple of call attempts come while the flight is on it's way. Then after about 11 o'clock (my time), when the flight had landed, I began to get more calls. Darn, I wish I could have seen someone holding "Antti Alkuasukas" sign at the airport. I'm sure many Finnish travelers from that flight must have smiled when they saw that.

Time goes by and it's 16:00. Only 10 calls! I'm bit disapointed.. Call #11 and I answer it with hoarse voice. "Why are you behaving like this!?" - my "brother" starts. I tell him about the unlucky breakfast at cafeteria. Perhaps there was some nut in it, and I got bad reaction and was taken to hospital because my throat got so swollen I couldn't breathe. The tone of his voice changed immeadately and he bit apologized. He urged me to call the security firm, which I agreed to do.

Called the security firm with hoarse voice. Tried to apologize many times and gave them the good explanation. Guess this dude smelled the coffee so to speak and now offered another way to claim the boxes: I transfer money to them via western union and they send the boxes to me. Oh, and the cost was back to $13,500. We talked about that a bit and I almost forgot to keep the hoarse voice. I wonder if he noticed :-). Also mentioned that I could fly on next week, but he insisted on the money transfer. Guess he didn't want to be ridiculed at the airport again :-). I asked him to fax me the details about money transfer the next monday, when I call and request him (I don't want others to get the fax).

Later the same evening my "brother" bala called me on two occasions. I forgot to hoarse, but just said I'm getting better :-). I told him what I had agreed with mr. Johnson Igba of the security firm. Man, bala must love his own voice as he kept on talking and talking, though I don't understand half of what he says :-).

So on Saturday and Sunday goes with no calls. Guess the scammers have their family too and don't do scams outside office hours :-).

Comes monday and what is a better way to start the day than with a call from my "brother"!. I tell him, that as agreed, I will request fax with money transfer information from mr johnson. After this call I decide to call mr. johnson and request the fax. He is bit baffled, what do I need the fax for. Just send the money to ungabungamunga (didn't understand the name). He agreeds to send the fax because I don't understand the name.

Two hours go by and my "brother" calls. I tell him that I'm bit worried as there is no fax. He assures me that the security firm is trustworthy and not to worry. Then it's the normal yadda yadda yaa again. Previously I listed the call durations. At this time I've lost track. In total I've been on phone with him for more than an hour and on his dime!

He must have called the dude in amsterdam as the fax soon arrives. (to be continued)...

"ANTTI"'s ITINERARY (NOT!)

Antti notes:
PS. the number 7 at the issuing date is only fake letter on that itinerary, others are originals shifted from one place to another. 2.5 hours work :-).

AN 'OFFICIAL' FAX FROM BALA MUSA!

[It's amazing what you can do with an inkjet printer nowadays.]

WHEN WILL BALA MUSA GET A CLUE? OR IS HE JUST LONELY?