Notes: The scammers letters are posted exactly the way I received them. My replies are in the grey boxes, and the scammers and his aliases are in the other colours. I have added pictures, where necessary, in order to help those who are unfamiliar with some of the references I have made. I have also posted explanatory comments at the end of some of the messages, these also serve as a running commentary.

From: Ken Vuyo <xxxx@hotmail.com>
To: xxxx@hotmail.com

Subject: URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 11:36:14 +0200

FROM: MR.KEN VUYO.
JOHANNESBURG.
SOUTH AFRICA.

I have the honour and confidence to introduce to you this business in view of the fact that you are trustworthy and reliable in business.Obviously, you will be surpriseed to read this letter from me consider it as a request from a family in dear need of foreign assistance.

My mother got your contact information through a family friend working in Johannesburg chambers of commerce and industry.I am Mr.KEN VUYO, the only son of Mr.Dave Ken of Zimbabwe, it was the current crisis against the farmers in Zimbabwe from the support of our President ROBERT MUGABE to claim all the white owned farms to his camp. My father was one of the best farmers to surrender all their farms to his camp. My father was one of the best famers in my country, because he opposed against MUGABE'S will and ideas, his cambers invaded our farms, burnt everything in those farms, killed my father and looted valuable things.

Meanwhile, before his death, he deposited us$24 million, (TWENTY FOUR MILLION CASH) in safe box of a private security group in Johannesburg, South Africa. He wanted to use this money to buy new machines and tractors, but unfortunately he was killed during the crisis by this bad government. As the only son the documents of this consignment was documented in my name by father and I am in possession of it all.

Right now, we are living in South Africa as political asylum seekers and the finacial laws of South Africa dose not permit us certain financail rights. In view of this, we cannot invest this money in South Africa or continue farming, that is why I am asking you to assist me transfer this money out of South Africa for investment in your country.

This security group is ready to welcome any person (foreigner). Who the correct information, which I will give to you immediately if you are interested to do this business with me and be informed that I will come to your place for sharing accodingly? At the conclusion, that is when the money must have been in your account, I propose to give you 25% of the said amount,70% will be for me and 5% will be set aside for any expenses both parties might incur during the operation.

Please, note that this business is 100% risk free, also not for terrorism and my only worry is the safety of this money. Once it gets into your account, I want you to assure me the safety of this. Send to me your private telephone numbers for confidentiality and for more deatils of this operation.

I assure you that if you show me your readiness and trust in the next(3) days, this business will be concluded. I look forward to your urgent reply. If this proposal is of interest you, please provide me with private phone and fax numbers ,and you can call me on this my phone number for more details.

Yours truly,

Mr.KEN VUYO.

(For the family]

I am most interested in learning more about your plan to liberate the $24 million your father deposited in Johannesburg.

I am very confident that we will be successful in getting the money out of South Africa, and I thank you for your generous offer of 25% for my services.

Please contact me urgently so that we can begin this profitable venture.

Yours faithfully,

Youdon Teron Havaklu.

NOTE:

I am using the name Youdon Teron Havaklu because it's a coded way of telling him he doesn't have a clue (about what I'm really up to)

I will simply use a 'T' instead of Teron, from now on. You don't have a clue. Get it?

Subject : Treat as Urgent!
Date : Tue, 09 Sep 2003 22:47:48 +0200

From:Mr Ken Vuyo

Attention:Mr Youdon Havaklu

Greetings! Thanks very much for responding to my business proposal which contents has been noted.

I need your assistance in form of providing your overseas account in your country or any where you have account in the world where a total fund of $24 Million shall be transferred after due processes from the relevant quarters.We are very happy that you appreciate the 25% that we offered to you.Our main concern is that after this transaction is concluded and the fund is in your account, we don't want our remaining 70% of the fund to be endangered.We need you to guarantee the safety of this fund when it arrives in your account.

In order for you to help me you have to make your immediate arrangements to come to Johannesburg South Africa to open a non resident bank account on your name where this money will deposit before it's onward transfer to your overseas account.We are hoping that you can be here in the next 2 weeks.All legal documents issued to my late father by the security company where the fund is at presently for safekeeping is intact with me.According to arrangements that I have made with a top banker who will assist us in the preparation of the draft pertaining this transfer after the account will be opened on your name,he said that the following are necessary arrangements required by you when you arrive here in Johannesburg:

1.}He said that it will only take 2 or 3 working days to conclude this transaction after the date of your arrival here in Johannesburg,South Africa.
2.}You should hold your international passport including a valid entry visa to the Republic of South Africa,unless your passport does not require a visa to the Republic of South Africa.
3.}You should bring 4 x passport size photos.
4.}You should be able to provide 2 different bank account numbers to enable the bank to transfer the money in two places for easy and convenient transfer.
6.}Upon your arrival we shall have a meeting with the banker and we will also involve an attorney to represent this transaction and the meeting should not exceed more than three hours before we proceed to the bank where the account will be opened on your name.

I will appreciate if you will furnish me with the following details in order to get acquinted with you.

1,your full name and address.
2,Your personel/ company's profile.
3,Your experience in the field of investment.
4,Your marital status and age.
5,Your private mobile,telephone,fax number including your city/country codes.

Please bare in mind that this transaction needs absolute confidentiality.I need you to give me your full assurance that this fund will remain safe in your account once the fund has credited into your account.This fund is the only thing that my late father has left for us and me and my mother rely totally on this fund to better our future.We don't want to endanger the fund.We will also need you to help us invest this fund properly in your country when we arrive there.

Please Mr Youdon Havaklu if you are unable to come here to Johannesburg then you must tell me so that the attorney we are going to involve will now find out the modalities involved to enable the fund to transfer to your nominated account without your presence here in Johannesburg South Africa.

I need you to provide me with your contact numbers immediately. Please act urgently on this transaction and co-operate according to enable this fund to leave this place immediately to your nominated account in your country.

Reply this mail as soon as you receive it.

Thanks,

Mr Ken Vuyo.

NOTE:

For this scam I decided to 'go' to South Africa and sort things out in person.

The quickness of your response is much appreciated.

Unfortunately, I have had to undertake some urgent travel away from my home and business, so I am going to have to correspond to you via email until I return. I am using a laptop computer as I travel and it is most useful. Do you own a laptop, as well?

Anyway, I am confident we can sort out this problem with your money, and I am therefore making the necessary arrangements to travel to South Africa as soon as possible. You can also trust me not to try and steal your money, as I am an honest man, just like you are.

Here are the details you requested:

1) Youdon Teron Havaklu, 4210 Washington Avenue, Texas. USA.

2) My company, Havaklu Sprockets, was started in 1957 and specialises in making top quality sprockets.

3) I have money invested in a number of companies, including Microsoft and Boeing Aircraft Company. I am also looking at a new company called Remmacs Gaming. This type of gaming is becoming very popular, and, as a result, should also be very profitable. My brother has a business that makes a new food called Soylent Green, and I will probably be investing in that too.

4) I am married with one grown up son, and I am 47 years old.

5) Since I am travelling I will have to give you my mobile number, 361-994-xxx. It's a Texas number, but I don't think you'll be able to get me on it as the reception is very bad where I am. It is probably best if we start working on the arrangements via email first, and then we can talk on the phone when I get home.

Since we are going to be business partners, I think it would be nice to find out more about you.

What is your family situation and how old are you?

Do you live in the city or the country, and what is South Africa like? Do you have lions running through your property, or maybe even elephants?

Have you been to America before, especially the State of Texas, and where do you want to live when you leave South Africa?

I look forward to your reply.

Live long and prosper,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTES:

In the third part of my details I mention a company called Remmacs Gaming. The word 'Remmacs' is actually scammer spelt backwards.

Soylent Green is a reference from the science fiction film of the same name. Soylent Green was a new and extremely popular new food product in the films fictional world. Unfortunately, what the inhabitants of that world, it was a futuristic Earth, actually, didn't know, was that Soylent Green was made from human remains.

'Live long and prosper' is a Vulcan salutation from the Star Trek universe.

Soylent Green - as it appeared in the movie

Subject : I thankyou for your co-operation
Date : Wed, 10 Sep 2003 23:16:04 +0200

From:Mr Ken Vuyo
Tel:+27-83315xxxx

Dear Mr Youdon Havaklu,

How are you?I hope that all is well with you.If so Glory be to Almighty GOD.I want to thank you again for your willingness to assist me and my family regarding the transfer of this fund to your nominated account.I received your mail and all the contents were well understood.I thankyou for your good explanation regarding your profile.This has shown me that I have entered into the correct hands as I have full confidence and trust on you.Also I have already informed my mother about your whole profile and my mother is very pleased with what I told her.I am very happy to hear that you are a honest and trustworthy man.That is what my family is looking for.

I understand that you have travelled and I received your mobile number.We will communicate via e-mail for now until you return back home and then I will call you on phone but meanwhile I will try the number to know whether I can reach you.Regarding the laptop it is unfortunate but I am not using a laptop but I just own a private computer.I am happy that you are using a laptop because our communication will not postpone as this transaction needs urgent attention.

I thankyou for your decission on coming to South Africa as soon as possible.I will appreciate if you can arrange to be here before 10 days time.Tell me if this is possible for you or if not then when do you think it will be suitable for you to be here?
Also inform me all your arrangements of coming because remember that my late father had deposited this consignment in a private security company for safekeeping before his death and the monthly safekeeping charges are accumulating and that is why my family wants this consignment to be out of the security company and transfer into your nominated account in Texas as soon as you arrive here in Johannesburg,South Africa.Please bare in mind that according to all the arrangements that the top banker made here in the bank,the whole transfer proceedure upon your arrival here will not exceed more than 3 working days.My family needs to know exactly the time you think that you will arrive here because I need to prepare myself to go back with you to Texas once the money is finally transferred into your nominated account which you will provide to the bank upon your arrival here.

Please you must understand that my family wants you to keep everything pertaining this transaction absolutely confidential till this fund is in your nominated account in Texas.This is how we want it because we don't want to endanger this fund.

Regarding your question about South Africa,I am living in a city {Johannesburg}.This country is well developed.There are no wild animals running around our yards.There are a lot of games reserves,casinos,shopping malls,the waterfront etc.I hope that when you arrive here and before we go back to Texas after the transaction is concluded we will view some places for site seeing so that you will see how South Africa looks.

To explain to you more about my family,I am the only son in my family and I am 27 years old.I am here in Johannesburg South Africa alone and I am seeking assylum here.After the death of my late father my mother instructed me as the only son to come to South Africa so that we can seek for a reliable and honest GOD fearing person who can assist my family to secure this fund out of South Africa.That is why my family contacted you and we truely believe that you are GOD sent to us.My mother is still in Zimbabwe with my younger sister Miss Sandra Ken who is 24 years old.I want you to know that after you arrive here and this transaction is concluded I plan on going back with you to Texas where I want to settle down and invest my family percentage of the money with your guidance and help in times of investment.After I settle down I will arrange to bring my mother and my younger sister to live with me in Texas.

Finally and once again I am truely grateful to receive your profile and to see that you have so much business experience.Please I would appreciate if you can also start to make arrangements for my family investments in Texas.I believe that you will know best on this subject which from now we hand everything over to you pertaining our investment.I am happy to hear that you have a son just like myself.I cannot say much until you arrive here and we meet face to face.

Kindly make your arrangements of coming and forward it to me so that I can make a hotel reservation for you and also to inform the banker about your arrival date here in Johannesburg South Africa.I will also need to inform my mother about that as she needs to know the date you will be coming here.

Please kindly call me on my direct private number {+27-83315xxxx} anytime no matter the time difference because my mother really wants me to discuss with you on the phone.

Thanks and GOD bless you and your family.

Mr Ken Vuyo.
{on behalf of the family}

NOTES:

I never expected that he would want to come 'back' to Texas with me, and bring his whole family, as well.

There are no wild animals running around Johannesburg? Damn, I would never have guessed!

Let us call each other by our first names, as we should look upon ourselves as friends, and not just business partners.

I am glad that your family is happy once again, as that is how things should be. Tell them I said hello, and that I look forward to meeting them.

Did you try my mobile phone number? I would be surprised if you were able to get a connection, as I am hardly ever able to get a dialling tone, let alone actually make a call. Never mind, I will be back home soon.

As for when I will be able to travel to South Africa, I think it will be in about 8 days time. I am checking on the Internet for flights and it would seem as though it is easy to get to Johannesburg from America. I think I might book on American Airways, or Delta Airways.

It is good that you are coming to Texas with your family, as this state likes people with lots of money. I think you should invest some of your money in two of the companies I mentioned. Remmacs Gaming is starting to get well known and will soon be making lots of money for its investors. Your profile indicates to me that you would be well suited to this type of business. I also think you should invest in my brothers business, called Futuristic Foods, as his new product, Soylent Green, is going to be a popular snack for everyone who is bored with Soylent Red and Soylent Yellow. Have you ever eaten a Soylent snack food bar? I don't know if they are available outside of Texas, so it wouldn't surprise me if you've never heard of them.

Let me know what you think of these investments, as we could even open offices for them in South Africa.

I look forward to your reply.

Keep your Bat'telh sharp, and your acquisitions profitable,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTES:

Soylent Red and Soylent Yellow were the original Soylents that the people in the movie Soylent Green had to eat.

A Bat'telh is a sword-like weapon used by the Star Trek race called the Klingons, and acquisitions are what another Trek race, called the Ferengi, call a profitable gain.

A Ferengi

A Bat'telh

Subject : Get back to me immediately
Date : Fri, 12 Sep 2003 11:43:59 +0200

From:Mr Ken Vuyo
Tel:+27-83315xxxx

Dear Mr Youdon Havaklu

How are you?I hope that all is well with you.I received your mail with great happiness.I agree that we must call each another by our first names because we are friends.I have already sent your greetings to my family of which my mother was very happy about and my mother aksed me if I spoke to you on the phone and I said no and that is why I asked you to call me in my last mail because I truely want to speak to you on the phone.I did not try to call you because you told me that it is difficult for you to get a connection where you are at and that is why I asked you to call me.Even if you can use a phone card to call me with out using your mobile phone that is OK.

I understand that you are arranging to be in Johannesburg within 8 days time and I am happy for that.I am busy making arrangements pertaining your arrival here.Both the airlines that you have metioned are very good airlines but what you need to do is buy a return ticket at once and send me your full details.Send me the flight name,flight number,departing time from Texas,arriving time in Johannesburg International airport,departing date from Johannesburg to Texas.This will enable me to also book my air ticket to correspond with your ticket when we are going back together to Texas.Also your full flight schedule will enable me to make a hotel reservation for you.

I am very happy to hear that Texas likes people with a lot of money coming for investment. Regarding your investment offers, yes I will like very much to invest in your company and your brother's company. That will make me feel so good to be a part of these investments. Regarding the Solyent snacks, I have never eaten one or even heard of it but I will surely like to have some when I arrive in Texas.

Regarding opening offices in South Africa,my family does not want to invest any of our money in South Africa or anywhere in Africa.

Please call me as soon as you receive this mail and send me your full flight schedule.As soon as I receive your flight schedule I will then notify the security company about the actual date of the releasing of the consignment because we must according to their law give them at least 72 hours notice before requesting the release the consignment.

Kindly get back to me with all your arrangements immediately.

Waiting for your urgent call.

Thanks and GOD bless you and your family.

Mr Ken Vuyo.
{on behalf of the family}

NOTE:

He's never eaten Soylent snacks? I wonder if it could be because they don't exist!

Hello, again. I feel that things are starting to happen now, and that this profitable venture is going to succeed.

I understand your desire that we speak on the phone, and I have been trying to find a phone that is suitable for making a call to you. Unfortunately, I am travelling in parts of Texas that only have small towns, and their phone lines aren't as good as the ones in the cities. Also, their public phones are inside local businesses, and I have heard that the business owners listen in on calls that strangers make. This is obviously not good, as we must keep our deal very secret. The fact of the matter is, we have no choice but to wait until I am back in my home town, as that is the only place we will be able to talk in complete security. But don't worry, I am nearly finished with my business and will soon be heading home.

As regards the flight details, I have some good news. I send a lot of my sprockets by airfreight; I use a company called DHL, and a friend of mine in that company has told me that they have flights out of Johannesburg every week. Anyway, he said we could catch a ride on one of their American bound freighters for only $200 US. The next available spaces will be in about 12 days time, so I will have to wait until he gives me the exact day, before I can make arrangements for my flight to South Africa. He will let me know the flight date in about three days time. This means that you don't have to worry about organising anything at your end, as I can arrange and pay for it all from Texas. By the way, my friend at DHL doesn't know the real reason why I am going to South Africa; I just told him you were interested in buying products from my company.

I am glad that you are going to take my advice and invest in Remmacs Gaming, and Soylent Green. Both of these businesses are going to be very profitable, and you will get a good return on your money. Another company that is going to be big in the future is Cyberdyne Systems. This company specialises in computer and cybernetic related products, and will most likely end up terminating all of its competitors. Are you able to get the Cyberdyne T1, T2 and T3 biotronic units in Johannesburg?

Another field to consider investing in is the space and aeronautics industry, as that is once again experiencing a lot of growth. If you like, I can take you to see some of these businesses. Two that come to mind are Federation Technologies, based in Utopia Planitia; they are primarily involved in developing FTL capable transport vehicles, and ISA Industries, who build combined technology prototype craft for defence purposes. The ISA's most notable achievement was the completion of a new generation hyperdrive ship, called the Excalibur. Would you be interested in visiting these companies?

Let me know what you think about these investment ideas. If you like them, I'll bring you some information about them when I come over.

Hope to hear from you soon.

My the blessings of the Sith Lords be with you,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTES:

I don't, of course, have any friends who work for DHL.

Cyberdyne Systems is the name of the company, in the Terminator movies, that was ultimately responsible for the creation of the Terminator cyborgs. T1, T2 and T3 were the names of the Terminator cyborgs in the first three movies of the same name.

Some Star Trek references are: Federation Technologies, the organization that builds starships for the Earth based Federation of United Planets. One of their starship-building yards is called Utopia Planitia, although, in the Star Trek universe, it is orbiting the planet Mars, and is not based in Texas. FTL is an acronym for 'faster than light'.

The ISA, or InterStellar Alliance, was the organization in the science fiction show, called Crusade, that produced a new generation of hyperdrive starship. The first of these new ships was named Excalibur.

Sith Lords are masters of the dark side of the Force, and are from the Star Wars universe.

The ISA ship Excalibur

The T1 Terminator

Subject : Waiting to receive your full flight schedule-Call me immediately
Date : Sat, 13 Sep 2003 11:29:44 +0200

Att:Mr Youdon Havaklu

How are you?I hope that all is well with you.If so Glory be Almighty GOD.I received your mail.I tried to call your number and it would not go through.I understand that you cannot be able to use the public phones where you are because of security reasons and I also support that decission.If you cannot see a safe place to call me then I will wait until you return back home.

I understand that you have a friend working at the airfreight company and that you will be travelling on their next flight to South Africa.Please finanlise your arrangements with him and inform me but if your friend is going to delay you please use the American airways as you said earlier and send me your full flight schedule as I requested.

Regarding any business investments as I told you before I hand everything over in your hands for when I arrive in Texas with you and then we will decide properly because you know more than me.On the issue of the Cyberdyne biotronic units, I believe that there is a possiblity you can get them here in South Africa. I prefer you to bring all informations when you are coming here regarding the business investments that you have in mind.

Please kindly try all your possible best to contact on phone immediately.Also as soon as you finalise the arrangements about your flight forward me your full flight schedule immediately.

Thanks and remain blessed.

Mr Ken Vuyo.

NOTE:

According to Ken, you can buy your own Terminator cyborg in South Africa. That must make things very interesting there!

Greetings, again, from sunny Texas, it is always good to get your messages.

I am glad that you agree with my decision not to make insecure phone calls. It would be a shame if our good deal was exposed before we had the chance to complete it.

Just to make things clear about my flying arrangements. I probably won't be using the airfreight company to get to South Africa; I will be using it just to come home from South Africa. You will also be using it to come here from South Africa, but I will be paying for you and making all the arrangements. To get to South Africa I will most likely use American Airways. However, I will talk to my friend at DHL and see if I can get a flight to South Africa on a freighter, as well.

To live in Texas it is necessary for you to take a test to see how much you know about this state. If you are able to answer more than half the questions correctly then you get citizenship automatically. If you can't answer more than half you will have to re-sit the test until you can.

So that I can find out how much you already know about Texas I have written a small test for you to take. Please answer ALL the questions, even if you don't know the correct answer.

Don't worry about not getting enough correct; as I will teach you all you need to know once you get here.

Here are the questions. Please pick either A, B or C for your answer.

1) Texas is most famous for:

A) Oil production.
B) Button making.
C) Opera and ballet performances.

2) Texans favourite food is:

A) French cuisine.
B) Chocolate fish.
C) Green eggs and ham.

3) What does the Texas flag have on it?

A) A lonely star.
B) A wiener dog.
C) A bush baby.

4) The most popular car in Texas is the:

A) Hyundai Pony.
B) Citroen 2CV.
C) Flintstone Roadster.

5) The Governor of Texas is:

A) George Jetson.
B) Rick Perry.
C) Dr. Zachery Smith.

6) The name Texas means:

A) Swampy mud puddle.
B) The land of wiener dogs.
C) Squashed banana.

7) The highest mountain in Texas is:

A) Guadalupe Peak.
B) Treebeards Hill.
C) The Murderhorn in Springfield.

8) The favourite hobby of Texans is:

A) Shooting tin cans.
B) Sewing and Knitting.
C) Wearing Bowler hats.

9) The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders are:

A) A Catholic girls choir.
B) Big busted girls who like football.
C) Renegade Republican Party politicians.

10) The most popular TV show in Texas is:

A) Button Collectors of Texas.
B) Days of Our Lives.
C) Living like the French.

Please send me your answers as soon as possible, as I will need time to prepare the necessary lessons for teaching you about Texas.

Use the force for good, and stay safe from the Morlocks,

Your friend,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTES:

I decided to have some fun with Ken, by getting him to take a phoney test about Texas. Unfortunately, he didn't want to play. Indeed, I nearly lost him because of this little stunt, as he didn't reply as quickly as he had done up until now.

'Using the force for good' is a term from Star Wars.

The Morlocks were nasty mutants in the science fiction film The Time Machine.

Dear Ken,

I spoke to my friend who works at DHL and he thinks I will be able to get a place on one of their freighters on September 24. He will confirm the details when he gets back to work tomorrow.

I made a mistake about the citizen test, in that you only have to take it if you want to use all of the states public agencies, like welfare, medical, and legal aid. Since you won't be needing these things there won't be any need for you to take the test.
By the way, did you spot the trick questions and answers I put in my test? The state also puts questions like that in their test, as they want to make sure only the genuine people have access to their agencies. I thought my ones were rather good, what did you think of them?

When I come over to South Africa I thought I would bring some gifts for your sister and mother, just to show them how much I appreciate what you are doing for me. What sort of gifts do you think they would like? Please have a good think about this, as I want to make the gifts very special.

I look forward to talking to you soon.

May the peace of the universe guide you always.

Best wishes,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTE:

I sent this email in order to ensure that I hadn't scared Ken off over my Texas test stunt. My apologetic tone seemed to do the trick.

Subject : Hoping to receive you in Johannesburg airport
Date : Mon, 15 Sep 2003 18:44:04 +0200

From:Mr Vuyo Ken
Tel:+27-83315xxxx

Dear Mr Youdon Havaklu

How are you?Hope that all is well with you.I received your mail and the your previous mails with all the test questions.I felt that your questions were very good and I was planning on replying you that I don't know anything about Texas and that I will appreciate if you can educate me on Texas so that I can have the knowledge when I arrive there.I understand there is no need for me to answer or take this tests as I will not require any of the metioned services in Texas as you said.I am relieved with that.I am leaving all arrangements of my living in Texas with my family to you to take care of that.

I understand that you have spoken to your friend at the DHL and it seems that you can get a flight with him on the 24th of September but you will confirm with your friend tomorrow and let me know.After you confirm please send me your full flight schedule to enable me to make a hotel reservation for you and also to give the security company notice for the releasing of the consignment because according to their agreement we have to give them 48 hours notice before the releasing of the consignment.Also I must get the full breakdown from them and that it why it is very important that I receive your full flight schedule.According to arrangements that I have made with the lawyer and the banker who will assist with transfer of the fund to your nominated account everything will not pass more than 3 to 4 working days upon your arrival here.That is why they want to confirm all the arrangements pertaining this transfer before your arrival here to make sure that all is well organised so that everything will conclude within 3 to 4 working days.By then the money will credit to your nominated account which you are going to provide to the bank here.

I truely appreciate the offer from you to bring gifts for my younger sister and my mother when you arrive here and I am very sure that they will be very happy to receive your gifts.I will appreciate if you can buy them any gift you wish and you must know that they are woman.I can't express how my mother and sister will feel but just know that they will be very grateful that you care so much.Even if you did not buy anything but just the fact that you mentioned it with your mouth it means a lot to my family.

I am waiting for you to call me on my above private number and also confirm your arrival date tomorrow as you said.Also I need full details of your flight schedule.

Thanks and GOD bless you and your family.

Mr Vuyo Ken.

NOTE:

He signed his name as Vuyo Ken, instead of Ken Vuyo. And just when it looked like he was doing so well at keeping everything straight, too!

It was good to get your last message. I am happy that you didn't need to answer any government test, as I know you are probably not as good with English as I am. But once you live in Texas for a while you will be able to speak it as well as any Texan.

I have spoken to my friend at DHL and he said I would be able to get on the September 24, Texas time, flight to Johannesburg. Unfortunately, they won't give out all the flight details until 4 days before the departure date. This is because of the company's strict security system, as well as the Governments new rules regarding freighter aircraft. All I can tell you at the moment is that it will land in Johannesburg between 7-30 am and 12-30 pm on September 26, Johannesburg time.

I will be finished with my business in three days time, and will head back to my home as quickly as I can afterwards. I will then be able to talk to you on the telephone.

I have some nice ideas for presents for your mother and sister, so I will definitely be bringing them with me when I come over. I think they will like them.

By the way, I have a favour to ask of you. Would you do me the honour of answering my test questions, even though you don't have to do it for the Government? The reason I ask for this great favour is because I spent a lot of time making the questions, and I am really interested in finding out what your answers would be.

Thanks for doing this for me.

Your friend,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTE:

Since I'd managed to lure Ken back and calm his nerves about the test, I thought I'd try again to get him to take it. It didn't work, and his tone became somewhat frosty.

Subject : Kindly provide me the answers
Date : Wed, 17 Sep 2003 10:09:01 +0200

Att:Mr Youdon Havaklu

Greetings!I received your mail.I thankyou for informing me about your flight arrangements.I understand that you will arrive in Johannesburg on the 26th of September but you will confirm to me 5 days before your departure date.

I understand that you insist that I answer your test question.As I told you that I am not even going to answer them because I know nothing about Texas.It is better if you answer them for me so that I will have the knowledge.So please understand me and answer the questions on my behalf.

Waiting for your full flight confirmation and your details.Inform me when I will make a hotel reservation for you.

Thanks,

Mr Ken Vuyo.

NOTE:

He's definitely not keen on taking my test.

Do not worry about my test, as it is not important. If I have upset you, by asking you to take it again, then I am sorry. Let's just forget about it, OK?

My contact at DHL has managed to get me on an earlier flight; this one leaves here on September 24, Texas time, and arrives in Johannesburg on September 25, Johannesburg time. As I said earlier, I can't give you the exact time I arrive, but it will definitely be between 12-30 pm and 6-00 pm on September 25. The return flight will leave Johannesburg on September 29.

Please make the hotel reservation from September 25 through to September 29.

Now that you know the day I will be arriving, you should make the final arrangements with the security company, so that you can get the full breakdown from them. You should do this straight away, as we don't want to leave it to the last minute.

Please let me know if there are any problems with the security company.

Best Wishes.

Your friend,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTE:

Once again, I have to calm old Ken's nerves about taking my test. He just won't bite. Damn, I really wanted to see his answers, too!

Oh well, I better continue to play things cool.

Subject : I wish you safe journey to South Africa
Date : Thu, 18 Sep 2003 10:01:28 +0200

Att:Mr Youdon Havaklu

Greetings!I received your mail including your flight arrangements.I understand that I must book your hotel resrvation between the 25th and 29th of September.I thankyou for understanding that I am unable to answer your test questions.

The only thing I need from you is to send me the correct time that you will arrive here in Johannesburg airport so that I can collect you at the airport.Every flight arriving must have a time and also what is the DHL flight number and which city in USA will the DHL flight take off from?

Please all this informations are very important for me to have to enable me to write your name on a paper and stand at the arriving hall to welcome you and from there to the hotel where I will make a reservation for you to stay.

I tried your number several times but it cannot go through.PLease call me and provide me with your correct number because you told me in your previouss mail that you are going back home by this week.Please can you provise me with your existing number immediately.

Also call me on my number {+27-83315xxxx} immediately you get this mail today.

After receiving your mail I went to the security company to get the full breakdown.According to the Director at the security company he said that my family is owing the security company for 4 months of the dumerage safekeeping charges.The total amount owing is US$12,000 which is US$3000 each month including the VAT.The Director has made me to understand that this bill owing has to be cleared before the consignment is released on the 26th of September because I have made the releasing notice for the 26th of September.We need to at least give them 48 hours notice before they release the consignment and that is why I booked the releasing date on 26th early morning.

On the 25th when you arrive here we will have a meeting with the lawyer and the banker.

I want to know if you can help us to pay this bill that my family is owing at the security company when you arrive here to enable them to release the consignment to us?

Any expenses you made pertaining this transaction you must keep an accurate record of all so that after the consignment is released upon your arrival here and before the fund is deposited into the account that you will open on your name here you can if you wish take back all your expenses before the fund is wired transferred to your nominated account in USA which you will provide to the bank here.According to all the arrngements made here everything will conclude under 3 working days so please I would apprecaite if we can avoid any delays upon your arrival to enable us to meet with your departing date of 29th.

Which name will you use in your passport so that I can write it on the paper when I am welcoming at the airport.I will send you the hotel name and resevation number tomorrow.

Waiting for your urgent call on my private number {+27-83315xxxx}

Mr Ken Vuyo.

NOTE:

He's revealed his hand by saying he needs financial help. This is what this scam is all about. I must say, however, that his request is somewhat more reasonable than a lot of other scammers.

I wish you had told me about these fees earlier, as this situation has made things very difficult for me.

I am quite happy to send you the $12,000 to get the consignment released, but I cannot send such a large amount from my home town. The reason for this is because I am too well known there, and people would get suspicious about why I am sending so much money to South Africa, especially since my company doesn't have any customers there.

The only way I can send it is by doing it in the town I am currently staying in. This will mean delaying my trip back home. It is therefore very important that you give me the details for sending the money as soon as possible, as I cannot go home until you do.

Contact me as soon as you get this message, so that I can arrange to send you the money before I leave this town.

Regards,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTE:

This is the moment I've been waiting for. I'm going to use my offer to pay his expenses as a means of 'bribing' him to pose for a 'sucker' photograph. Well, that's the plan, anyway.

Subject : Hoping to meet you in Johannesburg soon-Safe journey
Date : Fri, 19 Sep 2003 11:57:02 +0200

From:Mr Ken Vuyo
Tel:+27-83315xxxx

Dear Mr Youdon Havaklu

Greetings!I received your mail.I thankyou for your kindness and understanding towards this transaction.I pray that Almighty GOD will reward you for your goodness.I thank you for agreeing to assist my family with the debt at the security company to see that this consignment is out upon your arrival here.You must kindly keep an accurate record of all your expenses pertaining this transaction including the expenses that you made to arrange for your trip here.

I understand that you want to make arrangements to send the money from the city that you are in right now.I thank you for all your efforts because this is going to save a lot of time and also it will enable us to finish everything upon your arrival here within 3 working days as planned and after the money is credited into your account on the 4th day we can go back to Texas as planned on the 29th of September.

I have already made a hotel booking for you and the details are as follows:

Hotel Name: Kayalami Castle Hotel
Reservation number: C1070
Dates Booked for: 25th to 29th September 2003.
Rates per night: Rand 950 - equivalent to US$130 per night

___________________________________________________________________
Below is the details which you will use to send the money immediately:

Bank name: ABSA bank of South Africa
Beneficiary name: I A Bambas
Account number: 9096xxxxxx
Swift code: ABSAZAJJ
Branch code: 632005
Branch: Sandton City Johannesburg South Africa.

_____________________________________________________________________
Kindly fax the payment slip on this fax number {+27-73269xxxx}

I am still expecting a call from you as I requested in my last mail to you.If where you are is still unsafe then I will wait until you get back home and then you can call me.The moment you return home provide me with the number that I can reach you anytime.

Get back to me as soon as you finish sending the money.

Thanks,

Mr Ken Vuyo.

NOTES:

Someone certainly thinks that all of his Christmases are about to come at once!

$130 US per night for the hotel? Doesn't sound like a five star hotel to me. Cheap-ass scammer!

Why isn't he named as the beneficiary of the money transfer?

Just who is this I. A. Bambas character, and what has he done with Ken Vuyo?

Get back to you after I send you the money?

Why?

I doubt I'd ever get a reply!

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I am happy that I can help your family clear the debt on the consignment. I also thank you for arranging the hotel for me.

However, I am worried about the fact that I won't be able to recognise you when I get to the airport. How will I know that the person who meets me is really you? Even if you have a sign with my name on it, I still won't know that the person is really you.

Therefore, I think that it is very important that you send me a picture of yourself, before I send the fee money, as that will make me feel much safer about completing this deal.

The best way I can believe that the person will be you, is if you send me a picture of yourself holding a sign with my name on it. Actually, it might be better if I used a code name, as I don't want anyone to recognise my real name at the airport. I think the sign should have my cousins first name and my own last name.

Here is what you should write on the sign, so that it is in code and that I will know it is really you.

Eyedonn T. Havaklu.

You must write the name exactly as I have written it, and it must be big enough so that I can easily read it when I look at the photo.

It is very important that you do this, as I don't want to lose my trust in you. Don't forget that we are very close to finishing this deal, and it would be a shame if we had to end it now.

I'm sorry that I didn't sort this matter out earlier, but I just didn't think about it until today.

Please get back to me as soon as you have the required photo, even if it means that I have to stay in this town for a few more days.

Best wishes,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTES:

OK, I think I've got him where I want him. Time to lay down the law about what I want in a photo of him. If he really wants the $12,000, which is what this whole scam has been about, then he's going to have to play ball.

The reason I want him to hold up the sign with 'Eyedonn T. Havaklu on it, is because he will actually be holding a sign that says 'I don't have a clue'. Which is why I originally chose to use the name Youdon T. Havaklu, in the first place.

But will he see through my scheme, or will his greed blind him to what's really going on?

His reply came back in record time!

Subject : Respond back immediately
Date : Sat, 20 Sep 2003 10:55:27 +0200

Att:Mr Youdon Havaklu

Greetings!I received your mail. I understand all the contents.I understand that you want to know me and recognise me before you send the fee money.That is OK by me.

In this case I have decided to send you the copy of my refugee paper which holds my photo and all personal identification about myself.I think that my refugee paper will be the appropriate identification for you to recognise me.

I received the coded name that I must use to write on the paper when I receive you at the airport and I will do exactly as you said. Bare in mind that I will be at the airport but the secretary of my lawyer will hold the paper up at the arriving hall when I wait to receive you.

Would you prefer that I scan my refugee paper to you immediately or will you send me a fax number so that I can fax it to you?

Please respond immediately.

Thanks,

Mr Vuyo Ken.

NOTES:

'You've' decided to send me your refugee photo?

Sorry, but it's me who'll decide what sort of photo you're going to send, especially since it's going to cost me $12,000 dollars to see it!

Your secretary is going to hold up the sign with my name on it?

Sure she is! Don't you mean you'll probably give some unsuspecting girl a few bucks to hang out at the airport for no apparent reason?

Well, this may be the last I hear of Ken, as I don't think he's going to produce the necessary photo. But, I'll wait a bit longer and see what happens.

Oh, and he's got his name backwards, again!

Thank you for your email, and for understanding why I need to have the photo.

Unfortunately, your refugee photo is not a good enough proof, as I have no way of knowing that the picture is really you, and not someone else. I need a NEW picture, with you holding the sign with the coded message on it. This is the ONLY photo that will be acceptable to me.

If you want this deal to continue, then you MUST take the photo, otherwise I will have to end it right now.

If you need time to take the picture, that is OK, as I will wait. When you have the picture you should SCAN it and send it to me, as a fax image is not good enough.

Don't forget, the coded message must say: Eyedonn T. Havaklu and must be big enough for me to be able to read it when I look at the photo.

Let me know when you will have the photo ready for sending.

By the way, I have to go out now, for most of the day, so I won't be able to respond to any emails until I get back.

Regards,

Youdon T. Havaklu.

NOTE:

I wasn't going to let him get off that easily. So I laid down the law again.

What is he going to do now?

FOUR DAYS LATER:

Unfortunately, my prediction that I wouldn't hear from Ken again has proven correct - damn!

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, and he never did pick up on any of my weird references. However, I don't think I'm going to give up on old Ken just yet, as I'm sure that one of my other personas is just dying to have a chat to him!