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. 

Subject: Gold For Sale.

Dear Sir

I am writing to a deal of bilateral interest and mutual benefit. I am
Mr Roland Aka an agent and consultant of the local farmers in west
africa where large quantities of GOLD and DIAMOND are available.The
price are cheaper than the price in international marketing. I
obtained your contact from the internet and was inspired
to consult you for this business which I do hope will be of great
interest to us. Do not hesitate to contact me through the above phone
or E-mail to indicate your interest or if not interested in this proposal,
please do solicit for a buyer for me and upon your recommendation of
a prospective buyer, you shall retain 5% commission of the sales.

Commodities available are as follows:
Diamond of VVS of about 700 carats of different quantities
at good price.
Gold A.U. dust of 22 carats.
Quantity : 600 Kg
Purity : 996 / 1000 (22 carats)
Price : USD $ 5400.00 / Kg
Certificates to be issued with trench delivery:
(A) Certificate of origin
(B) Certificate of ownership
(C) Certificate of fine weight
All the above documents / certificates are to be sent to
the buyer.
SYSTEM OF TRADING
After confirmation and testing of the goods, part payment
will be made here while the balance shall be paid 48 hours after
delivery at the country of your designated choice.
yours faithfully,

Mr Roland Aka.

NOTES:

After having created a website in which I was pretending to be the owner of a gold bullion company, I decided to 'try it out' on this scammer. Hopefully, it will convince the scammer to think that all his Christmases have come at once. Little did I know that this bait would turn into something a lot stranger than I could have imagined.

A colleague of mine received your email and passed it on to me.

My name is Ayedont Havaklu and I am the president of a gold bullion company called Goldcorp. Here is the address for my company's website:

http://www.multi-corp.nm.ru/gc.htm

As you can see, I am very interested in buying your gold, especially since your price is cheaper than what I can get from my usual supplier.

Please tell me more about your business proposition.

P.S. This deal must be kept totally secret, and you must only talk to me about it. Is that understood?

Regards,

Ayedont Havaklu.

The name 'Ayedont Havaklu' was chosen so that I could use it in any 'dumbass' pictures I was going to try and score.

30 January 2004.

Dear Ayedont Havaklu.

I received your message and I thank you very much for your intrest

But I can asure you that it will be more better for you to come down here in Cote d ' Ivoire in Abidjan since the metal is 600kg of gold dust, so that after part payment we can now discuss on the issue of shipment. Come down and see every thing by your self. On your demand I will be sending to you all the documents as regards to this transaction. Since I understand that you are a big dealer please forward to me your private telephone number your fax number as to enable us facilitate this deal.

Thanks hoping to hear from you soon.

MR ROLAND AKA.

I appreciate your prompt reply.

You are correct; it would be better if I were to come to the Cote de Ivoire first, so that I can inspect the gold and prepare it for shipment to America. However, it will be necessary for me to see the documents you have for the gold before I decide for sure to make the trip to your country. In light of this could you please email me a scan of each of them, as I am not prepared to accept faxed copies.

Since this deal is not technically legal in my home state of Missouri, I am not prepared to talk about it over the phone. If I did, the FBI could find out about what I am doing and cause me a lot of trouble. My emails, on the other hand, are sent and received in a special code, which means that they can't be read by anyone else. Therefore, if you wish to do this deal with me you will have to do it via email only.

If you are still interested in continuing with this matter please let me know as soon as you can.

Regards,

Ayedont Havaklu.

NOTE:

I use the 'usual' excuses to get out of having to phone the scammer. A couple of days go by with no response. I then receive the following message.

3 February 2004.

Dear Sir,

I have been waiting to hear from you, what is the condition of thing so I will send to you the document for you arrangement of coming. Let me know your arrangement.

best regard.
Roland Aka.

NOTE:

I'm not sure what is going on with Rolands way of thinking. Maybe he didn't get my last email.

As I stated in my previous email, this deal can only proceed if my conditions of communication are met. If you are prepared to follow them, then we can do business, if you are not prepared to follow them, then I will have to find someone else to buy my gold from.

Regards,

Ayedont Havaklu,
President,
Goldcorp USA, Ltd.

5 February 2004.

Dear Ayedont Havaklu,

I received your mail and all you said where well noted ,but i want to inform you that i can only send you the certificate of ownership and the certificate of deposite, then when you come down and other things you required can be given to you .but the most important thing is for you to come down. after, we might finalies the whole transaction ,we can now discus on how to give you money to purchase mining enquiments for us. because it will be more cheaper in your country.

please i want you to understand that this transaction will be a continues excieses
i want to hear from you when you are coming down and i thought as much that since you are coming down, there is no need sending any documents to you untill you come down to see things by yourself.

Thanks

Roland Aka.

NOTE:

He doesn't want to send any documentation first? Well, I can't put up with that nonsense!

I am pleased to see that you have accepted my conditions for proceeding with this deal, and I look forward to a profitable outcome for the both of us. The gold industry is a fascinating business to be involved in and it is always good to meet new partners.

In order to get things going, however, you will need to send me scans of all the documentation you can, as I need to be sure that you are serious about this deal. Fax copies are not acceptable, as they do not come out clear enough. Once you have sent me the documentation I will start arranging my flight to Abidjan.

It is important that you get back to me as soon as you can, as I have another supplier wanting to do business with me if you can't.

Regards,

Ayedont Havaklu,
President,
Goldcorp USA Ltd.

7 February 2004.

Dear sir, Ayedont Havaklu

I am in respect to your mail.presently i am on a trip to ghana to visit but will be back on wenesday so i will please that you have patient on till i am back.
Never your bulder your'self much once i am back i will forward the certifacate of deposite and the certificate of orgin to you so you will be able to gothrow it and make your arrangement of coming.

Put all in the hand of god let me go and come back in peace so shall you travel and meet me in peace.

Wait ontill am back. May god bless you.

Your sincerely.
Mr Aka.

NOTE:

That worked. However, I wonder what the real reason is for 'going out of town'.

I hope you have a pleasant trip to Ghana, and I look forward to resuming business with you when you return.

By the way, I was wondering what the bank notes in your country looked like, as I have never seen African money before. If you could send me a scan of some of them, with the other documents you are going to send, I would be most pleased.

Thanks in advance,

Ayedont Havaklu,
President,
Goldcorp USA Ltd.

NOTE:

I was after a small 'trophy' with my banknote request.

After a week goes by, I finally get the following letter from Roland.

16 February 2004

Dear Ayedont Havaklu,

Goodday how is your possition, Please I will like to hear from you because i sent you the certificate of deposit I have not had from you and i also attch my pic for you to know the person you are coming to meet up no mail from your side yet.
what must be the possition of things,let me hear from you to know your stand.or are you making an arrangement of coming?,

Best regard.
Mr Aka.

NOTE:

What the heck is he talking about, I never got any documents or picture from him?

I have not received any documents from you. Are you certain that you sent them to me?

Try sending them again, if you did, and I will let you know if they arrive.

P.S. Please do not forget to send me a scan of some of your country's banknotes, as well, as I want to add it to my collection of banknote pictures from around the world.

Regards,

Ayedont Havaklu,
President,
Goldcorp USA Ltd.

18 February 2004.

My dear,

I have sent you a message and i have n't any return mail in my box which means that you recived your mail because computer dos'nt tell lies.
since you dont received any message and my picture which i send to you arrenge yourself and come down to see things by yourslf that is all i have to tell you.

Thanks
Roland Aka.

NOTE:

What a cheek, he doesn't believe that I didn't receive his documents and photo!

Just because you did not receive your mail back, does not mean I received it at this end. I am telling you the truth when I say it never arrived here.

But it does not worry me that you are calling me a liar, as I have found another business partner in Africa who also has some gold he wants to sell. He contacted me a few days ago from Nigeria, and is very keen to do business with me. He is sending me his documents in a few days, and once I have seen them I will be flying to Lagos to meet with him.

Regards,

Ayedont Havaklu,
President,
Goldcorp USA Ltd.

NOTES:

Since it looked as though I wouldn't be hearing from Roland again, I decided to pretend to have found a new 'partner' in Nigeria. This new partner would, of course, be me, and I would now pretend to be a Nigerian scammer who wants to rub Roland's nose in the fact that he has stolen his 'mark'.

19 February 2004.

Dear,

Thanks for your mail. you can go to any where you like to buy your gold. is your money not mine you can do any thing you like with your money. dose Nigeria produce gold if not crude oil.

Go ahead your trip will be ok.

ROLAND AKA

NOTE:

This guy is getting on my nerves! It's time to show him who's in charge of this game!

Hey there Roland,

I got your guy Ayedont Havaklu. He tell me about you, and say you too stupid to do proper business. He say Ivory Coast man not smart like American. I say you dumb too, cos you not know how to scam proper. Us Nigerian scam real good, I show you.

I speak English better than you too, but talk like this cos you not understand me if I talk it good, cos you lose Havaklu by not speaking good like me. You Ivory men make us Nigerian laugh, cos you think you can scam like us. We better than you always.

How you lose Havaklu so easy anyway? He say he only talk to you few times, but you still lose him. Sounds like you real stupid to me. I will get many dollars from Havaklu, you see. I already scam $43,750 from other mens in last three months, much better than you. I bet you not scam more than $100 whole last year.

I go now, cos I got more scam going. You learn how to scam, or I take others of yours most likely. Nigeria the best.

Bye from me,

Usman John.

NOTES:

I now take on the persona of Usman John, the Nigerian scammer who has 'stolen' Ayedont Havaklu from Roland.

I am hoping to start an inter-country 'war' with my anti-Ivory Coast comments, plus I want him to know just how good 'I' am at scamming people like Ayedont.

From: "Roland Aka" <xxxx@yahoo.fr>

20 February 2004.

ATTN; MR Ayedont Havaklu,
President, Goldcorp USA Ltd.

I am very dispointed of you if you are not read to do bussiness with me. Its very easy to tell me than to be telling people of Nigeria to insult me on mail. Look at this co-orperation of our become insult to my personality, may god bless you.

Who is Mr Usman John that you ask to mail. Be that I miss you, my brother good come from above and any good that is not for you will be come to you.

If God has said that the both of us are going to pull this content of gold and make the sales nobody on earth can stop it that is the real favour from God.

My contact with you is only because I see that you have more expirence on this area. That is why I make all effort to see that we work together by sending you my photo and my personal document. Please put this business you will do with me in prayer and reacive the world from god.

I wait your advice.

Your sincerely.

Mr aka.

NOTES:

It would seem as though Roland still wants to talk to Ayedont after all, and he's not too pleased with Ayedont for having set Usman onto him either! At least he doesn't suspect that Usman and Ayedont are one and the same.

I decide to ignore Roland as my Ayedont persona, and concentrate on 'attacking' him with my Usman persona instead.

From : afpic afpic <xxxx@yahoo.fr>
Sent : Saturday, February 21, 2004 3:07 PM

To : Usman John <xxxx@hotmail.com>
Subject : REPLY

WHO ARE YOU.

NOTE:

Short, and to the point. He seems a little peeved at Usman.

Hey there Roland,

Why you so dumb? I already tell you who I am. I the boss man of you; that is who!

You no good at being scammer, cos you not know how game played. You make stupid mistakes, cos you lose Havaklu. I never lose my guys, cos I learn how to scam like professional. You only scam like boy, probably you only 17 years old. You need go back to school, learn how to scam good, like me.

I bet you not even own computer, just use café computer. I own TWO computer, have nice car and house too. I own Rolex watch too, I get it from other guy I scam. I have lots other stuff too. What you got? You got anything, or just own dirt? I bet you not scam anyone who give you money yet? How much you make from scam?

I tell you now, you Ivory boys stay away from our scams. We no want amateurs making stupid mistakes, mess up things for us professional Nigerians. This our territory, we own, not you. You keep selling dirt, cos that what you Ivory boys good at. Leave real work to us Nigerians.

If you not stop scam I find out where you live. Us Nigerians good at finding scam boys like you. We stop you good!

You scared now, I bet. You not even write me cos I scare you good.

Bye from me,

Usman John.

Nigeria the best!

NOTE:

I really lay it on just how good I am at scamming and how useless he is at it.

To : Usman John <xxxx@hotmail.com>
Subject : Re: Here's my reply.

MR MAN,

If you are a scammer I am not like you look for some thing good to do.
Stop sending mail to my box and who gave you this I'd tell him that the god of above all nation will bless him with the holy ghost fire.

Let my way alone.

OUT.

NOTES:

Hmmm, he seems a little angry! Was it something I said?

Why won't he admit to being a scammer? This is most strange.

You funny, I starting to like you.

Why you not admit you scammer? Is it cos you no make any money at it? I sorry for things I say about you. You just trying make money for your family, so is ok.

Let us be friends, ok? I teach you how to scam good. I got really good stuff for scamming. Know lots about computers. Can make lots of good fake stuff. Guys you scam never know it scam, you make heaps of dollars, more than you know before.

What you say?

Bye from me,

Usman John.

NOTE:

I decide to try and make friends with Roland, as a fellow scammer who just wants to help him in his chosen 'career'.

He doesn't reply, so I try again.

Why you not write back? I thought we friends now.

Does not matter, I got some news for you. Your guy Havaklu send me $1500 (US), I picked up from Western Union today. I having party tonight, celebrate another good job. I get more money from Havaklu soon, cos my scam really good. Most likely I get $7000 by time is over, maybe more.

You should work with me, cos you earn more that way.

Anyway, I go now. I got party to organise.

Hey, I sending you copy of Havaklu receipt, so you see I not lie. I use computer to black important informations so you not see them, sorry.

I keep in touch with you, let you know how things go.

Bye from me,

Usman John.

NOTE:

By telling Roland I 'scored' $1500 out of Ayedont Havaklu I am hoping to get him to resume communications with me.

He doesn't, so I send him yet another message.

You forgot to write me again. Never mind, I keep writing you anyway.

Had great party with Havaklu moneys, lots of friends come too, got drunk a little, but was good fun.

I have good idea for getting $2000 out of Havaklu next time. He easiest guy I ever scammed, sends money and not ask too many questions. I think I most likely get over $10,000 from Havaklu by end of scam.

How your scams going?

You get any money yet?

Write me and let me know how you doing. I write you again tomorrow.

By from me,

Usman John.

NOTE:

Hopefully, Roland will be annoyed enough to write back this time.

He is!

To: Usman John <xxxx@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Update.

Usman John

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU NEED FROM MY SIDE AND WHERE ARE YOU.

I WAIT EXPLANATION.

I not tell you my real name yet cos I not know if I trust you good. As I said, I live in Lagos, Nigeria and make living doing email scam mostly. I also do electrical work if scams go slow. I married and wife help with scams sometimes also.

Only thing I want from you is informations. I interested in you, is all. Like to find out what scams you do, how much you make. Stuff like that. Also where you live, how old you are. I am 35 years old.

So, what are some of your informations?

Also, why you not work for me, as I better at this job than you, most likely.

Bye from me,

Usman John.

NOTE:

I try to get some personal information out of Roland, as well as offering him a job.

To: Usman John <xxxx@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: My explanation.

ATTN:

On what level you want me to work for you.
And why will I not know your real name?
I will like to hear your voice so try and call me so I will know you well.
I live in Abidjan and I can be reach on this number.00225.0774xxxx

I wait your call.

Why you still not be friendly?

Anyway, I not tell you my real name till I know you better, cos our business can be dangerous sometime. But I starting to trust you, so I tell you soon, maybe. You have to tell me your real name too, cos I know Roland not your name.

As for what level you work for me, I thinking you help me when I got too many good guys to do myself, or when I have to go out of town you cover for me. I split everything 60% for me, 40% for you. How that sound?

I also not call you yet, as I not want to waste money if you not really interested. We sort out some more details by emails first.

Here more informations about me. I got nice BMW car, big house with four bedroom, got Alsatian dog, call him Whitey, I think that funny, what you think? I born in UK but parents come back to Nigeria when I little. I got UK passport cos I born there, is lucky for me. I send you my picture tomorrow, maybe.

So, tell me more informations about you, so I get to know you better. Once we know each other we can be trusting, and work like brothers. Make lots of money from stupid white guys. Would be good, that for sure.

Bye from me,

Usman John.

NOTE:

I try extra hard to extract some information from Roland by being open about 'my own' lifestyle. I also lay the 'groundwork' for a 'trophy' photo of Roland.

To: Usman John <xxxx@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: More informations.

Chief, I understand your mail but that % you are saying is ok but i will like to see you in person before doing any thing with you.

my name is tony. when i see your pic i will send my aswell.
call me so we can talk because your call will not wasty.

I will like to work with you only if you will do things with me from your mind.
I work day and night but no master.
I wait your response call.

Thank.
tony.

NOTE:

Things are looking good; he seems to be starting to trust me.

You sure Tony your real name, cos it sound more like English name. I not angry if you still not want to tell me real name, is up to you. My real name is Ajani Okonkwo.

I think we can work good together, as we both know stuff other doesn't. We make good team, you see. I not really be your boss, I just like senior partner, is all.

Anyways, I sending you my picture with this mail, so you see I serious about this deal. I even holding sign with message on it, so you can see is really me.

If you send me picture of you with message sign, then I know is really you too. This only way I really know you serious about this. If you send me message picture I tell you lots more about how our deal work, even phone you.

I hope you serious, cos I am.

Bye from me,

Ajani Okonkwo.

NOTE:

I send him a 'doctored' picture I 'borrowed' from another scambaiter. I simply edited out the original words that were on the sign and added my own instead.

Hopefully, this will be enough to get a 'trophy' photograph out of Roland.

To: Usman John
Subject: Re: My Picture.

Dear Aj.

I have seen your pic and scan my aswell try to call me on that phone i am holding.

but how can we meet eachother so that we can do thing together.

i will like to work with you only if you will be open.

i take that pic which i attach to you on the front of my house last year.

i wait your call.2250774xxxx.

Tony.

NOTE:

Although he claims to have sent his picture, it was not attached to the email. I am starting to think he doesn't know how to do attachments, which means I am probably wasting my time.

I got your mail but was no picture attached.

Tony, I being really open with you, give you my real name, message photo, lots of informations, but you not doing the same. If deal going to work you got to be more open. The reason I send you message photo was so you know is me, not some snap from Internet. I like you to do same for me, as that show you really serious and willing to put effort into making deal work. Old photo just show you only a little interested in deal.

As for other stuff about how we meet and make things work; leave that to me, as I got contacts in other countrys like UK, Holland, other African places too. Is easy for me.

Get back to me soon with message photo, as I already spending money to get deal going.

Bye from me,
Ajani.

NOTE:

I make one last attempt to get a 'result' from Roland. If this fails I will call it quits on this bait.

To: Usman John <xxxx@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: You don't understand me.

Thank's for your help it's not that taken a pic and sending to you means but i will like to know you into before sending my pic that is the only reason.

send me your number. i will like to do thing with you but not on that level the level i need is some one that invole which i can give only my clint name and pic to work for me not any order thing this work is spritual so you must follow it on the same way too.

if you have that contact then we can do things togethre.
let me know your part before sending my pic to you.

Best regard.
Tony.

NOTES:

I don't know what it is that he wants to know, and I no longer care. It seems as though this scammer is more trouble than he's worth, so I do not bother replying.

Although this bait was less than 'productive', it still gave me an interesting insight into just how a scammer thinks.