Sunday, October 5, 2008

I Can't Believe People Still Fall For This - South Africa Edition

I post every ripoff email that I receive, mostly for the search engine hits, but partly as a public service to the rest of the gullible world.
The idea is that if every blogger who receives them also publishes them, the con artists involved in sending this stuff will eventually stop.
And they usually generate some interesting comments. Hit the "ripoffs" label at the bottom of this post to see all the others.
This one came in on the morning of October 5, 2008.
Apparently there's a dead expat engineer in South Africa who has the last name "Sepulchre".
Enjoy.

Hello
My Tel: 0027741071085
I am Mr. Gavin Tarr, account manager to an expatriate Engineer, Who was a contractor in South Africa.
On the 24th of Jan 2004, my client was involved in a boat accident and died leaving no will or next of kin. He had earlier lost his wife during child birth and never remarried
I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have the same last names, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you on your respon se we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfer.
I have all necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
Please include your private Tel/Fax and Mobile
Best Regards,
Mr. Gavin Tarr
Tel:0027741071085

Here's another from October 6th. This person, from having read my profile, wants to know if
1) She can trust me
2) She wants to know if I will accept her as my sister, and
3) You'll have to read #3 for yourself. It's kind of abrupt.

From: Miss Lily Jones
Dear Beloved one,
Based on your profile, l am happy to request for your assistance because I beleive that you are not going to betrayed the trust which I am going to lay on you Dear Beloved i pray all is well with you and Other members of your family.
My name is Lily 20 years old and the only daughter of my late parents Mr.and Mrs Jones, My father was a highly reputable busnness magnet-(a cocoa merchant) who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad on 12th.November 2005.Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who travelled with him at that time, but God knows the truth!
My mother died when I was just 6 years old, and since then my father took me so special. Before the death of my Father on November 12th 2005 he called the secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told her that he has the sum of(USD$17.5 000 000) Seventeen Million five hundred thousand dollars left in a metalic trunk trunk box, wich he deposited in a Security Company here in abidjan, that he registered it as family valuable items for security reasons, he told the secretarythat I should contact the Company for them to know me as his next of kin wich I have did as he instructed,
He also told the secretary that I should not let any of his relations to know about this because he was kiled by them and if they know about it, that they will do nothing but to kill me in other to take hold of every thing,
He told her that I should seek for a foriegn partner abroad who will help me retreived the trunk box and also travel with him or her in other to continue my Live and Education and also to start a Bussines relationship with the person whom can take care of me in the future,
My dear, this is why I have come incontact with you in order to help me retreive that trunk box from the Security Companys custody and send it direct to your country and also to make an arrangement for me on how I will come over to your country in other to continue my Live and Education and also to go into bussines relationship with you hence I am still a child and I dont know any thing about bussines,
I am just 20 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. this is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrowto my life, My dear, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards and your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can I completely trust you?
2.Can you accept me as your own blood Sister (Or Daughter)?
3.What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you?
Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible with your full assurance that you will not disapoint me in this issue so that i can give you the contact of the Security Company where my late Father deposited that trunk box for you to contactthem on how the trunk box will be retreived from their custody and deliver to your country,
Thank you soo much for your understanding and may almighty God bless you and your Family to the Glory of God Almighty,
My sincere regards,
Miss Lily

Here's a new one from 11-15-08. It takes a different angle. Esophagal Cancer.

I have a new email address!
You can now email me at: lafeefather2@yahoo.in-
My name is GUADALUPE URDANETA LAFEE,
I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer.It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live,according to medical experts.I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself)but my business.Though I am very rich,The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit that I have with a Finance Vaulting Unit.I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to harity organizations.N/B: Kindly note that 35% of this funds must go to the tsunami victims,60% o other Charity Organization and 5% for your effort and time.I cannot talk with you on the phone due to my health situation, as I am using my Lap Top Computer to communicate with you. You should respond to this e-mail mrgul03@aim.com) if you are interested in carrying out this assignment on my behalf.
God be with you.
MR.GUADALUPE URDANETA LAFEE

6 comments:

Dr Ralph said...

There are a several sites out there that track people baiting these scam artists. Do a google on "419 scams."

Jay@Soob said...

Here's a dare for you, Allen. Call that number he left and play the part of the bereaved (and greedy) Mr. Sepulchre (lol) and see where it goes. Have a small crew of camera wielding sorts (hidden and otherwise) record the sordid financial affair should the offender actually bite and fly his ass to the US. Blog the whole thing as it happens.

The Whited Sepulchre said...

Dr. Ralph,
Next time you get one, please post it, with commentary similar to mine. I've gotten a dozen hits from Google searches on Gavin Tarr.

Jay,
I've emailed a few of the others, playing the part of greedy inheritor, but have gotten nowhere with it. I was going to post the whole thing once it came to whatever sordid conclusion the fates allowed.
Might try it with this guy. He's the first one to actually list a phone number.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

You are heartless, you people. Imagine this poor "expatriate Engineer" drowning, his face going blue, the last bubble of air leaving his lips.

Imagine the loneliness of all these millions lying untouched in the bank...

Sew daze said...

I called, they asked me if I was black, I answered no, they said I was perhaps not the direct descendant of this Mocha chocolate man, but perhaps I could be related to his distant cousin who died in a mountain climbing accident. They are going to get back to me.

Anonymous said...

http://www.419eater.com is by the best scambaiting site. You won't believe what they make some of these scammers do. It really is amazing.