Our politicians help the terrorists every time they use fear as a campaign tactic. The press helps every time it writes scare stories about the plot and the threat. And if we’re terrified, and we share that fear, we help. All of these actions intensify and repeat the terrorists’ actions, and increase the effects of their terror.
Bruce Schneier from wired.com
The article from which that quote was taken is very well written and worth a read.
Zambulu Williams emails me with:
I reply with: Can we trade for women or goats?
I get back:
I respond:
Kind Sir-
In my village, we are in dire need of goats and available women. Â I am
willing to assist with the transfer of your funds. Â But I do not need
any additional money as I have recently received a shipment of 100
crates of refurbished adult pleasuring toys shaped like assorted
fruits and vegetables which I will be inspecting and moving piece by
piece in the local markets. Â Does your village need any adult
pleasuring toys? Â I can give you a fair price.
Which prompts me to inquire as to the status of women and goats. Â We
need the women for cooking and cleaning. Â We will treat them well. Â We
need the goats goats for taking care of other needs that arise
especially in the mornings, when we first get out of bed. Â I assure
you that the goats are willing participants in this. Â They will not be
harmed.
I will assist you in the transfer of funds, but only if you can
guarantee delivery of 2 women and half a dozen goats in good health.
I have a fine banking facility in my village and will be glad to use
the goodwill that I have acquired there to help you with your
transfers.
Regards.
I will keep my faithful reader informed regarding this latest development. i’m going to take this guy for every last goat in his village.
Dear Henderson,
I wish to seek your assistance to execute a business deal. I am Michael Kent a lawyer based in Nigeria. I require your consent to present you as next of kin to late Jason Henderson a client of mine, an American who died in February 2005 leaving behind a large sum of money without a next of kin. With your co-operation and information available to me you can make a claim for the funds as next of kin. After release of the funds to you by the financial institution where it is lodged, we can share according to a percentage we can agree upon. If you may be of assistance, please reply for further co-operation. Best
Regards,
Michael Kent
Hello-
I am interested in the proposal which you put forth. Please let me know
further details, such as the amount of funds and the commission which I
should expect to receive. I look forward to wrking with you on this matter.
Thank you,
Myles Henderson
Dear Myles Henderson,
I was happy to receive a positive response from you in regards my proposal. I will throw more light into this deal for you to further understand the position of things.
The money involved amounts to $5,000,000 and it is lodged in a local financial institution. As a lawyer I am quite familiar with the processes involved when makeing inheritance claims. I will act as your local attorney to process the claims and because I am involved in the transaction, I will put in extra effort to see that everything goes on smoothly. You will be involved in this deal as much I, and for this reason after you read this e-mail I will like you to suggest to me what you feel you will deserve for playing your role for success.
I need to know more about you so we can be aquainted. I also need to have your personal information in order to process the claims . You have to send the following information
1. Full name as it appears on documents.
2. Contact address.
3. tel/fax numbers.
4. occupation/ place of work
5. Marital status
6. Age
The first two will be used to process documents to back-up the inheritance claim while the remaining four are for me to know you better. Presently I have a copy of the death certificate and before I can make a formal application to the institution for the inheritance claim, I need to swear an affidavit on your behalf stateing that I know you as a cousin and next of kin to late Jason Henderson. I will send you a text of application draft for you to sign and return to me as an attachment.
After I make the application to the Bank, I will inform you so you can stay alert because the Bank will get in contact with you. We have to agree on how you would receive the funds. If you have a good account that can receive that much money without questions from your local authorities, I will like you to inform me so I will state it in the application to the Bank, but if not we will apply for the funds to be paid out through International draft.
I look forward to haveing your phone number so we can have a detailed conversation.I hope to hear from you soon enough.
Regards,
Michael Kent
Dear Mr. Kent-
Please pardon my delay in responding. I think that a fair transaction
fee would be 25% of the total amount. I will also expect to be
reimbursed for any costs which I may incur during the course of this
deal. I must be assured that you are a trustworthy and upstanding
individual. Will it be possible for you to provide me one or two
references whom I may contact for such a purpose? As soon as I have
confirmed your references, I will be happy to move forward with this
transaction and provide you with the additional details which you have
requested.
I do not have access to email during the weekend, so I eagerly look forward to your reply on Monday.
All the best,
Myles Henderson
UPDATE: 2-6-6 09:30 Local
Dear Myles Henderson,
I am okay with 25% as your share of the money,and I understand your position in respect to making refrence.
Two people that come to mind are my partner here in the Chambers
( Barrister Michael Okpara REDACTED EMAIL ADDRESS ) and our secretary ( Mrs Anita Ademola REDACTED EMAIL ADDRESS ), they will assure you that I am upstanding and trustworthy.
I look forward to hearing from you with the information I have requested as soon as you have made your confirmation.
Regards,
Michael Kent
Update: 2-6-6 10:22 Local
Good morning:
My name is Myles Henderson and I write to you today regarding a matter
which must be held in the strictest confidence. Mr. Michael Kent has
requested my participation in a business transaction and I write to you
to confirm the trustworthiness and reputation of Mr. Kent. Will you
kindly provide the following details concerning your relationship with
Mr. Kent so that we may proceed with the opportunities facing us?
Nature of your relationship to Mr. Kent?
How long have you known Mr. Kent?
Are there any legal, personal or financial troubles that you know of
involving Mr. Kent?
I appreciate your assistance with this matter and trust that you will
not divulge this request to any other parties.
Sincerely,
Myles Henderson