I already posted this on another forum, giving regular updates after each email. Here it is in one long chunk, for your reading pleasure.
--------------
After the shenanigans with the Nigerian email scams, with some people replying to them and stringing them along (as seen in www.fattibastardo.com) to see how long they could make the correspondence last, I wanted to have a go, so I waited patiently and after a few weeks imagine my delight to get an email from Shun Wong. So, the scam had moved countries. Ha.
This is the email.
From: Shun Wong
Date: 12 February 2003 01:24
Subject: PROPOSITION!
CHINA TRUST COMMERCIAL BANK.
NAN KAN BRANCH, TAIWAN
REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
I am Mr. Shun Wong Bank Manager of China Trust Commercial Bank, Nan Kan branch,
Taiwan, R.O.C. I have urgent and very confidential
business proposition for you.
On June 6, 1998, a British Oil consultant/contractor with the Chinese Solid Minerals
Corporation, Mr. Smith Lawrence made a numbered time
(Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million
Dollars) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine
notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder
and finally we discovered from his contract employers,
the Chinese Solid Minerals Corporation that Mr. Smith Lawrence died from an automobile
accident. On further investigation, I found out that he
died without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.
I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Smith Lawrence did not
declare any kin or relations in all his official documents,
including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$30,000,000.00 is still
sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over
with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come forward to claim it.
According to Laws of Republic of China, at the
expiration of 5 (five) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Chinese
Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin
to Mr. Smith Lawrence so that the fruits of this old
man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials. This is simple, I
will like you to provide immediately your full names
and address so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that
will put you in place as the next of kin. We shall
employ the services of an attorney for drafting and notarization of the WILL and to obtain
the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the transfer. A bank account in any part of the world
that you will provide will then facilitate the transfer
of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin. The money will be paid into your
account for us to share in the ratio of 90% for me and 10%
for you.
There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorney
and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees
the successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately
via the private email address above. Upon your
response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help
you understand the transaction. Please send me your
confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy communication.
Please observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured that this transaction would be most
profitable for both of us because I shall require your
assistance to invest my share in your country.
Awaiting your urgent reply via my email address.
Thanks and regards.
Mr. Shun Wong
Looks like the usual bog standard email scam. The email was sent to the address on my Lenny Bruce site. For those who don't know, Lenny was a controversial American comedian who died in 1966. I replied as Lenny....
From: Lenny Bruce
Date: 13 February 2003 03:58
To: Shun Wong
Subject: Re: PROPOSITION!
Dear Mr. Wong,
Your email was very interesting to me, but I'm currently vacationing in Monte
Carlo. As soon as I get back I'll be sure to get back to you. A lot of money
passes through my business account so I can use that without arousing anyone's
suspicions.
Yours,
Lenny Bruce
So that tells him I am filthy rich and willing to help. Mr Wong rubs his hands in glee.
After a couple of days I don't get a reply, so send another email, baited with more info he won't be able to resist.
From: Lenny Bruce
Date: 15 February 2003 05:16
To: Shun Wong
Subject: Re: PROPOSITION!
hey man, i just got into my hotel room after a nihgt on the roulette tables.
I lost nearly 50 grand last night but tonight I won 100 grand so i'm happy
happy happy. I love a gamble so thats why im looking forward to our little
deal, but hush hush, eh, I won't tell anyone, my business partner can't find
out about this or he'll want a cut. My plane leaves on the 20th and when I
get back home i shall be able to send you the details you requested. The
casino's are wild! when we've finished up the deal you should come on a
vacation to monte carlo, you'll love it. you can stay in my private
apartment. Do you like to gamble Mr Wong, i love it, and theres some great
tits and ass here to look at while you win all that lovely money. Bye man, I
gotta get some sleep now, Lenny
This time he replies, looks like I hooked me a Chinaman.
From: Shun Wong
Date: 15 February 2003 10:40
To: Lenny Bruce
Subject: Nice to hear from you
Dear Mr Lenny,
It is nice to hear from you.
I guess you are having a swirl time out there.
Thank you for your willingness to assist me in this pending bussiness transaction.
I wish you a safe arival from your vacation.
Please for further correspondence always use the above email address as it is more confidential for me.
This is all for now.
Yours Sincerly
Mr Shun Wong
As I don't reply (Well, I'm on vacation, having a swirl time), he sends a followup of his own.
From: Shun Wong
Date: 20 February 2003 15:39
To: Lenny Bruce
Subject: Goodday to you
Dear Sir,
This is Shun Wong.
I just dropping this note to see if everything is fine with you,i hope you are enjoying your vacation.
Please,i am still awaiting to hear from you as soon as you are back from your vacation.
Sincerly Yours
Mr Shun Wong
Funnily enough I'd just arrived back from Vacation.
From: Lenny Bruce
Date: 20 February 2003 20:43
To: Shun Wong
Subject: Re: Goodday to you
Dear Mr Wong,
My plane just touched down from Monte Carlo a couple of hours ago, and I am
now back in the warmth of my apartment sitting in front of a roaring fire with
my slippers on and a glass of sherry on my hand, puffing on a large cigar, and
life is sweet. I didn't want to give you my address or phone number before I
got back home, as if you had phoned it my wife or my business partner might
have answered the phone, and you said to keep things confidential.
My address is 66 Rivington Street, London, EC2 3AY, UK. Telephone: 0207 739
5706 Fax: 0207 256 1242.
It's probably best to keep communications by email only, as I'm away from home
a lot, and my wife Honey is very nosey and opens all my mail and reads my
faxes. Also, I think the FBI have tapped my phone, as I've heard strange
clicks on numerous occasions. Maybe I'm being paranoid and there's nothing to
worry about, but it's best to be safe.
Well, I've topped up my sherry glass, so here's to business!
Yours,
Lenny Bruce.
I'd given him the address and phone/fax numbers of a comedy club in London.
From: Shun Wong
Date: 21 February 2003 11:33
To: Lenny Bruce
Subject: Re: Goodday to you
Dear Mr Lenny,
It is good to have you back safely from vacation.
Please it is very important you go through the detailed information i sent to you previously,this will enable you exactly the kind of assitance i require from you and how we will go about it.
I will also try to call if you are not there to answer the phone i will simply ask when you will be available then i will call back.
If you are able to provide all the necessary details soon i shall comence immeditely and get the lawyer to start preparing the WILL with your details, so we can get the out of my bank and transfer it to the account you will eventually provide as soon as possible.
Please any part you do not understand let me know,so i can explain properly.
This is about all for now.
Yours Sincerly,
Mr Shun Wong
Ooh! He's going to call. A crazed Chinaman is going to call a comedy club and ask to speak to Lenny Bruce. I only wish I was there to hear the call!
From: Lenny Bruce
Date: 23 February 2003 03:37
To: Shun Wong
Subject: Re: Goodday to you
Dear Mr Wong,
I read the detailed information again and I realised I forgot to give you my
bank details. I have several accounts with the INTERNATIONAL BANK OF SEALAND,
the account number of my business account is 00023445235-62-874-0. I keep all
my money in offshore banks as I don't have to pay any tax. I like it that
way. If you phone me my business partner might possibly tell you I'm not
there, or some other excuse. He is mad, so just humour him. Only I have the
password to my email account so this is the most secure method.
Yours, Lenny.
Sealand is an old disused rusting Royal Navy defence platform in the Thames Estuary. Since the 60's it's been inhabited by a Roy Bates and he declared it a principality and issues his own currency, stamps, passports, etc...