How a 419 scam works

I was minding my own business and got a message on ICQ. The following is a transcript of how a 419 scam works. You will see the lines they use, the way they try to draw you in.

Bottom line, you have to pay up front any cost of claiming the package and you're stuck with that loss. You never recover your money because part of it is sent out of the country and it's gone once you send it. Here is the transcript with a little humor of my own thrown in at the end. I made him think HE'S been conned.

ttonyy ‎(2:55 PM):ttonyy (362043779) has added you Add    Block    Discard
   
§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(2:55 PM): yes?

ttonyy ‎(2:55 PM): hello Jim

ttonyy ‎(2:56 PM): Am Tony Davis
i guess this is the first time am talkin to you

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(2:56 PM): yup, what can I do for ya tony davis?

ttonyy ‎(2:57 PM): well Jim, i have a matter that needs urgent attention and i believe a man of your understanding should be able to help me out

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(2:57 PM): oh?

ttonyy ‎(3:00 PM): would u like to hear my proposal ?

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:00 PM): yup

ttonyy ‎(3:01 PM): Well am from La Califonia but at the moment am in the UK

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:01 PM): and?

ttonyy ‎(3:02 PM): i have this package which is arriving the united states  actually it contains money which i cant hold on to

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:02 PM): and you need me to receive it for you and send you a check

ttonyy ‎(3:03 PM): not that i need you to clear it from the customs  at the moment no one knows the content but i assure you that as soon asit arrives the states it would be detected

ttonyy ‎(3:04 PM): now you have to help me clear it at the customoffice since you are in NC

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:04 PM): keep talking

ttonyy ‎(3:05 PM): Now Jim am talkin about a lot of money  i cant cometo the states to make this claims cos i have a problem with the Uk Gov who wont let me out  they are after my money  they want to get my money

ttonyy ‎(3:06 PM):  and i wont let them even if its the last thing i do i got this money from a transaction i have been following up in Nigeria now  i got the money  and they said i should come to london and get it which i did

ttonyy ‎(3:07 PM):  after which now i am been arrested for money laudry Jim you have to help me get this funds  this is my only hope after all that i have spent in gettin it

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:08 PM): how can I help?

ttonyy ‎(3:08 PM): Jim i want to trust you with my life  i believe you are a fellow American like i am  i believe you should be able to help me

ttonyy ‎(3:09 PM): now i need to get your email and phone number  so i can get you involved in this  you have to understand that you will have to act on my behalf in this matter  am taking you as a principal partner in this matter you will have to understand that you are acting for me

ttonyy ‎(3:10 PM):  the diplomats will be arriving by saturday or sunday

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:11 PM): how much is this going to cost me?

Resend Failed to send message ttonyy ‎(3:14 PM): are u there Jim ?

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:14 PM): yeah

ttonyy ‎(3:14 PM): how can u help me inthis matter

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:14 PM): my ICQ went out how much is it going to cost me?

ttonyy ‎(3:14 PM): ok

ttonyy ‎(3:15 PM): please read all what i have written and tell me what you think

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:15 PM): I have how much do I get but how much do I have to put up in advance?

ttonyy ‎(3:16 PM): am willing to split the funds 60% -40% 60 for me and 40 for you  now note that you will have to understand that i am not a custom official

ttonyy ‎(3:17 PM):  but then i believe that it wont take much from you knowing that once you get this sum you will take whatever amont of money you have spent in the cause of getting it before we would share it  is that ok with you ?

§Ž**Master_Jim**Ž§ ‎(3:18 PM): my name is Jim Dunn and I am an FBI agent, my badge # is 2711 and I have traced your IP address and your provider has given us your location and you are about to be placed under arrest for fraud. You picked the wrong person to trust.

ttonyy ‎(3:19 PM): Thats fine Jim

NowPublic

Tags: opinion | fraud | Nigeria | Scam | 419 | SCAMMERS | Tech & Biz | money laundrying