These are the emails that were exchanged with James Caldwell (aka: Babatunde) and myself. I was of course at the same time posing as Missy and gleaning all the personal info I could from the scammer to use against him later when the rip-off was complete.
Oddly, although I sent James a phony receipt from Western Union for a short time he was under the impression that the money had been picked up by his associates. He later claimed the associate was arrested for attempting to collect via a fake receipt.
Scammer Babatunde
The Game Begins
From: James Caldwell
Hello,
Hello, Am James Caldwell from US and am looking for a representative in the states and Canada who will be working for us as a part-time worker and we are willing to pay $500 USD for every transaction, which wouldn't affect ur present state of work, if u are interested pls am online u can chat with me.
first off all i will like to know ur asl and what u do for a living Am 29// single no kids and never been married before from USA, WEST PAL M BEACH in FLORIDA, I work for FABRIC LINK TEXTILES LIMITED COMPANY ENGLAND
Our main factory is located in England were we extract the raw materials need for the manufacturing of fabrics, but all transfers and anything that has to do with payments are referred to England
We are looking for a representative in the states and Canada, someone who we can entrust with our company money and funds and would help us receive payments from our customers, clients in the states for the supply of fabric and textile materials we supply to them
The reason why we need this representatives is because the cost of coming to the states and getting payments is very expensive, we can spend up $ 1,300 USD only in buying tickets and the rest of the expenses, so we need a representative in the states and Canada who will be capable and reliable of handling that aspect, We are willing to pay $500 per every payment u receive, and you can still keep ur regular job while you work for us
All you have to do is help us receive payments from our customers and clients in the states and Canada. These payments are in cashier’s check or money orders and they would come to you in your name and information and the reason for this is that you will be the one to cash the check or money orders , so all you need do is cash the check or money orders take out your payment which is $500 USD and wire the rest of the money to us via western union money transfer
It wouldn’t cost u any amount, u are to receive our payments which will be sent to u by FedEx or usps from our business partners, clients and customers which would come in a cashiers cheque or money orders then u are to cash it take out your pay ($500) and send to us via western union money transfer
This is the information that will be required from you if you are interested.
FULL CONTACT NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS (Including City and Zip Code):
PHONE NUMBER #:
PERMANENT EMAIL ADDRESS:
Thanks,
James Caldwell
From: James Caldwell
Hello Michael Chance
Thanks for the email you sent to me, i want to ask you some question before we proceed on the transaction. As soon as you receive the check where will you cash the check from? Have you send money through western union money transfer before. All what the company want from you is honesty and integrity so that we can work together.
After you have cash the check from your bank you will deduct your $500 as your cuts and you will also deduct western union charges from the company money and get the rest send through western union money transfer and get back to me with the 10 digits MTCN #, amount sent, including the sender name and address and the text question and answer you use to send the money via western union money transfer. Lastly i will like to know your Age and what do you do for a living. Thanks for the anticipated cooperation.
I assume you can read. My profession is listed at the bottom of this email. I'm 40 years old. Does it matter where I cash the check?
I would likely deposit in my account at Bank of America which is right across the street from western union.
All I need do is drop the check into the deposit box and drive across the street and wire you the money right? I've used WU many times, it's no big deal.
Michael Chance
From: James Caldwell
The first payment will be from Bennet-Tec Information Systems, Inc., the amount on the check is $3250.As soon as you receive I want you to get the money send through western union money transfer same day.
From: James Caldwell
Hello Michael,
Thanks for the email, you will be getting payments per week. Here is the name and address you will send the money to below:
Name: Godfrey Brock-Gadd
Address: 32 KIPLING PLACE GREAT HARWOOD
City: Blackburn Lancashire
Country: England
As soon as you send the money get back to me with the 10 digits MTCN and amount sent and including the sender name and address.
James, where do I send the money too? How often will these checks come? I really could use the extra money; I have access to large sums of cash through my company (which I could use since I'm really only taking it out briefly), so I could easily handle a much larger transaction if the service fee I get is increased.
I had his email account closed by Yahoo just to annoy him
Hello Michael Chance
How are you doing today just want to inform you that my former yahoo email has been hacked by unknown person, this is my new yahoo email
Sorry for the delay of the payment, you will be getting the payment on Friday. As soon as you receive the payment i don’t want any delay from you. Get back to me to know that you receive the payment. Thanks for the concerns.
Yes James, you've sent this to me once before. I would appreciate also having a phone number for you, as you do have mine.
Also a photo would be nice, since again, you requested mine. It seems I have offered every assurance you have requested to put your mind at ease, yet I've received most little. A copy of your passport or driver’s license would put my mind at ease.
I'm concerned this may be a set-up by my government to get me for tax evasion as I have most certainly had issues with them in the past. Proof of your existence would be nice. I do not which to go to jail.
This is not a set up at all, i did not ask for a copy of passport or driver license from you at all, why are you asking that from me. The company will not allow me to send that to you at all. I assure you that you can’t go to jail.
The name of our company is fabric link textiles company limited, its seems i don’t understand what is going on anymore, i told u someone has hacked by former email, i want you to ignore the person, so that you will not talk to him anymore.
Get back to me.
James
From: James Caldwell
Hello Michael Chance,
How are you doing today, Ups courier services is have a problem with the address you provide to us(A CORRECT STREET NUMBER IS NEEDED FOR DELIVERY. UPS IS ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN THIS INFORMATION )here is the ups tracking .A371 1957 826.....the amount on the check is $3750.
What i want you to do now is that, you will go and get the package from there office ,all you have to do is to go with the tracking’s number above. You will deduct $500 as your cuts and get the rest send through western union. Here is the name and address you will send the money to via western union below:
Name: Godfrey Brock-Gadd
Address: 32 KIPLING PLACE GREAT HARWOOD
City: Blackburn Lancashire
Zipcode: BB67 JZ
Country: England
NB: As soon as you send the money get back to me with the 10 digits MTCN and the amount sent including the sender name and address.
James Caldwell.
From: James Caldwell
Hello Michael Chance
How are you doing today, i just want to inform you that the payment will be delivered to your address in the morning. The amount on the check is $3,950.Here is the UPS tracking number (j1999104572) track it at www.ups.com/us.
As soon as you received the payment, make sure you get it cash at your bank and deduct your $500 and also deduct western union fees from the company money and get the rest send through western union money transfer to the name below:
Name: Godfrey Brock-Gadd
Address: 32 KIPLING PLACE GREAT HARWOOD
City: Blackburn Lancashire
Zip code: BB67 JZ
Country: England
NB:As soon as you send the money get back to me with the 10 digits MTCN and the amount sent including the sender name and address.
Thanks
James Caldwell
You can take both tracking number to ups office so that you can get both packages.
My address is not incorrect James, unless your people wrote it down incorrectly. I'm not chasing a package around town for 500 bucks, I'm busy.
Michael Chance
From: James Caldwell
Hello Michael,
Sorry for the incontinency, the problem is not from us at all that is what ups say on their websites.....A CORRECT COMPANY OR RECEIVER NAME IS NEEDED FOR DELIVERY. UPS IS ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN THIS INFORMATION;A POSTCARD HAS BEEN SENT TO THE RECIPIENT REQUESTING THAT THEY CONTACT UPS.
If you can go to there office i want you to go to call them so that you can give them your address again, so that they will reschedule the package to your address.
Here is the ups phone number.........800-742-5877..........pls make sure you call them so that they will deliver it to you on Monday. I know that you are always busy, i want you to complete the transaction for us, i know that 500$ is too small for status. I want you to call them.
Concerning the second tracking number, it will be delivering to your address on Monday, so i want you to give them both tracking number.
Thanks
James.
From: James Caldwell
Thanks for the email you sent. I will be waiting for the MTCN # and amount sent, as soon as you send the money.
Thanks
James.
From: James Caldwell
Hello Michael,
The check has been delivered to your office address; the person that signed the package is BAYRIE.I will be expecting the western union information from you, as soon as you send the money.
As soon as you get back to the office, make sure you get the money send today so that you can receive another payment the following day.
Thanks
James.
From: James Caldwell
Subject: Get back to me!
Hello,
I want to inform you that incase western union did not allow you to send the huge amount at once, cos western can be stubborn sometimes.
You should send the amount they allowed you to send at once and go to another WU location to send the remaining amount to the same receiver name, but if WU allow you to send everything at once pls go ahead and send everything and get back to me with the western union info, such as the amount sent, 10digits mtcn and the sender name and address.
Thank you!
James.
It’s at point I explain via my handheld unit that my secretary Sandy has sent the money via WU, but she has called in sick for the day, thus I don’t have every email sent from my phone
I'm afraid I've not yet reached sandy, she's apparently terribly sick; which is why she left work bit early yesterday. I'm sure she'll be in tomorrow though.
From: James Caldwell
Subject: My regards to Sandy
I wish Sandy Quick recovery, Hope she is feeling okay as well. Just try your best possible to reach her.
I'm afraid I’ve not yet reached sandy, she's apparently terribly sick; which is why she left work bit early yesterday. I'm sure she'll be in tomorrow though.
From: James Caldwell
Good morning,
How is your night? I guess it is great. As soon as you get to the office today, just ensure you help me get the correct MTCN and get back to me as soon as you can. I wish sandy fast recovery, pray she gets well soon.
I understand, but I'm not 100% sure I will make it into the office today due to the requirements of my current client wishing to view million dollar homes all day.
I do have obligation to people other than you James. I have been most patient with you; please show me the same courtesy. I will send the money within one hour of opening the package, I promise.
From: James Caldwell
Hello Michael,
How are you doing today? What is going on? Have you got the WU receipt, have you get the correct MTCN .pls do get back to me as soon as you can with the details.
From: James Caldwell
I’m still waiting for the scan receipt you want to send via email. Get back to me on time. Because my Boss is at my Neck.
I understand. We've been having a little birthday party for one of the workers and I've had a few cocktails if you know what I mean buddy. Alas, here is the scanned doc for your pleasure. Shouldn't be any more issues now; oh, by the way, no more checks have come yet, have I been fired?
Oh, also, the bank called today and talked to my secretary about the checks I deposited. They asked me to stop by on the way home to discuss the matter. What do you think that’s about?
Michael Chance
From: James Caldwell
Thanks for completing the transaction, At last the money has been picked up by the company Financial Director some minutes ago, Thanks for the patronage. Hopefully, you will be getting another check by tomorrow morning. Enjoy yourself at the Birthday party.
Most excellent my friend; I told you not to worry, for there was never a problem of any sorts. Poor Sandy just got so terribly sick and all. By the way, you didn't answer the questions I asked about those checks the bank called about.
If there is a problem, your company will surely make good on them won't they. As I have shown myself to by an honest God fearing man, I do expect you to be the same. The message the bank left my secretary sounded most urgent, but unfortunately I'm not going to have time to go by there until tomorrow when I finish work. Nevertheless, I'm not worried.
Take care.
Michael Chance
From: James Caldwell
Well keep yourself calm. I'm very optimistic and 100% sure the check is very ok and valid because we don’t deal with bad clients. Besides we have good records and we will never want our company record to be tarnished, since we protect our image as well.
More to that is the fact that, the client that sent the check is a longtime client that has been dealing with our company for the past 5 years.Just get yourself together and enjoy your party. Even if, anything happens from your bank of which am very sure nothing will happen, the company will stand solidly behind you to get things rectified perfectly. Get back to me!
From: James Caldwell
Thanks again, I’m telling you authoritatively that we don’t have any problem with those checks our clients mail out to your address. Because those clients have been dealing with us for so long want you to get back to me as soon as you get home from the bank.
James, I'm terribly dismayed. I have spoken with the bank regarding the checks. Both were fake; are you familiar with the term Nigerian 419 scam?
Michael Chance
From: James Caldwell
Subject: I'm disappointed!
Hello Michael,
I am disappointed in what i just heard about you saying both checks were fake. How? I can’t just believe that cos the client that got the check sent has been dealing with us for the many years now. Hopefully something must be wrong somewhere which will be corrected. ok you have nothing to lose. Just be patient and let me get my boss aware of this latest ugly development need your patience. ok! what do you mean by Nigeria 419 scam?
I haven’t heard that before and am hearing it for the very first time. can you share more light on that.
The bank has directed me to this website, which I must say shocks and confounds me. Surely you have not taken me for thousands of my hard earned dollars my friend. I would appreciate it if you could have your company wire the funds back to me today.
Please supply the MCN number once you have done this.
After meeting with the FBI this afternoon along with my Bankers I was shocked to learn about your fraud. Upon learning the ugly truth, I brought in our company's finest I.T. service people to hack into your computers system. Upon doing so, we transferred all of your computer’s memory into our own mainframe (with a little help from the FBI), and have learned the magnitude of your fraud.
Since you may have your doubts about the truthfulness of what I'm telling you, I will share this with you. Your Yahoo Login ID is mls486.
Now, it's also been brought to our attention that your name isn't James, and that you are in fact a young Nigerian college student. We believe you have made little money from this fraud, and you are in fact being used by handlers in the UK who are in fact raking in millions, while handing you little. Unfortunately for you, we do know you identity and have traced you ISP your location (home).
If need be, I can and will offer you all the info we have on you. I prefer not to do it one the web, but that is your choice. You will respond with all of the info you have on your associate’s true identity and for doing so, you will avoid prison time. We have also uploaded a photo from your hard drive we believe to be you. Don't embarrass your family Baba, help yourself now.
The Agent in Charge has attached his business card for you. It should open with Microsoft Office Imaging software installed on most computers. You have only a short time to begin cooperating or you will be arrested.
Subject: You have 24 hours remaining to comply Babatunde Hasson.
That’s correct Baba, we have completed our download and analysis of your hard drive. We have also received the FBI Event Trace Log (attached) which takes us directly to Akinsuli Street in Agege, Lagos. Now, Baba; we are willing to resolve this matter without prosecution if we receive the $7,000 wired to us within 24 hours. Our company is more concerned with the return of the funds than prosecution.
However, if your associates aren't willing to complete the wire transfer within the required 24 hours, we will follow through with prosecution via the United States Department of Justice, in conjunction with the Nigerian government, who has assured us of their cooperation.
Since we're able to provide them with essentially everything they need for your arrest and prosecution, their actually willing to do something. It's really our decision as to whether you are prosecuted, since it is of course our money. Your childish silence isn't going to help Baba, hiding at home until they come for you will prove the worst decision of your young life.
You have 24 hours to wire our money to Washington.
Michael
From: James Caldwell
Subject: Re: You have 24 hours remaining to comply Babatunde Hasson.
Hello,
This is really going out of hand cos i don’t seem to understand any of your responses, I live and work in UK and my company is a legit company that will always back me up if anything goes wrong. Well i told you everything will be rectified cos it is never our fault, but the fault of the client i don’t work for any scam office, but for my boss here in England.
Frankly and honestly, as am talking to you now, he money has not been cashed but still remain with the western union at your location where Sandra sent the money cos the money was hanged for some reasons i believe Sandra should be aware of. Ok!
Open your ears; our finance director is still in the police custody as am i talking to you now. He was detained the second time he went to pick the money at the western union location.
Firstly, he was accused of bringing a fake MTCN the first day he came to pick the money. The second time he went there to pick the money, he wa detained cos on the Wu receipt, the exchange rate of the dollar being sent was shown in Naira exchange instead of pounds exchange which makes them to be suspicious in UK WU and the refuse to release the money. Pls hurry and go to WU Sandra sent the money to complain and get your money back. Get back to me. I am serious and honest with what i said.
Get back to me.
James
CAN YOU BELIEVE HE NOW WANTS MY HELP FOR HIS ARRESTED FRIEND!
Yes Babatunde, your friend is in much trouble as are you. Before you make a fool of yourself any further, we have spoken with Fabriclink and you do not work for them, you have never worked for them, and they do not collect fund in the manner you have described to us.
Thank you Michael for bringing this horrible crime to our attention; yes, we have met with the FBI today and are discussing our prosecution options. It appears the entire group will be arrested once your company, the victim, files the appropriate charges. We have never employed a James Caldwell, nor have we ever used third party collectors.
Thank you again,
Kathy Swantko
--------------------
Now Baba, as I said, pay or pray. Have your associates sent the $7,000 to us immediately; we have your email confirming the money was received and collected. Your 24 hour clock is ticking. You will be arrested at 14 Akinsuli Street, or the University of Nigeria. We will be expecting our fund shortly, and upon receipt, we will make sure your friend avoids prosecution. Otherwise Baba, God help you.
Michael Chance
From: mike@comcast.net
We have decided to contact one of your victims every 30 minutes until the money is sent. We are currently accessing the accounts of your associates which were traced through your account and computer records. We will also contact all victims from the master list currently being manipulated into sending money. Simple as that, pay or pray.
Babatunde vanished at this point and I picked up on him as Missy. Missy then claimed to have seen Mike Creel on TV and said they were showing Baba’s photos. She claimed to have been contacted by the FBI and met with Mike Creel. Tunde pleaded with her not to believe the rumors and then claimed to have gone into hiding with relatives. Even his friend Najeem claims to know nothing of his location.
As you can see from reading this chain of emails, they pull the victim in, act very sweet to them, then send one check and rush them to the Western Union, and then they send a second check ASAP before the others bounce. They will send one check each day until the checks begin bouncing.
This could take up to 14 days and result in the victim sending twenty to thirty thousand in cash. Often the checks I receive are very real look Visa Travelers Checks and most anyone would believe they were real.
Babatunde vanished at this point and I picked up on him as Missy. Missy then claimed to have seen Mike Chance on TV and said they were showing Baba’s photos. She claimed to have been contacted by the FBI and met with Mike Chance. Tunde pleaded with her not to believe the rumors and then claimed to have gone into hiding with relatives. Even his friend Najeem claims to know nothing of his location.
As you can see from reading this chain of emails, they pull the victim in, act very sweet to them, then send one check and rush them to the Western Union, then they send a second check ASAP before the others bounce. They will send one check each day until the checks begin bouncing.
This could take up to 14 days and result in the victim sending twenty to thirty thousand in cash. Often the checks I receive are very real look Visa Travelers Checks and most anyone would believe they were real.
