First 'completed' bait -- comments, criticisms welcome!

By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics and access other forums reserved for members. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today by clicking here.

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 5:10 pm

Hey, I've got a few baits that are looking dead, but I'm holding out hope that they'll resurface if I'm quiet enough. In this case, this was a lottery scam, and I'd read here that they are usually difficult to string out. I gave it a shot, and got more emails than I thought I would.

Please give me your feedback.

This was a surplus email I got off the site. I did not copy the original message, just sent this response.

Quote:

Mr. Brown

You've got to be kidding me! I'm pretty sure I didn't enter that
contest, but maybe I did. I do a lot of internet stuff and I lose
track.

Let me know how to proceed, and how much is 500000 euros in dollars anyway?

Mr. Brown fires back quickly with a form letter (which I won't publish) however his form has 850,000 euros as the prize. Details, details, details...

A standard processing form is also attached for me to fill out.

I reply and attach a DLL file as my 'returned form'.

Quote:

Mr. Brown,

I have completed the form as instructed and have attached it forthwith.

Mr. XXXXXX

I receive another long form email with another attached certificate showing proof that the money is there or some other nonsense. I'm not sure I even read it, but it seems a good time to start being problematic.

Quote:

Sir:

I could not open the attached file. Can you send it as it's own file,
not an attachment?

XXX.

Finally an off-script email!

Quote:

Dear XXX XXXXX,

Thanks for your response,I'm sending it again I can only send it through attachment not as is own file.

Thanks,

Wow, what a ducky file.

Quote:

Sir

I have managed to view the document, and things seem to be in order
with it. Please respond back soonest with how we proceed further.

XXX.

Quote:

Dear XXX,

You are advised to fill the processing form and send back either by fax or email.
I await your response,
Thomas Brown

Oooh! ok. Slap time. Seems he doesn't read his form emails either, time to point him back to part of one.

Quote:

Mr. Brown,

You guys need to do some searching apparently. I sent you the
completed form over a week ago, and in an email on the 23rd, you
acknowledged receipt of it.

"Dear XXXXXX,

We received your attached copy processing form filled by you."

Please find it and move this process forward if that is the only thing
you are missing.

XXX.

Clever mugu, apparently it was a computer glitch!

Quote:

Dear XXX XXXX,

Thanks for your mail,I just confirmed from the central computer again that we did received your attached copy processing form filled by you on the 23rd Novermber.
We are the approved agent for Bank Giro Loterij Promotion
and our responsibility is to verity and
process all claims/and send winning certificate.So
that you will be paid.For our services we charge a
token fee of FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY EUROS(550
EUROS).The bank will only be dealing with you,Only
after you have the winning certificate from the award
department.

Be informed that your WINNING PRIZE has a HIGH INSURANCE POLICY that makes it difficult to deduct even a cent until the sum is finally credited to your designated account.
We cannot deduct the NON-RESIDENT APPLICATION/ PROCESSING FEES from your winnings because you�re winning is covered with HIGH INSURANCE POLICY so you as the prime winner are responsible in paying the processing fees.

It is 100% guaranteed that you would be paid the money
that you have won.It is better if you quickly raise
the processing fee 550 euro,and send it by western
union money transfer directly to the legal
officer:
MR. James Williams
ADDRESS HOFWIJCK STRAAT 28A, NOORD- HOLLAND 1055GE,
AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS.

You are to forward to this office a receipt of your
payment which should include full name of sender,address of sender,(control number MTCN )that will enable our processing officer to collect the money from western union money transfer office.

Once the legal officer has confirmed your payment he will immediately proceed to the award department to obtain your winnings certificate and vital documents that will be forwarded to the paying bank as proof of your winnings before they can effect the transfer of the funds to your designated within four working days.

We are await your urgent response,

Our customer service is guaranteed.
Congratulation,

Mr. Thomas Brown.

Lottery Fiduciary Agent.

Fax: 31 20524 8473.

Phone: 00316-4594-2896

550 Euros?

Quote:

Mr. Brown,

There seems to be one major problem. I am in the United States, and
frankly I have no idea how much 550 euros is or where I would get
them. Can you convert what you need into dollars?

XXXX.

Mr. Brown does some cyphering and comes back shortly with:

Quote:

Dear XXX XXXX,

Thanks for your prompt response,Be informed that 550 euro if converter it will be 735 US Dollars.
You are advised to make the payment as soon as possible to enable the legal officer obtain all related documents that will be forwarded to the paying bank before they can effect the transfer the funds to nominated local account.

I await your response,

Regards,

Thomas Brown

So off I go to Western Union (not)

Quote:

Mr. Brown,

I have just returned from Western Union where I have deposited $735 as
instructed, which is receivable as follows:

MR. James Williams
ADDRESS HOFWIJCK STRAAT 28A, NOORD- HOLLAND 1055GE,
AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS.

Sent by: XXX XXXX
Address: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Control: 73-560-059
Question: What is Jenny's Phone number?
Answer: 867-5309

I would like immediate confirmation that the process is now complete
and my money is ready for release.

XXXX.

the control number happens to be 419^3.

Quote:

Dear XXX XXXXX,

I have received the information of the transfer of the $735 through western union money transfer, but the MTCN number which is normally ten digit you send is not valid kindly reconfirm the number again to enable Mr. James Williams pick up the money and proceed to obtain the certificate from the awards department.

Await your urgent response

Best regards.

OOPS! 419^3 is only 8 digits, silly me....

I decide to ignore him for a few days.

Quote:

Dear XXX XXXX,

I did you received my last mail dated 04/12/2004?if not, you are required to send the correct details of your payment which should include the 10 digit MTCN number to enable our legal officer to collect the money from western union office.
I await your prompt response,

Best Regards,

Thomas Brown

Now is the beginning of the end. I decide it's time to see if I can get a trophy. Maybe I struck to hard or too soon, but as you'll see, things fall apart quickly.

Quote:

Mr. Brown,

I have the ten-digit number and all other information ready to send to
you. However, before we proceed further, I would like to receive
additional confirmation that the money is indeed ready to be sent to
me immediately upon you receiving my $735. I do not want to be
scammed here, and while I feel you are a trustworthy person, I would
like to see more proof that everything you say is true.

To that end, please forward me a copy of the bank statement showing
the money, or other official bank documentation that the money is
there. Secondly, I would like a photo of you with some sort of
identification.

Upon receipt of this information I will forward you the ten-digit number.

I quickly receive a bunch of BS as to why he can't help me.

Quote:

Dear Ahab McWhaler,

I'm sorry we are unable to work with you as regards the request you made,please kindly be informed that this is an esteem lotto firm we do not involve in any that have to do with scam and we do not give such information as requested by you.
Moreover,your funds winning prize is deposited in a suspense accounts and is yet to be recognized by the Ktt central system of the paying bank as your documents which include your winning certificate which is meants to be duely Legalised by the Notary public in other to recorgnised your file.
please be informed that as you have chosen not to send the legalisation and processing fee for your file /document in other to effects the payments of your funds to your designated accounts,please kindly send us a letter of consent advising us that you are no longer interested in pursuing the prize fund.we shall there file this to your document and ask our attorney to make a written statement in other to justify your claims.
We await your response,

Thomas Brown

I call the bluff.

Quote:

Mr. Brown,

Ok, then let's call the deal off. If you can't provide me any proof,
I'm not going to send the money. It almost makes me think something
IS fishy if you won't even give me SOME proof as to who you are.

He checks.

Quote:

Dear Ahab McWhaler,

There is nothing fishy,if you are not ready to claims your winnings kindly forget about it.
I don't understand what kind of proof you are asking from me again after our company's lawyer has issued a letter of guarrantee to you,guarranting you about you winnings.
Kindly send us a letter of consent that you are no longer interested in receiving your winnings so that it will be filed in your file.

Regards,

Thomas Brown

I raise again.

Quote:

Consider this my letter that I'm not interested anymore if you aren't
going to offer me the assurances I want. Either send me the picture
and bank document I asked for, or quit sending me emails

...and it seems like he's folded.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your comments.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 623

Okay, you said criticism welcome, so here you are: This is by far the worst bait I've ever seen ! Why the hell did you post that sh*t here ? Hey, where are the mods ? Delete this rubbish !

No, I was kidding. Smile

IMHO, you did well for a first bait. You need to keep a lad waiting a bit longer before you get down to WU biz though. Delay tactics like sending it via MoneyRunner first or asking 100s of dumb questions help. And seriously, you won't get a pic trophy from a lottery scam, at least not so easily. But generally, well done.

Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:38 pm

Well, leave it to a Mugu to mess up my first completed bait. The idiot responded to me again today asking if I'd sent the 10 digit number to him yet.

/stay tuned.

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:58 pm

I like the pun "something fishy"

First 'completed' bait -- comments, criticisms welcome!	View next topic View previous topic