James is supposedly a Nigerian, trying to sell a mac-book... to me. I am NOT making all this up. I found this info, about a MacBook going dirt cheap. I was, at that time, unfamiliar with popular 'Nigerian Scams'.
Anyway, this is an e-mail conversation between con-man James and me, all of which took place within a day...a few hours actually.
No editing of text... just reversal of order...ashtey.
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Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:35:06 +0800
From: snehalpinto@gmail.com
To: jamesbent2@hotmail.com
Subject: Details about macbook.
Hey,
Macbook pro for 1000 SGD ?? really ?
Can i have some more details please ?
Thanks
Snehal
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On 8/17/07, James Bent < jamesbent2@hotmail.com > wrote:
Hello Snehal,
Thanks for your email.
The 17" Apple Macbook Pro laptop is brand new and still sealed in the box. Comes with two years warranty. It cost $1000SGD and the shipping cost is $100SGD.
So the total cost is $1100SGD.
Specificationsfor the 17" Apple macbook laptop include
Processor: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 2GB
Hard drive: 120GB
Internal Slots: DVD/RW
4 USB ports
Serial no. MA092LL/A
To place your order, email back with the follwoing informations.
1. Your full name
2. your shipping address in detail
3. Your Phone Number
As soon as the above informations are received, the laptop will be packaged and ready for shipment to you.
Delivery will take max. of 2 days(48hrs)
Shipping is via UPS.
Payment is through western union money transfer.
Thanks.
Reply.
James Bent
Electronics Solution Inc.
25 Lekki Express way, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: +2348087***249
Registration No. 708***14
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Ok Champa... sounds good, but I smell that dead fish in your pocket. Still, since you patiently replied, (to eventually take my money of course) I will return the favour. You do what you have to; just wont let you steal from me.
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Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:32:47 +0800
From: snehalpinto@gmail.com
Hi James,
I regret to inform you, i wont be going in for the offer. I already managed to buy a second hand notebook which i could test out first hand.
Thanks for your time.
Regards
Snehal
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There... that was polite, i guess. He wants to steal? thats fine. I'm not preaching to anybody.
***---***
On 8/17/07, James Bent > wrote:
Oh ok.
But i can give you a discount.
Electronics Solution Inc.
25 Lekki Ex.....
.......
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Well... the plot thickens.
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Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:25:23 +0800
From: snehalpinto@gmail.com
Oh thanks! but i'm not really looking to bargain. Your price is already fantastic. Actually, I'm paying a few dollars more for this second hand laptop. Its just that, i wanted to test anything BEFORE i bought it. Also, i thought you were operating locally. nevermind. Too bad i'm not from Nigeria.
Anyway, ive already spent my cash :)
thanks and rgds
Snehal
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On 8/17/07, James Bent > wrote:
Ours is Brand new in the pack, with complete accessories.
oK lets do it this way. For a start.
Pay for just shipping cost, and when you get the Mac Book, and have tested it, you can the pay the rest.
Thanks
Await your reply.
James Bent.
Electronics Solution Inc.
***---***
Ooookay, sister.... lets play!
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Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:38:39 +0800
From: snehalpinto@gmail.com
oh man! :0)
this is really tempting... but i've already spent my money. However, if you are willing, i could buy it for a friend. If you could send it over, i'll test it, ( and since you are confident that its fine, because its in the original package you dont have anything to worry about) After i test it, i'll wire the cost+shipping plus 10%
thats 1000+100+110 (extra) roughly 1200 SGD ... but AFTER i receive the package.
Regards,
Snehal
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On 8/17/07, James Bent > wrote:
Ok great.
But there is one little problem here.
Its company policy that atleast a form of payment must be tendered before shipment is carried out.
What i mean is that, payment must be confirmed first , no matter how small before shipment commences.
Thats why i asked you to pay for just the shipping fee, which is $100SGD.
And when you recive the Mac Book, you can then send the rest of the money.
We do this, so that we can atleast be sure that the customer is for real.
Hope you understand what i mean?
So now i will like you to send me your full shipping address, and telephone number so that your Mac Book can be immediately packaged to be ready for shipment.
Thanks
Await your reply
James Bent
Elect......-
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Naaaice... address, phone number... how about my grannie's panties too?
Ok...no more interruptions...at least for a bit.
n'akkansisya!!!
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Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:55:48 +0800
From: snehalpinto@gmail.com
hey James,
I agree with your policy. but if i'm going to pay via a WU transfer, i'll also need some assurance. Which is why i suggested that you take 10 %. Maybe even 20 %. (Since i'll be selling this piece for a profit.) But AFTER i receive the unit. You can use your shipping partners to confirm my address and identification. I'll produce all my identification papers to the shipping partner, once i receive the unit (and fax address proof and details to you too). That includes my passport details, Citizenship staus, and current adress proof. But, AFTER i receive the unit.
Thanks again.
Snehal
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On 8/17/07, James Bent < jamesbent2@hotmail.com > wrote:
Thanks for your mail,
Oh i see what you are saying now.
Are you talking about the Western union charges.
If thats the case, you can take the western union charges from the $100 to be sent.
Like i said before, its policy that payment must be confirmed first no matter how small.
So now i will like you to send me your full shipping address, and telephone number so that your Mac Book can be immediately packaged to be ready for shipment.
Thanks
Await your reply
James Bent
Electronics Solution Inc.
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Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:05:39 +0800
From: snehalpinto@gmail.com
Since its your policy that i send a sum, no matter how small, is it ok if i transfer 10 SGD... just to start with... just to prove i'm for real.
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On 8/17/07, James Bent
Yes no matter how small.
But you know $10SGD is just too small.
Its not even up 10USD.
I was hoping that you will send may be $80SGD.
Thanks
Reply now
James Bent.
Electronics Solution Inc.
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Oh Har! and Har! too small eh? Policy my ARSE! fakkin smegma-breathed leech! From 1100 to 100, and now 80... how low will he go?
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Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:16:31 +0800
From: snehalpin.....
well.. thats a very lax policy then.... right now... i can afford only that much. Do let me know if you can work with that. ie : 10SGD. After all, all you need to know is if i'm for real.
I mean, dont get me wrong. What assurance do i have that you wont get back to me after i transfer that 'small' amount ? Of course.. i mean it in no derogatory sense... just a precautionary measure. Do understand. Long story short... i can afford to invest 10 SGD to prove i'm for real, to someone i dont know, regardless of the outcome.
Thanks
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On 8/17/07, James Bent
Thanks for your mail,
I know you can afford the $80SGD.
And dont you think that we have tried for you.
You are buying an item worth $1100SGD.
And we just want you to send $80SGD for a start.
God thats good enough if you ask me.
And about assurance, you have nothing to worry about as you are dealing with a legitimate company.
To prove that to you, here a reference.
Hes from the UK. He bought 10 units of the Mac Book from us Last week.
His name is Scott Wuhrer
And here is his number
+4470****5758
You can call him and ask about about the Mac Book and our services too
After that send me an email ok.
I will be expecting your mail.
Thanks
Await your reply
James Bent.
Electronics Solution Inc.
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oooOOoo...'tried for you', 'good enough', Credibility check... using big words he doesn't understand; is'nt he cute?!?
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Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:34:07 +0800
From: sneh...
well... i'm not asking you to bend your comapny policy. really. And since the purpose of receiveing an initial amount is just to ascertain my credibility, why dont you take a small amount? since i'll any way be paying the larger amount upon delivery. Honestly, i can afford the 80 SGD. but i am skeptical. Call me stingy, but thats how i prefer to do business. I will pay you. and you have my FULL 10 SGD as a credibility check. credibility can be checked no matter if its 10, 80 or even 800 SGD. So, i'll send you 10. But you send me the unit.. i'll pay you the rest AND a 10 % extra fee, for all this rigmarole i made you go through with.
Warm Regards.
Snehal
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On 8/17/07, James Bent
Now let me ask you a question.
If you were us, and i was you.
And i wanted to purchase an item worth of $1200.
And i want to pay $10 upfront, will you agree to that?
The money is just too little.
Think about.
Whats the difference of $10 and $80. Its not much.
So why cant you just pay that , and when you get the package, you can then send the rest of the money.
And besides , i already gave you guarantee already.
Did you call Scott, to ask him about our services?
Thanks
Await your reply
James Bent.
Electronics Solution Inc.
***---***
Oh! oh! here it comes... aim, lock ....
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Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 23:54:58 +0800
From: snehalpinto@gmail.com
To: jamesbent2@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Details about macbook.
10 $ isnt too different from 80?? hmmm...then why dont you accept 10bucks???
And if I were you, and you were me (like they were he and john Lenon was the Walrus)
I would'nt accept cash only through WU. I would setup a better portal, to accept cash. But i'm not you, and you are not me. (and they are not he, and John Lenon was not the Walrus... the Walrus was Paul.)
And WHO is SCOTT?? why should i care? really.... how can i believe HIS word? What is this? is this some scam? can i see a website of some sort? Please!
I've had enough. You're DARN right that the money's too little. Because the scam's just not worth it!
Dont ask me for my address, DONT ask me for my phone number, Dont contact me again. And, YOU think about what you're doing.... really... its not right. I politely declined once... but you tried enticing me with silly offers.... shameful!
This is my last email to you. Please dont try to convince me anymore.I find all that you've offered so far to be outrageously unbelievable. So, thanks for the entertainment. I dont intend to waste anymore of my time, or yours... but mainly mine.
Have a nice life!
Sweet, Warm Regards
Snehal
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...aaaahh... wooh! I'm SO spent, baby...rolling off now.
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On 8/17/07, James Bent
Thanks for your mail,
Such words coming out from you.
I was just trying to be a sales man, if you ask me, thats what sales men do.
We try to get more customers.
I am sorry if i have offended you. And i will not send you any other email again.
Bye.
Electronics Solution Inc.
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Aaaaw... c'mon sweety, don't be that way...
"I was just trying to be a sales man".
Woooh! yes, SURE you were.HORRBIAATCH! In the words of Mr.Mani... get some Spiritual healing.
I really would've sent the 10 bucks... if he'd called my bluff... it would've been worth it.
Needless to say, since that day, my mailbox has been brimming with mails of penile size increase tips...'spam for my ham'... Nice!
Did you know 'Extenze' can give you 4 inches to...... *sigh*
